bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lack of functional polyester-biodegrading potential in marineversusterrestrial environments evidenced by an innovative airbrushing technique
Authors: Contreras-Moll Alberto , Obrador-Viel Theo , Molina Rocío Daniela Inés , Aguiló-Ferretjans Maria del Mar , Nogales Balbina , Bosch Rafael , Christie-Oleza Joseph A.
Published: November 2024

Biodegradable plastics, primarily aliphatic polyesters, degrade to varying extents in different environments. However, the absence of easily implementable techniques for screening microbial biodegradation potential —coupled with the limitations of non-functional omics analyses— has restricted comparative studies across diverse polymer types and ecosystems. In this study, we optimized a novel airbrushing method that facilitates functional analyses by simplifying the preparation of polyester-coated plates for biodegradation screening. By repurposing an airbrush kit, polyester microparticles (MPs) could be evenly sprayed onto solid media, enabling rapid detection of extracellular depolymerizing activity via clearing zone halos. This technique was effective in screening both isolated microbial cultures and natural environmental samples, demonstrating its versatility. The method was successfully applied across multiple environments, ranking the biodegradability of six polyesters, from most to least biodegradable: polycaprolactone (PCL), poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (PHB), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(ethylene succinate) (PES), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Most notably, it revealed a consistent 1,000-fold higher biodegradation potential in terrestrial compared to marine environments. This approach offers a valuable tool for isolating novel polyester-degrading microbes with significant biotechnological potential, paving the way for improved plastic waste management solutions.

SYNOPSIS

Screening polyester-degrading microbes has traditionally been challenging due to the difficulty of incorporating polyesters into solid media. This study introduces an innovative airbrush spraying method that simplifies the preparation of polyester MPs on solid media plates, making the screening process significantly more efficient. Using this method, we demonstrated the differential biodegradability of aliphatic polyesters across environments. The results revealed a stark contrast in biodegrading potential, with terrestrial ecosystems exhibiting substantially higher activity compared to marine environments.

Abstract graphic
Antibacterial Compounds Against Non-Growing and Intracellular Bacteria
Authors: Kaldalu Niilo , Bērziņš Normunds , Fick Stina Berglund , Sharma Atin , Andersson Naomi Charlotta , Aedla Jüri , Hinnu Mariliis , Puhar Andrea , Hauryliuk Vasili , Tenson Tanel
Published: November 2024

Slow- and non-growing bacterial populations, along with intracellular pathogens, often evade standard antibacterial treatments and are linked to persistent and recurrent infections. This necessitates the development of therapies specifically targeting nonproliferating bacteria. To identify compounds active against non-growing uropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) we performed a drug-repurposing screen of 6,454 approved drugs and drug candidates. Using dilution-regrowth assays, we identified 39 compounds that either kill non-growing UPEC or delay its regrowth post-treatment. The hits include fluoroquinolones, macrolides, rifamycins, biguanide disinfectants, a pleuromutilin, and anti-cancer agents. 29 of the hits have not previously been recognized as active against non-growing bacteria. The hits were further tested against non-growingPseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureus. Ten compounds – solithromycin, rifabutin, mitomycin C, and seven fluoroquinolones – have strong bactericidal activity against non-growingP. aeruginosa, killing >4 log10of bacteria at 2.5 µM. Solithromycin, valnemulin, evofosfamide, and satraplatin are unique in their ability to selectively target non-growing bacteria, exhibiting poor efficacy against growing bacteria. Finally, 31 hit compounds inhibit the growth of intracellularShigella flexneriin a human enterocyte infection model, indicating their ability to permeate the cytoplasm of host cells. The identified compounds hold potential for treating persistent infections, warranting further comparative studies with current standard-of-care antibiotics.
Growth dynamics and protein-expression ofEscherichia coliserotypes O26:H11, O111:H8 and O145:NM in the bovine rumen
Authors: Kudva Indira T. , Biernbaum Erika N. , Trachsel Julian M.
Published: November 2024

To adapt to the ruminal environment, Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) O157:H7 (O157) expresses proteins involved in survival rather than virulence. Additionally, STEC O157 strains exhibit distinctin vitrobut sharedin vivosurvival patterns in rumen fluids that sets them apart from non-STEC, commensalE. coli. To determine if similar responses would be observed with other STEC, we evaluated three non-O157 serotypes, O26:H11, O111:H8 and O145:NM, along with a non-STECE. coli, under the growth conditions used for STEC O157: (i) anaerobically,in vitro, in rumen fluid from cattle on a lactation (low fiber, high protein) or maintenance (high fiber, low protein) diet, at 39°C for 48 hr and (ii)in vivofor 48 hr within the rumen of cattle on the same diets using a non-terminal, rumen-fistulated animal model that allows for introduction of bacteria without ruminal contamination. On the lactation diet, the ruminal pH was acidic ranging from 5.2 - 6.0 and the total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, 141 - 230 μM/ml. On the maintenance diet, the ruminal fluid pH was close to neutral ranging from 6.0 - 7.0, with a total VFA of 87 - 190 μM/ml. Unlike STEC O157, the three non-O157 serotypes demonstrated survival patterns similar to each other and the control non-STECE. coli.A greater reduction in viable STEC counts was observedin vitroin rumen fluid from cattle fed the lactation diet thanin vivo, corroborating previous reports thatin vitroconditions cannot mimic those observedin vivo. Like STEC O157, the non-O157 serotypes mainly expressed proteins supporting ruminal adaptation although not all proteins matched those expressed by STEC O157, and included the virulence protein, intimin. Explorative studies such as this could provide insights into common conditions/ targets that may have application in broader STEC control in cattle.

Importance of this study

This study demonstrates that non-O157 serotypes O26:H11, O111:H8, O145:NM have similar survival and protein expression patterns in rumen fluid with variations being influenced primarily by rumen fluid composition associated with diet. Unlike STEC O157, underin vivoconditions, the growth dynamics of the non-O157 serotypes were comparable to that of non-STEC, commensalE. coli. Hence, exploring bacterial protein expression within the host is critical in discerning therapeutic targets, unique to/shared between STEC, for broad control strategies. In addition, this study further validates the value of using a non-terminal animal model for rumen studies that reduces number of animals used for an experiment.
The MRAP2 accessory protein directly interacts with melanocortin-3 receptor to enhance signaling
Authors: Jamaluddin Aqfan , Wyatt Rachael A. , Lee Joon , Dowsett Georgina K.C. , Tadross John A. , Broichhagen Johannes , Yeo Giles S.H. , Levitz Joshua , Gorvin Caroline M.
Published: November 2024

The central melanocortin system links nutrition to energy expenditure, with melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) controlling appetite and food intake, and MC3R regulating timing of sexual maturation, rate of linear growth and lean mass accumulation. Melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein-2 (MRAP2) is a single transmembrane protein that interacts with MC4R to potentiate it’s signalling, and human mutations in MRAP2 cause obesity. Previous studies have been unable to consistently show whether MRAP2 affects MC3R activity. Here we used single-molecule pull-down (SiMPull) to confirm that MC3R and MRAP2 interact in HEK293 cells. Analysis of fluorescent photobleaching steps showed that MC3R and MRAP2 readily form heterodimers most commonly with a 1:1 stoichiometry. Human single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomics show MRAP2 is co-expressed with MC3R in hypothalamic neurons with important roles in energy homeostasis and appetite control. Functional analyses showed MRAP2 enhances MC3R cAMP signalling, impairs β-arrestin recruitment, and reduces internalization in HEK293 cells. Structural homology models revealed putative interactions between the two proteins and alanine mutagenesis of five MRAP2 and three MC3R transmembrane residues significantly reduced MRAP2 effects on MC3R signalling. Finally, we showed genetic variants in MRAP2 that have been identified in individuals that are overweight or obese prevent MRAP2’s enhancement of MC3R-driven signalling. Thus, these studies reveal MRAP2 as an important regulator of MC3R function and provide further evidence for the crucial role of MRAP2 in energy homeostasis.
Long-term effects of psilocybin on dynamic and effectivity connectivity of fronto-striatal-thalamic circuits
Authors: Pasquini Lorenzo , Vohryzek Jakub , Escrichs Anira , Sanz Perl Yonatan , Ponce-Alvarez Adrian , Idesis Sebastian , Girn Manesh , Roseman Leor , Mitchell Jennifer M. , Gazzaley Adam , Kringelbach Morten , Nutt David J. , Lyons Taylor , Carhart-Harris Robin L. , Deco Gustavo
Published: November 2024

Psilocybin has been shown to induce fast and sustained improvements in mental well-being across various populations, yet its long-term mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Initial evidence suggests that longitudinal functional and structural brain changes implicate fronto-striatal-thalamic (FST) circuitry, a broad system involved in goal-directed behavior and motivational states. Here, we apply empirical methods and computational modeling to resting-state fMRI data from a within-subject longitudinal psilocybin trial in psychedelic-naïve healthy volunteers. We first show increases in FST dynamic activity four weeks after a full dose of psilocybin. We then proceed to mechanistically account for these increased dynamics, by showing that reduced structural constraints underlie increased FST dynamic activity post psilocybin. Further, we show that these reduced structural constraints come along with increased bottom-up and reduced top-down modulation of FST circuits. While cortical reductions in top-down modulation are linked to regional 5-HT2A receptor availability, increased information outflow via subcortical and limbic regions relate to local D2 receptor availability. Together, these findings show that increased FST flexibility weeks after psilocybin administration is linked to serotonergic-mediated decreases in top-down information flow and dopaminergic-mediated increases in bottom-up information flow. This long-term functional re-organization of FST circuits may represent a common mechanism underling the potential clinical efficacy of psilocybin across various neuropsychiatric disorders including substance abuse, major depression, and anorexia.

Significance Statement

Fronto-striatal-thalamic systems, which underlie motivation and reward, go through profound functional and structural changes following psilocybin administration. We leveraged longitudinal fMRI data from a within-subject psilocybin trial in psychedelic-naïve healthy participants to show that psilocybin increases fronto-striatal-thalamic dynamic activity as well as flexibility four weeks after dosing. Computational modeling revealed that this increased flexibility is mechanistically caused by reduced structural constraints on functional dynamics. Further long-term changes included increased bottom-up and reduced top-down information flow mediated by the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. This long-term functional re-organization of fronto-striatal-thalamic circuits may reflect a common mechanism underlying clinical symptoms improvements across diagnostic groups, such as increased openness, improved well-being, and reductions in anhedonia, apathy, and substance craving.
TIA1 Mediates Divergent Inflammatory Responses to Tauopathy in Microglia and Macrophages
Authors: Webber Chelsea J. , van de Spek Sophie J. F. , Cruz Anna Lourdes , Puri Sambhavi , Zhang Cheng , Aw Jacqueline T. M. , Papadimitriou Georgia-Zeta , Roberts Rebecca , Jiang Kiki , Tran Thuc Nhan , Zhang Lushuang , Taylor Alexandria , Wang Zihan , Porter Jacob , Sotiropoulos Ionnis , Emili Andrew , Silva Joana , Li Hu , Wolozin Benjamin
Published: November 2024

The RNA binding protein TIA1 is known to regulate stress responses. Here we show that TIA1 plays a much broader role in inflammatory cells, being required for the microglial sensome. We crossed TIA1 cKO mice (using a CX3CR1 driven cre element) to PS19 MAPT P301S tauopathy mice. The peripheral macrophages of TIA1 cKO mice exhibited a hyper-inflammatory phenotype with increased cytokine signaling, as expected. Surprisingly, the brains of these mice showed striking reductions in inflammation, including decreases in microglial inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-1β) and sensome markers (CLEC7A, TREM2, ITGAX); these reductions were accompanied by corresponding decreases in tau pathology. Analysis of the brain TIA1 protein interactome identified brain selective TIA1 protein mediated pathways, including strong interactions with the microglial protein C1q, which directs pruning of dystrophic neurons. These results uncover a previously unknown regulatory role for TIA1 in microglial activation in the context of neurodegenerative disease and highlights the divergent regulation of two mononuclear phagocytic lineages: microglia and macrophages.
Daily ultrastructural remodeling of clock neurons
Authors: Ispizua JI , Rodríguez-Caron M , Tassara FJ , Kim KY , Insussarry Perkins C , Barzi M , Carpio-Romero C , Vasquez MF , Hansen CN , Gargiulo J , Rosato E , de la Iglesia H , Ellisman MH , Ceriani MF
Published: November 2024

InDrosophila,about 250 clock neurons in the brain form a network that orchestrates circadian rhythmicity. Among them, eight small Lateral ventral Neurons (s-LNvs) play a critical role, synchronizing the circadian ensembleviathe neuropeptide Pigment-Dispersing Factor (PDF). Moreover, their neurites show daily variations in morphology, PDF levels, synaptic markers and connectivity. This process, called circadian structural plasticity, is ill-defined at the subcellular level. Here, we present 3D volumes of the s-LNv terminals generated by Serial Block-face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBEM) at three key time points, two hours before lights-ON, two hours after lights-ON, and two hours after lights-OFF. We report a reduction in the number of neuronal varicosities at night, which reflects (and probably regulates) the cycling of the components we found therein. Indeed, in the morning we observed more presynaptic sites and increased accumulation and release of dense core vesicles. These rhythms were paralleled by periodic changes in mitochondrial structure that suggest daily modulation of their activity. We propose that circadian plasticity of the functionally relevant structures within presynaptic varicosities cyclically modulates the influence of the s-LNvs on the clock network.
Resting-state connectivity modifies the effects of amyloid on cognitive and physical function: evidence for network-based cognitive reserve
Authors: Laurienti Paul J. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Lyday Robert G. , Miller Michael E. , Lockhart Samuel N. , Rundle Melissa M. , Hugenschmidt Christina E. , Burdette Jonathan H. , Shappell Heather M. , Chen Haiying , Baker Laura D , Neyland Blake R. , Holtzer Roee
Published: November 2024

Cognitive and physical function are interrelated in aging co-occurring impairments in both domains can be debilitating and lead to increased risk of developing dementia. Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition in the brain is linked to cognitive decline and is also associated with poorer physical function in older adults. However, significant inter-individual variability exists with respect to the influence of increased brain Aβ concentrations on cognitive and physical outcomes. Identifying factors that explain inter-individual variability in associations between Aβ and clinical outcomes could inform interventions designed to delay declines in both cognitive and physical function. Cognitive reserve (CR) is considered a buffer that allows for cognitive performance that is better than expected for a given level of brain injury or pathology. Although the neural mechanisms underlying CR remain unknown, there is growing evidence that resting-state brain networks may serve as a neural surrogate for CR. The currently study evaluated whether functional brain networks modified associations between brain Aβ and cognitive and physical function in community-dwelling older adults from the Brain Networks and Mobility (B-NET) study. We found that the integrity of the central executive and basal ganglia networks modified associations of Aβ with cognitive and physical performance. Associations between brain Aβ and cognitive and physical function were less pronounced when brain network integrity was high. The current study introduces novel evidence for brain networks underlying CR as a buffer against the influence of Aβ accumulation on cognitive and physical function.

Significance Statement

There is a growing number of medications targeting beta amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The treatments effectively lower brain amyloid but do not have as robust of an effect on clinical outcomes. The current study introduces novel evidence for brain networks as a buffer against the influence of Aβ accumulation on cognitive and physical function in older adults with normal cognition. Future studies should examine if brain network integrity underlies the variability in treatment response to amyloid-lowering drugs in patients with cognitive decline.
Emergent Properties of the Periodic Anderson Model: A High-Resolution, Real-Frequency Study of Heavy-Fermion Quantum Criticality
Authors: Gleis Andreas , Lee Seung-Sup B. , Kotliar Gabriel , von Delft Jan
Published: November 2024

We study paramagnetic quantum criticality in the periodic Anderson model (PAM) using cellular dynamical mean-field theory (CDMFT), with the numerical renormalization group (NRG) as a cluster impurity solver. The PAM describes itinerant c electrons hybridizing with a lattice of localized f electrons. At zero temperature, it exhibits a much-studied quantum phase transition from a Kondo phase to a Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) phase when the hybridization is decreased through a so-called Kondo breakdown quantum critical point (KB QCP). There, Kondo screening of f spins by c electrons breaks down, so that f excitations change their character from somewhat itinerant to mainly localized, while c excitations remain itinerant. Building on , which interpreted the KB transition as an orbital-selective Mott transition, we here elucidate its nature in great detail by performing a high-resolution, real-frequency study of various dynamical quantities (susceptibilities, self-energies, and spectral functions). NRG allows us to study the quantum critical regime governed by the QCP and located between two temperature scales, TFL<TNFL. In this regime, we find fingerprints of non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) behavior in several dynamical susceptibilities. Surprisingly, CDMFT self-consistency is essential to stabilize the QCP and the NFL regime. The Fermi-liquid (FL) scale TFL decreases toward and vanishes at the KB QCP; at temperatures below TFL, FL behavior emerges. At T=0, we find the following properties. The KB transition is continuous. The f quasiparticle weight decreases continuously as the transition is approached from either side, vanishing only at the KB QCP. Therefore, the quasiparticle weight of the f band is nonzero not only in the Kondo phase, but also in the RKKY phase; hence, the FL quasiparticles comprise c f electrons in both phases. The Fermi surface (FS) volumes in the two phases differ, implying a FS reconstruction at the KB QCP. Whereas the large-FS Kondo phase has a two-band structure as expected, the small-FS RKKY phase unexpectedly has a three-band structure. We provide a detailed analysis of quasiparticle properties of both the Kondo and, for the first time, also the RKKY phase and uncover their differences. The FS reconstruction is accompanied by the appearance of a Luttinger surface on which the f self-energy diverges. The volumes of the Luttinger and Fermi surfaces are related to the charge density by a generalized Luttinger sum rule. We interpret the small FS volume and the emergent Luttinger surface as evidence for f-electron fractionalization in the RKKY phase. Finally, we compute the temperature dependence of the Hall coefficient and the specific heat, finding good qualitative agreement with experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Enabling digital transformation of traditional enterprises through industrial internet platforms: a study from an ecosystem perspective
Authors: Zhou Jingyang , Wang Guangyuan , Diao Zhuo
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Industrial Internet Platform (IIP) integrates various new information technologies and forms an ecosystem around the platform. It promotes the optimization of resource elements and the collaboration of industrial chains, driving traditional enterprises towards comprehensive Digital Transformation (DT). This research explores the mechanisms through which the Industrial Internet Platform enables the digital development of enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

This study constructs an Industrial Internet Platform Ecosystem (IIPE) from an ecosystem perspective. Later, a systematic literature review was used to design a specific path for IIPE to enable enterprises' DT from the perspective of basic activities and organizational structure.

Findings

The results indicate that in IIPE there is a hierarchical structure in the enabling mechanism of IIP. Firstly, the IIPE enhances the digital capabilities of enterprises through the foundational activities of DT. Secondly, the IIPE promotes the adjustment in enterprise structure and strategic orientation for adapting to the DT.

Research limitations/implications

More and more enterprises enter the IIPE and grow together in the ecosystem. As a result, the overall level of digitalization of the industry can be enhanced and all enterprises realize the expected benefits of DT.

Originality/value

Existing research recognized the role of IIP in enterprise management or production processes, but the DT of enterprises is not a single aspect. This research elaborates the mechanism of comprehensive DT of enterprises from the perspective of ecosystems and discovers specific paths for DT.
Focusing on what matters: effects of an informational intervention and candidate disclosure on ratings of jobseekers on the autism spectrum
Authors: Comer Debra R. , Lenaghan Janet A. , Pittarello Andrea , Motro Daphna
Published: November 2024

Purpose

We explored whether (1) an informational intervention improves ratings of individuals on the autism spectrum (IotAS) in a job interview by curbing salience bias and whether expert-based influence amplifies this effect (Study 1); (2) the effect of disclosure of autism on ratings depends on a candidate’s presentation as IotAS or neurotypical (Studies 1 and 2) and (3) social desirability bias affects ratings of and emotional responses to disclosers (Study 2).

Design/methodology/approach

In two studies, participants, randomly assigned to experimental conditions, watched a mock job interview of a candidate presenting as an IotAS or neurotypical and reported their perception of his job suitability and selection decision. Study 2 additionally measured participants’ traits associated with social desirability bias, self-reported emotions and involuntary emotions gauged via face-reading software.

Findings

In Study 1, the informational intervention improved ratings of the IotAS-presenting candidate; delivery by an expert made no difference. Disclosure increased ratings of both the IotAS-presenting and neurotypical-presenting candidates, especially the former, and information mattered more in the absence of disclosure. In Study 2, disclosure improved ratings of the IotAS-presenting candidate only; no evidence of social desirability bias emerged.

Originality/value

We explain that an informational intervention works by attenuating salience bias, focusing raters on IotAS' qualifications rather than on their unexpected behavior. We also show that disclosure is less helpful for IotAS who behave more neuronormatively and social desirability bias affects neither ratings of nor emotional responses to IotAS-presenting job candidates.
Agri-entrepreneurship in developing countries – a systematic review of smallholders’ constraints
Authors: Raza Ghulam , Jan Kratzer , Kazmi Syed Zaheer Abbas
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Agri-entrepreneurship is considered a promising strategy to address poverty, particularly in developing countries. However, embarking on an agri-entrepreneurial venture poses significant challenges. The existing literature on agri-entrepreneurship in developing countries, particularly focusing on smallholders’ constraints, is often scattered and fragmented, focusing mainly on individual barriers rather than providing a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted constraints. Therefore, this study aims to fill the gap by conducting a systematic review to identify, categorize, and prioritize the smallholders’ constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

By systematically reviewing literature retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, published between 2013 and 2023, and following the PRISMA guidelines, this study identifies agri-entrepreneurial constraints through content analysis and categorizes and prioritizes them using thematic analysis.

Findings

This study revealed a range of constraints which are categorized into thematic areas including market-related challenges, financial constraints, limitations in human capital, institutional barriers, socio-cultural factors, technological shortcomings, and infrastructural challenges. Moreover, the study examines the role of social networks and their impacts on the livelihoods of smallholders in developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s scope is limited to constraints for agri-entrepreneurship, particularly for smallholders in developing countries. The review considers English articles published between 2013 and 2023, and ABS 3 and above ranked journal articles.

Originality/value

The study systematically identifies, categorizes, and prioritizes the significant constraints to agri-entrepreneurship in developing countries by conducting a systematic review and identifying research gaps and future directions.
Driving channel integration perception in omnichannel environments: the role of touchpoints
Authors: Salvietti Giada , Ieva Marco , Ziliani Cristina
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to advance knowledge of channel integration, a key feature of omnichannel retailing, by investigating the role of specific touchpoints in delivering a consistent integration perception.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative methods were adopted, by testing a model built on the stimulus-organism-response framework. Data collection used a panel survey across the grocery and fashion sectors (1,031 and 739 consumers, respectively). An ordinary least squares regression with clustered standard errors was conducted, combined with a multiple correspondence analysis, followed by a mediation analysis.

Findings

This study identifies touchpoints relevant for channel integration perception and shows that they differ across product category and customer types (first time vs repeat customers). Furthermore, it pinpoints touchpoints that are directly and indirectly related to patronage intention, thereby exposing the mediating role of channel integration. By drawing on categorization theory, it discusses individual touchpoints’ contribution to channel integration perception, at general level and on different customer targets.

Practical implications

This study offers a new vision of channel integration perception that highlights touchpoints’ role. It contributes to the established channel integration quality framework by showing that integrated information is concerned not only with consistency of information across channels but also with the specific touchpoints through which such information is disseminated.

Originality/value

This study provides directly actionable managerial implications, by through strategic insights for customer journey and customer experience design/redesign and by offering a practical methodology for retailers to identify the touchpoints they can leverage to improve their customers’ channel integration perceptions – with consequences for patronage intention.
The value of umbilical cord insertion site sampling in detecting maternal and/or fetal inflammatory response
Authors: Wong Yin Ping , Tan Geok Chin , Khong T. Yee
Published: November 2024

The 2016 Amsterdam Placental Workshop Group Consensus Statement recommends sampling a block of the placenta close to the umbilical cord insertion site (UCIB) for histopathological evaluation. This piece of placenta at the umbilical cord insertion is presumed to give a better yield of inflammation (if present). We aimed to investigate the utility of the UCIB in the detection of maternal and/or fetal inflammatory responses (MIR and/or FIR), in comparison with the other sections of the placental parenchyma. This is a retrospective cross‐sectional study including all placentas with histologic chorioamnionitis. The histopathological slides of placentas were reviewed as per Amsterdam consensus guidelines. Diagnostic performance of UCIB in identifying MIR and/or FIR, relative to the other placental sections, was assessed. UCIB revealed diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of 79.2% (95% CI: 74.2–83.6%), 100.0% (95% CI: 95.6–100.0%), and 83.6% (95% CI: 79.5–87.2%), respectively, in the detection of FIR, while showing a low sensitivity of 52.6% (95% CI: 47.5–57.6%) in detecting MIR. In 59 (24.6%) cases, FIR was not seen in the corresponding placental parenchymal sections but was detected in the UCIBs. This study is the first study to confirm that a section from the UCIB is essential for the detection of FIR, which affirms the Amsterdam consensus sampling recommendations.
Medium and large mammal responses to fire in a neotropical savanna system in Guyana
Authors: Paemelaere Evi A. D. , Hallett Matthew T. , de Freitas Kayla , Balvadore Susan , Ignace Maxi , Mandook Allan , Mandook Nicholas , Lewis Matthew , Igancio Leroy , Joaquim Mauritio , O'Shea Brian , van Vliet Nathalie
Published: November 2024

Fire management remains controversial worldwide, in spite of longstanding Indigenous burning practices that have shown benefits to biodiversity. In the Neotropics, limited information is available on wildlife response to fire, particularly for medium and large mammals. We conducted 1 year of transect surveys to detect signs and live sightings of mammals in the Rupununi, Guyana, within a habitat matrix of savanna, wetland, and forest, where Indigenous fire management is practiced. Species richness showed a non‐linear relationship with time since fire. The number of live observations decreased with time since fire. Individual species responded differently, and this may be explained by habitat preference and post‐fire resource availability. Savanna species—giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), nine‐banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), and crab‐eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)—favored fire, while forest‐associated species—agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) and tapir (Tapirus terrestris)—avoided fire prone areas, although some species showed no such response. Our data suggest that mammals in the Rupununi show an ecological response to traditional fire management practices, but that fires affecting forested areas or forest connectivity could negatively impact wildlife. We recommend the promotion of traditional knowledge of fire and fire management among Indigenous Peoples, and the integration of this expertise to inform fire management policies. Combining traditional and scientific knowledge may help people and wildlife adapt to fire regimes that are increasingly driven by climate change and anthropogenic activities within fire prone savanna and forest landscapes.
How Likely Is it that I Would Act the Same Way: Modeling Moral Judgment During Uncertainty
Authors: Bogdan Paul C. , Dolcos Sanda , Dolcos Florin
Published: November 2024

Moral rules come with exceptions, and moral judgments come with uncertainty. For instance, stealing is wrong and generally punished. Yet, it could be the case that the thief is stealing food for their family. Such information about the thief's context could flip admonishment to praise. To varying degrees, this type of uncertainty regarding the context of another person's behavior is ever‐present in moral judgment. Hence, we propose a model of how people evaluate others’ behavior: We argue that individuals principally judge the righteousness of another person's behavior by assessing the likelihood that they would act the same way if they were in the person's shoes. That is, if you see another person steal, you will consider the contexts where you too would steal and assess the likelihood that any of these contexts are true, given the available information. This idea can be formalized as a Bayesian model that treats moral judgment as probabilistic reasoning. We tested this model across four studies (N = 601) involving either fictional moral vignettes or economic games. The studies yielded converging evidence showing that the proposed model better predicts moral judgment under uncertainty than traditional theories that emphasize social norms or perceived harm/utility. Overall, the present studies support a new model of moral judgment with the potential to unite research on social judgment, decision‐making, and probabilistic reasoning. Beyond this specific model, the present studies also more generally speak to how individuals parse uncertainty by integrating across different possibilities.
Pegyliertes Interferon‐α2a bei kutanen T‐Zell‐Lymphomen – eine multizentrische retrospektive Datenanalyse mit 70 Patienten
Authors: Hansen‐Abeck Inga , Geidel Glenn , Abeck Finn , Kött Julian , Cankaya Rohat , Dobos Gabor , Mitteldorf Christina , Nicolay Jan P. , Albrecht Jana D. , Menzer Christian , Livingstone Elisabeth , Mengoni Miriam , Braun Andreas D. , Wobser Marion , Klemke Claus‐Detlev , Tratzmiller Sabine , Assaf Chalid , Terheyden Patrick , Klespe Kai‐Christian , Schneider Stefan W. , Booken Nina
Published: November 2024

Hintergrund

Interferon‐α2a ist eine wichtige Therapieoption in der Behandlung kutaner T‐Zell‐Lymphome (CTCL). Seit Januar 2020 wird das zur Therapie zugelassene rekombinante Interferon‐α2a (IFN‐α2a) nicht mehr produziert. Als empfohlene Alternative steht pegyliertes Interferon‐α2a (pegIFN‐α2a) im off‐label use zur Verfügung. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Generierung umfangreicher Daten hinsichtlich Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit von pegIFN‐α2a für die Behandlung von CTCL.

Patienten und Methodik

Es erfolgte eine multizentrische, retrospektive Datenanalyse von 70 Patienten mit CTCL aus zwölf deutschen Hautkliniken.

Ergebnisse

Von den 70 eingeschlossenen Patienten waren 57,2% männlich, das mittlere Alter betrug 58,8 ± 14,9 Jahre. In 71,4% der Fälle bestand eine Mycosis fungoides und in 28,6% ein Sézary‐Syndrom. Es wurde ein Gesamtansprechen von 55,2% unter Therapie mit pegIFN‐α2a beobachtet. Die Therapie wurde in 50% der Fälle nach 63,6 ± 33,5 Wochen beendet. Der häufigste Grund hierfür waren Nebenwirkungen, die in 68,6% der Fälle auftraten und in 29,2% als schwer klassifiziert wurden. Am häufigsten traten Blutbildveränderungen, Fatigue und Lebertoxizität auf.

Schlussfolgerungen

Unsere Analyse liefert umfangreiche Daten zur Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit von pegIFN‐α2a bei Patienten mit CTCL. Hinsichtlich der Ansprechraten und des Nebenwirkungsprofils scheint pegIFN‐α2a eine effektive Alternative für IFN‐α2a im Rahmen der Therapie der CTCL zu sein.
Zweitmeinung und Selbstwirksamkeit bei deutschen Hautkrebspatienten
Authors: Stege Henner , Schneider Sara , Forschner Andrea , Eigentler Thomas , Nashan Dorothée , Huening Svea , Lehr Saskia , Meiss Frank , Kaatz Martin , Kuchen Robert , Kaehler Katharina C. , Haist Maximilian , Grabbe Stephan , Huebner Jutta , Loquai Carmen
Published: November 2024

Hintergrund

Die weltweite Inzidenz von Hautkrebs ist in den letzten Jahren kontinuierlich gestiegen. Patienten benötigen daher Informationen über die Diagnose und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten. Gleichzeitig müssen sie lernen, mit den wahrgenommenen Konsequenzen der Diagnose umzugehen. Im Jahr 2015 hat die Bundesregierung das Recht auf eine ärztliche Zweitmeinung im Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB V, § 27b) gesetzlich verankert.

Patienten und Methodik

Mittels eines standardisierten Fragebogens wurde untersucht, ob Patienten mit der Diagnose Hautkrebs eine ärztliche Zweitmeinung aktiv einholen und mögliche Beeinträchtigungen im Alltag einschätzen. Insgesamt wurden 714 ausgefüllte Fragebögen gesammelt.

Ergebnisse

Bei der Mehrheit der Personen, die eine Zweitmeinung einholten, wurde ein malignes Melanom diagnostiziert (96,58%). Die meisten Patienten holten eine Zweitmeinung ein, um sich bei ihren Behandlungsentscheidungen sicherer zu fühlen und weitere Informationen zu bekommen. Darüber hinaus zeigte sich ein deutlicher Zusammenhang zwischen dem Einholen einer Zweitmeinung und einem niedrigeren internalen Kontrollzentrum. Dies lässt den Schluss zu, dass die Überzeugung, das eigene Handeln nicht allein durch die eigenen Fähigkeiten bestimmen zu können, bei diesen Personen stärker ausgeprägt ist. Eine stärkere Beeinträchtigung des täglichen Lebens wurde vor allem bei jüngeren Teilnehmern und bei Teilnehmern mit fortgeschrittener Krebserkrankung festgestellt.

Schlussfolgerungen

Unsere Studie zeigt, dass Zweitmeinungen die Arzt‐Patienten‐Interaktion stärken und zusätzliche Sicherheit vermitteln, insbesondere bei Patienten mit geringer Kontrollüberzeugung. Darüber hinaus konnten wir eine signifikante Reduktion der Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität sowie der internalen und externalen Kontrollüberzeugung in fortgeschrittenen Tumorstadien feststellen. Das zeigt, wie wichtig es ist, zusätzliche Interventionen zu identifizieren, die darauf abzielen, die innere Widerstandskraft und die Kontrollüberzeugung zu stärken und damit die Fähigkeit der Patienten zu verbessern, mit der Diagnose Krebs umzugehen.
Neural Markers of Attention at 6 Months Associate With Later Attentional Control Performance
Authors: Hendry Alexandra , Stets Manuela , Fearon Pasco , Johnson Mark , Holmboe Karla
Published: November 2024

Attentional control is key to the development of executive functions. Previous research indicates that individual differences in attentional control behaviour may be stable from 6 months. Here, we analyse electroencephalogram data collected from 59 6‐month‐olds to gain insights into the neural processes underlying attentional control in infancy. First, we examine the neural activity preceding distinct looking behaviours in an attentional control task at 6 months. Second, we test whether those neural markers show predictive associations to behavioural measures of attentional control (Freeze‐Frame task) and executive function (A‐not‐B task) in the same infants at 9 months. Whilst our data do not show evidence that 6–9 Hz power is implicated in attentional control at 6 months, or that the P1 ERP component plays a role in our attentional control task, we do find evidence that corroborates and extends research linking 3–6 Hz power to attentional control. At the group level, frontal 3–6 Hz power recorded whilst looking to a central target before the onset of a peripheral distractor was greater during trials where infants subsequently looked to the distractor, compared with trials where they did not look. Higher 3–6 Hz power in trials where the infant did not look to a peripheral distractor was predictive of less distractibility at 9 months, and higher 3 Hz power in trials where infants did look to the distractor strengthened the predictive association from 6‐month EEG to 9‐month behaviour. We suggest 3–6 Hz activity may be sensitive to multiple processes, such as anticipatory attention, and the ability to maintain attention on a target.
How Culture Shapes the Early Development of Essentialist Beliefs
Authors: Xu Yian , Wang Michelle , Moty Kelsey , Rhodes Marjorie
Published: November 2024

People represent many categories and their features as determined by intrinsic essences. These essentialist beliefs reflect biased views of the world that can hinder scientific reasoning and contribute to social prejudice. To consider the extent to which such essentialist views originate from culturally‐situated processes, the present study tested the developmental trajectories of essentialist beliefs among children growing up in the United States and China (N = 531; ages 3–6). Essentialist beliefs emerged across early childhood in both communities, but their instantiation and trajectories varied across cultures. In the sample from the United States (but not from China), essentialist beliefs that categories and their features are fixed‐at‐birth and inflexible increased across age. On the other hand, in the sample from China, children held stronger beliefs that categories are objective and explanatory and viewed them as more homogenous with age. Children sampled from these two contexts also showed variation in basic explanatory, linguistic, and inferential processes, suggesting that cultural variation in the development of essentialism across childhood might reflect variation in the basic conceptual biases that children rely on to build intuitive theories of the world.
Perception and Cognitive Control in Rationally Inattentive Child Behaviour
Authors: Jones Samuel David , Jones Manon Wyn , Koldewyn Kami , Westermann Gert
Published: November 2024

Astle, Johnson, and Akarca (2024) and Mani (2024) raise important questions about the representativeness of the theory and neural network model presented in Jones et al. (2024). In response, we briefly lay out future research priorities and the implications of a fully developed theory of rational inattention for how we think about, measure, and respond to individual differences in child development.
Informant discrepancy profiles of helicopter parenting and adult children's partner‐controlling and partner‐controlled behaviors
Authors: Wang Yan , Wu Wei , Yan Yuxin , Yang Yinbei
Published: November 2024

Helicopter parenting is a distinctive, intrusive parenting approach characterized by high involvement, elements of control, and limited autonomy granted. It may impact adult children's engagement in partner‐controlling and partner‐controlled behaviors. However, little research has assessed the patterns of parent–child perception differences regarding helicopter parenting and their connections to these behaviors. This study aimed to identify profiles of informant discrepancies regarding helicopter parenting within Chinese families and explore their associations with adult children's partner‐controlling and partner‐controlled behaviors. Matched data from fathers, mothers, and adult children in one hundred and ninety‐six intact families were included. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted, identifying four profiles: parents over child (13.78%), child moderately over mother and moderately under father (17.35%), no consistent disagreements (49.49%), and child over parents (19.39%). Children whose perceptions aligned with their parents reported fewer partner‐controlling and partner‐controlled behaviors, compared to those whose perceptions exceeded their parents'. Similarly, children whose perceptions were lower than their parents' also reported fewer partner‐controlled behaviors compared to those with higher perceptions. The findings provide evidence for understanding dynamic patterns of informant discrepancies regarding helicopter parenting in Chinese families and support the development of family‐based interventions to address partner‐controlling and partner‐controlled behaviors.
Traits related to distributional range shifts of marine fishes
Authors: Rincón‐Díaz Martha P. , Svendsen Guillermo M. , Venerus Leonardo A. , Villanueva‐Gomila Lujan , Lattuca María E. , Vanella Fabián A. , Cuesta Núñez Josefina , Galván David E.
Published: November 2024

In the context of global change, reviewing the relationships between marine fish traits and their range shifts is required to (1) identify ecological generalizations regarding the influence of traits on range shifts at a global scale and (2) investigate the rationale behind trait inclusion in models describing those relationships. We systematically searched for studies on marine fish assemblages that identified distributional shifts and analyzed the relationship between fish traits and these shifts. We reviewed 29 papers and identified 11 shift type characterizations and 41 traits, noting significant variation in measurement methods and model types used to describe their relationships. We identified global trait redundancies in the relationship between fish traits and latitudinal range shifts. These trends are related to the fishes' latitudinal range, trophic level, water column habitat, body size, size‐at‐settlement, growth rate, and larval swimming ability. The first four traits, along with fish bottom habitat, biogeographic affinity, diet, and thermal affinity, also showed significant relationships across four ways to characterize horizontal range shifts of fish species. The significance of these traits suggests their relevance in range shifting, regardless of the analyses conducted, biogeographic realm, and range shift type. However, trait redundancies require further consideration, mainly because some traits show opposing relationships in different studies, and important biogeographic research gaps limit global generalizations about the trait–range shift relationship. Half of the studies analyzed provided a rationale for 23 out of 41 traits. We also provide guidelines for future work to better understand the influence of traits on fish range shifts.