bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parasphingopyxis marina sp. nov. isolated from coastal seawater
Authors: Choi Soo-Yeon , Oh Ji-Sung , Roh Dong-Hyun
Published: October 2021

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, yellow-pigmented and non-motile rod-shaped bacterium, designated as GrpM-11T, was isolated from coastal seawater collected from the East Sea, Republic of Korea. Strain GrpM-11T could grow at 10–40 °C (optimum, 35 °C), at pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3–4 %). Cells hydrolysed aesculin, gelatin and casein, but could not reduce nitrate to nitrite. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that this strain formed a distinct phylogenic lineage with

Parasphingopyxis algicola

ATAX6-5T (96.2 % sequence identity) and

Parasphingopyxis lamellibrachiae

DSM 26725T (96.2 % identity) and belonged to the genus

Parasphingopyxis

. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10. The polar lipid profile of strain GrpM-11T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid and three unknown glycolipids. Cellular fatty acid analysis indicated that summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
ω7c and/or C18 : 1
ω6c; 42.8 %), C16 : 0 (19.0 %), C18 : 1
ω7c 11-methyl (13.3 %) and C18 : 1
ω7c (8.0 %) were the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content of strain GrpM-11T was 63.7 mol%. Through whole genome sequence comparisons, the digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain GrpM-11T and two species of the genus

Parasphingopyxis

were revealed to be in the ranges of 19.0–22.0 % and 76.3–79.7 %, respectively. Based on the results of polyphasic analysis, strain GrpM-11T represents a novel species of the genus

Parasphingopyxis

, for which the name Parasphingopyxis marina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GrpM-11T (KCCM 43343T=JCM 34665T).
Decreased hospital visits and increased mortality rate in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Albania
Authors: Bucaj Jorgjia , Mechili Enkeleint A. , Galanis Petros , Mersini Bruna , Nika Sonila , Hoxhaj Inis , Likaj Stefano , Patelarou Athina E. , Patelarou Evridiki
Published: October 2021

Objective

To investigate the hospital visits and mortality rate during the COVID-19 in emergency department of Vlora regional hospital in Albania and to compare with the three previous years (2017-2019).

Data sources

Secondary data of patients that visited emergency department of Vlora Regional hospital Albania (largest hospital in the south of the country), since January 1, 2017 till December 31, 2020.

Study Design

This is a retrospective study. We used the hard copy of the patients’ health register records.

Extraction methods

The data extraction was conducted during March 2021 till June 2021. Eligible were all patients admitted and recorded in the registry of the Emergency department. The causes of admission were categorized in 14 different disease categories. All registered patient admitted to the Vlora regional hospital were included in the study. Patients that all data were not recorded and patients that data were not possible to be read were excluded.

Principal Findings

Study population included 44.917 patients during 2017-2020. Mean age of patients was 51.5 years, while 53.6% were females. The highest number of patients was in 2017 (n=12.407) and the lowest in 2020 (n=9.266). Increase of patients presented with cardiovascular, psychiatric and renal/urinary tract were observed in 2020 in comparison to 2019. Patients decreased over time with an average annual percent decrease of −7% (p-value=0.22). Joinpoint analysis revealed that mortality rate increased over time with an average annual percent increase of 34.3% (95% confidence interval= −42.7% to 214.8%, p-value=0.27).

Conclusions

During the study years the number of patients visiting emergency department decreased while mortality rate increased. Educating and raising awareness of patient to seek medical assistance should be a key objective of health policy makers and health personnel. A specific focus should be put on the more vulnerable (elderly and unemployed) as their health status is in higher risk.
Individual Symptom Severity in Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder Predicts Reduction in Right Dorsal Stream Neural Activity During Live Eye-to-Eye Contact
Authors: Hirsch Joy , Zhang Xian , Noah J. Adam , Naples Adam , Wolf Julie M. , McPartland James C.
Published: October 2021

Background

Social symptomatology quantified by clinical interview (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, ADOS) and self-report (Social Responsiveness Scale, SRS) indicate symptom severity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reluctance to engage in interpersonal eye contact is a frequently observed behavioral hallmark, though neural bases for these difficulties and relation to symptomatology are not understood. We test the hypothesis that eye contact in ASD activates atypical neural mechanisms that are related to individual differences in symptomatology.

Methods

Neural activity represented by hemodynamic signals was acquired by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during real person-to-person eye contact (confirmed by eye-tracking) for 17 adult ASD (3 female, 14 male) and 19 typically-developed (TD) participants (8 female, 11 male). Assessment of social function was based on ADOS scores for ASD participants and SRS scores for the combined group of ASD and TD participants.

Results

Individual ADOS scores were negatively correlated (r = -0.69) with individual fNIRS beta-values (representing strength of hemodynamic signals) within clusters in the right dorsal stream regions: somatosensory cortices, angular gyrus, and supramarginal gyrus. Hemodynamic responses in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were also negatively correlated (r = -0.77) with ADOS scores. Similarly, SRS scores for the combined ASD and TD groups were also negatively correlated (r = -0.58) with somatosensory cortices and the supramarginal gyrus.

Conclusions

These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that neural mechanisms in the dorsal stream and DLPFC are related to social symptomatology and implicate high-level interactive face and eye-processing systems as potential neurobiological markers of ASD.
Innate immune activation restricts priming and protective efficacy of the radiation-attenuated PfSPZ malaria vaccine
Authors: Senkpeil Leetah , Bhardwaj Jyoti , Little Morgan , Holla Prasida , Upadhye Aditi , Swanson Phillip A. , Wiegand Ryan E. , Macklin Michael D. , Bi Kevin , Flynn Barbara J. , Yamamoto Ayako , Gaskin Erik L. , Sather D. Noah , Oblak Adrian L. , Simpson Edward , Gao Hongyu , Haining W. Nicholas , Yates Kathleen B. , Liu Xiaowen , Otieno Kephas , Kariuki Simon , Xuei Xiaoling , Liu Yunlong , Polidoro Rafael , Hoffman Stephen L. , Oneko Martina , Steinhardt Laura C. , Schmidt Nathan W. , Seder Robert A. , Tran Tuan M.
Published: October 2021

Baseline innate immune signatures can influence protective immunity following vaccination. Here, we used systems transcriptional analysis to assess the molecular mechanisms underlying differential immunogenicity and protective efficacy results of a clinical trial of the radiation-attenuated whole sporozoite PfSPZ Vaccine in African infants. Innate immune activation and myeloid signatures at pre-vaccination baseline correlated with protection from Plasmodium falciparum infection in placebo controls, while the same signatures predicted susceptibility to infection among infants who received the highest and most protective dose of the PfSPZ Vaccine. Machine learning identified monocytes and an antigen presentation signature as pre-vaccination features predictive of malaria infection after highest-dose PfSPZ vaccination. Consistent with these human data, innate stimulation in vivo conferred protection against malaria infection in mice while diminishing the CD8+ T cell response to radiation-attenuated sporozoites. These data establish a dichotomous role of innate stimulation for malaria protection and induction of protective immunity of whole-sporozoite malaria vaccines.
Magnitude, pattern and correlates of multimorbidity among patients attending chronic outpatient medical care in Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia: the application of latent class analysis model
Authors: Eyowas Fantu Abebe , Schneider Marguerite , Alemu Shitaye , Pati Sanghamitra , Getahun Fentie Ambaw
Published: October 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the magnitude, pattern and associated factors of multimorbidity in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Methods

A multi-centered facility based study was conducted among 1440 participants aged 40+ years attending chronic outpatient medical care. Two complimentary methods (interview and review of medical records) were employed to collect the data on socio-demographic, behavioral and disease related characteristics. The data were analyzed by STATA V.16 and R Software V.4.1.0. We run descriptive statistics and fitted logistic regression and latent class analyses (LCA) models to determine associated factors and patterns of multimorbidity. Statistical significance was considered at p-value ≤0.05.

Results

The magnitude of individual chronic conditions ranged from 1.4% to 37.9%, and multimorbidity was identified in 54.8% (95% CI=52.2%-57.4%) of the sample. The likelihood of developing multimorbidity was higher among participants aged from 45-54 years (AOR: 1.5, 95%CI= 1.1, 2.1), 55-64 years (AOR: 2.5, 95%CI=1.7, 3.5) and 65 years or more (AOR: 2.4, 95%CI=1.7, 3.5), among individuals classified as overweight (AOR: 1.6, 95%CI=1.2, 2.1) or obese (AOR: 1.9, 95%CI=1.3, 3.0) and among those individuals who believe in external locus of control (AOR: 1.8, 95%CI=1.3, 2.5). Four patterns of multimorbidity were identified, the cardiovascular category being the largest class (50.2%), followed by the metabolic group (32.6%). Advanced age, overweight and obesity predicted latent class membership, adjusting for relevant confounding factors.

Conclusion

The magnitude of multimorbidity in this study was high. The most frequently diagnosed chronic conditions shaped the patterns of multimorbidity. Advanced age, overweight and obesity were the factors profoundly associated with multimorbidity. Health service organization and provision in the study area need to be oriented by the realities in disease burden and pattern of multimorbidity. Further research is required to better understand the impact of multimorbidity on individuals wellbeing, survival and health service delivery.
Decline in prenatal buprenorphine/naloxone fills during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
Authors: O’Donoghue Ashley L. , Reichheld Alyse , Anderson Timothy S. , Zera Chloe A. , Dechen Tenzin , Stevens Jennifer P.
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

Pregnancy provides a critical opportunity to engage women with substance use disorder in care. Buprenorphine/naloxone treatment is associated with improved pregnancy and fetal outcomes, but prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were multiple barriers to accessing buprenorphine/naloxone during pregnancy. Care disruptions during the pandemic may have further exacerbated these already existing barriers. To quantify these changes, we examined trends in the number of individuals filling prescriptions for prenatal buprenorphine/naloxone prescriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We estimated an interrupted time series model using linked national pharmacy claims and medical claims data from May 2019 to December 2020. We estimated changes in the level and trend in the monthly number of individuals filling prescriptions for prenatal buprenorphine/naloxone during the COVID-19 pandemic. We then stratified our analyses by payer.

Results

We identified 2,947 pregnant patients filling buprenorphine/naloxone prescriptions. Before the pandemic, there was positive growth in the monthly number of individuals filling prescriptions for prenatal buprenorphine/naloxone (4.83% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.40% to 6.26%). During the pandemic, the monthly growth rate in individuals filling prescriptions for prenatal buprenorphine/naloxone declined for both patients on commercial insurance and patients on Medicaid (all payers: -5.53% (95% CI: -7.28% to -3.78%); Medicaid: -7.66% (95% CI: -10.42% to -4.90%); Commercial: -3.59% (95% CI: -5.53% to -1.66%)).

Conclusion

The number of pregnant individuals filling buprenorphine/naloxone prescriptions was increasing prior to the pandemic, but this growth has been lost during the pandemic.
Dynamics of gut mucosal colonisation with extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacterales in Malawi
Authors: Lewis Joseph M. , Mphasa Madalitso , Banda Rachel , Beale Mathew A. , Heinz Eva , Mallewa Jane , Jewell Christopher , Faragher Brian , Thomson Nicholas R. , Feasey Nicholas A
Published: October 2021

Shortening courses of antimicrobials has been proposed to reduce risk of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections, but acquisition and selection dynamics under antimicrobial pressure at the individual level are poorly understood. We combine multi-state modelling and whole-genome sequencing to understand colonisation dynamics of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) in Malawian adults. We demonstrate prolonged post-exposure antibiotic effect, meaning short courses exert similar colonisation pressure to longer ones. Genome data does not identify widespread hospital-associated ESBL-E transmission, hence apparent acquisitions may be selected from the patient microbiota by antimicrobial exposure. Understanding ESBL-E dynamics under antimicrobial pressure is crucial for evidence-based stewardship protocols.
Safely return to schools and offices: early and frequent screening with high sensitivity antigen tests effectively identifies COVID-19 patients
Authors: Jeong Yong Dam , Ejima Keisuke , Kim Kwang Su , Iwanami Shoya , Iwami Shingo , Aihara Kazuyuki
Published: October 2021

Background

In-person interaction at school and offices offers invaluable experience to students and benefits to companies. In the midst of the pandemic, ways to safely go back to schools and offices have been argued. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking all precautions such as vaccination and universal indoor masking. However, even if all the precautions are implemented and transmission is perfectly prevented in the facilities, they may be infected outside of the facilities, which would be a source of transmission in the facilities. Therefore, identifying those infected outside of the facility through screening is essential to safely go back to schools or offices. However, studies investigating the effectiveness of screening are limited. Further, it is not well clarified now which screening strategy (e.g., low or high sensitivity antigen tests, intervals and the number of tests) effectively identify infected and infectious individuals to avoid transmission in facilities

Methods

We assessed the effectiveness of various screening strategies in schools and offices through quantitative simulation. The effectiveness was assessed by the proportion of identified infected and infectious participants. Infection dynamics in the facility is governed by transmission dynamics of the population they belong to, and the screening is initiated at different epidemic phases: growth, peak, and declining phases. The viral load trajectory over time for each infected individual was modelled by the viral dynamics model, and the transmission process at the population level was modelled by a deterministic compartment model. The model parameters were estimated from clinical and epidemiological data. Screening strategies were varied by antigen tests with different sensitivity and schedules of screening over 10 days.

Results

Under the daily screening, we found high sensitivity antigen tests (the detection limit: 6.3 × 104 copies/mL) yielded 88% (95%CI 86-89) of effectiveness by the end of 10 days screening period, which is about 20% higher than that with low sensitivity antigen tests (2.0 × 106 copies/mL). Comparing screening scenarios with different schedules, we found early and frequent screening is the key to maximize the effectiveness. Sensitivity analysis revealed that less frequent tests might be an option when the number of antigen tests is limited especially when the screening is performed at the growth phase.

Discussion

High sensitivity antigen tests, high frequency screening, and immediate initiation of screening are the key to safely restart educational and economic activities allowing in-person interactions. Our computational framework is useful in assessment of screening strategies by incorporating additional factors for specific situations.
Individualized risk trajectories for iron-related adverse outcomes in repeat blood donors
Authors: Russell W. Alton , Schienker David , Custer Brian
Published: October 2021

Background

Despite a fingerstick hemoglobin requirement and 56-day minimum donation interval, repeat blood donation continues to cause and exacerbate iron deficiency.

Study design and methods

Using data from the REDS-II Donor Iron Status Evaluation study, we developed multiclass prediction models to estimate the competing risk of hemoglobin deferral and collecting blood from a donor with sufficient hemoglobin but low or absent underlying iron stores. We compared models developed with and without two biomarkers not routinely measured in most blood centers: ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor. We generated and analyzed ‘individual risk trajectories’: estimates of how each donors’ risk developed as a function of the time interval until their next donation attempt.

Results

With standard biomarkers, the top model had a multiclass area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of 77.6% (95% CI 77.3% - 77.8%). With extra biomarkers, multiclass AUC increased to 82.8% (95% CI 82.5% - 83.1%). In the extra biomarkers model, ferritin was the single most important variable, followed by the donation interval. We identified three risk archetypes: ‘fast recoverers’ (<10% risk of any adverse outcome on post-donation day 56), ‘slow recoverers’ (>60% adverse outcome risk on day 56 that declines to <35% by day 250), and ‘chronic high-risk’ (>85% risk of adverse outcome on day 250).

Discussion

A longer donation interval reduced estimated risk of iron-related adverse events for most donors, but risk remained high for some. Tailoring safeguards to individual risk estimates could reduce blood collections from donors with low or absent iron stores.
Human photoreceptors switch from autonomous axon extension to cell-mediated process pulling during synaptic marker redistribution
Authors: Rempel Sarah K. , Welch Madalynn J. , Ludwig Allison L. , Phillips M. Joseph , Kancherla Yochana , Zack Donald J. , Gamm David M. , Gomez Timothy M.
Published: October 2021

Photoreceptors (PRs) are the primary visual sensory cells, and their loss leads to blindness that is currently incurable. Cell replacement therapy holds promise as a therapeutic approach to restore vision to those who have lost PRs through damage or disease. While PR transplant research is ongoing in animal models, success is hindered by our limited understanding of PR axon growth during development and regeneration. Using a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) reporter line that labels PRs (WA09 CRX+/tdTomato), we generated retinal organoids in order to study mechanisms of PR process extension. We found that the earliest born PRs exhibit autonomous axon extension from dynamic terminals that appear similar to projection neuron growth cones. However, as hPSC-derived PRs age from 40 to 80 days of differentiation, they lose dynamic terminals in 2D plated cultures and within 3D retinal organoids, which does not correlate with cell birth date. Using a rod-specific hPSC reporter line (WA09 NRL+/eGFP), we further determined that rod PRs never form motile growth cones. Interestingly, PRs without motile terminals are still capable of extending axons, but neurites are generated from process stretching via their attachment to motile non-PR cells, which underlies the observed differences in PR neurite lengths on different substrata. While immobile PR terminals express actin, it is less polymerized and less organized than actin present in motile terminals. However, immobile PRs do localize synaptic proteins to their terminals, suggesting a normal developmental progression. These findings help inform the development of PR transplant therapies to treat blinding diseases and provide a platform to test treatments that restore autonomous PR axon extension.

Significance Statement

Loss of photoreceptors (PRs) in the retina through damage or disease causes irreversible vision loss and blindness. One treatment approach is to replace lost cells with transplanted human stem cell-derived PRs, but this requires PR axons to integrate into the host retina to restore the required neural connections. For this strategy to succeed, we need to understand how PRs extend processes to their targets during development in situ, and whether dissociated human stem cell (hPSC)-derived PRs behave in a similar fashion. In this paper, we show that hPSC-PRs have only a short window during which they are capable of autonomous axon extension, which has implications for PR transplant efforts and for our basic understanding of human retinal development.
Cell-type specific induction of cyclo-oxygenase-2 in layer II/III prefrontal cortical neurons mediates stress-induced anxiety phenotypes in mice
Authors: Fenster Robert J. , McCullough Kenneth , Naumenko Sergey , Thompson Andrew , Klengel Claudia , Rodgers Allison , Otten Joy , Shu Dan , Harris Niki , Klengel Torsten , Ressler Kerry J.
Published: October 2021

The ability of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to exert top-down control of behavior is affected by stress. The molecular response of mPFC to stress is incompletely understood, however, in part because of the region’s cellular heterogeneity. Here we used single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) to map specific molecular cell types within the mPFC and to detect cell-type specific transcriptional changes to foot-shock stress. We identified Ptgs2, encoding cyclo-oxygenase 2, as an important candidate that is upregulated in layer II/III excitatory neurons after stress. Specifically, Ptgs2 was transiently upregulated with shock-induced fear learning and fear expression, along with Bdnf, Nptx2, and Lingo1, in a layer II/III neuronal population marked by the neuronal excitatory gene Slc17a7 and cell-type specific neuropeptide Penk. These dynamic cell-type specific expression patterns identified with snRNAseq were validated with quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization. Using a pharmacological approach, we found that systemic lumiracoxib, a selective Ptgs2-inhibitor, led to a significant reduction in fear expression. Furthermore, genetic ablation of Ptgs2 in excitatory Camk2a-expressing neurons led to reduced stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors. Together these findings suggest that Ptgs2 is expressed in a dynamic, cell-type specific way in Layer II/III Penk+ neurons in mPFC, and that its role in prostaglandin and /or endocannabinoid regulation within these neurons may be an important mediator of stress-related behavior.
The transformation from value determination to value realization: the logical dilemma of the Okishio theorem
Authors: Wang Shengsheng , Li Bangxi , Gu Shan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Different from Marx's analysis of the dialectical relationship between the production and realization of surplus value, the Okishio theorem only shows one aspect of the contradictory movement of the total social capital, that is, the reverse effect of the realization of surplus value on the production of surplus value.

Design/methodology/approach

The production of surplus value and the realization of surplus value are simplified into one process. This simplification eliminates the contradiction between the production and realization of surplus value, and the antagonistic contradiction between accumulation and consumption and the antagonistic production-distribution relationship in capitalist society are naturally covered up.

Findings

Therefore, it cannot explain the actual expansion way of the falling general rate of profit as the historical development law of capitalism. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the Okishio theorem places the analysis of the general rate of profit back into the social reproduction model with department equilibrium, which points out the significance of wage income to the realization of surplus value and outlines the macro mechanism of the realization of surplus value reacting to the production of surplus value. It also strongly promotes the research progress of the law that the profit rate tends to decline.

Originality/value

The mistake of the Okishio theorem is that the exchange process in the labor market forms the real wage rate. It determines the production price of wage goods, which thereby determines that the production price of capital goods and general rate of profit, the production of surplus value and realization of surplus value are simplified into the same process, and only the value that can be realized is the real value.
Critical examination and source-tracing in China of economic thought of Francois Quesnay from the perspective of the construction of socialist political economics with Chinese characteristics
Authors: Zhang Xu , Wang Tianjiao
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Francois Quesnay, known as the “Confucius of Europe”, was profoundly influenced by traditional Chinese culture to form his thoughts, which contained strong Chinese characteristics. This paper aims to examine economic thought of Francois Quesnay from the perspective of the construction of socialist political economics with Chinese characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Moreover, his thoughts also profoundly influenced subsequent economists, such as Adam Smith and Karl Marx. It can be said that Francois Quesnay was at the intersection of Chinese, Western and Marxist thought systems, so it is quite important to examine his thoughts critically and conduct source-tracing in China.

Findings

Hence, in the process of constructing and developing socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics, there is an urgent need to focus on exploring the value of excellent traditional Chinese culture at the theoretical level and combining the development and dissemination of the history of thoughts and the historical position of Chinese reality to realize the innovation and development of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics.

Originality/value

Meanwhile, while absorbing nutrition from excellent traditional Chinese culture, it is necessary to establish scientific coordinates rather than use the discourse systems and paradigms of Western economics to interpret ancient Chinese economic thoughts. It is necessary to adhere to, inherit and develop Marxist political economy and absorb nutrition from Chinese excellent traditional culture to construct socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics.
Development benefit, comparative benefit and the contest between two roads
Authors: Ding Weimin , Zhang Xiaoyu
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Under the circumstance that the development of developing countries is a major issue that has long been of concern to Marxist scholars, the research is focused on the category of development benefit, which Xi Jinping has mentioned many times.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Marxist theory of international value, the authors of this paper indicate that development benefit is the result of developing countries' consistently increasing labor productivity, reducing squandering in labor and transforming more labor into real value, and thus the fundamental cause of unequal development in international economics turns from the field of circulation to the area of production.

Findings

Also, the authors summarize China's experience of obtaining the development benefit and China's development path featuring common development and criticized the comparative advantage of mainstream Western economics, revealed the path of dependency development represented by mainstream Western economics.

Originality/value

Finally, the authors analyze the essence of the economy and trade conflict between China and the US and the respective strategic goals of the two countries and provide an outlook on the contest between the two roads of development and the evolutionary trend of the relationship between developed and developing countries.
“Physics envy” in organisation studies: the case of James G. March
Authors: Joullié Jean-Etienne , Spillane Robert
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This article aims to propose a critical review of James G. March’s research in and particular its consistency with its epistemological and psychological underpinnings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a textual and conceptual analysis of James G. March’s study.

Findings

The article argues first that March’s study exemplifies the “physics envy” typical of management and organisation studies scholars since the early 1960s. Second, evidence is presented that March’s conclusions, irrespective of their legacy on management and organisation studies, were not developed along and were not consistent with the foundations that March espoused and advocated during most of his career. As a result, the implications of his conclusions are uncertain. To his credit, however, there are reasons to believe that, towards the end of his career, March came to recognise the limitations of his scholarship. Further, he indicated an alternative avenue for organisation studies which eschews the shortcomings of positivist and post-modern research.

Research limitations/implications

Although centred on March’s work, the argument presented is relevant to psychology, organisations, choice, the nature of knowledge, the limitations of positivism and post-modernism.

Originality/value

The paper balances the perspective offered by recent celebratory reviews of March’s study.
Reframing leadership: Leader identity challenges of the emergency physician
Authors: Wong Lee Yung , Wilson Samuel , Rixon Andrew , Sendjaya Sen
Published: October 2021

Emergency medicine (EM) leadership is often conceptualised as either administrative leadership within the structure (e.g. head‐of‐committee leader) or operational/functional leadership within a group (e.g. resuscitation‐scenario team leader). While these bases of identity are practically useful, they often do not take into account the intricate, underlying challenges to one's leader identity presented by the dynamic, fluid and transient context of EM leadership. In particular, emergency physicians face various leader identity challenges such as nonreciprocal leadership claims and grants at the interpersonal level, identity confusion with multiple roles at the intrapersonal level, tribalism at the team level and antithesis of identity workspace at the organisational level. The present paper proposes a reframing of EM leadership as a socially constructed identity process, whereby emergent leaders learn at the individual level to address identity challenges as they negotiate the nuances of leader–follower interactions. Similarly, at an organisational level, there is an opportunity for formal and emergent leaders to create psychologically safe identity workspaces. The co‐creation of EM leadership by leaders and followers would help emergent leaders navigate their leader identity, allowing them to simultaneously inspire confidence and exert influence as future‐fit health professionals and leaders.
Novel angular naphthopyrone formation by Arp1p dehydratase involved in Aspergillus fumigatus melanin biosynthesis
Authors: Nambu Natsuki , Tsai Huei‐Fung , Chang Yun C. , Kwon‐Chung K. J. , Yoshida Tomoki , Tanaka Nobutada , Tomoda Hiroshi , Ebizuka Yutaka , Fujii Isao
Published: October 2021

Conidial pigment is an important virulence factor in Aspergillus fumigatus, a human fungal pathogen. The biosynthetic gene cluster for 1,8‐dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)‐melanin in A. fumigatus consists of six genes, alb1, ayg1, arp1, arp2, abr1 and abr2. In contrast to black DHN‐melanin fungi such as Magnaporthe grisea, the polyketide synthase Alb1p in A. fumigatus produces naphthopyrone YWA1 instead of 1,3,6,8‐THN (T4HN) and YWA1 is converted to T4HN by Ayg1p. The yeast transformant expressing Alb1p and Arp1p dehydratase produced an unknown compound which was identified to be a novel angular naphthopyrone named YWA3 formed from YWA1. In addition, the amount of YWA3 produced was much more than that of YWA2 formed by non‐enzymatic dehydration from YWA1. To further analyse the reaction in vitro, Arp1p was overexpressed in E. coli and purified. Kinetic analysis revealed Km value of Arp1p for YWA1 to be 41 μM which is comparable with that of Ayg1p for YWA1 in conversion to T4HN. The complex structure modelling well explained the mechanism of YWA3 generation by the dehydration of angular YWA1 by Arp1p. These results indicated the possibility that polymerization of angular naphthopyrone YWA3 but not YWA2 could be involved in the characteristic bluish‐green conidial pigmentation of A. fumigatus.
Invasions of ecological communities: Hints of impacts in the invader's growth rate
Authors: Arnoldi Jean‐François , Barbier Matthieu , Kelly Ruth , Barabás György , Jackson Andrew L.
Published: October 2021

Theory in ecology and evolution often relies on the analysis of invasion processes, and general approaches exist to understand the early stages of an invasion. However, predicting the long‐term transformations of communities following an invasion remains a challenging endeavour.

We propose a general analytical method that uses both resident community and invader dynamical features to predict whether an invasion causes large long‐term impacts on the invaded community.

This approach reveals a direction in which classic invasion analysis, based on initial invasion growth rate, can be extended. Indeed, we explain how the density dependence of invasion growth, if properly defined, synthetically encodes the long‐term biotic transformations caused by an invasion, and therefore predicts its ultimate outcome. This approach further clarifies how the density dependence of the invasion growth rate is as much a property of the invading population as it is one of the invaded community.

Our theory applies to any stable community model, and directs us towards new questions that may enrich the toolset of invasion analysis, and suggests that indirect interactions and dynamical stability are key determinants of invasion outcomes.
In vivo antidiabetic activity of nimesulide due to inhibition of amino acid transport
Authors: Joharapurkar Amit , Kshirsagar Samadhan , Patel Vishal , Patel Maulik , Savsani Hardikkumar , Jain Mukul
Published: October 2021

Inhibiting the intestinal and renal neutral amino acid transporter B0AT1 by genetic means has improved insulin sensitivity in mice, but there are no antagonists available for preclinical or clinical use. Since the anti‐inflammatory agent nimesulide selectively inhibited B0AT1 in vitro, we hypothesized that nimesulide exhibits in vivo potential to restrict neutral amino acid absorption and, therefore, may improve insulin sensitivity. The dose‐related effect of nimesulide (10 to 100 mg/kg, PO) on intestinal absorption of neutral amino acids was estimated in C57 mice. The effect of nimesulide (50 mg/kg, PO) on renal resorption of amino acids was also assessed. The effect of chronic nimesulide (50 mg/kg, PO, BID for 14 days) was assessed in high protein diet‐fed C57 mice, diet‐induced obese mice and obese and diabetic db/db mice. Acute and chronic nimesulide treatment decreased absorption of neutral amino acids and increased their urinary excretion. Nimesulide treatment improved insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, increased GLP‐1, decreased liver lipids and improved FGF‐21 in serum. Nimesulide improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance by inhibiting neutral amino acid transport in the intestine and kidneys. Thus, it can serve as a tool compound for in vivo B0AT1 inhibition.
The ‘Chronic Itch Burden Scale’: giving patients with chronic pruritus a voice
Authors: Gabes M.
Published: October 2021

Linked Article:  Theunis et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 186:86–95.
The wider perspective: twenty years of clinical trials in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Duetz Carolien , Cucchi David G. J. , Polak Tobias B. , Janssen Jeroen J. W. M. , Ossenkoppele Gert J. , Estey Elihu H. , van de Loosdrecht Arjan A.
Published: October 2021

Most patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) require therapeutic intervention. However, there are few approved treatments for MDS. To explore reasons, we searched clinicaltrials.gov and clinicaltrialsregister.eu for MDS trials from 2000 to 2020. We assessed which agents were under investigation and analysed clinical trial characteristics and continuation rates from phase I to II to III to approval. As such, we identified 384 unique agents in 426 phase I, 430 phase II and 48 phase III trials. Success rates for phase III trials and agents were low, and MDS trials took markedly longer to complete than the average clinical trial. Although success rates were higher when MDS‐specific phase I trials were conducted, 52% of the agents had not been evaluated in a phase I trial for MDS. MDS trials often failed to include quality of life, an especially important outcome for older MDS patients. Our work identifies factors potentially contributing to the paucity of available agents for MDS. We suggest a framework to improve clinical research in MDS that might ultimately augment the number of available agents.
Intellectual disability, epilepsy and bone health: Quality improvement in a specialist epilepsy service
Authors: Watkins Lance , Isaac Andrew , Hanson Christine , Hammett Joanne , Wickens Ashlyn
Published: October 2021

Accessibility summary

People with an intellectual disability and epilepsy may suffer with weaker bones as they grow older.

There are many reasons for this, including seizures and the medicines used to treat seizures.

Taking vitamin D everyday will help stop this happening.

Vitamin D comes in many forms including tablets and liquid.

Vitamin D is safe with very few side effects.

Background

People with epilepsy and intellectual disability should be considered at high risk of developing metabolic bone disease. Risk is increased with number of comorbidities and polypharmacy, particularly anti‐seizure medications. One way of improving bone health is to ensure that every one has adequate levels of vitamin D through supplementation.

Methods

This audit phase of a wider quality improvement (QI) project monitors the implementation of a Bone Health Project (BHP) for people with epilepsy and intellectual disability. Key Clinical Standard 1 of the BHP aims to ensure that where appropriate everyone prescribed anti‐seizure medication is offered vitamin D supplementation. This audit standard is based upon the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Guidance. The complete audit cycle was undertaken for the entire patient cohort under the care of a specialist epilepsy service and followed QI methodology.

Findings

From the initial audit, the total number of patients prescribed vitamin D supplementation increased significantly from 95 (29%) to 182 (79%) by the end of the cycle. For those prescribed enzyme‐inducing anti‐seizure medications, the number of patients prescribed vitamin D supplementation increased significantly from 52 (49%) to 89 (90%).

Conclusions

Working collaboratively with people with intellectual disability and epilepsy can enhance engagement. Vitamin D supplementation at 800IU has been established as safe and largely efficient in ensuring most people have adequate levels of serum vitamin D. There will be people who require vitamin D replacement therapy, and this requires further intervention including monitoring of bone profiles and referral to other specialists.
The benefits of life stories to trauma research: Child disaster studies through ecological‐developmental lenses
Authors: Taube Dayan Shira
Published: October 2021

The increasing proliferation of psychological child disaster studies also reflects limitations in trauma research. This article defines four ecological‐developmental (ED) lenses (Person, Context, Time, Process) for mapping lacunas in child disaster studies and illustrating the benefits of qualitative life stories, using two case studies from different circumstances. The article reveals an overall narrow and non‐integrative ED focus among child disaster studies and an in‐depth and wide‐ranging ED focus provided by life stories. It also presents the unique outcomes of the stories in the form of Trajectories intertwining with Life. The new outcomes can offer broader contributions to trauma research.
Chronic lung allograft dysfunction subtype analysis by computed tomography volumetry
Authors: Peräkylä Laura H. , Raivio Peter M. , Kesävuori Risto I. , Piilonen Anneli K. , Stark Christoffer K. , Halme Maija K. , Nykänen Antti I.
Published: October 2021

Background

Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) limits long‐term survival after lung transplantation. Of the two subtypes, restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS) is characterized by a larger lung volume decrease and worse prognosis than bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We used computed tomography (CT) volumetry to classify CLAD subtypes and determined their clinical impact.

Methods

Adult primary lung transplants performed 2003–2015 (n = 167) were retrospectively evaluated for CLAD and subclassified with CT volumetry. Lung volume decrease of < 15% from baseline resulted in BOSCT‐vol and ≥15% resulted in RASCT‐vol diagnosis. Clinical impact of CLAD subtypes was defined, and the prognostic value of different lung function, radiological, and lung volume parameters present at the time of CLAD diagnosis were compared.

Results

CLAD affected 43% of patients and was classified with CT volumetry as BOSCT‐vol in 89% and RASCT‐vol in 11%. Median graft survival estimate in RASCT‐vol was significantly decreased compared to BOSCT‐vol (1.6 vs. 9.7 years, P = .038). At CLAD onset, RASCT‐vol diagnosis (P = .05), increased lung density (P = .007), and more severe FEV1 (P = .004) decline from baseline, increased graft loss risk in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

CT volumetry serves to identify lung transplant patients with a poor clinical outcome but should be validated in prospective trials.
Obligations of feeling
Authors: Attie‐Picker Mario
Published: October 2021

Moral obligation, according to one influential conception, is distinct among other moral concepts in at least two respects. First, obligation is linked with demands. If I am obligated to you to do X, then you can demand that I do X. Second, obligation is linked with blame and the rest of our accountability practices. If I am obligated to you to do X, failure to do so is blameworthy and you may hold me accountable for it. The puzzle is the following: when it comes to our attitudes, in particular to our emotional responses, these two components seem to come apart. We do not appear to demand that others feel a given emotion. And yet, we do blame others (and ourselves) for feeling them. The challenge I take on in this paper is to sort out the moral status of emotions given these facts.
Burden of primary influenza and respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia in hospitalised adults: insights from a 2‐year multi‐centre cohort study (2017–2018)
Authors: Boattini Matteo , Charrier Lorena , Almeida André , Christaki Eirini , Moreira Marques Torcato , Tosatto Valentina , Bianco Gabriele , Iannaccone Marco , Tsiolakkis Georgios , Karagiannis Christos , Maikanti Panagiota , Cruz Lourenço , Antão Diogo , Moreira Maria Inês , Cavallo Rossana , Costa Cristina
Published: October 2021

Background

Viral community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a potentially serious illness, particularly in adult patients with underlying chronic conditions. In addition to the most recent SARS‐CoV‐2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are considered the most relevant causes of viral CAP.

Aims

To describe the clinical features of hospitalised adults admitted for influenza‐A/B and RSV pneumonia and analyse, according to aetiology, factors associated with non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) failure and in‐hospital death (IHD).

Methods

This was a retrospective and multi‐centre study of all adults who were admitted for laboratory‐confirmed influenza‐A/B or RSV pneumonia, during two consecutive winter seasons (October–April 2017–2018 and 2018–2019) in three tertiary hospitals in Portugal, Italy and Cyprus.

Results

A total of 356 adults were included in the study. Influenza‐A, influenza‐B and RSV were deemed to cause pneumonia in 197 (55.3%), 85 (23.9%) and 74 (20.8%) patients, respectively. Patients with both obstructive sleep apnoea or obesity hypoventilation syndrome and influenza‐A virus pneumonia showed a higher risk for NIV failure (odds ratio (OR) 4.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42–15.30). Patients submitted to NIV showed a higher risk for IHD, regardless of comorbidities (influenza‐A OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.35–6.65, influenza‐B OR 4.52; 95% CI 1.13–18.01, RSV OR 5.61; 95% CI 1.26–24.93).

Conclusion

The increased knowledge of influenza‐A/B and RSV pneumonia burden may contribute to a better management of patients with viral CAP.
Early detection of microcomedones induced by cocoa butter using reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Baek Ji Hwoon , Ahn Hye‐Jin , Koh Jae Sook , Kwon Hyoeun , Shin Min Kyung
Published: October 2021

Background

Many ingredients used in cosmetics evoke a comedogenic response. The concept of ‘‘acne cosmetica’’ was developed to link the use of certain ingredients to comedone formation. Various clinical research methods have been suggested for the effective screening of an ingredient that can worsen acne or acneiform eruption and confirm its clinical relevance as to whether it is used as a non‐comedogenic claim. Although comedogenicity assessment has not yet been established, attempts have been made to evaluate the comedogenicity of cosmetic ingredients and find the most appropriate method to evaluate comedogenicity in human skin.

Materials and methods

Total 6 participants were included in the study. Each participant received patches on the upper back containing cocoa butter. We used reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) to count the number of microcomedones and follicles induced by cocoa butter.

Results

The mean value change of microcomedone/follicle by the comedogenic substance was significantly higher than that of the non‐applied site for 2 weeks (p = 0.0419). The mean value changes of the microcomedone diameter caused by the comedogenic substance were significantly larger than those found at the non‐applied site at 2 and 4 weeks (p = 0.0026 and p = 0.0038, respectively).

Conclusions

We recommend RCM as a non‐invasive real‐time method that is useful for evaluating comedogenicity and early detection of a microcomedone.