bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reevaluation of the Layered Anatomy of the Forehead: Introducing the Subfrontalis Fascia and the Retrofrontalis Fat Compartments
Authors: Ingallina Fabio , Frank Konstantin , Mardini Samir , Gavril Diana L. , Hernandez Claudia A. , Benslimane Fahd , Gotkin Robert H. , Davidovic Kristina , Moellhoff Nicholas , Cotofana Sebastian
Published: January 2022

Background:

Novel imaging methods have provided new insights into the layered anatomy of the forehead. This study seeks to critically reevaluate the layered anatomy of the forehead by using ultrasound imaging and cadaveric dissection to provide an accurate anatomical description that can be used to guide safer surgical and minimally invasive frontal procedures.

Methods:

This study used ultrasound imaging in a sample of 20 volunteers (12 female and eight male volunteers; aged 35.25 ± 4.2 years; body mass index, 24.28 ± 3.5 kg/m2) and cadaveric dissections of 16 body donors (12 female and four male body donors; aged 72.76 ± 9.5 years) to reevaluate the layered anatomy of the forehead. Layer-by-layer dissections and ultrasound-based measurements of the frontal structures guided conclusions.

Results:

The following layered arrangement was identified: layer 1, skin; layer 2, superficial fatty layer; layer 3, suprafrontalis fascia; layer 4, orbicularis oculi and frontalis muscle (same plane); layer 5, a homogenous layer of fat [preseptal fat (in the upper eyelid), retro-orbicularis fat (deep to the orbicularis oculi muscle), and retro-frontalis fat (deep to the frontalis muscle); layer 6, subfrontalis fascia; layer 7, preperiosteal fat within the prefrontal space in the lower forehead and deep compartments in the upper forehead; and layer 8, periosteum.

Conclusions:

The results of this study add to the current understanding of the layered arrangement of the forehead. The combination of ultrasound imaging and cadaveric dissections provided evidence for a continuous fatty layer deep to the frontalis muscle.
Brain FDG PET for Short- to Medium-Term Prediction of Further Cognitive Decline and Need for Assisted Living in Acutely Hospitalized Geriatric Patients With Newly Detected Clinically Uncertain Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Lange Catharina , Mäurer Anja , Suppa Per , Apostolova Ivayla , Steffen Ingo G. , Grothe Michel J. , Buchert Ralph
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate brain FDG PET for short- to medium-term prediction of cognitive decline, need for assisted living, and survival in acutely hospitalized geriatric patients with newly detected clinically uncertain cognitive impairment (CUCI).

Materials and Methods

The study included 96 patients (62 females, 81.4 ± 5.4 years) hospitalized due to (sub)acute admission indications with newly detected CUCI (German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00005041). FDG PET was categorized as “neurodegenerative” (DEG+) or “nonneurodegenerative” (DEG−) based on visual inspection by 2 independent readers. In addition, each individual PET was tested voxel-wise against healthy controls (P < 0.001 uncorrected). The resulting total hypometabolic volume (THV) served as reader-independent measure of the spatial extent of neuronal dysfunction/degeneration. FDG PET findings at baseline were tested for association with the change in living situation and change in vital status 12 to 24 months after PET. The association with the annual change of the CDR-SB (Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes) after PET was tested in a subsample of 72 patients.

Results

The mean time between PET and follow-up did not differ between DEG+ and DEG− patients (1.37 ± 0.27 vs 1.41 ± 0.27 years, P = 0.539). Annual change of CDR-SB was higher in DEG+ compared with DEG− patients (2.78 ± 2.44 vs 0.99 ± 1.81, P = 0.001), and it was positively correlated with THV (age-corrected Spearman ρ = 0.392, P = 0.001). DEG+ patients moved from at home to assisted living significantly earlier than DEG− patients (P = 0.050). Survival was not associated with DEG status or with THV.

Conclusions

In acutely hospitalized geriatric patients with newly detected CUCI, the brain FDG PET can contribute to the prediction of further cognitive/functional decline and the need for assisted living within 1 to 2 years.
Focal PSMA-Positive Pleural Lesion in a Patient With Stage II Prostate Carcinoma
Authors: Lensing Rutger J. , Broos Wouter A.M. , van der Zant Friso M. , Knol Remco J.J.
Published: January 2022

A 70-year-old man with histopathologically proven prostate carcinoma (Gleason, 5 + 5; prostate-specific antigen level, 6.2 μg/mL) was referred for an 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT scan. The scan revealed bilateral PSMA uptake in the prostate, representing the primary tumor, but no evidence of PSMA-positive lymph nodes. However, a left-sided ventral pleural thickening showed focal PSMA uptake. Lesion biopsy showed no signs of malignancy, and prostatectomy was performed. The 1-year follow-up CT thorax showed growth of approximately 20% of the pleural lesion. Subsequently, video-assisted thoracic surgery of the lesion was performed. Histopathology showed a solitary fibrous tumor, a rare mesenchymal tumor.
Visual Assessment of 18F-FDG Uptake on PET to Predict Survival Benefit to PD-1 Blockade in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Hashimoto Kosuke , Kaira Kyoichi , Yamaguchi Ou , Shiono Ayako , Mouri Atsuto , Miura Yu , Kobayashi Kunihiko , Imai Hisao , Matsusaka Yohji , Kuji Ichiei , Kagamu Hiroshi
Published: January 2022

Background

Programmed death 1 (PD-1) blockade is a standard treatment for patients with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Approximately 20% patients receiving PD-1 blockade monotherapy can survive for more than 5 years. However, there are limited data on the optimal biomarkers for predicting long-term outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of 18F-FDG uptake in patients with NSCLC responding to PD-1 blockade.

Patients and Methods

Thirty-eight patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent 18F-FDG PET after confirmation of clinical response to PD-1 blockade monotherapy were retrospectively included in this study. Visual assessment using a 5-point scale score according to 18F-FDG uptake was performed, and the 18F-FDG uptake cutoff score for prolonged response to PD-1 blockade was defined as 3 (low score: 1, 2, or 3 and high score: 4 or 5).

Results

A significantly greater number of patients with low scores had a performance status of 0 or 1 than patients with high scores. Among the 38 patients, 20 (53%) had a low score and 18 (47%) had a high score. Progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly longer in patients with low scores than in patients with high scores. Low 18F-FDG uptake was an independent prognostic factor for predicting favorable progression-free survival and overall survival, as confirmed by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Tumors with lower 18F-FDG uptake on PET than normal hepatic lesions exhibit the possibility of prolonged response to PD-1 blockade. Visual assessment on PET is easy for every clinician and is understandable to confirm aggressive tumor activity.
Clinicodemographic Predictors of Tracheotomy Tube Size and Decannulation
Authors: Panuganti Bharat Akhanda , Pang John , Francis David O. , Klebaner Dasha , Asturias Alicia , Alattar Ali , Wood Samuel , Terry Morgan , Bryson Paul C. , Tipton Courtney B. , Zhao Elise E. , O’Rourke Ashli , Maria Chloe Santa , Grimm David R. , Sung C. Kwang , Lao Wilson P. , Thompson Jordan M. , Crawley Brianna K. , Rosen Sarah , Berezovsky Anna , Kupfer Robbi , Hennesy Theresa B. , Clary Matthew , Joseph Ian T. , Sarhadi Kamron , Kuhn Maggie , Abdel-Aty Yassmeen , Kennedy Maeve M. , Lott David G. , Weissbrod Philip A.
Published: January 2022

Objective:

We aimed to discern clinico-demographic predictors of large (≥8) tracheostomy tube size placement, and, secondarily, to assess the effect of large tracheostomy tube size and other parameters on odds of decannulation before hospital discharge.

Summary of Background Data:

Factors determining choice of tracheostomy tube size are not well-characterized in the current literature, despite evidence linking large tracheostomy tube size with posttracheotomy tracheal stenosis. The effect of tracheostomy tube size on timing of decannulation is also unknown, an important consideration given reported associations between endotracheal tube size and probability of failed extubation.

Methods:

We collected information pertaining to patients who underwent tracheotomy at 1 of 10 U.S. health care institutions between 2010 and 2019. Tracheostomy tube size was dichotomized (≥8 and <8). Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to identify predictors of (1) large tracheostomy tube size, and (2) decannulation before hospital discharge.

Results:

The study included 5307 patients, including 2797 (52.7%) in the large tracheostomy cohort. Patient height (odds ratio [OR] = 1.060 per inch; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.041–1.070) and obesity (1.37; 95% CI 1.1891.579) were associated with greater odds of large tracheostomy tube; otolaryngology performing the tracheotomy was associated with significantly lower odds of large tracheostomy tube (OR = 0.155; 95% CI 0.131–0.184). Large tracheostomy tube size (OR = 1.036; 95% CI 0.885–1.213) did not affect odds of decannulation.

Conclusions:

Obesity was linked with increased likelihood of large tracheostomy tube size, independent of patient height. Probability of decannulation before hospital discharge is influenced by multiple patient-centric factors, but not by size of tracheostomy tube.
Cause of Death Determined by Full-body Autopsy in Neuropathologically Diagnosed Dementias
Authors: Astolfi Neves Beatriz , Villela Nunes Paula , Diehl Rodriguez Roberta , Medeiros Haidar Atmis , Elaine Paraizo Leite Renata , Nascimento Camila , Augusto Pasqualucci Carlos , Nitrini Ricardo , Jacob-Filho Wilson , Lafer Beny , Tenenholz Grinberg Lea , Kimie Suemoto Claudia
Published: January 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to compare causes of death in the most prevalent neuropathologically diagnosed dementias.

Methods:

We analyzed causes of death in a community-based cohort of participants aged 50 or older, submitted to full-body autopsy and a comprehensive neuropathologic examination of the brain. Individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), mixed dementia (AD+VaD), or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLBs) were compared with individuals with no dementia.

Results:

In a sample of 920 individuals, 456 had no dementia, 147 had AD, 120 had VaD, 53 had DLB, and 37 had AD+VaD. Pneumonia as the cause of death was more frequent in the AD (P=0.023), AD+VaD (P=0.046), and DLB (P=0.043) groups. In addition, VaD (P=0.041) and AD+VaD (P=0.028) groups had a higher frequency of atherosclerosis as detected by full-body autopsy.

Conclusion:

Our findings highlight the importance of preventive measures regarding atherosclerosis and pneumonia in patients with dementia. Moreover, because of cognitive impairment, these patients may not fully account for symptoms to make early detection and diagnosis possible. These results confirm findings from previous studies that were based on clinical data, with added accuracy provided by neuropathologic diagnosis and full-body autopsy reports.
Effects of CYP2C19*17 genetic polymorphisms on plasma and saliva concentrations of diazepam in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Authors: Skryabin Valentin Yurievich , Zastrozhin Mikhail , Torrado Marco , Grishina Elena , Ryzhikova Kristina , Shipitsyn Valery , Galaktionova Tatiana , Bryun Evgeny , Sychev Dmitry
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Diazepam is one of the most commonly prescribed tranquilizers for the therapy of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). However, diazepam therapy often turns out to be ineffective, and some patients experience dose-dependent adverse drug reactions. Previous studies have shown that the metabolism of diazepam involves the CYP2C19 isoenzyme, whose activity is highly dependent on polymorphism of the encoding gene.

Objective

The study aimed to investigate the effects of CYP2C19*17 genetic polymorphisms on plasma and saliva concentrations of diazepam as well as its impact on the efficacy and safety rates of therapy in patients with AWS.

Material and methods

The study was conducted on 100 Russian male patients suffering from the AWS who received diazepam injections at a dosage of 30.0 mg/day for 5 days. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR with allele-specific hybridization. The efficacy and safety assessment was performed using psychometric scales.

Results

Based on the results of the study, we revealed differences in the efficacy and safety of therapy in patients with different CYP2C19 -806C>T genotypes. Therapeutic drug monitoring revealed the statistically significant difference in the levels of diazepam plasma concentration: (CC) 251.76 (214.43; 310.61) vs. (CT+TT) 89.74 (54.18; 179.13); P = 0.003, and diazepam saliva concentration: (CC) 3.86 (3.22; 5.12) vs. (CT+TT) 0.79 (0.44; 1.56); P = 0.003.

Conclusion

Our study showed the effects of CYP2C19*17 genetic polymorphisms on the efficacy and safety rates of diazepam. Furthermore, we revealed the statistically significant differences in plasma and saliva concentration levels of diazepam in patients carrying different genotypes.
Social hierarchies and social networks in humans
Authors: Redhead Daniel , Power Eleanor A.
Published: January 2022

Across species, social hierarchies are often governed by dominance relations. In humans, where there are multiple culturally valued axes of distinction, social hierarchies can take a variety of forms and need not rest on dominance relations. Consequently, humans navigate multiple domains of status, i.e. relative standing. Importantly, while these hierarchies may be constructed from dyadic interactions, they are often more fundamentally guided by subjective peer evaluations and group perceptions. Researchers have typically focused on the distinct elements that shape individuals’ relative standing, with some emphasizing individual-level attributes and others outlining emergent macro-level structural outcomes. Here, we synthesize work across the social sciences to suggest that the dynamic interplay between individual-level and meso-level properties of the social networks in which individuals are embedded are crucial for understanding the diverse processes of status differentiation across groups. More specifically, we observe that humans not only navigate multiple social hierarchies at any given time but also simultaneously operate within multiple, overlapping social networks. There are important dynamic feedbacks between social hierarchies and the characteristics of social networks, as the types of social relationships, their structural properties, and the relative position of individuals within them both influence and are influenced by status differentiation.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The centennial of the pecking order: current state and future prospects for the study of dominance hierarchies’.
Distinct gene regulatory signatures of dominance rank and social bond strength in wild baboons
Authors: Anderson Jordan A. , Lea Amanda J. , Voyles Tawni N. , Akinyi Mercy Y. , Nyakundi Ruth , Ochola Lucy , Omondi Martin , Nyundo Fred , Zhang Yingying , Campos Fernando A. , Alberts Susan C. , Archie Elizabeth A. , Tung Jenny
Published: January 2022

The social environment is a major determinant of morbidity, mortality and Darwinian fitness in social animals. Recent studies have begun to uncover the molecular processes associated with these relationships, but the degree to which they vary across different dimensions of the social environment remains unclear. Here, we draw on a long-term field study of wild baboons to compare the signatures of affiliative and competitive aspects of the social environment in white blood cell gene regulation, under both immune-stimulated and non-stimulated conditions. We find that the effects of dominance rank on gene expression are directionally opposite in males versus females, such that high-ranking males resemble low-ranking females, and vice versa. Among females, rank and social bond strength are both reflected in the activity of cellular metabolism and proliferation genes. However, while we observe pronounced rank-related differences in baseline immune gene activity, only bond strength predicts the fold-change response to immune (lipopolysaccharide) stimulation. Together, our results indicate that the directionality and magnitude of social effects on gene regulation depend on the aspect of the social environment under study. This heterogeneity may help explain why social environmental effects on health and longevity can also vary between measures.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The centennial of the pecking order: current state and future prospects for the study of dominance hierarchies’.
Hot-headed peckers: thermographic changes during aggression among juvenile pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)
Authors: Knoch Sophia , Whiteside Mark A. , Madden Joah R. , Rose Paul E. , Fawcett Tim W.
Published: January 2022

In group-living vertebrates, dominance status often covaries with physiological measurements (e.g. glucocorticoid levels), but it is unclear how dominance is linked to dynamic changes in physiological state over a shorter, behavioural timescale. In this observational study, we recorded spontaneous aggression among captive juvenile pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) alongside infrared thermographic measurements of their external temperature, a non-invasive technique previously used to examine stress responses in non-social contexts, where peripheral blood is redirected towards the body core. We found low but highly significant repeatability in maximum head temperature, suggesting individually consistent thermal profiles, and some indication of lower head temperatures in more active behavioural states (e.g. walking compared to resting). These individual differences were partly associated with sex, females being cooler on average than males, but unrelated to body size. During pairwise aggressive encounters, we observed a non-monotonic temperature change, with head temperature dropping rapidly immediately prior to an attack and increasing rapidly afterwards, before returning to baseline levels. This nonlinear pattern was similar for birds in aggressor and recipient roles, but aggressors were slightly hotter on average. Our findings show that aggressive interactions induce rapid temperature changes in dominants and subordinates alike, and highlight infrared thermography as a promising tool for investigating the physiological basis of pecking orders in galliforms.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The centennial of the pecking order: current state and future prospects for the study of dominance hierarchies’.
Behavioural and physiological plasticity in social hierarchies
Authors: Milewski T. M. , Lee W. , Champagne F. A. , Curley J. P.
Published: January 2022

Individuals occupying dominant and subordinate positions in social hierarchies exhibit divergent behaviours, physiology and neural functioning. Dominant animals express higher levels of dominance behaviours such as aggression, territorial defence and mate-guarding. Dominants also signal their status via auditory, visual or chemical cues. Moreover, dominant animals typically increase reproductive behaviours and show enhanced spatial and social cognition as well as elevated arousal. These biobehavioural changes increase energetic demands that are met via shifting both energy intake and metabolism and are supported by coordinated changes in physiological systems including the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axes as well as altered gene expression and sensitivity of neural circuits that regulate these behaviours. Conversely, subordinate animals inhibit dominance and often reproductive behaviours and exhibit physiological changes adapted to socially stressful contexts. Phenotypic changes in both dominant and subordinate individuals may be beneficial in the short-term but lead to long-term challenges to health. Further, rapid changes in social ranks occur as dominant animals socially ascend or descend and are associated with dynamic modulations in the brain and periphery. In this paper, we provide a broad overview of how behavioural and phenotypic changes associated with social dominance and subordination are expressed in neural and physiological plasticity.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The centennial of the pecking order: current state and future prospects for the study of dominance hierarchies’.
Agonism and grooming behaviour explain social status effects on physiology and gene regulation in rhesus macaques
Authors: Simons Noah D. , Michopoulos Vasiliki , Wilson Mark , Barreiro Luis B. , Tung Jenny
Published: January 2022

Variation in social status predicts molecular, physiological and life-history outcomes across a broad range of species, including our own. Experimental studies indicate that some of these relationships persist even when the physical environment is held constant. Here, we draw on datasets from one such study—experimental manipulation of dominance rank in captive female rhesus macaques—to investigate how social status shapes the lived experience of these animals to alter gene regulation, glucocorticoid physiology and mitochondrial DNA phenotypes. We focus specifically on dominance rank-associated dimensions of the social environment, including both competitive and affiliative interactions. Our results show that simple summaries of rank-associated behavioural interactions are often better predictors of molecular and physiological outcomes than dominance rank itself. However, while measures of immune function are best explained by agonism rates, glucocorticoid-related phenotypes tend to be more closely linked to affiliative behaviour. We conclude that dominance rank serves as a useful summary for investigating social environmental effects on downstream outcomes. Nevertheless, the behavioural interactions that define an individual's daily experiences reveal the proximate drivers of social status-related differences and are especially relevant for understanding why individuals who share the same social status sometimes appear physiologically distinct.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The centennial of the pecking order: current state and future prospects for the study of dominance hierarchies’.
Identifying healthy individuals with Alzheimer neuroimaging phenotypes in the UK Biobank
Authors: Azevedo Tiago , Bethlehem Richard A.I. , Whiteside David J. , Swaddiwudhipong Nol , Rowe James B. , Lió Pietro , Rittman Timothy
Published: January 2022

Identifying prediagnostic neurodegenerative disease is a critical issue in neurodegenerative disease research, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in particular, to identify populations suitable for preventive and early disease modifying trials. Evidence from genetic studies suggest the neurodegeneration of Alzheimer’s disease measured by brain atrophy starts many years before diagnosis, but it is unclear whether these changes can be detected in sporadic disease. To address this challenge we train a Bayesian machine learning neural network model to generate a neuroimaging phenotype and AD-score representing the probability of AD using structural MRI data in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Cohort (cut-off 0.5, AUC 0.92, PPV 0.90, NPV 0.93). We go on to validate the model in an independent real world dataset of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Centre (AUC 0.74, PPV 0.65, NPV 0.80), and demonstrate correlation of the AD-score with cognitive scores in those with an AD-score above 0.5. We then apply the model to a healthy population in the UK Biobank study to identify a cohort at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. This cohort have a cognitive profile in keeping with Alzheimer’s disease, with strong evidence for poorer fluid intelligence, and with some evidence of poorer performance on tests of numeric memory, reaction time, working memory and prospective memory. We found some evidence in the AD-score positive cohort for modifiable risk factors of hypertension and smoking. This approach demonstrates the feasibility of using AI methods to identify a potentially prediagnostic population at high risk for developing sporadic Alzheimer’s disease.
Skeletal muscle and intermuscular adipose tissue gene expression profiling identifies new biomarkers with prognostic significance for insulin resistance progression and intervention response
Authors: Lutter Dominik , Sachs Stephan , Walter Marc , Kerege Anna , Perreault Leigh , Kahn Darcy E , Wolide Amare D , Kleinert Maximilian , Bergman Bryan C , Hofmann Susanna
Published: January 2022

Although insulin resistance often leads to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D), its early stages remain often unrecognized thus reducing the probability of successful prevention and intervention. Moreover, treatment efficacy is affected by the genetics of the individual patient. We used gene expression profiles from a cross-sectional study to identify potential candidate genes for the prediction of diabetes risk and intervention response. Using a multivariate regression model, we linked gene expression profiles of human skeletal muscle and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) to fasting glucose (FG) and glucose infusion rate (GIR). Predictive potential of identified candidate genes was validated with muscular gene expression data from a longitudinal intervention study. We found that genes with a strong association to clinical measures clustered into three distinct expression patterns. Their predictive values for insulin resistance varied strongly between muscle and IMAT. Moreover, we discovered that individual gene expression based classifications may differ from those classifications based predominantly on clinical parameters indicating a potential incomplete patient stratification. Out of the 15 top hit candidate genes, we identifiedST3GAL2, AASS, ARF1and the transcription factorSIN3Aas novel candidates for a refined diabetes risk and intervention response prediction. Our results confirm that disease progression and a successful intervention depend on individual genetics. We anticipate that our findings may lead to a better understanding and prediction of the individual diabetes risk and may help to develop individualized intervention strategies.
The Presence of Non–organ-specific Autoantibodies in Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment-naïve Patients
Authors: de Oliveira Andrade Luis Jesuíno , Santos Padilha Ingrid Silva , de Oliveira Luis Matos , de Oliveira Gabriela Correia Matos , Paraná Raymundo
Published: January 2022

Background

In the patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) various immune-mediated phenomena are described, and non–organ-specific autoantibodies (NOSAs) in particular are common. The aim of the present study was to investigate the NOSAs prevalence in chronic hepatitis c treatment-naïve patients.

Patients and Methods

Sera of 76 consecutive HCV treatment-naïve patients were considered to be eligible for this study for evaluation of Anti-nuclear, anti-smooth muscle, anti-mitochondrial, anti-neutrophil-cytoplasmatic and anti-liver/kidney microsomal antibodies. Criteria of eligibility were serum anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA positivity, chronic inflammation revealed by histological analysis of the liver, genotyping, treatment-naïve patients, and no have the diagnosis of probable or definite autoimmune hepatitis.

Results

Mean chronological age for the 76 patients (44 females and 32 males) was 51.3 ± 13,9 years (range: 20-67 years). Nineteen patients (25.0%) infected with HCV had detectable levels of NOSAs at before combined antiviral treatment. SMA was present in 16 (21.0%) of 76 patients, ANA in 2 patients (2.6%), and pANCA (perinuclear ANCA) in 1 patients (1.3%). No patient had specimens reactive to AMA, LMK, or cANCA (cytoplasmic ANCA).

Conclusions

In this study, we show the NOSAs positivity in chronic hepatitis c treatment-naïve patients. Assigned to high prevalence of SMA positivity is associated with high METAVIR score, and HCV-genotype 1 and 1b, may reflect a release of intracellular antigens at the time of hepatocellular injury triggering immune responses in the form of autoantibody production or a direct infection of immunocytes by the HCV.
Exploration of Methanomethylophilus alvus pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase activity in yeast
Authors: Stieglitz Jessica T. , Lahiri Priyanka , Stout Matthew I. , Van Deventer James A.
Published: January 2022

Archaeal pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetases (PylRSs) have been used to genetically encode over 200 distinct noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) in proteins in E. coli and mammalian cells. This vastly expands the range of chemical functionality accessible within proteins produced in these organisms. Despite these clear successes, explorations of PylRS function in yeast remains limited. In this work, we demonstrate that the Methanomethylophilus alvus PylRS (MaPylRS) and its cognate tRNACUA support the incorporation of ncAAs into proteins produced in S. cerevisiae using stop codon suppression methodologies. Additionally, we prepared three MaPylRS mutants originally engineered in E. coli and determined that all three were translationally active with one or more ncAAs, although with low efficiencies of ncAA incorporation in comparison to the parent MaPylRS. Alongside MaPylRS variants, we evaluated the translational activity of previously reported Methanosarcina mazei, Methanosarcina barkeri, and chimeric M. mazei and M. barkeri PylRSs. Using the yeast strain RJY100, and pairing these aaRSs with the M. barkeri tRNACUA, we did not observe any detectable stop codon suppression activity under the same conditions that produced moderately efficient ncAA incorporation with MaPylRS. The addition of MaPylRS to the orthogonal translation machinery toolkit in yeast potentially opens the door to hundreds of ncAAs that have not previously been genetically encodable using other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pairs. Extending the scope of ncAA incorporation in yeast could powerfully advance chemical and biological research for applications ranging from basic biological discovery to enzyme engineering and therapeutic protein lead discovery.

Abstract Figure
Chronic kidney disease is associated with attenuated plasma metabolome response to oral glucose tolerance testing
Authors: Ahmadi Armin , Huda M. Nazmul , Bennett Brian J. , Gamboa Jorge , Zelnick Leila R. , Smith Lucas R. , Chondronikola Maria , Raftery Daniel , de Boer Ian H. , Roshanravan Baback
Published: January 2022

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a major public health problem, is associated with decreased anabolic response to insulin contributing to protein-energy wasting. Targeted metabolic profiling of the response to oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) may help identify metabolic pathways contributing to disruptions to insulin response in CKD. Using targeted metabolic profiling, we examined plasma metabolome in 41 moderate-to-severe non-diabetic CKD patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60ml/min per 1.73m2 (38.9±12.7) and 20 healthy controls with normal eGFR (87.2±17.7) before and after 2h of 75g oral glucose load. Compared to controls, CKD participants had higher lactate: pyruvate (L:P) ratio both at fasting and after oral glucose challenge. Total energy production estimated through GTP:GDP ratio was impaired during OGTT despite similar fasting GTP:GDP ratio. CKD group had sustained elevation of vitamin B family members, TCA cycle metabolites, and purine nucleotides in response to glucose challenge. Metabolic profiling in response to OGTT suggests a broad disruption of mitochondrial energy metabolism in CKD patients. These findings motivate further investigation into insulin sensitizers in patients with non-diabetic CKD and their impact on energy metabolism.
Decisions on participation in music festivals: an exploratory research in Portugal
Authors: Portugal João Pedro , Correia Antonia , Águas Paulo
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Music festivals offer new opportunities for leisure and tourist experiences in Portugal. Some tourists and residents, the so-called festival goers, participate and come back to these events, whereas others, the non-goers, never participate and are not willing to do so. The aim of this research is to understand the decision to participate or not based on facilitators and constraints to participate or not in a music festival, dismantling residents and tourists' attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 1,178 music festival goers and non-goers in Portugal. Content analysis was undertaken to depict the most important determinants of their decisions. Those determinants were categorized according to the three dimensions of factors of ecological systems theory, considering festival goers and non-goers as well as tourists and residents.

Findings

The results suggested that although constraints are not as often voiced as facilitators, both influence decisions that are expressed as delaying, postponing, avoiding or complying with others by participating in these events. Furthermore, the results suggested that the decision to participate or not depends on the social contexts of the festival goers or non-goers, and that these social contexts may invert their decision, be it by facilitating or constraining their participation.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to festivals in Portugal and used a qualitative analysis that may be confirmed in other countries with quantitative methods. Nevertheless, this research opens paths to discuss facilitators and constraints through ecological system theory and gives insights into this industry.

Practical implications

The results provide important insights for festival organizers to retain and build long-term relationships with festival goers. The results also provide insights into how to overcome the resistance which non-goers demonstrated.

Social implications

This research offers an in-depth and insightful understanding of individuals' attitudes towards music festivals, allowing festival demand to be better understood. Furthermore, this research proves that attendance of music festivals is mostly a socially driven behaviour.

Originality/value

By eliciting facilitators and constraints of the decision to participate in music festivals, considering residents and tourists, festival goers and non-goers, this study provides a deeper understanding of the decision to participate, through a theoretical framework which is rarely applied in this field.
Stock derivatives and seasoned equity offerings
Authors: Hull Robert Martin , Kwak Sungkyu , Walker Rosemary
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The article aims to explore if stock derivative types (stock options and stock warrants) are associated with stock returns for firms undergoing seasoned equity offerings (SEOs).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors regress stock returns against stock derivatives for periods around SEO announcements with standard errors clustered at the month level.

Findings

The authors find that lower stock derivatives holdings for the fiscal year after the SEO are associated with superior pre-SEO returns. This can be explained by owners exercising their derivatives to capitalize on the pre-SEO price run-up. The authors find that greater stock option holdings by insiders for the fiscal year after the SEO are associated with superior post-SEO returns for up to ten years after the SEO announcement. This new finding does not hold for stock warrants.

Research limitations/implications

Stock derivatives are supplied by Capital IQ. Given their description, the authors infer that stock options are owned largely by insiders. Thus, the insider conclusions for stock options depend on this implication.

Practical implications

Stock options and stock warrants can be used strategically to reward stock derivative owners of strong performing firms for past performance. Stock options can be used to motivate insiders (primarily key executives) to achieve superior future performance.

Originality/value

This study is unique in comparing the influence of holdings for stock options and stock warrants on stock price performance around SEOs. The authors show that the sign of the association depends on whether the test includes pre-SEO periods.
Volatility spillovers among G7, E7 stock markets and cryptocurrencies
Authors: Aydoğan Berna , Vardar Gülin , Taçoğlu Caner
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The existence of long memory and persistent volatility characteristics of cryptocurrencies justifies the investigation of return and volatility/shock spillovers between traditional financial market asset classes and cryptocurrencies. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamic relationship between the cryptocurrencies, namely Bitcoin and Ethereum, and stock market indices of G7 and E7 countries to analyze the return and volatility spillover patterns among these markets by means of multivariate (MGARCH) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the newly developed VAR-GARCH-in mean framework with the BEKK representation, the empirical results reveal that there exists an evidence of mean and volatility spillover effects among Bitcoin and Ethereum as the proxies for the cryptocurrencies, and stock markets reviewed.

Findings

Interestingly, the direction of the return and volatility spillover effects is unidirectional in most E7 countries, but bidirectional relationship was found in most G7 countries. This can be explained as the presence of a strong return and volatility interaction among G7 stock markets and crypto market.

Originality/value

Overall, the results of this study are of particular interest for portfolio management since it provides insights for financial market participants to make better portfolio allocation decisions. It is also increasingly important to understand the volatility transmission mechanism across these markets to provide policymakers and regulatory bodies with guidance to eliminate the negative impact of cryptocurrency's volatility on the stability of financial markets.
Suicide as a medical education curricular topic: a documentary analysis of Brazilian federal medical schools
Authors: Aguiar Jesuino Thiago , Camelier-Mascarenhas Mariana , Santos Ferreira Thaiane , Barreto de Farias Júlia , de Oliveira Lima Leticia , Santos Oliveira Ivete Maria
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Physicians worldwide need to be able to identify and assess suicide risk or behavior in their consults. The proper training of medical staff is an important form of suicide prevention, especially because 80% of the patients who died by suicide were in contact with a health-care service in the year of their death. The purpose of this study is to verify if some of the most important Brazilian medical schools includes discussions regarding suicide in their curricula, and describe them.

Design/methodology/approach

The study performed a documentary analysis of all Brazilian federal higher education institutions. The analysis involved selecting the institutions that approached the topic of suicide in their curricula, and sorting it by keywords. The curricula that contained such keywords were then entirely read, analyzed and all components found were described regarding course period, workload and approach.

Findings

Within the 68 analyzed institutions, 19 (28%) included suicide in their curricula with a total of 31 components approaching suicide among them. Those components belonged to different stages of the course and had different workloads and approaches. A total of seven different approaches were identified: Clinical (54.8%); Emergency (16.1%); Medical Psychology (9.7%); Ethics (6.5%); Social (6.5%); Occupational (3.2%) and Forensic (3.2%).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first to address medical education regarding suicide in a large number of Brazilian institutions. It is also one of the few studies worldwide to quantify suicide discussion on a large number of institutions using documentary analysis.
Managing disruptions in the maritime industry – a systematic literature review
Authors: Nguyen Thanh-Thuy , My Tran Dung Thi , Duc Truong Ton Hien , Thai Vinh V.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper presents a systematic review of the literature in the domain of maritime disruption management, upon which future research framework and agenda are proposed. Two review questions, i.e. the measures that are employed to manage disruptions and how these contribute to resilience performance, were pursued.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic literature review procedure was strictly followed, including identification and planning, execution, selection and synthesis and analysis. A review protocol was developed, including scope, databases and criteria guiding the review. Following this, 47 articles were eventually extracted for the systematic review to identify themes for not only addressing the review questions but also highlighting future research opportunities.

Findings

It was found that earlier studies mainly focused on measures, which are designed using mathematical models, management frameworks and other technical support systems, to analyse and evaluate risks, and their impacts on maritime players at the levels of organisation, transport system and region in which the organisation is embedded. There is, however, a lack of research that empirically examines how these measures would contribute to enhancing the resilience performance of maritime firms and their organisational performance as a whole. Subsequently, a Digitally Embedded and Technically Support Maritime Disruption Management (DEST-MDM) model is proposed.

Research limitations/implications

This review is constrained by studies recorded by the Web of Science only. Nevertheless, the proposed research model would expectedly contribute to enhancing knowledge building in the specific domain of maritime disruption management and supply chain management overall while providing meaningful managerial implications to policymakers and managers in the maritime industry.

Originality/value

This research is perhaps one of the first studies which presents a systematic review of literature in maritime disruption management and proposes a future research framework that establishes the link between disruption management and resilience and organisational performance for empirical validation.
Urbanization and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission nexus in the CEMAC countries
Authors: Ngong Chi Aloysius , Bih Dimna , Onyejiaku Chinyere , Onwumere Josaphat Uchechukwu Joe
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between urbanization and carbon dioxide emission in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community from 1990 to 2019. The literature reveals that the relationship between urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions is still debatable and the existing findings are inconclusive.

Design/methodology/approach

Carbon dioxide is the regressand; while, urbanization, gross domestic product (GDP) and financial development (FD), rule of law (ROL) and government effectiveness (GEF) are the regressors. Johansen Fisher and Kao residual co-integration tests alongside the fully modified and dynamic ordinary least squares.

Findings

The results show a significant positive relationship between urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions. The causality tests results show that carbon dioxide granger causes urbanization, GDP and FD unit directionally.

Research limitations/implications

The countries' governments should effectively improve their legal systems to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. Urbanization laws should be implemented to limit urbanization environmental deteriorating effects on carbon dioxide emissions. This occurs as the countries practiced unregulated urbanization which increases population's environmental impacts. The study recommends sustainable green urbanization policies for environmental conservation through tree planting and horticulture. Balance development in urban and rural areas is vital to decongest the urban cities' pressure in the states. The governments should motivate the private sector with rural investments captivating policies to limit rural urban migration.

Originality/value

The findings contribute value by supporting a positive link between urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions in the CEMAC zone. The causality tests findings confirm the view that carbon dioxide granger causes urbanization, GDP and FD unit directionally. This value addition is essential to the governments and policy makers to mitigate urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions in the CEMAC region.
Pumpkin seed oil and zinc attenuate chronic mild stress perturbations in the cerebral cortex of rats
Authors: El-Azma Marwa H. , El-Beih Nadia M. , El-Shamy Karima A. , Koriem Khaled M.M. , Elkassaby Mahitab I. , El-Sayed Wael M.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the potential of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) and zinc to attenuate oxidative stress and neuroinflammation caused by chronic mild stress (CMS) in the cerebral cortex of male rats.

Design/methodology/approach

The rats were submitted to stress for six weeks and then the behavior of the rats was tested by forced swimming test (FST) and novel cage test. The treated groups were given venlafaxine (20 mg/kg), pumpkin seed oil (40 mg/kg) and zinc (4 mg/kg). The cortex homogenate was used for the detection of the oxidative stress parameters, the concentration of neurotransmitters, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β), Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and the expression of histamine N-methyltransferase (Hnmt) and tyrosine hydroxylase (Th).

Findings

CMS causes a significant increase in immobility time in the FST and a significant decrease in the number of rearing in the novel cage test. CMS group showed a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, levels of cortisol, TNF-α, IL-1β, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde. CMS caused a significant decrease in the concentrations of serotonin, GABA, norepinephrine, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and Na+/K+-ATPase. CMS caused a marked reduction in the expression of Hnmt and Th in the cortex. PSO and zinc attenuated the Na+/K+-ATPase activity, oxidative parameters and neuroinflammation induced by the CMS, and this was reflected by the elevation of the concentration of neurotransmitters and reduction of cortisol and ALT, in addition to the behavior normalization. PSO and zinc attenuated the CMS by improving the antioxidant milieu and anti-inflammatory status of the cerebral cortex.

Originality/value

There are no studies on the effect of pumpkin seed oil on depression
Idea paper: An envelope model of ecological disturbance
Authors: Friedman Nicholas R.
Published: January 2022

Disturbance is common in natural ecosystems, but increasingly defines them. While there are many descriptions for the dynamics of an ecosystem's response to disturbance, there are few descriptions for the dynamics of the disturbance itself. I describe a novel application of a model based on the production of amplitude envelopes in acoustics and electronic music synthesis, with varying parameters Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release (ADSR). I show that varying the parameters of the ADSR model is sufficient to produce and vary the qualitative disturbance regimes described by previous authors, and is capable of producing dynamics not previously considered. I tested the utility of the ADSR model by applying it to a logistic growth model. I found that manipulating the attack and release parameters of the ADSR model changes the population dynamics estimated by these models. This implies that responses to disturbance are determined not only by the resilience and resistance of the ecological system, but also the dynamics of the disturbance itself. My hope is that the ADSR model will prove useful to researchers in either describing disturbances in long‐term ecological data, or in producing disturbances for simulations or experiments.