bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GTPases in protein translocation and protein elongation
Authors: Freymann Douglas M , Walter Peter
Published: November 2023

Each family of GTPases builds upon a structural core in distinct ways to effect the GTPase switch (1), by which the protein undergoes a transition between’active’ and ‘inactive’ states (2-4). In this chapter we describe the structure and function of two GTPase families not covered in depth elsewhere in this volume: the GTPase subunits of the signal recognition particle (SRP) and SRP receptor (SR), which mediate cotranslational protein targetting (5), and the elongation factors in protein synthesis, taking the GTPases EF-Tu and EF-G as representatives of the family (6-11). We cannot hope to do justice to the breadth of each field, but focus on orienting the reader to the role of the GTPase in the biochemistry of each system.
GTPases targetted by bacterial toxins
Authors: Aktories Klaus , Schmidt Gudula , Hofmann Fred
Published: November 2023

Members of the GTPase superfamily operate as molecular switches in numerous signal-transduction pathways to control such diverse cellular processes as differentiation, proliferation, and the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. These master regulators are the specific targets of a large array of bacterial protein toxins (Table 1)(1). In an extremely efficient manner, the toxins cause the covalent modification of eukaryotic GTPases, resulting in drastic changes in their biological and biochemical properties. It has been known for many years that eukaryotic GTPases are substrates for numerous distinct bacterial ADP-ribosyltransferases. Diphtheria toxin was the first example of such a bacterial toxin and was shown to elicit its biological activity by ADP-ribosylation of the GTPase elongation factor 2 (2). Other well-known ADP-ribosylating bacterial toxins are cholera toxin (3, 4) the group of heat-labile E. coli enterotoxins (5), and pertussis toxin (6), all of which ADP-ribosylate heterotrimeric G proteins of the Gs and Gi families. More recently, small GTPases belonging to the Rho and Ras subfamilies have also been shown to be targets of bacterial toxins. The group of C3-like transferases, including the prototype Clostridium botulinum exoenzyme C3 (7-9), selectively ADP-ribosylates Rho, rendering it biologically inactive, while Ras appears to be an in vivo target of the ADP-ribosyltransferase exoenzyme S from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Small GTPases are not only substrates for bacterial ADP-ribosyltransferases, but also serve as targets for toxins that act by monoglucosylation (e.g. the large clostridial toxins) (10) or by deamidation (e.g. cytotoxic necrotizing factors) (11).
Functional genomics: approaches and methodologies
Authors: Livesey F J , Hunt Stephen P
Published: November 2023

Selective deployment of the genome is as important for prokaryotes with genomes of 2000 genes as it is for humans with 100000 genes. The purpose of functional genomics is to place all of the genes in the genome within a functional framework, both in the most basic terms of what the protein encoded by each gene does and also in the broadest sense of the role of each gene in the overall functioning of the cell and organism. This definition of functional genomics carries the clear implication that studies of gene function must advance on both of these levels simultaneously.
Analysis of gene expression in single cells using three prime end amplification PCR
Authors: Freeman Tom C , Dixon Alistair K , Lee Kevin , Richardson Peter J
Published: November 2023

Many tissues and biological systems are composed of highly heterogeneous cell populations. This makes it difficult to correlate the functional characteristics or composition of a system as a whole with the activity and molecular profile of individual cell types. In the central nervous system for example, many are attempting to dissect the biochemical basis of cell function and unravel the complex interactions that take place between neurons. In cancer, there is a great need to examine the specific changes that occur in the malignant cells in isolation of the surrounding ‘normal’ non-transformed cell population, in order to understand the progression of the disease and identify potential therapeutic targets. The ability to analyse gene expression in single or small populations of cells provides a powerful tool to identify the differences between one cell type and another, and correlate function with the presence of specific gene products. There are a number of approaches available for studying the expression of genes at the cellular level.
Proteome research: methods for protein characterization
Authors: Humphery-Smith Ian , Ward Malcolm A
Published: November 2023

The term proteomics was first introduced into the scientific literature in 1995 to define ‘the total protein complement of a genome’ (1) and has become an integral part of gene-expressionanalysis (2). However, proteomics did not represent a new scientific discipline, but rather one searching for an identity in the Age of Genornics. Proteomics is still largely centred upon two-dimensional (2·D) gel electrophoresis for the initial separation of complex mixtures of cellular proteins. Although this separation science has been with us for some 25years, it is only recently that the associated level of reproducibility has undergone marked improvement, while these advances have also been coupled with advances in the application of mass spectrometry to protein science. Over the last decade, mass spectrometry has become increasingly user friendly and a powerful analytical device. These tools now deliver high mass accuracy, resolution and sensitivity to a point where it is currently impurities associated with sample handling and delivery that limits the threshold of detection for this versatile analytical plat form. Mass spectrometry in the protein laboratory is now the preferred option for protein characterization and can be conducted efficiently on purified proteins present at low femtomole concentrations (3). Other approaches conducted independently to the separation sciences are starting to make their appearance and fall under the heading of second generation proteomics, which utilizes array based approaches to follow protein abundance and protein interactions (4).
Lipid modification of proteins
Authors: Hooper Nigel M , McIlhinney R A Jeffrey
Published: November 2023

Numerous proteins are now known to be covalently modified with one or more lipid species. Indeed, it has been estimated that between 10–50% of all pro teins within mammalian cells may be modified by lipid. Such modifications not only alter the structure of the protein but are also clearly important for the correct functioning of the individual proteins. Cytosolic proteins can be modified with myristic acid (myristoylation), on their N-terminus or by the addition of a prenyl group (farnesyl or geranylgeranyl) (prenylation), on Cys residues which often lie towards the C-terminus. In addition, both cytosolic and mem brane spanning proteins can be modified by the attachment of palmitic acid (palmitoylation) to Cys residues. It is now becoming clear that some proteins are acylated with two different lipid modifications, e.g. by myristoylation and palmitoylation or by prenylation and palmitoylation. Although integral proteins of the plasma membrane have traditionally been considered as being anchored by membrane spanning hydrophobic polypeptides, over 150 such proteins are now known to be anchored in the membrane by a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) moiety. This complex glycan structure is attached to the C-teminal amino acid of the mature protein and serves to tether the protein in the outer leaflet of the bilayer.
Proteolytic processing
Authors: Creemers John M W , Bailyes Elaine M , Lindberg Iris , Hutton John C
Published: November 2023

The eukaryotic cell incorporates a series of specialized compartments in which proteolysis proceeds in a regulated and limited manner. This processing is responsible for such diverse processes as sorting and storage of polypeptide hormones, activation of cell surface receptors, presentation to the immune system of self- and foreign antigens, internalization and dissociation of ligands from cognate receptors, and initiation of secretion via non-classical pathways. The same machinery may be exploited by pathogens as in the activation of polio viral polyproteins in the cytosol, the generation of fusigenic HIV and influenza coat glycoproteins, and for the activation of Pseudomonas and Shiga toxin complexes. The present chapter focuses principally on the secretory pathway taken by proteins which are co-translationally inserted into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and which find their way to the cell surface by vesicle-mediated transport. Specifically excluded are the protein substrates and enzymes which are destined to the lysosome and only mention is made of proteolytic activity which occurs within the endosomal and antigen processing compartments. The latter omission stems in part from lack of understanding of the molecular processes involved but also because the topic is discussed in Chapter 7.
Mutation detection by single-stranded conformation polymorphism and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Dean Michael , Gerrard Bernard , Allikmets Rando
Published: November 2023

Single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) alone or in combination with heteroduplex analysis (HA) is one of the most widely used and practical manual methods for mutation detection (1). The principal advantage of this method is that it is rapid to perform and can be carried out using equipment available in most molecular biology laboratories. When properly optimized, the method is highly sensitive, and many different mutations within a DNA fragment can often be distinguished on the same gel (2,3). SSCP and HA can be performed on the same gel since, after the denaturation of the sample prior to loading, there is often the re-formation of a significant amount of double-stranded DNA which will appear in a lower position from the single-stranded products on the SSCP gel. Since heteroduplexes can often be resolved from homoduplexes, the appearance of heteroduplexes on the SSCP gel can give additional information on the presence of variants (see Chapter 6 for further discussion and complementary protocols).
Intracellular ionized calcium, magnesium, membrane potential, and pH
Authors: Rabinovitch Peter S , Junet Carl H
Published: November 2023

Calcium has an important role as a mediator of transmembrane signal transduction, and elevations in intracellular ionized calcium concentration ([Ca2+h) are part of the regulation of diverse cellular processes. Measurement of [Ca2+h in living cells is thus of considerable interest to investigators over a broad range of cell biology.

Eukaryotic cells in their resting state maintain an internal calcium ion con centration that is far below that of the extracellular environment, through the regulation of calcium pumps and channels within the plasma membrane and intracellular storage of insoluble calcium. Calcium influx is thought to be initiated by membrane depolarization, which opens voltage-gated channels, or by the binding of ligands to receptor-operated channels. In the latter case, the binding of agonist to its specific membrane receptor causes the activation of phospholipase C which causes the hydrolysis of a membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to yield inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and 2-diacylglycerol (DAG). IP3 or IP3 metabolites then cause the release of calcium from intracellular stores, while DAG and elevated [Ca2+h activate protein kinase C. Ca2+ and activated protein kinases then continue the cascade of diverse cellular effects. Recent studies have suggested that global intracellular Ca2+ signals arise from the summation and coordination of subcellular elementary release events termed ‘Ca2+ puffs’ (1).
An introduction to human chromosomes and their analysis
Authors: Cross I , Wolstenholme J
Published: November 2023

Cytogenetics is the study of genetic material at the cellular level. Within the nucleus of each cell, the genetic material (DNA), tightly coiled and conjugated with various proteins, forms a number of rod-like structures called chromosomes. In humans, each cell nucleus contains 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). One chromosome of each pair is of paternal and the other of maternal origin. Twentytwo pairs are the same in males and females and are termed autosomes. The twenty-third pair are termed the sex chromosomes and comprise two X chromosomes in females and one X and one Yin males. The chromosomes are visible as discrete, separate structures only at certain stages of cell division. In somatic cells which are dividing naturally in vivo, or that have been induced to divide in a cell culture in vitro, the mitotic cell cycle takes 12-48 h. The chromosomes become visible for a short period, known as mitosis, which lasts around 30 min in each cell cycle. For the remainder of the cycle cells are in interphase and chromosomes are despiralized and not visible, their DNA being diffuse and dispersed within the nucleus. The increasing use of ISH–the binding of labelled DNA probes to their complementary target sequences in the cellular DNA– allows some information about the chromosomal status of an individual to be obtained from the observation of interphase nuclei. However, the majority of cytogenetic investigations involve staining and observation of the chromosomes while they are in mitosis.
Molecular cytogenetic technologies
Authors: Kearney L , Hammond D W
Published: November 2023

The importance of cytogenelic analysis in the study of malignancy has been enhanced over the past decade by the incorporation of a range of techniques based around FISH. In the leukaemias, cytogenelic analysis provides the first step in the identification of genes involved in kukacmogrnc-sis,by identif\ring consist ent chromosomal rearrangements. HSH has ;idded to this capacity by providing a rapid and accurate method for the identification of tr;msloc;ition breakpoints and commonly deleted regions. Progress in identifying consistent rearrange ments in some solid tumours has been more laboriom. The new multicolor ka1yotyping techniques M-FISH and SKY combine the screening polenlial of cytogenetics vvith the accuracy of molecular genetics. These promise to unravel compkx katyotypes associated with many solid tumours, and to uncover new non-random rearrangements. However, these techniques still require metapbasc chromosomes, and are not applicable to all tumour lypes. The advent of CGI-I has provided access to a range of tumour types, circumvPnting rhe need for metaphase chromosomes.
In vivo mutagen-induced chromosome damage in human lymphocytes
Authors: Tawn E J , Whitehouse C A
Published: November 2023

TI1e study of induced chromosome changes in human lymphocytes is well estaiblished for monitoring the gcnotoxic effects of in vivo exposure to radiation and chemicals. Cytogenetic studies can be used to monitor populations for a range of environmental and occupational clastogens and mutagens (1-3) and, for radiation, can provide an estimate of individual dose (4,5). Various endpoints can be studied. These include structural chromosome aberrations, SCE and micronuclei. All require short-term cuilures of peripheral blood lymphocytes with modifications to allow lhe manifestation of the different types of genetic changes.
The role of chaperone proteins in the import and asseinbly of proteins in initochondria and chloroplasts
Authors: Voos Wolfgang , Pfanner Nikolaus
Published: November 2023

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are the two major organelles of eukaryotic cells that have been generated by the endosymbiotic uptake of prokaryotic cells during the early stages of eukaryote evolution (1). Both perform crucial functions mainly in the energy metabolism of the host cells. During the million of years of mutual inter-dependence with the host cell, both chloroplasts and mitochondria have lost their ability to synthesize most of their endogenous proteins. Also during this process, most of their genetic information was transferred to the nucleus. Concomitantly, mechanisms had to evolve that allow a specific transport of proteins from the cytosol to their organellar destination. Due to the endosymbiotic origin, mitochondria and chloroplasts show a special arrangement of several membranes, resulting in multiple subcompartments. Apart from the general problem of how large polypeptides are transferred across biomembranes perse, the particular organellar structure exacerbates the problem of specific preprotein targeting.
Phage display of zinc fingers and other nucleic acid-binding motifs
Authors: lsalan Mark , Choo Yen
Published: November 2023

DNA-binding proteins play important roles in DNA replication, recombination, restriction, modification, repair, packaging, and the control of DNA transcription into RNA. Selecting DNA-binding proteins from pools of combinatorial variants should be a valuable method for the study of these proteins, and furthermore in the design of variants with new DNA sequence-specificity or effector function. In recent years, one key step in this direction has been the selection of zinc finger motifs with predetermined DNA-binding specificity by phage display (1-11), and their use to engineer customized transcription factors for use in research and medicine (reviewed in (12) ). Although zinc finger domains are ideally suited to phage display studies, it is very likely that the lessons emerging from this work will be applicable to many other DNA- and RNA-binding motifs. To this end, the present chapter is intended to bring out these principles in addition to describing the practical aspects of creating and selecting zinc finger phage display libraries.
Introduction
Authors: Mai Sabine , Beatty Barbara G , Squire Jeremy A
Published: November 2023

Human chromosomes have been studied for over a century (1, 2), but not until the 1950s was it determined that the human chromosome complement was diploid and comprised of 46 chromosomes (3, 4). With the development of chromosome pre-treatment procedures and modification of DNA staining techniques in the late 1960s, the identification of each chromosome based on the definition of highly reproducible trypsin-Giemsa or fluorescent banding patterns was obtained. This landmark advance in human cytogenetics allowed researchers to rapidly address specific clinical and research questions and to make excellent progress in understanding the chromosomal basis of many genetic diseases and cancer. To this day classical cytogenetics using banding methods continues to play an important role in the identification and characterization of many different types of chromosomal abnormalities.
cDNA microarrays for fluorescent hybridization analysis of gene expression
Authors: Khan Javed , Saal Lao H , Bittner Michael L , Jiang Yuan , Gooden Gerald C , Glatfelter Arthur A , Meltzer Paul S
Published: November 2023

As a consequence of the human genome project (HGP) the sequence of the entire human genome will be completed by the year 2003 (1). It is estimated that the 3 billion base pairs in the human genome code for between 28000-1200000 genes (2-6).
Spite And Price
Authors: Hamilton W D
Published: November 2023

BY the time the paper of Chapter 4 came out in 1967 I had been living for a year in a flat in a converted mansion close to Silwood House itself. Silwood is in a belt outside London that is better described as countrified than as country, more as paddocky than ploughed, and is a belt where rambling Victorian and Edwardian houses are plentiful. Many are still homes, sometimes to well-known names. For example, John Lennon, the Beatie musician, owned the house just across the road from our Field Station, while Diana Dors, the film star, owned another just down the road. Ordinary mortals on salaries may be able to work in the area but have difficulty living there and most of the staff at Silwood either had houses many miles away or, like me, rented. My landlord at this time was Blue Star Garages Ltd, and the windows of my high-ceilinged flat looked out on their emblem reared over a filling station, one specimen of their chain. Other renting groups of graduate students were scattered through the same building and my flat was shared with Dr Yura Ulehla, a Czech plant physiologist who was then visiting the Field Station, Yura became and still is a close friend. By the time I began writing this paper I had also acquired another close friend, Christine Friess, with whom I was in love. When released at weekends from her studies in London, she usually joined us.
Friends, Romans, Groups …
Authors: Hamilton W D
Published: November 2023

IN 1972 for a second time I found myself asked to discuss at an international symposium the implications of kinship theory for human evolution. In this case the invitation came from Robin Fox, a social anthropologist (now at Rutgers University), and from lrven De Vore, a Harvard primatologist. The symposium was to be in Oxford in July 1973. Compared to the Smithsonian symposium it was to be as small as the other was large and slanted much more to the side of Man, less to Beast. Fox, whom I first met at the Washington conference, was at a quite different intellectual pole of his profession from such as Sir Edmund Leach, who, as mentioned in Chapter 1, had turned down my intended subsidiary study at Cambridge. Fox and I at different times had both worked at the London School of Economics. Perhaps repressed deep in the soul of that institution Hes a streak of heterodoxy that has played a part in our convergence.
Venus Too Kind
Authors: Hamilton W D
Published: November 2023

This book does not intend to republish book reviews but I include this one partly because it is long and I gave it unusual care, and partly also because it marks a turning point in my interests away from social behaviour and towards the problem of sexuality. Just as altruism and its related topics were the first major interest of my life, the study of sexuality has been, roughly, the second. My present research concerns states of parasitism and disease, and counteradaptations of hosts, as all of these relate to sexuality. Papers mainly about how sex can be supported by parasitism will make up Volume 2 of these collected works. At the stage when I wrote the review, although I had not seen the particular relevance that parasitism might have, I had for many years seen sex looming ahead and had reached the stage of being excited by the possible primary role of biotic interaction. I had decided that it was in aspects of the interspecies struggle, and not survival in the inanimate environment, that I had to search for the main factor. Adaptation to new physical habitats might be helped by novelties made possible through sexuality but these adaptations could not be the main reason for its existence.
A Research Operations, Management, and Strategy Fellowship for Life Sciences PhD Graduates
Authors: Steen Kaylee , VanDenBerg Kelly R. , Servoss Jonathan , Subramanian Shoba , Grieb Teri A.
Published: November 2023

Problem

With less than 25% of PhD-trained scientists in the United States securing a tenure-track faculty position following training, nonacademic careers have become common. As the academic research enterprise has increased, business-oriented careers have emerged. The Research Operations, Management, and Strategy (ROMS) Fellowship was developed to increase awareness of and prepare life sciences PhD graduates for business-focused careers.

Approach

The ROMS Fellowship was developed from March through December 2018 by the University of Michigan Medical School. Launched in 2019 and based on real-world experiences, the 2-year ROMS Fellowship combines immersion rotations and project work to develop an understanding of foundational infrastructure across the full spectrum of research.

Outcomes

From 2019 to 2022, there were 4 ROMS Fellowship recruitment cycles, with a mean of 7 applicants per cycle and 2 fellows selected each year. Of the 8 fellows recruited, 5 (62.5%) joined directly from PhD training, whereas 3 (37.5%) had 2 to 6 years of postdoctoral training. Fellows have worked with 26 departments on 44 rotation projects and 30 impact projects and self-reported significant skill development in communicating with diverse stakeholders, strategic thinking, using new tools and resources, developing and scoping a project plan, and managing and leading a project. To date, 4 fellows have completed the program and were hired immediately into full-time positions at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Next Steps

Early feedback indicates that the program has been well received and effective. Previously, program refinement was directed by qualitative input from fellows and unit directors. However, for future cohorts, assessment tools will be implemented to capture qualitative and quantitative data to measure acquired skills and how program components contribute to professional development and career placement. A longitudinal follow-up will also be conducted with program alumni to track longer-term outcomes and career pathways.
Effectiveness of BNT162b2 Vaccine Against Omicron-SARS-CoV-2 Subvariants in Children 5–11 Years of Age in Quebec, Canada, January 2022 to January 2023
Authors: Razafimandimby Harimahefa , Sauvageau Chantal , Ouakki Manale , Carazo Sara , Skowronski Danuta M. , De Serres Gaston
Published: November 2023

Background:

In premarketing clinical trials conducted before Omicron emergence, BNT162b2 vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 was 90% in children. We conducted postmarketing evaluation of 1- and 2-dose vaccine effectiveness (VE) against Omicron BA.1, BA.2 and BA.4/5 subvariants in 5- to 11-year olds.

Methods:

We estimated VE against SARS-CoV-2 infection using a test-negative design. Specimens collected between January 9, 2022, and January 7, 2023, from children 5–11 years old in Quebec, Canada, and tested by nucleic acid amplification test were eligible. We estimated VE by time since last vaccine dose, interval between doses and by period of Omicron subvariant predominance.

Results:

A total of 48,826 NAATs were included in overall analysis. From 14–55 to 56–385 days postvaccination, 2-dose VE against symptomatic infection decreased from 68% (95% CI, 62–74) to 25% (95% CI, 11–36). Two-dose VE with restriction to specimens collected from acute care hospitals (emergency rooms or wards) did not decline but was stable at ~40%. VE against symptomatic infection remained comparable at any interval between doses but increased with longer interval among children tested in acute care settings, from 18% (95% CI, –17 to 44) with 21- to 55-day interval to 69% (95% CI, 43–86) with ≥84-day interval. Two-dose VE against symptomatic infection dropped from 70% (95% CI, 63–76) during BA.1, to 32% (95% CI, 13–47) with BA.2 and to nonprotective during BA.4/5 dominance.

Conclusions:

In children 5–11 years of age, VE against symptomatic infection was stable at any interval between doses but decreased with time since the last dose and against more divergent omicron subvariants.
A Rare Pediatric Case of Neurobrucellosis With Cerebral Salt Wasting
Authors: Yilmaz Busra Zeynep , Metin Akcan Özge , Genceli Mustafa , Oltulu Refik
Published: November 2023

The central nervous system involvement is a serious complication of brucellosis, which is known as neurobrucellosis, although rare. Here we report a 14-year-old case who developed neurobrucellosis and presented with cerebral salt wasting. As far as we know, our case is the first pediatric case of cerebral salt wasting caused by neurobrucellosis. Clinical manifestations of our patient have completely improved with treatment for Brucella.
Pharmacological Management of Cholera: A Century of Expert Opinions in Cecil Textbook of Medicine
Authors: Hassoun Sama , Leasu Florin , Manu Peter , Rogozea Liliana M. , Dinu Eleonora , Cocuz Maria Elena
Published: November 2023

Background:

Cholera is a potentially lethal diarrheal disease produced by Vibrio cholerae serotypes O1 El Tor and O139. Known since antiquity, the condition causes epidemics in many areas, particularly in Asia, Africa, and South America. Left untreated, the mortality may reach 50%. The crucial therapeutic intervention is intravenous or oral rehydration and correction of acidosis, dyselectrolytemia, and renal impairment. Antibiotic use represents the main pharmacological intervention.

Study Question:

What are the milestones of the antibiotics use recommended by experts for the pharmacological management of cholera in the past century?

Study Design:

To determine the changes in the experts' approach to the management of cholera and particularly the use of antibiotics as presented in a widely used textbook in the United States.

Data Sources:

The chapters describing the management of cholera in the 26 editions of Cecil Textbook of Medicine published from 1927 through 2020.

Results:

Sulfonamides were recommended in 1947, followed by the introduction of tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and furazolidone in 1955. The options were restricted in 2000 to doxycycline. In the past decade, patients infected with strains known to have a degree a resistance to tetracyclines were treated with azithromycin or ciprofloxacin. Antibiotic use decreases the volume of stool and the duration of diarrhea but has not been considered lifesaving. Drugs with antimotility, antiemetic, or antisecretory properties are not useful.

Conclusions:

The utility of antibiotic use in cholera has been endorsed by experts, but only as an adjunct to rapid and complete fluid and electrolyte replacement.
Incorporating Near Infrared Light Vein Visualization Technology Into Peripheral Intravenous Access Protocols
Authors: Fraifeld Anna , Thompson Julie A.
Published: November 2023

Placement of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) is a frequent occurrence. Yet, PIVCs consistently require multiple attempts for successful cannulation, leading to an increased use of resources and risk of complications. Even though hospitals have established vascular access teams to improve outcomes and increase longevity of PIVCs, not every facility has one, and some struggle to meet demand. In these cases, PIVC placement depends on the confidence and skills of bedside nurses. Difficult access risk identification tools, as well as vein visualization technologies, like near infrared (nIR), have been developed to assist nurses with cannulation. This study sought to explore how hospitals are using vein visualization technology in nurse-driven protocols and to evaluate whether the technology is being meaningfully integrated into venous assessment and PIVC access protocols. In a survey sent to facilities utilizing nIR technology, 48% of respondents incorporated nIR in nurse-driven protocols. Of these respondents, 88% reported improvement in patient satisfaction, 92% saw a reduction in escalations, and 79% reported a reduction in hospital-acquired infections associated with PIVC placement. Integrating vein visualization technology into nurse-driven PIVC placement protocols has the potential to make a positive impact but requires future research to reproduce these findings in clinical studies.
Female ownership and female directors’ moderating role as corporate governance monitoring mechanisms in increasing the value of Thai family-owned firms
Authors: Buachoom Wonlop Writthym , Amornkitvikai Yot , Al Farooque Omar , Sun Lan
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The phenomenon of “broken rungs” has prevented most women from attaining managerial positions relative to men. Despite this gender disparity in management, female executives are more likely to enhance shareholder trust due to higher ethical standards, which can be hypothesized to mitigate the negative impact of family ownership on firm value. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the moderating role of female ownership and female directors in mitigating the unfavorable effects of family ownership on firm value as measured by Tobin’s Q and the Market Value of Equity (MVE).

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple linear regression is applied to examine the proposed hypotheses, as well as other vital factors, such as board independence (BI), the dual chief executive officer (CEO)–chairman role (CEO duality) and control variables (i.e. firm size, firm age, leverage and investment ratio).

Findings

The results revealed that female directors could buffer the negative impact caused by family ownership, leading to higher firm value, when given a sufficient level of female ownership or the appointment of more female directors, regardless of female ownership levels. Otherwise, female ownership cannot help overcome the negative effects of family ownership in Thai-listed firms. This study also sheds light on corporate governance elements that impact firm value. CEO duality reduces the value of Thai-listed companies, whereas board independence increases firm value.

Practical implications

The managerial roles for women should be promoted in Thai-listed enterprises. The government can support new laws, policies and programs for embracing a cross-cutting gender perspective. Female network initiatives enable women to advance in their managerial careers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study intends to fill the research gap by investigating how female directors and owners can moderate family ownership’s influence on the value of firms listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), which is one of the emerging capital markets.
A holistic view on business model-oriented energy communities
Authors: Bâra Adela , Oprea Simona Vasilica
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate and formulate several business models (BM) for various energy communities (EC) members: prosumers, storage facilities, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, aggregators and local markets.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the flexibility drivers is triggered by avoiding the cost and maximizing value that consists of delivering a service such as increasing generation or reducing consumption when it is valued most. The transition to greener economies led to the emergence of aggregators that aggregate bits of flexibility and handle the interest of their providers, e.g. small entities such as consumers, prosumers and other small service providers. On one hand, the research method consists of formulating six BM and implementing a BM that includes several consumers and an aggregator, namely, scheduling the household electricity consumption (downstream) and using flexibility to obtain revenue or avoid the cost. This is usually performed by reducing or shifting the consumption from peak to off-peak hours when the energy is cheaper. Thus, the role of aggregators in EC is significant as they intermediate small-scale energy threads and large entities' requirements, such as grid operators or retailers. On the other hand, in the proposed BM, the aggregators' strategy (upstream) will be to minimize the cost of electricity procurement using consumers’ flexibility. They set up markets to buy flexibility that is valued as long as their costs are reduced.

Findings

Interesting insights are revealed, such as when the flexibility price doubles, the deficit coverage increases from 62% to 91% and both parties, consumers and retailers obtain financial benefits from the local market.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of using the potential of flexibility is related to the high costs that are necessary to implement direct load control. Another issue is related to the data privacy aspects related to the breakdown of electricity consumption. Furthermore, data availability for scientific research is limited. However, this study expects that new BM for various EC members will emerge in the future largely depending on Information Communications and Technology developments.

Practical implications

An implementation of a local flexibility market (LFM) using 114 apartments with flexible loads is proposed, demonstrating the gains obtained from trading flexibility. For LFM simulation, this study considers exemplifying a BM using 114 apartments located in a multi-apartment building representing a small urban EC situated in the New England region in North America. Open data recorded in 2016 is provided by UMassTraceRepository.

Originality/value

As a novelty, six BM are proposed considering a bottom-up approach and including various EC members.
Could the 4‐day week work? A scoping review
Authors: Jahal Tesha , Bardoel E Anne , Hopkins John
Published: November 2023

The 4‐day work week (4DWW) was popularised in the 1970s, but has recently gained significant global attention again, with a growing number of organisations experimenting with the 4DWW in response to increasing demand for more flexible work arrangements (FWA) in the aftermath of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, with their potential to support worktime reduction strategies, are also refuelling interest in a shorter working week. This renewed interest motivated this scoping review of 1769 4DWW records from the past 52 years and enabled the authors to identify five major themes: employee acceptance, allocation of time, leisure, gender and career advancement, and productivity. These themes are used to consider specific forms of 4DWW in terms of whether days of work are fixed or flexible, whether the 4DWW is an employee option, and whether total weekly hours worked or pay are reduced. Conservation of resources theory is used as a lens for interpreting the themes. The authors believe these themes and lessons have significant implications for a growing number of scholars and practitioners, who are investigating, trialling, and implementing 4DWW arrangements, in response to growing demand for more FWA options from employees across all sectors.
Socioeconomic changes influence hunter behavior in the northern periphery of Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon
Authors: Kuenbou J. K. , Tagg N. , Khan D. M. , Speelman S. , Willie J.
Published: November 2023

The hunter is the key actor in unsustainable hunting of bushmeat in African forests and his behavior is driven by socioeconomic factors among others. However, not much is known about the effectiveness of incentive‐based conservation actions providing socioeconomic benefits to reduce hunting. This study, therefore, examined how changes in the socioeconomic situation of hunters brought about by reciprocal environmental agreements affects their hunting behavior. During a project implemented near the Dja Faunal Reserve (Cameroon), we recorded changes in socioeconomic characteristics of hunters for 15 months spanning 3 years. Bushmeat offtake and hunting effort parameters were also recorded. Comparisons of the evolution of these parameters over the years were made between hunters who signed the agreements and those who did not. We found that signatory hunters were older and had larger households than non‐signatories, and they earned more income from cocoa sales. Although both groups of hunters had similar characteristics regarding hunting behavior at the start of the project, signatory hunters harvested less bushmeat at the end of project. More time was spent in hunting by non‐signatory hunters compared to signatories who hunted less at the end of our monitoring period. Signatory hunters hunted less with firearms than non‐signatories, and they consumed more and sold less of their catches compared to non‐signatories. This study underlines the importance of reciprocal environmental agreements as an incentive‐based conservation scheme that can reduce hunting pressure. These findings show that economic incentives provided to individuals through reciprocal environment agreements can promote livelihood paradigm shifts, alleviating poverty, decreasing dependence on natural resources and benefiting animal conservation.
Letter: ‘No first among equals’
Authors: Arora Umang , Kedia Saurabh , Travis Simon , Ahuja Vineet
Published: November 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kayal et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17731 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17806
Natural lignin modulators improve bagasse saccharification of sugarcane and energy cane in field trials
Authors: de Oliveira Viviane Fátima , Figueiredo Lucas , de Oliveira Correia Gabriel , da Silva Machado Maria de Fátima Pires , Neto Hugo Zeni , dos Santos Wanderley Dantas , Mangolin Claudete Aparecida
Published: November 2023

The burgeoning cellulosic ethanol industry necessitates advancements in enzymatic saccharification, effective pretreatments for lignin removal, and the cultivation of crops more amenable to saccharification. Studies have demonstrated that natural inhibitors of lignin biosynthesis can enhance the saccharification of lignocellulose, even in tissues generated several months post‐treatment. In this study, we applied daidzin (a competitive inhibitor of coniferaldehyde dehydrogenase), piperonylic acid (a quasi‐irreversible inhibitor of cinnamate 4‐hydroxylase), and methylenedioxy cinnamic acid (a competitive inhibitor of 4‐coenzyme A ligase) to 60‐day‐old crops of two conventional Brazilian sugarcane cultivars and two energy cane clones, bred specifically for enhanced biomass production. The resultant biomasses were evaluated for lignin content and enzymatic saccharification efficiency without additional lignin‐removal pretreatments. The treatments amplified the production of fermentable sugars in both the sugarcane cultivars and energy cane clones. The most successful results softened the most recalcitrant lignocellulose to the level of the least recalcitrant of the biomasses tested. Interestingly, the softest material became even more susceptible to saccharification.
Risk factors of frontotemporal dementia compared with Alzheimer disease: Single psychiatric hospital–based research in Japan
Authors: Okoshi Asaka , Shinagawa Shunichiro , Takasaki Emi , Susa Yuko , Inamura Keisuke , Shigeta Masahiro
Published: November 2023

Aim

The objective of this study was to reveal risk factors for incident of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) compared with Alzheimer disease (AD) in Japan.

Method

Fifty consecutive subjects diagnosed with FTD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM‐5) under 75 years old were included retrospectively. As a control group, 48 subjects who were diagnosed with AD according to the DSM‐5 and matched by age, sex, educational history, and Mini‐Mental State Examination were also included. In order to examine the distinctive risk factors of FTD, we compared the relationship between symptomatologic features, Clinical Dementia Rating, clinical factors, and sociopsychological factors in the two groups.

Result

Patients with FTD were more likely than patients with AD to have meticulous premorbid personality and less likely to have a history of diabetes than patients with AD. Although the regression analysis was not significant, a history of psychiatric disorders tends to affect the incidence of FTD.

Conclusions

These findings regarding the risk of FTD are expected to lead to early diagnosis and care of FTD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 932–937.
Evaluating a new aphid biocontrol agent: The role of aphid density in modulating oviposition behaviour in the American hoverfly, Eupeodes americanus, and the aphid midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza
Authors: Gonzalez Noémie , Fournier Marc , Buitenhuis Rosemarije , Lucas Eric
Published: November 2023

Hoverfly larvae are voracious predators of aphids but have limited dispersal capacity, so their survival depends critically on female selection of oviposition sites. For aphid control purposes, the ability of females to find small aphid colonies is especially valuable. In this study, the oviposition strategy and minimum aphid density triggering the oviposition of the American hoverfly, Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Syrphidae), was compared with that of the aphid midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani, 1847) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a predator commercially available in Canada as a reference. Oviposition behaviour was evaluated at densities of 0, 2, 5, 10, and 50 aphids per plant. This was tested on two economically significant plant/aphid systems: pepper plants infested by the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer 1776) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and cucumber plants infested with the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover 1877. Results showed that both predators lay their eggs in proportion to the size of the colony of aphids. Oviposition by E. americanus required a minimum density of 5 aphids on cucumber but only 2 on pepper, whereas for A. aphidimyza, it was also 5 aphids on cucumber, but 10 on pepper. The hoverfly laid more than twice as many eggs as A. aphidimyza on pepper. It also laid more eggs on pepper than on cucumber and the pattern is the opposite for A. aphidimyza. Therefore, the identity of the aphid‐host plant complex appears to modulate the oviposition of these predators. This study demonstrates the ability of E. americanus to respond to lower densities of aphids than A. aphidimyza early in the infestation on sweet pepper plants and shows that its oviposition rate is at least as effective as A. aphidimyza on cucumber. Consequently, these attributes of its oviposition behaviour indicate that E. americanus has great potential for use as an aphid biocontrol agent in these crops.
The hue of temporomandibular joint arthroscopy under local versus general anaesthesia
Authors: Sah Manoj Kumar , Abdelrehem Ahmed , Nie Xin , Yang Chi
Published: November 2023

Background

Temporomandibular joint arthroscopy (TMJA) is often performed under general anaesthesia (GA) worldwide on an inpatient basis, whereas local anaesthesia (LA) is not equally considered as the standard procedure.

Objectives

To compare the efficacy between LA and GA when performing TMJA.

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed a total of 182 patients in LA group and 91 patients in GA group who underwent TMJA for the management of disc displacement. Patients were divided into two groups based on type of anaesthesia used for surgery; LA group and GA group. Comparisons were made based on operative time, intubation and extubation time (for GA only), hospital stay duration, total cost and post‐operative clinical and radiological outcomes.

Results

The demographics and pre‐operative clinical assessments were matched in both groups. No post‐operative significant difference was found in outcomes when performing TMJA under LA compared to GA in terms of pain reduction (p = .016) and improvement in mouth opening (p = .866). The median operative time and hospital stay duration for LA group were significantly less compared to GA group (p < .001). GA group required an additional intubation and extubation time, whereas LA group patients were waived from it. TMJA for LA group was performed in the minor procedure setup, which reduced the costs for surgery (p < .001). Post‐operative disc position was excellent and good with an overall success rate of 95%.

Conclusion

The use of LA performing TMJA reduces operating time, costs, hospital stay and recovery room time than GA group. Furthermore, TMJA performed under LA shared similar post‐operative clinical and radiological outcomes with those performed under GA.