bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APOE traffics to astrocyte lipid droplets and modulates triglyceride saturation and droplet size
Authors: Windham Ian A. , Ragusa Joey V. , Wallace E. Diane , Wagner Colby H. , White Kristen K. , Cohen Sarah
Published: April 2023

TheE4variant ofAPOEstrongly predisposes individuals to late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. We demonstrate that in response to neutral lipid synthesis, apolipoprotein E (APOE) in astrocytes can avoid translocation into the ER lumen and traffic to lipid droplets (LDs) via membrane bridges at ER-LD contacts.APOEknockdown promotes fewer, larger LDs containing more unsaturated triglyceride. This LD size distribution phenotype was rescued by chimeric APOE that targets only LDs. APOE4-expressing astrocytes also form a small number of large LDs enriched in unsaturated triglyceride. Additionally, the larger LDs inAPOE4cells exhibit impaired turnover and increased sensitivity to lipid peroxidation. Our data indicate that APOE plays a previously unrecognized role as an LD surface protein that regulates LD size and composition.

APOE4is a toxic gain of function variant that causes aberrant LD composition and morphology. We propose thatAPOE4astrocytes with large, unsaturated LDs are sensitized to lipid peroxidation or lipotoxicity, which could contribute to Alzheimer’s disease risk.

Windhamet al. discover that APOE in astrocytes can traffic to lipid droplets (LDs), where it modulates LD composition and size. Astrocytes expressing the Alzheimer’s risk variant APOE4 form large LDs with impaired turnover and increased peroxidation sensitivity.
CaV2.1 α1subunit motifs that control presynaptic CaV2.1 subtype abundance are distinct from CaV2.1 preference
Authors: Li Jianing , Veeraraghavan Priyadharishini , Young Samuel M.
Published: April 2023

Presynaptic voltage-gated Ca2+channels (CaV) subtype abundance at mammalian synapses regulates synaptic transmission in health and disease. In the mammalian central nervous system, most presynaptic terminals are CaV2.1 dominant with a developmental reduction in CaV2.2 and CaV2.3 levels, and CaV2 subtype levels are altered in various diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling presynaptic CaV2 subtype levels are largely unsolved. Since the CaV2 α1subunit cytoplasmic regions contain varying levels of sequence conservation, these regions are proposed to control presynaptic CaV2 subtype preference and abundance. To investigate the potential role of these regions, we expressed chimeric CaV2.1 α1subunits containing swapped motifs with the CaV2.2 and CaV2.3 α1subunit on a CaV2.1/CaV2.2 null background at the calyx of Held presynaptic terminal. We found that expression of CaV2.1 α1subunit chimeras containing the CaV2.3 loop II-III region or cytoplasmic C-terminus (CT) resulted in a large reduction of presynaptic Ca2+currents compared to the CaV2.1 α1subunit. However, the Ca2+current sensitivity to the CaV2.1 blocker Agatoxin-IVA, was the same between the chimeras and the CaV2.1 α1subunit. Additionally, we found no reduction in presynaptic Ca2+currents with CaV2.1/2.2 cytoplasmic CT chimeras. We conclude that the motifs in the CaV2.1 loop II-III and CT do not individually regulate CaV2.1 preference, but these motifs control CaV2.1 levels and the CaV2.3 CT contains motifs that negatively regulate presynaptic CaV2.3 levels. We propose that the motifs controlling presynaptic CaV2.1 preference are distinct from those regulating CaV2.1 levels and may act synergistically to impact pathways regulating CaV2.1 preference and abundance.

Key points summary

Presynaptic CaV2 subtype abundance regulates neuronal circuit properties, however the mechanisms regulating presynaptic CaV2 subtype abundance and preference remains enigmatic.

The CaVα1subunit determines subtype and contains multiple motifs implicated in regulating presynaptic subtype abundance and preference.

The CaV2.1 α1subunit domain II-III loop and cytoplasmic C-terminus are positive regulators of presynaptic CaV2.1 abundance but do not regulate preference.

The CaV2.3 α1subunit cytoplasmic C-terminus negatively regulates presynaptic CaV2 subtype abundance but not preference while the CaV2.2 α1subunit cytoplasmic C-terminus is not a key regulator of presynaptic CaV2 subtype abundance or preference.

The CaV2 α1subunit motifs determining the presynaptic CaV2 preference are distinct from abundance.
Uncovering Co-regulatory Modules and Gene Regulatory Networks in the Heart through Machine Learning-based Analysis of Large-scale Epigenomic Data
Authors: Vahab Naima , Bonu Tarun , Kuhlmann Levin , Ramialison Mirana , Tyagi Sonika
Published: April 2023

The availability of large scale epigenomic data from different cell types and conditions has provided valuable information to evaluate and learn features that predict co-binding of transcription factors (TF). However, previous attempts to develop models for predicting motif cooccurrence were not scalable for global analysis of any combination of motifs or cross-species predictions. Further, mapping co-regulatory modules (CRM) to their gene regulatory networks (GRN) is crucial in understanding the underlying function. Currently, there is no comprehensive pipeline to locate CRM and GRN on a large scale with speed and accuracy. In this study, we analyzed and evaluated different TF binding characteristics that would facilitate co-binding with biological significance to identify all possible clusters of co-binding TFs. We curated the UniBind database, which contains ChIP-Seq data from over 1983 samples and 232 TFs, and implemented two machine learning models to predict CRMs and potential regulatory networks they operate on. We narrowed our focus to study heart related regulatory motifs. Our findings highlight the importance of the NKX family of transcription factors in cardiac development and provide potential targets for further investigation in cardiac disease.
Context-specific and context-invariant computations of interval timing
Authors: Pourmohammadi Ahmad , Sanayei Mehdi
Published: April 2023

An accurate sense of time is crucial in flexible sensorimotor control and other cognitive functions. However, it remains unknown how multiple timing computations in different contexts interact to shape our behavior. We asked humans to perform timing tasks that differed in the sensorimotor domain (sensory timing vs. motor timing) and effector (hand vs. saccadic eye movement). To understand how these different behavioral contexts contribute to timing behavior, we applied a three-stage Bayesian model to behavioral data. We found that these behavioral contexts affect different stages of computations about time. Moreover, our results indicated that the mode of response also affects computations related to measuring and sensing time. These findings suggest that both context-specific and context-invariant computations contribute to shaping our timing behavior.
A multiscale characterization of cortical shape asymmetries in early psychosis
Authors: Chen Yu-Chi , Tiego Jeggan , Segal Ashlea , Chopra Sidhant , Holmes Alexander , Suo Chao , Pang James C. , Fornito Alex , Aquino Kevin M.
Published: April 2023

Background

Psychosis has often been linked to abnormal cortical asymmetry, but prior results have been inconsistent. Here, we applied a novel spectral shape analysis to characterize cortical shape asymmetries in patients with early psychosis across different spatial scales.

Methods

We used the Human Connectome Project for Early Psychosis dataset (aged 16–35), including 56 healthy controls (male = 37, female = 19) and 112 patients with early psychosis (male = 68, female = 44). We quantified shape variations of each hemisphere over different spatial frequencies and applied a generalized linear model to compare differences between healthy control participants and patients with early psychosis. We further used a canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to examine associations between shape asymmetries and clinical symptoms.

Results

Cortical shape asymmetries, spanning wavelengths between about 22 mm and 75 mm, were significantly different between healthy control participants and patients with early psychosis (Cohen’sd= 0.28−0.51), with patients showing greater asymmetry in cortical shape than controls. A single canonical mode linked the asymmetry measures to symptoms (CCAr= 0.45), such that higher cortical asymmetry was correlated with more severe excitement symptoms and less severe emotional distress. In contrast, significant group differences in morphological asymmetries of cortical thickness, surface area, and gyrification at either global or regional levels were not identified.

Conclusions

Cortical shape asymmetries are more sensitive than other morphological asymmetries in capturing abnormalities in patients with early psychosis. These abnormalities are expressed at coarse spatial scales and are correlated with specific symptom domains.

Highlights

Cortical shape asymmetries are more sensitive than other cortical asymmetry measures, such as cortical thickness, surface area and gyrification, in capturing abnormalities in patients with early psychosis.

The abnormalities in cortical shape asymmetry are expressed at coarse spatial scales and are correlated with excitement and emotional distress symptoms.
Cash conversion cycle and financial performance: evidence from manufacturing firms of Bangladesh
Authors: Karim Rejaul , Mamun Md. Abdullah Al , Kamruzzaman Abu Sadeque Md.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to determine how the cash conversion cycle (CCC) affects the financial performance of manufacturing companies in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have collected data of 61 Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE)-listed firms from the 10 distinct manufacturing industries of Bangladesh for 18 years, from 2003 to 2020. The data have been analyzed through the two-steps system generalized method of moment (GMM) regression model, using profitability indicators return on asset (ROA) and earnings per share (EPS) as dependent variables, while CCC has been used as the independent variable, whereas asset turnover (ATO) and financial leverage (LEV) were used as control variables to assess the relationship between the CCC and financial performance.

Findings

The findings indicated that CCC has a negative connection with profitability – ROA and EPS, with the connection between CCC and EPS being highly significant. This indicates that reducing the inventory conversion time, reducing the period of receivable collection and making payments to creditors with potential delays might help Bangladeshi manufacturing firms boost their profitability. In addition, the firm-specific characteristics, namely ATO and LEV significantly affect the firm's profitability.

Research limitations/implications

The research was based only on secondary sources and information was scarce. This research was conducted to determine the impact of the CCC on the corporate profitability of the manufacturing sector solely. There might be many other working capital variables that are still unexplored through this study.

Practical implications

The current study's findings are consistent with the traditional rule that minimizing the firm's days of the cash cycle may optimize financial performance. The results of this research have added to the existing body of knowledge on the topic of working capital management (WCM). Future research endeavors can be initiated for assessing the impact of the CCC on the firm's profitability in other industrial sectors or to identify other working capital variables that have much impact on corporate profitability.

Originality/value

This study is an original work of the researchers and adds value to the current literature in the domain of WCM and corporate profitability. The present study is the first one that covers firms in all the manufacturing industries in Bangladesh. The corporate managers, creditors, investors and other concerned stakeholders will be benefited from the findings of the present study.
Are gold and cryptocurrency a safe haven for stocks and bonds? Conventional vs Islamic markets during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Widjaja Michaelia , Gaby  , Havidz Shinta Amalina Hazrati
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify the ability of gold and cryptocurrency (Cryptocurrency Uncertainty Index (UCRY) Price) as safe haven assets (SHA) for stocks and bonds in both conventional (i.e. stock indices and government bonds) and Islamic markets (i.e. Islamic stock indices and Islamic bonds (IB)).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed the nonadditive panel quantile regression model by Powell (2016). It measured the safe haven characteristics of gold and UCRY Price for stock indices, government bonds, Islamic stocks, and IB under gold circumstances and level of cryptocurrency uncertainty, respectively. The period spanned from 11 March 2020 to 31 December 2021.

Findings

This study discovered three findings, including: (1) gold is a strong safe haven for stocks and bonds in conventional and Islamic markets under bearish conditions; (2) UCRY Price is a strong safe haven for conventional stocks and bonds but only a weak safe haven for Islamic stocks under high crypto uncertainty; and (3) gold offers a safe haven in both emerging and developed countries, while UCRY Price provides a better safe haven in developed than in emerging countries.

Practical implications

Gold always wins big for safe haven properties during unstable economy. It can also win over investors who consider shariah compliant products. Therefore, it should be included in an investor's portfolio. Meanwhile, cryptocurrencies are more common for developed countries. Thus, the governments and regulators of emerging countries need to provide more guidance around cryptocurrency so that the societies have better literacy. On top of that, the investors can consider crypto to mitigate risks but with limited safe haven functions.

Originality/value

The originality aspects of this study include: (1) four chosen assets from conventional and Islamic markets altogether (i.e. stock indices, government bonds, Islamic stock indices and IB); (2) indicator countries selected based on the most used and owned cryptocurrencies for the SHA study; and (3) the utilization of UCRY Price as a crypto indicator and a further examination of the SHA study toward four financial assets.
Assessing the significance of retail service quality on shopping frequency: an adaptation of retail service quality (RSQS) model
Authors: Musasa Tinashe , Tlapana Tshepo
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to ascertain the significance of retail service quality dimensions on shopping frequency at supermarkets in Durban. This study also adopts the Retail Service Quality Scale (RSQS) to South African supermarket consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected from 399 consumers through mall intercepts using an adapted RSQS. Non-probability convenience sampling was utilised in selecting participants from different malls in Durban. To analyse data the SPSS software was utilised with multiple regression analysis to confirm relationships between variables of the study.

Findings

Results indicate a significant linear relationship between retail service quality and shopping frequency. Two of the three dimensions of retail service quality (atmospherics and reliability) have a positive and significant influence on the shopping frequency of consumers whereas one dimension (policy) showed no significant influence on the dependent variable.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies are recommended in ascertaining the reasons behind an insignificant relationship between policy items of service quality and the shopping frequency of consumers.

Practical implications

This study highlights the managerial implications of retail service quality on improved shopping frequency of consumers.

Originality/value

This study suggests a lesser emphasis on policy items specifically personal interaction amongst Durban consumers on their shopping frequency. This might be due to cultural differences as well as the importance of self-service and privacy in supermarkets. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the role of context in providing deviations in retail service quality measurement and conceptualisation.
Industry 4.0, circular economy and sustainability in the food industry: a literature review
Authors: Quiroz-Flores Juan Carlos , Aguado-Rodriguez Renato Jose , Zegarra-Aguinaga Edisson Andree , Collao-Diaz Martin Fidel , Flores-Perez Alberto Enrique
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to find the best tools to influence the improvement of sustainability in food supply chains (FSCs) by conducting a systematic review of articles. The reader will learn how the different industry 4.0 tools (I4.0T) benefit the FSC and the limitations of each tool.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of 436 articles published during the period 2019 to 2022 referenced in the Scopus and Web of Science databases was performed. The review was limited to articles published in English and directly related to Industry 4.0, circular economy and sustainability in the food supply chain.

Findings

The results show different contributions of I4.0, with some being more influential than others in improving sustainability in FSCs; for example, Internet of Things and Blockchain have been shown to contribute more toward transparency, traceability, process optimization and waste reduction.

Originality/value

The paper's contribution consisted of ranking according to their importance and the I4.0T that affect sustainability in FSCs by classifying the aspects of each tool and the sustainability factors through a categorization by the Analysis Hierarchy Process.
Agricultural extension in Papua New Guinea: the challenges facing demand-driven extension from the perspective of practitioners
Authors: Hainzer Kirt , O'Mullan Catherine , Brown Philip Hugh
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Agricultural extension has played a central role in building the capacity of smallholders for decades. In efforts to improve extension outcomes, demand-driven approaches have emerged to better align extension content with smallholder context. The aim of this paper is to explore the challenges facing demand-driven extension in Papua New Guinea.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory case study methodology was used to explore the challenges facing demand-driven extension from the perspectives of 11 practitioners experienced in community engagement in Papua New Guinea.

Findings

Although there is great potential for demand-driven extension, this research found extension services in Papua New Guinea are ill-equipped to introduce and sustain a resource-intensive approach like demand-driven extension. It further found that rural farmers who extension organisations have long neglected lack the necessary skills and trust to gain from these services.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this research is that it only reflects the opinions of practitioners working in Papua New Guinea. Further research featuring a broader sample of value chain actors connected to extension would provide a more complete understanding of the potential challenges to demand-driven engagement in this context.

Originality/value

With a growing interest among development projects to utilise demand-driven engagement with farmers, this research is the first study to explore the challenge facing this promising approach in Papua New Guinea.
Building artificial intelligence enabled resilient supply chain: a multi-method approach
Authors: Singh Rohit Kumar , Modgil Sachin , Shore Adam
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In the uncertain business environment, the supply chains are under pressure to balance routine operations and prepare for adverse events. Consequently, this research investigates how artificial intelligence is used to enable resilience among supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

This study first analyzed the relationship among different characteristics of AI-enabled supply chain and how these elements take it towards resilience by collecting the responses from 27 supply chain professionals. Furthermore, to validate the results, an empirical analysis is conducted where the responses from 231 supply chain professionals are collected.

Findings

Findings indicate that the disruption impact of an event depends on the degree of transparency kept and provided to all supply chain partners. This is further validated through empirical study, where the impact of transparency facilitates the mass customization of the procurement strategy to Last Mile Delivery to reduce the impact of disruption. Hence, AI facilitates resilience in the supply chain.

Originality/value

This study adds to the domain of supply chain and information systems management by identifying the driving and dependent elements that AI facilitates and further validating the findings and structure of the elements through empirical analysis. The research also provides meaningful implications for theory and practice.
Use of mobile phone technologies for accessing agricultural marketing information by grape smallholder farmers: a technological acceptance model (TAM) perspective
Authors: Nyagango Alex I. , Sife Alfred S. , Kazungu Isaac
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Factors influencing the use of mobile phone technologies for agricultural market information access remain a mixed debate, and there are contradictive views among studies. This study examined factors influencing the use of mobile phone technologies for agricultural marketing information access. The study is anchored on the technological acceptance model (TAM).

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted with a sample size of 400 grape smallholder farmers. A structured questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to gather data. Descriptive, ordinal logistic regression and thematic approaches were used in data analysis.

Findings

The study confirmed grape smallholder farmers generally considered mobile phone technologies as an appropriate communication channel to stay informed about agricultural marketing information. It was found that reliable electricity supply, relevance, timeliness, perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of mobile phone technologies influenced the level of agricultural marketing information access.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to a selected number of grape smallholder farmers in Dodoma, Tanzania, and leaves out those without mobile phones. Also, the study was cross-sectional in nature, so it may not be necessarily capable of consistently providing critical and consistent information about the same population over a series of times.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge by integrating the use of mobile phone technologies to access marketing information in informing policy and decision-making processes to promote grape marketing.
Drought neutralizes positive effects of long‐term grazing on grassland productivity through altering plant–soil interactions
Authors: Duan Dongdong , Tian Zhen , Wu Nana , Feng Xiaoxuan , Hou Fujiang , Nan Zhibiao , Kardol Paul , Chen Tao
Published: April 2023

Livestock grazing is among the most intensive land‐use activities in grasslands, and can affect plant communities directly or indirectly via grazing‐induced soil legacies. Under climate change, grasslands are threatened globally by recurrent drought. However, the extent to which drought influences grazing‐induced soil legacy effects on plant biomass production and community composition remains largely unexplored.

We grew five naturally co‐occurring plant species (three dominants and two subordinates) in mixed communities in a glasshouse experiment in live and sterilized soil that had or had not been subjected to 19 years of grazing; these plant communities were then exposed to a subsequent drought. We tested the treatment effects on plant community biomass, proportional above‐ground biomass of individual species, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal root colonization, and soil nutrient availability.

Under drought‐free conditions, soils from grazed plots produced significantly higher plant above‐ground and total community biomass compared to soils from ungrazed plots. In contrast, plant above‐ground and total community biomass were similar between grazed and ungrazed soils under drought conditions. Similarly, soils from grazed plots increased the proportional biomass of dominant species but decreased the proportion of subordinate species; however, the proportional biomass of dominant and subordinate species was similar between grazed and ungrazed soils under drought conditions. Soil NO3−‐N in grazed soil was significantly higher compared to ungrazed soil. Drought dramatically increased soil NO3−‐N in sterilized soil and had a more pronounced increase in grazed soil than in ungrazed soil. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal root colonization from grazed soil was lower compared to ungrazed soil. Drought significantly increased the soil available phosphorus concentration, as well as plant community AM fungal root colonization.

Synthesis. Our study suggests that drought can neutralize positive grazing effects on plant community biomass production via altered plant–soil interactions. Also, we found that drought can alleviate the negative effects of grazing legacies on subordinate species by reducing competitiveness of dominant species. Our study provides new insights for understanding the underlying mechanisms of grazing effects on grassland productivity under climate change.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Heterosis and reselection for pyrethroid resistance trait maintenance in the lady beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar)
Authors: Nascimento Deividy V. , Lira Rogério , Torres Jorge B.
Published: April 2023

Exposure of Eriopis connexa (Germar) to pyrethroid residues in agroecosystems has resulted in selection for resistance (R). Pyrethroid resistance allows E. connexa to survive lambda‐cyhalothrin applications. Following a field release of E. connexa, development of resistance in an incipient population may depend on three major factors such as the maintenance of: (i) selection pressure, (ii) frequency of mating with susceptible phenotypes (S) and (iii) differential reproductive performance due to the fitness costs associated with resistance. To investigate the potential effects of these three factors on the development of pyrethroid resistance by progeny of field released E. connexa, our experiments included panmictic mating between R and S phenotypes, followed by descendant rearing with and without insecticide selection pressure, reselection and determination of resistance levels. In addition, we measured the reproductive performance of the parental R and S phenotypes and their descendants to assess the cost of resistance after crossing and reselection. Survival of R × S descendants exposed to lambda‐cyhalothrin was reduced across successive generations in the absence of selection pressure, but still enhanced after four generations indicating the persistent presence of resistant phenotypes in the population. Under selection pressure with exposure to lambda‐cyhalothrin applied at label rates, descendant survival was >50%. Fecundity and survival were higher in the first‐generation of crossed R × S females, but higher fecundity was not sustained after reselection. Adults of the R population exhibited a fitness cost, reduced longevity, when compared to S phenotypes and R × S crossed populations. Therefore, resistance maintenance in E. connexa after release will depend on selection pressures imposed by insecticide exposure. In the absence of selection pressure, the phenotype for resistance was reduced, but not completely lost. Further, resistant phenotypes can be reselected following insecticide exposure and this can explain, in part, the high frequency of field‐evolved resistance to lambda‐cyhalothrin in E. connexa.
The intertransverse process block single‐ or multiple‐injection? A study protocol
Authors: de la Fuente Birkebæk Amanda , Tanggaard Katrine , Bojesen Sophie , Therkelsen Anne Sofie , Klementsen Cecilie H. , Hansen Christian K. , Vazin Mojgan , Poulsen Troels Dirch , Børglum Jens , Nielsen Martin V.
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Intertransverse process (ITP) blocks are applied on the posterior side of the thoracic paravertebral space. The modality is described as being a paravertebral block by proxy, possibly providing a similar analgesic effect as the thoracic paravertebral block. However, systematic evidence on anaesthetised dermatomes and the extent of cutaneous sensory loss following ITP blocks is sparse. This study aims to test the single‐ versus the multiple‐injection ITP block. The primary outcome is the number of anaesthetised thoracic dermatomes for each block type.

Methods

Twelve healthy male volunteers will participate in this randomised, procedure‐related, double‐blinded, non‐inferiority crossover trial after informed consent. Blinded participants will receive either a unilateral single‐injection ITP block with 21 mL ropivacaine 7.5 mg/mL including two sham blocks or a unilateral multiple‐injection ITP block with 3 × 7 mL ropivacaine 7.5 mg/mL on study Day 1, and the other modality on study Day 2. Block applicants will be blinded from outcome assessment and vice versa. Following block application sensory test by mechanical pinprick and temperature discrimination will be performed. Anterior truncal thermography will be measured three times after block application to compare skin temperature in the mid‐clavicular line between the blocked and the contralateral non‐blocked hemithorax. In addition, blood pressure changes are measured three times non‐invasively.

Discussion

The current study will provide substantial knowledge regarding the cutaneous sensory loss of the ITP block. Furthermore, the study might provide insight regarding the possible clinical usage of thermography as a reliable instrument for measuring nerve block efficacy.
Do we need to unfriend a few friends? Free‐ranging dogs affect wildlife and pastoralists in the Indian Trans‐Himalaya
Authors: Mahar N. , Habib B. , Hussain S. A.
Published: April 2023

Dogs Canis lupus familiaris, among canids, have emerged as the most successful predators and facultative scavengers, and have prevented other carnivores from approaching human habitats through intraguild competition. Over time with increasing population and livestock predation, they have become a matter of concern for pastoralists. The present study was conducted to understand the patterns of free‐ranging dogs' predation on livestock and wildlife, from 2015 to 2017 in Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary (CWLS), Ladakh, India. Information was collected on (a) dog populations in 10 sites using polygon search in Spatially Explicit Capture‐Recapture framework and block count, (b) their diet using scat analysis (n = 205) and (c) perceptions of pastoralists towards dogs through questionnaire‐based interviews (n = 210). Dog densities varied between 10 and 310 individuals/100 km2 and were high in and around human habitations. A major part of their diet constituted of livestock (74.29%) and wild species (13.06%). Among wild prey species, birds (4.49%), lagomorphs (3.67%), rodents (2.45%) and Tibetan wild ass (1.63%) had high occurrence in dog diet. The local people admitted that dogs pose a threat to livestock and wildlife. As unowned free‐ranging dogs harm livestock and wildlife, about 40% of the respondents had negative perceptions towards them. The perception varied with occupation and pastoralists were more negative than non‐pastoralists (P < 0.001). We suggest that effective mechanisms need to be identified or developed to manage dog populations in ecologically and economically sensitive areas to minimise the threats and safeguard the endangered wildlife and local livelihoods.
Sex pheromone of Nearctic Agriotes mancus and its similarity to that of three Palearctic Agriotes invasive in North America
Authors: Singleton Kendal , van Herk Willem G. , Saguez Julien , Scott Ian , Gries Regine , Gries Gerhard
Published: April 2023

The wheat wireworm, Agriotes mancus (Coleoptera: Elateridae), is a predominant elaterid pest species in the Nearctic region, with a life history and morphology similar to those of Agriotes obscurus, Agriotes lineatus and Agriotes sputator, three Palearctic pest elaterids invasive in North America. Here, we report the identification and field testing of the sex pheromone of A. mancus.

We collected headspace volatiles from female beetles on Porapak Q, and analysed aliquots of Porapak extract by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) and by GC‐mass spectrometry. In GC‐EAD recordings, two esters—geranyl butanoate and geranyl hexanoate—elicited antennal responses from A. mancus males. In field experiments, trap lures containing both geranyl butanoate and geranyl hexanoate afforded large captures of A. mancus males, which were—on average—approximately 30‐fold higher than captures in traps baited with a single ester.

Traps baited with geranyl butanoate as a single‐component lure captured a significant number of Palearctic A. sputator, indicating the establishment of A. sputator in its invaded Nearctic range.

With the A. mancus sex pheromone now known, it can be included in the development of pheromone‐based programmes to monitor and manage native and invasive Agriotes pests in North America.
Exposure to weak opioids and risk of gastrointestinal tract cancers: A series of nested case‐control studies
Authors: Houston Martin G. , McMenamin Úna , Johnston Brian , McDowell Ronald D. , Hughes Carmel M. , Murchie Peter , Cardwell Chris R.
Published: April 2023

Aims

There is evidence gastrointestinal (GI) motility may play a role in the development of GI cancers. Weak opioids (codeine and dihydrocodeine) decrease GI motility, but their effect on GI cancer risk has not been assessed. We aim to assess the association between weak opioids and cancers of the GI tract.

Methods

A series of nested case‐control studies was conducted using Scottish general practice records from the Primary Care Clinical Informatics Unit Research database. Oesophageal (n = 2432), gastric (n = 1443) and colorectal cancer (n = 8750) cases, diagnosed between 1999 and 2011, were identified and matched with up to five controls. Weak opioid use was identified from prescribing records. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression, adjusting for relevant comorbidities and medication use.

Results

There was no association between weak opioids and colorectal cancer (adjusted OR = 0.96, CI 0.90, 1.02, P = 0.15). There was an increased risk of oesophageal (adjusted OR = 1.16, CI 1.04, 1.29, P = 0.01) and gastric cancer (adjusted OR = 1.26, CI 1.10, 1.45, P = 0.001). The associations for oesophageal cancer, but not gastric cancer, were attenuated when weak opioid users were compared with users of another analgesic (adjusted OR = 1.03 CI 0.86, 1.22, P = 0.76 and adjusted OR = 1.29 CI 1.02, 1.64, P = 0.04 respectively).

Conclusions

In this large population‐based study, there was no consistent evidence of an association between weak opioids and oesophageal or colorectal cancer risk, but a small increased risk of gastric cancer. Further investigation is required to determine whether this association is causal or reflects residual confounding or confounding by indication.
Analysing the impact of green consumption values on brand responses and behavioural intention
Authors: Risitano Marcello , Romano Rosaria , La Ragione Giuseppe , Quintano Michele
Published: April 2023

Environmental sustainability is an increasingly important issue for many business and social actors. This has led many scholars to research the effects of this phenomenon from various points of view trying to understand whether green attitudes can influence consumer behaviours in sustaining consumer–brand relationships. Accordingly, this paper aims to explore the impact of green consumer values on consumer–brand relationships in driving intentional behaviour. The authors developed an empirical study based on a research framework with six latent variables and 43 manifest variables using a partial least squares‐structural equation (PLS‐SEM). A survey was given to a sample of Italian consumers (n = 661) to explore mobility choices from a sustainability perspective (i.e. car and motorcycle users). The main findings show that green consumption values positively impact offline and online brand responses. Moreover, the research outcomes are discussed and evaluated in terms of theoretical, managerial and policy implications. Finally, we present the main limits and future research opportunities.
Predicting short‐term and long‐term mortalities from sepsis in patients who receive allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Wu Ye‐Jun , Liu Hui‐Xin , Zhu Xiao‐Lu , Fu Hai‐Xia , He Yun , Wang Feng‐Rong , Zhang Yuan‐Yuan , Mo Xiao‐Dong , Han Wei , Wang Jing‐Zhi , Wang Yu , Chen Huan , Chen Yu‐Hong , Zhao Xiang‐Yu , Chang Ying‐jun , Xu Lan‐Ping , Liu Kai‐Yan , Huang Xiao‐Jun , Zhang Xiao‐Hui
Published: April 2023

Patients who receive allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) may develop sepsis, which result in a highly intensive care unit admission rate and mortality. Therefore, short‐term and long‐term prognostic models for sepsis after allo‐HSCT are urgently needed. We enrolled patients receiving allo‐HSCT who developed sepsis after allo‐HSCT at Peking University People's Hospital between 2012 and 2021, including 287 patients who received allo‐HSCT in 2018–2021 in the derivation cohort, and 337 patients in 2012–2017 in the validation cohort. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify prognostic factors, and these identified factors were incorporated into two scoring models. Seven independent factors (acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), chronic GVHD (cGVHD), total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and organ dysfunction [renal, lung and heart]) were included in the 6‐month prognostic model, and six factors (cGVHD, C‐reactive protein, LDH, organ dysfunction [lung, neurologic and coagulation]) were included in the 14‐day prognostic model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots and decision curve analysis demonstrated the robust predictive performance of the models, better than the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Early identification of patients with high risk of 6‐month and 14‐day death may allow clinicians to provide timely treatments and improve the therapeutic effects.
Clinical predominance of whole‐exome sequencing to evaluate microsatellite instability status
Authors: Takamatsu Reika , Nakamura Kohei , Suzuki Okihide , Okada Chihiro , Mori Ryo , Kawano Ryutaro , Hayashi Hideyuki , Ishikawa Marin , Aimono Eriko , Nohara Sachio , Tanishima Shigeki , Ueki Arisa , Ishida Hideyuki , Nishihara Hiroshi
Published: April 2023

The microsatellite instability (MSI)/mismatch repair (MMR) status is one of the critical genomic biomarkers for predicting patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In this study, we aimed to investigate the concordance among the MSIsensor score obtained from whole‐exome sequencing (WES), which could be a futuristic clinical cancer sequencing method, using only tumor tissues, MSI‐PCR results, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) results to analyze various solid cancer types. We first endeavored to set the cut‐off value of MSIsensor to determine functional deficient mismatch repair (f‐dMMR) status. The MSI status of 1054 patients analyzed using WES was evaluated using MSIsensor. In addition, 87 of these patients were further analyzed using MSI‐PCR and MMR IHC to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the MSIsensor cut‐off score. Our results showed that score 12.5 was an adequate cut‐off score equivalent to PCR‐confirmed MSS/MSI‐low and MSI‐high statuses, with sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve values of 95.2%, 100%, and 0.998, respectively. Moreover, we identified false‐positive cases of tumors with high mutational burden with an MSIsensor score <12.5, and optional IHC examination could rescue these cases. In conclusion, the MSIsensor score obtained using WES with tumor tissue showed a high clinical validity, with a cut‐off value of 12.5 for f‐dMMR detection, in combination with optional IHC analysis for MMR. Our novel algorithm will provide insights into the development of ICIs for cancer treatment, particularly when WES becomes a more common cancer genomic test in the near future.
Geraniol protects hippocampal CA1 neurons and improves functional outcomes in global model of stroke in rats
Authors: Buch Prakruti , Sharma Tejas , Airao Vishal , Vaishnav Devendra , Mani Shalini , Rachamalla Mahesh , Gupta Ashish Kumar , Upadhye Vijay , Jha Saurabh Kumar , Jha Niraj Kumar , Parmar Sachin
Published: April 2023

Geraniol (GE), an acyclic monoterpene, is a chief constituent of essential oils of herbs and fruits. It possesses diverse pharmacological actions like antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐apoptotic, and anti‐parkinson. However, its neuroprotective potential in stroke is yet to be explored at large. The present study evaluated the neuroprotective potential of GE against the global model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)‐injury in rats. Bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion for 30 min followed by 7 days of reperfusion caused varied biochemical/enzymatic alterations viz. increase in levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), xanthine oxidase (XO), and decrease in the levels of cerebroprotectives like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total thiols, and glutathione (GSH). GE‐pretreatment markedly reversed these changes and restored the levels of protective enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants near to normal compared to I/R group. Besides, GE treatment showed marked improvement in anxiety‐related behavior and neuronal deficits in animals subjected to I/R injury. Moreover, 2,3,5‐triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC)‐stained rat brain coronal sections and histopathological studies revealed neuronal protection against I/R‐injury, as evidenced by a reduction in infarct area (%) and an increase in hippocampal CA1 neuronal density in the GE‐treated groups. The results of this study revealed that GE exhibited potential neuroprotective activity by reducing oxidative stress and infarction area, and protecting hippocampal CA1 neurons against I/R‐injury in the global stroke model in rats.
A visualized dynamic prediction model for overall survival in patients diagnosed with brain metastases from lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liang Min , Chen Mafeng , Singh Shantanu , Singh Shivank , Zhou Caijian
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Patients presenting with brain metastases (BMs) from lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) often encounter an extremely poor prognosis. A well‐developed prognostic model would assist physicians in patient counseling and therapeutic decision‐making.

Methods

Patients with LUSC who were diagnosed with BMs between 2000 and 2018 were reviewed in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Using the multivariate Cox regression approach, significant prognostic factors were identified and integrated. Bootstrap resampling was used to internally validate the model. An evaluation of the performance of the model was conducted by analyzing the area under the curve (AUC) and calibration curve.

Results

A total of 1812 eligible patients' clinical data was retrieved from the database. Patients' overall survival (OS) was significantly prognosticated by five clinical parameters. The nomogram achieved satisfactory discrimination capacity, with 3‐, 6‐, and 9‐month AUC values of 0.803, 0.779, and 0.760 in the training cohort and 0.796, 0.769, and 0.743 in the validation cohort. As measured by survival rate probabilities, the calibration curve agreed well with actual observations. There was also a substantial difference in survival curves between the different prognostic groups stratified by prognostic scores. For ease of access, the model was deployed on a web‐based server.

Conclusions

In this study, a nomogram and a web‐based predictor were developed to assist physicians with personalized clinical decisions and treatment of patients who presented with BMs from LUSC.
Characterizing long‐term population conditions of the elusive red tree vole with dynamic individual‐based modeling
Authors: Heinrichs Julie A. , Marcot Bruce G. , Linnell Mark A. , Lesmeister Damon B.
Published: April 2023

Old growth forests are declining globally, threatening dependent wildlife. Many arboreal old‐growth obligates, such as the threatened red tree vole, are difficult to monitor for changes in habitat occupancy, and abundance. Yet, conservation planning relies on this information to prevent population declines. We integrated a range of species, habitat, and landscape change information to develop a dynamic habitat‐population model. The spatial individual‐based model simulated dynamic patterns of occupancy that responded to annual habitat maps, describing 36 years of observed change. We simulated population dynamics and local movement to characterize changes in occupancy and abundance, and the capacity of remaining habitat to support red tree voles. Red tree vole redistribution patterns strongly corresponded to wildfire footprints and timber extraction locations. Population strongholds are likely to exist in clumped pockets of old‐growth forest that were unaffected by wildfire and in protected old forest reserves. However, the exact number and locations of local clusters remain uncertain. Simulated population losses occurred at different paces in different places, underscoring the need for recurring evaluation of population changes with field occupancy surveys and modeled evaluations that can anticipate potential connectivity and extirpation thresholds. This modeling approach was effective at leveraging existing information for a data‐light species to assess how historical changes to the quantity, quality, and configuration of habitat likely influenced the potential landscape capacity, species abundance, and distribution. Dynamic individual‐based modeling can benefit conservation planning for red tree vole and other reclusive forest species by providing biologically nuanced assessments of abundance and distribution. Such models can also project the long‐term benefits and impacts of spatially explicit land management plans.