bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon–Phosphorus Coupling Governs Microbial Effects on Nutrient Acquisition Strategies by Four Crops
Authors: Zhang Deshan , Zhang Yuqiang , Zhao Zheng , Xu Sixin , Cai Shumei , Zhu Haitao , Rengel Zed , Kuzyakov Yakov
Published: July 2022

Plants adjust root morphological and/or exudation traits in response to phosphorus (P) mobilization mediated by microorganisms. We hypothesized that straw application coupled with P fertilization would influence microbial P and then root nutrient-acquisition strategies related to crop growth. Root morphological (length and average diameter) and exudation traits (acid phosphatase and carboxylates) of Brassica chinensis, Solanum lycopersicum, Lactuca sativa, and Vigna unguiculata in response to microbial P dynamics were characterized in no-P and P-fertilized soil with/without straw addition. Straw addition increased the growth of fungi and bacteria, stimulating microbial P immobilization at day 24. The high microbial abundance was associated with four tested crops having short roots in straw-amended compared with no-straw soil at day 24. In straw-amended soil, B. chinensis and S. lycopersicum shifted toward root P-acquisition strategies based on fast elongation and strong carboxylate exudation from days 24 to 40. Such effective root P-acquisition strategies together with microbial P release increased shoot P content in S. lycopersicum in straw-amended compared with those without straw at day 40. Conversely, L. sativa and V. unguiculata produced short roots in response to the stable (or even increased) microbial P after straw addition till day 40. In straw-amended soil, high P application stimulated root elongation and carboxylate exudation in L. sativa and V. unguiculata, whereas carboxylate exudation by S. lycopersicum was decreased compared with the straw-amended but non-fertilized treatment at day 40. In summary, root P-acquisition strategies in response to microbial P differed among the tested crop species. Phosphorus fertilization needs to be highlighted when returning straw to enhance P-use efficiency in vegetable cropping systems.
Servant Leadership and Followers Prosocial Rule-Breaking: The Mediating Role of Public Service Motivation
Authors: Khan Naqib Ullah , Zada Muhammad , Ullah Asad , Khattak Afraseyab , Han Heesup , Ariza-Montes Antonio , Araya-Castilo Luis
Published: July 2022

This research explores the effect of servant leadership on prosocial rule-breaking (PSRB) and the mediating mechanism of public service motivation (PSM) between the association of servant leadership and PSRB. The said phenomenon is examined in the civil service context of Pakistan during the continuing crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, a situation where the traditional civil service policy and rule system has become highly complicated for passionate employees’ service performance and efficiency, and where servant leadership has received greater attention for inspiring the attitudinal and behavioral outcomes of frontline workers during the pandemic. Data were collected from 546 frontline workers of the corona relief tiger force. The findings of the study revealed that servant leadership has a significant effect on PSRB and PSM, and that PSM significantly promotes PSRB. The results also revealed that servant leadership has a significant impact on PSRBviaengendering PSM.
Environmental Attitudes in 28 European Countries Derived From Atheoretically Compiled Opinions and Self-Reports of Behavior
Authors: Urban Jan , Kaiser Florian G.
Published: July 2022

People differ in their personal commitment to fighting climate change and protecting the environment. The question is, can we validly measure people’s commitment by what they say and what they claim they do in opinion polls? In our research, we demonstrate that opinions and reports of past behavior can be aggregated into comparable depictions of people’s personal commitment to fighting climate change and protecting the environment (i.e., their environmental attitudes). In contrast to the commonly used operational scaling approaches, we ground our measure of people’s environmental attitudes in a mathematically formalized psychological theory of the response process—the Campbell paradigm. This theory of the response process has already been extensively validated, and its relevance for manifest behavior has repeatedly been shown as well. In our secondary analysis of Eurobarometer data (N = 27,998) from 28 European countries, we apply the Campbell paradigm to a set of indicators that was not originally collected to be aggregated into a single scale. With our research, we propose a distinct way to measure behavior-relevant environmental attitudes that can be used even with a set of indicators that was originally atheoretically compiled. Overall, our study suggests that the Campbell paradigm provides a sound psychological measurement theory that can be applied to cross-cultural comparisons in the environmental protection domain.
Social Self-Efficacy and Internet Gaming Disorder Among Chinese Undergraduates: The Mediating Role of Alexithymia and the Moderating Role of Empathy
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Liang Ting , Gan Xiong , Zheng Xueyan , Li Hao , Zhang Jingyue
Published: July 2022

As an increasingly serious social problem, Internet gaming disorder (IGD) of college students may be related to their social self-efficacy. However, the relationship and its internal mechanisms underlying are still unclear. The current study tested the mediating effect of alexithymia in the association between social self-efficacy and IGD, and whether this mediating process was moderated by empathy. Social Self-Efficacy Scale (PSSE), Chinese version of Internet Game Addiction Scale (IGAS-C), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Interpersonal Response Scale (IRI-C) were adopted to examine the model on 888 Chinese college students. The results indicated that social self-efficacy was significantly negatively associate with IGD. Mediation analysis illustrated that alexithymia mediated the association between social self-efficacy and IGD. Further, moderated mediation analysis manifested that the mediated effects was stronger for lower level of empathy. The conclusions corroborate and clarify the mechanisms that alexithymia mediated the association between social self-efficacy and IGD, and the mediation effects is moderated via empathy. Besides, these findings provide available references for colleges to conduct educational activities, and at the same time provide scientific suggestions for preventing IGD among undergraduates.
“Say a Little but Say It Well”: Assessing the Impact of Social Media Communication on Value Co-creation, Online Customer Experience, and Customer Well-Being
Authors: Awan Maheen Iqbal , Shamim Amjad , Saleem Muhammad Shoaib
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the study is to identify how both tourism service provider- and tourist-generated social media communication affect the value co-creation process and how this can affect online customer experience and customer wellbeing. A questionnaire survey was used and 361 valid responses were obtained from Malaysian citizens. The research findings showed that tourism service provider- and tourist- generated social media communication positively influence value co-creation. Similarly, value co-creation positively influences cognitive and affective experiential states and these two states positively influence customer wellbeing. Furthermore, value co-creation partially mediates the relationship between social media communication and online customer experience, whereas, online customer experiences also partially mediate the relationship between value co-creation and customer wellbeing. This study has tried to establish theoretical relationship between some significant variables and the findings would aid both academicians and practitioners in formulating strategies for future.
Exploring the Asymmetric Impact of Public Debt on Renewable Energy Consumption Behavior
Authors: Jianhua Luo
Published: July 2022

The mounting pollution burden has raised the need for renewable energy demand throughout the world. The study aims to explore the effect of public debt on renewable energy consumption for selected 23 Asian economies for the time period 1990–2019. Long-run empirical findings of the group-wise symmetric ARDL model reveal that increasing public debt results in declining renewable energy consumption. However, findings of the long-run group-wise asymmetric ARDL model reveal that positive shock in public debt reduces renewable energy consumption, and negative shock in public debt results in increasing renewable energy consumption. The economy-wise empirical findings of the FMOLS model reveal that an increase in public debt results in increased renewable energy consumption in nine economies and decreased renewable energy consumption in six economies. The asymmetric FMOLS findings reveal that positive shock in public debt increases renewable energy consumption in nine economies and also decreases renewable energy consumption in nine economies. However, a negative shock in public debt increases renewable energy consumption in 12 economies and decreases renewable energy consumption in 5 economies. Additionally, this research provides numerous policy implications for renewable energy sources in Asian economies. Asian governments should use public debt for the consumption of renewable energy resources.
Managerial Networking and Frugal Innovation: Situational Leadership Perspective
Authors: Xuecheng Wei , Iqbal Qaisar
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to examine the integrated relationships of business ties, political ties, sustainable leadership, and frugal innovation. The correlation was assessed with the consideration of social network and situational leadership theories. Data was collected from 363 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) employees in Pakistan with a response rate of 72.60%. Accordingly, the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to examine the validity of the proposed hypotheses. Empirical findings confirmed the significant impact of managerial and business ties on frugal innovation, strengthened by sustainable leadership. However, data analysis negated the positive impact of political ties on frugal innovation, which remains non-significant with the introduction of sustainable leadership among Pakistani SMEs. Hence, future studies are recommended to explore other conditional factors and mediating mechanisms in the relationship between managerial ties and frugal innovation. This idea can bring a deeper insight into the vital role of networking. To the best of the author’s knowledge, no prior study is available about the integrated relationships of managerial ties, frugal innovation, and sustainable leadership. This study enriches the literature in innovation management, especially concerning the social network and situational leadership model.
Stigma and Peer-Led Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Jing , Yin Xunbao , Li Changjiang , Liu Wuyi , Sun Hongwei
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of our systematic review was to investigate the effect of peer-led intervention on self-stigma in individuals with mental health problems. Secondary purpose was investigating the impact of peer intervention on clinical symptoms, recovery-related outcomes, and disclosure-related outcomes.

Methods

Five electronic databases were searched from 1975 to 2021. Literature databases were searched for randomized controlled trials. From the perspective of key outcomes, a meta-analysis of the effects of peer-led interventions on changing stigma was conducted.

Results

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials targeting different target groups with mental health problems (e.g., adolescents, college students, family members of mentally ill persons, unemployed persons, etc.) was conducted. It was found that, at the end of the intervention, intervention had a positive effect on main outcomes such as self-stigma and stress from stigma. As for secondary outcomes, there was no significant influence on clinical symptoms. There was a positive effect on rehabilitation and empowerment, but without a statistical significance. There was a statistically significant effect on self-efficacy and professional help seeking. There was a statistically significant effect on confidentiality and disclosure-related distress in the Honest Open Proud (HOP) subgroup. There was no significant influence on confidentiality and withdrawal in the non-HOP subgroup.

Conclusion

Peer-led intervention can reduce self-stigma and stigma pressure and might improve recovery and empowerment. It increases self-efficacy and willingness to seek professional help, but has no significant effect on clinical symptoms and withdrawal. HOP intervention has positive effects on disclosure-related confidentiality and pain.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42021287584.
From 15 Minutes to 15 Seconds: How the Delta Variant Changed the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19. A Comparative Epidemiological Investigation Using Community Mobility Data From the Metropolitan Area of Genoa, Italy
Authors: Oliva Cristina , Favato Giampiero
Published: July 2022

The Delta variant became dominant during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic due to its competitive advantage, the ability to reduce close contact duration from minutes to seconds, and, consequently, increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19. We used game theory to model the most effective public health response to this new threat. We compared the absolute and relative risk of exposure to COVID-19 before and after the emergence of the Delta variant. The absolute risk of exposure was defined as the product of crowding (people within a six feet distance) and visit duration. Our epidemiological investigation used aggregated and anonymized mobility data from Google Maps to estimate the visit duration for 808 premises in the metropolitan area of Genoa, Italy, in June 2021. The relative risk of exposure was obtained by dividing the risk of exposure of each activity by the lowest value (gas stations = 1). The median absolute risk of exposure to COVID-19 increased by sixty-fold in the first semester of 2021, while the relative risk did not significantly differ from the risk of exposure to the ancestral form of Covid-19 (5.9 in 2021 vs. 2.5 in 2021). The Delta variant represents an evolution of the game against COVID-19, but it is not a game-changer. The best response is to commit to our original strategy based on population-wide vaccination and social distancing. Unilateral deviations from the dominant strategy could offer COVID-19 a fighting chance against humanity.
Research on the Dynamic Feedback Mechanism of Fiscal Policy Regulation Under COVID-19: Evidence From China
Authors: Wang Shu , Gao Henan , Zhou Baicheng
Published: July 2022

The repeated outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic has brought a heavy blow to the world economy. Fiscal policy is one of the important macro-control measures to pull the economy out of the quagmire, and it is necessary to study the implementation of fiscal policy under the epidemic. Due to the relatively abundant resources of the Chinese government, this study uses China as the research object to study the orientation of fiscal policy under COVID-19 epidemic. We use fiscal policies and a large amount of macroeconomic data to identify fiscal policy and macroeconomic regulation's dynamic mechanism in China. Our findings indicate a dynamic feedback relationship between expenditure-based and revenue-based fiscal policy tools, output gaps, and deficit scales. Before the global economic crisis, fiscal policy can play a good role in adversely regulating the economy, and the difficulty of adjustment after the crisis has increased significantly. During COVID-19 epidemic, the interaction time between variables related to fiscal policy increased, suggesting that the implementation of fiscal policy during the epidemic should be particularly cautious.
The Influence of Knowledge Management Capacities on Pharmaceutical Firms Competitive Advantage: The Mediating Role of Supply Chain Agility and Moderating Role of Inter Functional Integration
Authors: Hu Zhihua , Sarfraz Muddassar , Khawaja Kausar Fiaz , Shaheen Hina , Mariam Shahida
Published: July 2022

This study investigates the factors such as knowledge management capacities and their positive influence on firm competitive advantage or the supply chain agility of the firm and the underlying mechanisms (supply chain agility) that facilitate the firm's performance and leads to firm competitive advantage. It also explores the moderating role of inter-functional integration. We have collected the data from the 308 supply chain managers of pharmaceutical firms in Pakistan and questionnaires were used for data collection with multi-item scales already developed and validated. The findings suggest that knowledge management capacities significantly influence a firm's competitive advantage or supply chain agility. The supply chain agility fully mediates between absorptive capacity, transformative capacity, and firm competitive advantage. Further, supply chain agility partially mediates between inventive capacity and firm competitive advantage. Meanwhile, inter-functional integration moderates the relationship between supply chain agility and firm competitive advantage, with their positive relationship strengthening when inter-functional integration is high. The study provides empirical evidence that knowledge management capacities (such as absorptive capacity, transformative capacity, and inventive capacity), supply chain agility, and inter-functional can be important factors in improving firm performance.
Misguided and Modest: Reflections of Our Youth Voice Research
Authors: Stride Annette , Brazier Ruth , Fitzgerald Hayley
Published: July 2022

In recent years, Physical Education (PE) has seen a growth in the commitment to youth voice research. This approach foregrounds the practice of researching with young people, rather than conducting research on or about them. Whilst we are cognisant of the many possibilities youth voice research offers, we are also concerned that there is a tendency to overlook the challenges of supporting youth voice activities. This paper draws on our collective reflections to bring to the fore some of the complexities we have encountered when attempting to engage in school-based youth voice research. We explore the following questions: How can youth voice research engage with different young people to capture a diversity of voices? What are the challenges of undertaking youth voice research? What are the possibilities of change through youth voice research? We consider these questions by drawing upon four principles of student voice work including communication as dialogue, participation and democratic inclusivity, unequal power relations, and change and transformation. We use these principles to critique our own research and, in doing so, draw on entries from our research diaries. The paper questions whether young people need help to share their insights and experiences about PE, or whether it is us - researchers, teachers and schools - who need help to more readily recognize and be attentive to young people's voices. We also point to the importance of recognizing modest change through youth voice research and the need to secure adult allies to support activities and potential outcomes. Engaging in youth voice research is an immersive and messy encounter that involves navigating a journey that is anything but straightforward. Even though this is the case, our moral and ethical compass continues to point us in this direction and we remain firm advocates of youth voice work. This paper offers a starting point for others to begin to grapple with the pitfalls and possibilities when supporting youth voice research.
Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma to Pancreas and Distant Organs 24 Years After Radical Nephrectomy: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Cao Huawei , Sun Zejia , Wu Jiyue , Hao Changzhen , Wang Wei
Published: July 2022

Background

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is a common urological neoplasm, and even though surgical resection is effective for localized CCRCC, the prognosis of metastatic CCRCC is poor. Currently, there is a paucity of recognized effective therapeutic protocols for metastatic CCRCC.

Case presentation

A 76-year-old Asian man underwent radical left nephrectomy for CCRCC 26 years ago; this patient visited our hospital with abdominal pain due to multiple abdominal metastases 24 years after the nephrectomy. After metastasectomy, he underwent targeted therapy combined with a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor, and the current imaging results indicate remarkable tumor remission.

Conclusions

Metachronous pancreatic metastasis from CCRCC after nephrectomy is rare, but clinicians and patients should not ignore this possibility. The combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy can result in satisfactory outcomes in cases where metastatic CCRCC continues to progress despite metastasectomy and targeted therapy. The combination of local and systemic therapy can be an effective therapeutic protocol for metastatic CCRCC, but there is no consensus on suitable therapeutics.
Prophylactic Moxibustion in Preventing Postoperative Urinary Retention of Hemorrhoidectomy: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ji Lijiang , Wang Aihua , Fan Qian , Zhang Naijin , Weng Liping , Gu Jing
Published: July 2022

Backgrounds

Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is one of the most common complications after hemorrhoidectomy. The best treatment for POUR is prevention and should be involved in the whole perioperative period. Moxibustion has been used to treat urinary retention for thousands of years, and clinical studies have also proved its effects. We try to carry out a randomized, controlled, prospective study to observe whether prophylactic moxibustion could effectively reduce the incidence of POUR of hemorrhoidectomy in 24 h.

Methods

This study is a single-center, evaluator-blinded, randomized, and controlled trial. Participants who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria in this RCT will be randomly assigned to either the treatment group (moxibustion) or the control group (tamsulosin hydrochloride) in a 1:1 ratio according to a computer-generated randomization list. Both moxibustion and tamsulosin will be used 1, 10, and 24 h after operation, respectively. The outcomes of occurrence of POUR, time to first urination, catheterization rate, urinary tract infection, length of hospitalization, and adverse effects will be recorded.

Discussion

The findings of the study will help to explore the preventive efficacy of prophylactic moxibustion against POUR of hemorrhoidectomy in 24 h.

Trial Registration

CHiCTR, CHiCTR2000039350, registered 24 October, 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj = 63204.
Reduced Rates of Post-Transplant Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis
Authors: Lamm Ryan , Altshuler Peter J. , Patel Keyur , Shaheen Osama , Amante Angel Paulo , Civan Jesse , Maley Warren , Frank Adam , Ramirez Carlo , Glorioso Jaime , Shah Ashesh , Dang Hien , Bodzin Adam S.
Published: July 2022

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become the second leading cause of HCC-related liver transplantation in the United States. This study investigated post-transplant recurrence and survival for patients transplanted for NASH-related HCC compared to non-NASH HCC etiologies. Retrospective review of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) database identified 7,461 patients with HCC—1,405 with underlying NASH and 6,086 with non-NASH underlying diseases. After propensity score matching (PSM) to account for patient- and tumor-related confounders 1,175 remained in each group. Primary outcomes assessed were recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival. Recurrent malignancy at 5 years post-transplant was lower in NASH compared to non-NASH patients (5.80 vs. 9.41%, p = 0.01). Recurrence-free survival, however, was similar at 5 years between groups. Patients with NASH-related HCC were less likely to have post-transplant recurrence than their non-NASH counterparts, although recurrence-free survival was similar at 5 years.
Progress in Plant Genome Sequencing
Authors: Henry Robert J.
Published: July 2022

The genome sequence of any organism is key to understanding the biology and utility of that organism. Plants have diverse, complex and sometimes very large nuclear genomes, mitochondrial genomes and much smaller and more highly conserved chloroplast genomes. Plant genome sequences underpin our understanding of plant biology and serve as a key platform for the genetic selection and improvement of crop plants to achieve food security. The development of technology that can capture large volumes of sequence data at low costs and with high accuracy has driven the acceleration of plant genome sequencing advancements. More recently, the development of long read sequencing technology has been a key advance for supporting the accurate sequencing and assembly of chromosome-level plant genomes. This review explored the progress in the sequencing and assembly of plant genomes and the outcomes of plant genome sequencing to date. The outcomes support the conservation of biodiversity, adaptations to climate change and improvements in the sustainability of agriculture, which support food and nutritional security.
Environmental Justice and the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Urban Air Pollution Monitoring
Authors: Krupnova Tatyana G. , Rakova Olga V. , Bondarenko Kirill A. , Tretyakova Valeria D.
Published: July 2022

The main aims of urban air pollution monitoring are to optimize the interaction between humanity and nature, to combine and integrate environmental databases, and to develop sustainable approaches to the production and the organization of the urban environment. One of the main applications of urban air pollution monitoring is for exposure assessment and public health studies. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) approaches can be used to build air pollution models to predict pollutant concentrations and assess environmental and health risks. Air pollution data can be uploaded into AI/ML models to estimate different exposure levels within different communities. The correlation between exposure estimates and public health surveys is important for assessing health risks. These aspects are critical when it concerns environmental injustice. Computational approaches should efficiently manage, visualize, and integrate large datasets. Effective data integration and management are a key to the successful application of computational intelligence approaches in ecology. In this paper, we consider some of these constraints and discuss possible ways to overcome current problems and environmental injustice. The most successful global approach is the development of the smart city; however, such an approach can only increase environmental injustice as not all the regions have access to AI/ML technologies. It is challenging to develop successful regional projects for the analysis of environmental data in the current complicated operating conditions, as well as taking into account the time, computing power, and constraints in the context of environmental injustice.
Paleomimetics: A Conceptual Framework for a Biomimetic Design Inspired by Fossils and Evolutionary Processes
Authors: Perricone Valentina , Grun Tobias , Raia Pasquale , Langella Carla
Published: July 2022

In biomimetic design, functional systems, principles, and processes observed in nature are used for the development of innovative technical systems. The research on functional features is often carried out without giving importance to the generative mechanism behind them: evolution. To deeply understand and evaluate the meaning of functional morphologies, integrative structures, and processes, it is imperative to not only describe, analyse, and test their behaviour, but also to understand the evolutionary history, constraints, and interactions that led to these features. The discipline of palaeontology and its approach can considerably improve the efficiency of biomimetic transfer by analogy of function; additionally, this discipline, as well as biology, can contribute to the development of new shapes, textures, structures, and functional models for productive and generative processes useful in the improvement of designs. Based on the available literature, the present review aims to exhibit the potential contribution that palaeontology can offer to biomimetic processes, integrating specific methodologies and knowledge in a typical biomimetic design approach, as well as laying the foundation for a biomimetic design inspired by extinct species and evolutionary processes: Paleomimetics. A state of the art, definition, method, and tools are provided, and fossil entities are presented as potential role models for technical transfer solutions.
Novel Drug Candidate Prediction for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma via Hub Gene Network Analysis and Connectivity Mapping
Authors: Xiao Yao , Zhang Baoluhe , Cloyd Jordan M. , Alaimo Laura , Xu Gang , Du Shunda , Mao Yilei , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: July 2022

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is an aggressive malignancy, and there is a need for effective systemic therapies. Gene expression profile-based analyses may allow for efficient screening of potential drug candidates to serve as novel therapeutics for patients with ICC. The RNA expression profile of ICC and normal biliary epithelial cells were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Function annotation and enrichment pathway analyses of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were finished using the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. A weighted gene co-expression network (WGCN) was constructed by WGCN analysis (WGCNA). Key genes from the DEGs and co-expression gene modules were analyzed to generate a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. The association between the top 10 screened hub genes and the overall and disease-free survival of ICC patients was examined. The Connectivity Map (cMap) analysis was performed to identify possible drugs for ICC using hub genes. A total of 151 key genes were selected from the overlapping genes of 1287 GSE-DEGs, 8183 TCGA-DEGs and 1226 genes in the mixed modules. A total of 10 hub genes of interest (CTNNB1, SPP1, COL1A2, COL3A1, SMAD3, SRC, VCAN, PKLR, GART, MRPS5) were found analyzing protein–protein interaction. Using the cMap, candidate drugs screened with potential efficacy for ICC included three tyrosine kinase inhibitors (dasatinib, NVP-BHG712, tivantinib), two cannabinoid receptor agonists (palmitoylethanolamide, arachidonamide), two antibiotics (moxifloxacin, amoxicillin), one estrogen receptor agonist (levonorgestrel), one serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitor (MK-2206) and other small molecules. Key genes from network and PPI analysis allowed us to identify potential drugs for ICC. The identification of novel gene expression profiles and related drug screening may accelerate the identification of potential novel drug therapies for ICC.
SMARCB1 (INI-1)-Deficient Sinonasal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Lee Victor Ho-Fun , Tsang Raymond King-Yin , Lo Anthony Wing Ip , Chan Sum-Yin , Chung Joseph Chun-Kit , Tong Chi-Chung , Leung To-Wai , Kwong Dora Lai-Wan
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: SMARCB1 (INI-1)-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is a rare sinonasal malignancy; since its discovery and description in 2014, less than 200 cases have been identified. It is almost impossible to perform randomized-controlled trials on novel therapy to improve treatment outcomes in view of its rarity. We performed a systematic review of all the published case reports/series and included our patients for survival analysis. (2) Methods: In this systematic review, we searched from PubMed-MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Google Scholar for individual patient data to identify and retrieve all reported SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma. Clarification on treatment details and the most updated survival outcomes from all authors of the published case reports/series were attempted. Survival analysis for overall survival (OS) and identification of OS prognostic factors were performed. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022306671). (3) Results: A total of 67 publications were identified from the systematic review and literature search. After excluding other ineligible and duplicated publications, 192 patients reported were considered appropriate for further review. After excluding duplicates and patients with incomplete pretreatment details and survival outcomes, 120 patients were identified to have a complete set of data including baseline demographics, treatment details, and survival outcomes. Together with 8 patients treated in our institution, 128 patients were included into survival analysis. After a median follow up of 17.5 months (range 0.3–149.0), 50 (46.3%) patients died. The 1-year, 2-year and 3-year OS rates were 84.3% (95% CI % 77.6–91.0), 62.9% (95% CI 53.1–72.7), and 51.8% (95% CI 40.8–62.8), respectively, and the median OS was 39.0 months (95% CI 28.5–49.5). Males (p = 0.029) and T4b disease (p = 0.013) were significant OS prognostic factors in univariable analysis, while only T4b disease (p = 0.017) remained significant in multivariable analysis. (4) Conclusions: SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is an extremely aggressive sinonasal malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Early diagnosis and a multimodality treatment strategy are essential for a better treatment and survival outcome.
State-of-the-Art Imaging Techniques in Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression
Authors: Kuah Tricia , Vellayappan Balamurugan A. , Makmur Andrew , Nair Shalini , Song Junda , Tan Jiong Hao , Kumar Naresh , Quek Swee Tian , Hallinan James Thomas Patrick Decourcy
Published: July 2022

Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC) is a debilitating complication in oncology patients. This narrative review discusses the strengths and limitations of various imaging modalities in diagnosing MSCC, the role of imaging in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for MSCC treatment, and recent advances in deep learning (DL) tools for MSCC diagnosis. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched using targeted keywords. Studies were reviewed in consensus among the co-authors for their suitability before inclusion. MRI is the gold standard of imaging to diagnose MSCC with reported sensitivity and specificity of 93% and 97% respectively. CT Myelogram appears to have comparable sensitivity and specificity to contrast-enhanced MRI. Conventional CT has a lower diagnostic accuracy than MRI in MSCC diagnosis, but is helpful in emergent situations with limited access to MRI. Metal artifact reduction techniques for MRI and CT are continually being researched for patients with spinal implants. Imaging is crucial for SBRT treatment planning and three-dimensional positional verification of the treatment isocentre prior to SBRT delivery. Structural and functional MRI may be helpful in post-treatment surveillance. DL tools may improve detection of vertebral metastasis and reduce time to MSCC diagnosis. This enables earlier institution of definitive therapy for better outcomes.
Integrative Phylogeography Reveals Conservation Priorities for the Giant Anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla in Brazil
Authors: Coimbra Raphael T. F. , Magalhães Rafael F. , Lemes Priscila , Miranda Flávia R. , Santos Fabrício R.
Published: July 2022

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is a strictly myrmecophagous xenarthran species that ranges from Honduras to northern Argentina, occupying various habitats, from grassland and floodplains to forests. According to the IUCN, it is a vulnerable species mainly threatened by poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation, and road kills. Here, we investigate the phylogeography, distribution, ecology, and historical demography of Brazilian populations of the giant anteater. We analysed two mitochondrial (mtDNA) and three nuclear (nDNA) markers in 106 individuals from the Cerrado, Pantanal, Atlantic Forest, and Amazon Forest biomes through analyses of population structure and demography, phylogeography, and ecological niche modelling. Two divergent mtDNA clusters were found, one in the Amazon (AM) and another in the Cerrado, Pantanal, and Atlantic Forest biomes (CEPTAF). At the population level, CEPTAF presented higher mtDNA haplotype richness than AM and a unidirectional mtDNA gene flow was identified from AM to CEPTAF, which could be linked to more favourable habitat conditions for the species in Cerrado and Pantanal. Paleodemographic reconstructions with mtDNA and nDNA data indicate a large population expansion of the species starting at the end of the Pleistocene. Finally, the integrative phylogeographic analyses of giant anteater populations reinforce the importance of the Brazilian Cerrado as a priority biome for the species’ conservation.
Reactivities of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Derivatives Involving Caffeic Acid toward Electrogenerated Superoxide in N,N-Dimethylformamide
Authors: Nakayama Tatsushi , Uno Bunji
Published: July 2022

Reactivity of (2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid (caffeic acid), classified as a hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA) derivative, toward electrogenerated superoxide radical anion (O2•−) was investigated through cyclic voltammetry, in situ electrolytic electron spin resonance spectrometry, and in situ electrolytic ultraviolet–visible spectrometry in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), aided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The quasi-reversible redox of dioxygen/O2•− is modified in the presence of caffeic acid, suggesting that O2•− is scavenged by caffeic acid through proton-coupled electron transfer. The reactivities of caffeic acid toward O2•− are mediated by the ortho-diphenol (catechol) moiety rather than by the acryloyl group, as experimentally confirmed in comparative analyses with other HCAs. The electrochemical and DFT results in DMF suggested that a concerted two-proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism proceeds via the catechol moiety. This mechanism embodies the superior kinetics of O2•− scavenging by caffeic acid.
Telemedicine in Emergency Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic—Experiences and Prospects—A Narrative Review
Authors: Witkowska-Zimny Malgorzata , Nieradko-Iwanicka Barbara
Published: July 2022

Even before the year 2020, telemedicine has been proven to contribute to the efficacy of healthcare systems, for example in remote locations or in primary care. However, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth solutions have emerged as a key component in patient healthcare delivery and they have been widely used in emergency medicine ever since. The pandemic has led to a growth in the number of telehealth applications and improved quality of already available telemedicine solutions. The implementation of telemedicine, especially in emergency departments (EDs), has helped to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect healthcare workers. This narrative review focuses on the most important innovative solutions in emergency care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines main categories of active telehealth use in daily practice of dealing with COVID-19 patients currently, and in the future. Furthermore, it discusses benefits as well as limitations of telemedicine.
A Conceptual Framework for Blockchain Enhanced Information Modeling for Healing and Therapeutic Design
Authors: Liu Zhen , Yang Zulan , Liang Mingjie , Liu Yi , Osmani Mohamed , Demian Peter
Published: July 2022

In the face of the health challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, healing and therapeutic design (HTD) as interventions can help with improving people’s health. It is considered to have great potential to promote health in the forms of art, architecture, landscape, space, and environment. However, there are insufficient design approaches to address the challenges during the HTD process. An increased number of studies have shown that emerging information modeling (IM) such as building information modeling (BIM), landscape information modeling (LIM), and city information modeling (CIM) coupled with blockchain (BC) functionalities have the potential to enhance designers’ HTD by considering important design elements, namely design variables, design knowledge, and design decision. It can also address challenges during the design process, such as design changes, conflicts in design requirements, the lack of design evaluation tools and frameworks, and incomplete design information. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a conceptual BC enhanced IM for HTD (BC-HTD) framework that addresses the challenges in the HTD and promotes health and well-being. The structure of BC-HTD framework is twofold: (1) a conceptual high-level framework comprising three levels: user; system; and information, (2) a conceptual low-level framework of detailed content at the system level, which has been constructed using a mixed quantitative and qualitative method of literature analysis, and validated via a pre-interview questionnaire survey and follow-up interviews with industry experts and academics. This paper analyzes the process of BC enhanced HTD and the knowledge management of HTD to aid design decisions in managing design information. This paper is the first attempt to apply the advantages of BC enabled IM to enhance the HTD process. The results of this study can foster and propel new research pathways and knowledge on the value of design in the form of non-fungible token (NFT) based on the extended advantages of BC in the field of design, which can fully mobilize the healing and therapeutic behaviors of designers and the advantage potential of HTD to promote health, and realize the vision of Health Metaverse in the context of sustainable development.
Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Antiatherogenic Actions of Kaempferol in Human THP-1 Macrophages
Authors: Huwait Etimad , Ayoub Maha , Karim Sajjad
Published: July 2022

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is causing high mortality worldwide (World Health Organization-WHO, 2015). Atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries caused by the accumulation of fatty acids and lipids (cholesterol plaques), is a main reason of stroke, myocardial infarction, and angina. Present therapies for cardiovascular disease basically use statins such as β-Hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-CoA, with <70% efficacy and multiple side effects. An in vitro investigation was conducted to evaluate the impact of kaempferol, a natural medication, in an atherosclerotic cell model. We used cytotoxicity assays, Boyden chamber invasion assays, and quantitative PCR. Affymetrix microarrays were used to profile the entire transcriptome of kaempferol-treated cell lines, and Partek Genomic Suite was used to interpret the results. Kaempferol was not cytotoxic to THP-1 macrophages. In comparison to the control, kaempferol reduced monocyte migration mediated by monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) by 80%. The qPCR results showed a 73.7-fold reduction in MCP-1 and a 2.5-fold reduction in intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression in kaempferol-treated cells. In interferon gamma (IFN-γ) without kaempferol and IFN-γ with kaempferol treated cells, we found 295 and 168 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. According to DEG pathway analysis, kaempferol exhibits anti-atherosclerosis and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Kaempferol is an effective and safe therapy for atherosclerosis.
An Independent Assessment of a Commercial Clinical Interpretation Software Indicates That Software Can Mitigate Variation in Human Assessment
Authors: Fairley Jennifer A. , Deans Zandra C. , Treacy Rebecca J. L. , Grieg Eilidh , Bungartz Kathryn , Burton Ruth , Hayes James , Elkin Sheryl K.
Published: July 2022

Comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels for cancer diagnostics create a bottleneck for interpretation. QIAGEN Clinical Insights Interpret One (QCI) is a clinical decision support software that supports molecular pathologists in the classification of oncology-related variants. This study compares variant assessments by QCI to assessments utilizing current laboratory methods. Eight laboratories were recruited by the external quality assessment organization GenQA. The laboratories submitted VCFs from sequencing studies performed on both hematological disorders and solid tumors for analysis by QCI and an independent laboratory. Results were compared and conflicts were resolved using a panel of experts. In total, 14/149 variants (9%) reported as Tier 1 or Tier 2 by either QCI or the submitting laboratory were found to be discordant after expert panel review. In contrast, 41/149 variants (28%) reflected discrepancy among human reviewers. The expert panel was unable to reach resolution on eight variants. QCI demonstrates high concordance in the classification of actionable mutations with independent laboratory methods and expert assessment. The rate of disagreement among laboratories and the expert panel was greater than the disagreement between QCI and expert assessment. Disagreement among experts highlights the subjectivity of classifying variants. The study demonstrates that QCI interpretation supports streamlining and standardization of NGS variant interpretation.
Preparation and Characterization of Porous Materials from Pineapple Peel at Elevated Pyrolysis Temperatures
Authors: Tsai Wen-Tien , Ayestas Raquel , Tsai Chi-Hung , Lin Yu-Quan
Published: July 2022

In this work, pineapple peel (PP) was reused as a precursor in biochar (BC) production at elevated temperatures (i.e., 500–900 °C) for residence times of 0–60 min. The findings showed that pyrolysis temperature and residence time played a vital role in pore development. As pyrolysis temperature increased from 800 to 900 °C for residence times of 20 and 60 min, the data on the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of the resulting biochar products significantly jumped from 11.98–32.34 to 119.43–133.40 m2/g. In addition, there was a significant increase in the BET surface area from 1.02 to 133.40 m2/g with the residence time of 0 to 20 min at 900 °C. From the data of the nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms and the pore size distribution, both micropores (pore diameters of <2.0 nm) and mesopores (pore diameters of 2.0–50.0 nm) are present in the PP-based biochar products. Due to its good fittings in the pseudo-second-order model and its hydrophilic nature, as seen in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the resulting biochar could be a porous material to be used for the effective removal of cationic compounds (i.e., methylene blue (MB)) from liquid phases.