bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Freehand Apple-peeling Technique for Recycled Skin Graft Harvesting in a Case of Buttock Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Ho Chen-Yu , Lin Keng-Yu , Huang Shu-Hung
Published: January 2025

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that often necessitates extensive surgery when medical treatment fails, particularly in advanced stages. Traditional surgical approaches, including flaps and skin grafts, are effective for tissue coverage but can lead to vascular complications and recurrence of HS. This study introduces a novel technique, the apple-peeling procedure, combined with negative pressure wound therapy at −50 mm Hg for 5 days postoperatively. This approach demonstrated improved operative efficiency and a low complication rate. Over a 3-year follow-up, there were no signs of HS recurrence, and the patient exhibited satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes. This technique may offer a promising alternative for treating HS, reducing the need for additional donor sites and mitigating the risks associated with conventional methods.
Ibrutinib pharmacokinetics in B-lymphoproliferative disorders discloses exposure-related incidence of hypertension
Authors: Ysebaert Loïc , Protin Caroline , Obéric Lucie , Beziat Guillaume , De Barros Sandra , Bonneau Baptiste , Allal Ben , Yakoubi Malika , Quillet-Mary Anne , Despas Fabien
Published: January 2025

Objective:

Ibrutinib has been the first Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) authorized for the treatment of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (B-LPDs). Numerous publications have confirmed the efficacy of this orally administrated drug in chemo-free regimens for B-LPDs. They also reported several adverse events (AE) associated with ibrutinib treatment. Whether these AEs depended on ibrutinib exposure has however been seldom explored.

Methods:

In the study reported here, the incidence of AE was recorded in 92 patients with B-LPD (mostly chronic lymphocytic leukemia n = 79) for whom ibrutinib alone was proposed as fist line therapy. Moreover, a pharmacokinetics (PK) exploration was planned over one day after 1 month treatment. PK assays included drug and metabolite (DHD-ibrutinib) mean/median and maximal plasmatic concentrations as well as areas under the curve (AUE) data.

Results:

This PK evaluation was analyzed regarding AEs recorded over the first year of therapy, which were similar as in published reports. PK data disclosed a significant impact of ibrutinib exposure on infections but mostly on the occurrence of hypertension. The latter was mostly related to dihydrodiol-ibrutinib (DHD-ibrutinib) exposure.

Conclusions:

These data suggest that a DHD-ibrutinib assay after one month of treatment could be interesting to consider a lower dosage for patients above maximal concentration thresholds for the drug, its metabolite or the sum of both. Whether this can be applied to newer BTKi remains to be explored but it could be important for patients to whom ibrutinib is proposed.
SMILE-Derived Corneal Stromal Lenticule: Experimental Study as a Corneal Repair Material and Drug Carrier
Authors: Wang Qin , Rao Jing , Zhang Min , Zhou Ling , Chen Xiao , Ma Yanran , Guo Hongjian , Gu Jianing , Wang Yini , Zhou Qizhi
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

A detailed study of the physicochemical properties of SMILE-derived lenticules and evaluation of their drug delivery after loading with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

Methods:

The lenticules were decellularized and modified with crosslinking concentrations of 0.01 (0.01E/L), 0.05 (0.05E/L), and 0.25 (0.25E/L) mmol N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) per mg lenticule at 5:1 carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) ratios. The degree of swelling, light transmittance, biomechanical properties, and stability of the non-crosslinked decellularized lenticules (DLs), 0.01E/L, 0.05E/L, and 0.25E/L were measured and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy with non-crosslinked non-decellularized lenticules as controls. DLs, 0.01E/L, 0.05E/L, and 0.25E/L were soaked in AgNPs for 24 hours, and the concentration of the drug released was measured.

Results:

There was no significant difference in the degree of swelling between the groups (P > 0.05). The light transmittance of the lenticules did not change after decellularization and crosslinking and decreased after loading with AgNPs. Non-decellularized lenticules biodegraded within 108 to 120 hours, and the other groups biodegraded within 96 to 108 hours in vitro. The 0.01E/L had the highest tensile strength. The absorption peak intensity ratio of the amide I band and the amide II band decreased, and the arrangement of collagen fibers was more compact in crosslinked decellularized lenticules. The 0.01E/L had the highest cumulative drug release (3.4 ± 0.91 μg).

Conclusions:

Crosslinking decellularization improved the biomechanical properties and resistance to water absorption of lenticules, increased covalent bonds between collagen fibers, and improved drug delivery. Crosslinked decellularized lenticules can be used as a new corneal patch material and drug delivery carrier for drug AgNPs.
Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction: Early Postoperative Day 1 Outcomes in 1350 Consecutive Procedures
Authors: Pradhan Kishore Raj , Arba Mosquera Samuel
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

To evaluate postoperative visual outcomes on postoperative day 1 (POD1) after lenticule extraction in myopia astigmatism in a large cohort of over 1350 consecutive treatments.

Methods:

A retrospective review chart identified 1357 eyes consecutively treated with SCHWIND ATOS using lenticule extraction for myopic astigmatism who had at least 6 months of follow-up completed and for which POD1 was completely recorded. The standard visual and refractive outcomes, and astigmatism outcomes, were analyzed on POD1. As a sanity check, the stability of defocus and uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) were evaluated from day 1 to 1-year postoperative follow-ups.

Results:

On POD1, 82% of the eyes achieved an UDVA of 20/20 or better, with 82% of the eyes with postoperative UDVA being the same or better than the preoperative corrected distance visual acuity baseline, and only 2% of eyes lost 2 lines of corrected distance visual acuity. Postoperative spherical equivalent (+0.15 ± 0.35D) was within 0.75 D in 98% of the cases, with excellent stability from 1-week to 1-year postoperative follow-ups (11% eyes changing by 0.5D of defocus). Postoperative refractive astigmatism at POD1 (0.01 ± 0.08 D) was highly accurate, with over 99% of the cases within 0.5 D, and 99% within 5 degrees of the attempted axis. The astigmatic correction index (1.00 ± 0.08) showed 98% of the cases within 10% deviation.

Conclusions:

In this large cohort of over 1350 cases, lenticule extraction using SCHWIND ATOS is safe and effective on POD1, shows stability from 1-week to 1-year postoperative follow-ups, and suggests accurate and precise corrections for both defocus and astigmatism.
“I Look in the Mirror and Say ‘You Know What, There Is Hope for You’”—An Interpretative Qualitative Study of Current and Future Well-Being in Black African Women Older Than 50 Years With HIV in the United Kingdom
Authors: Conway Rebecca , Evangeli Michael , Namiba Angelina , Jones Rachael
Published: January 2025

Effective antiretroviral treatment means that people with HIV are living for longer. This includes Black African women, who represent a large proportion of people aging with HIV in the United Kingdom. Despite this, the impact of living and aging with HIV on the well-being of Black African women aging with HIV has not been investigated. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of interviews with eight Black African women ages 50 years and older living with HIV developed six superordinate themes. Findings demonstrated how experiences of HIV-related stigma negatively affected social, occupational, and psychological well-being. Perspectives on living and aging with HIV into the future included experiences of acceptance, uncertainty, anxiety, and hope. Recommendations are made, including developing clinical practice to consider needs relating to social and psychological well-being, as well as physical well-being, for women aging with HIV.
Navigating the Discussion of Mental Illness With Korean Americans
Authors: Moon Young Suk , Yoon Yesie , Hwang Dae Sun , Pak Thomas K.
Published: January 2025

Korean Americans have one of the highest rates of depression of the Asian subgroups in the United States, and they have culture-related factors that affect their mental health. It is important for health care providers﻿ to understand the cultural considerations of Korean Americans to better address their mental health. This review article delves into the pertinent cultural practices of Korean Americans for navigating discussions of mental health. We note the cultural views, language barriers, historical traumas, and immigration challenges of Korean Americans, and we consider the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision’s discussion of Koreans. We also include a table of Korean mental health terms with cultural significance and a list of online resources tailored for Korean Americans. In addition, we discuss the unique experiences of North Korean refugees that affect their mental health. Overall, this review informs health care providers about cultural considerations for navigating discussions of mental health with Korean Americans.
The Relationship Between Subjective Cognitive Complaints, Invalid Symptom Reporting, and Neurocognitive Test Performance Validity Among Adults Being Evaluated for ADHD
Authors: Phillips Matthew S. , Turchmanovych-Hienkel Nataliya , Leese Mira I. , Ramanauskas Brian , VanLandingham Hannah B. , Gonzalez Christopher , Ovsiew Gabriel P. , Robinson Anthony D. , Cerny Brian M. , Ulrich Devin M. , Soble Jason R.
Published: January 2025

Objective:

Subjective cognitive complaints are common among patients presenting for evaluation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Despite these complaints, research overwhelmingly suggests that reported cognitive deficits do not align with objective neurocognitive performance. This study explored the relationship between subjective cognitive complaints, objective neuropsychological functioning, and performance and symptom validity testing in adult patients referred for evaluation due to concern about ADHD.

Methods:

The sample consisted of 523 adult referrals who underwent comprehensive evaluation for concern about ADHD and to characterize cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Four hundred patients were diagnosed with ADHD, and 123 did not meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Patients were dichotomized to form nonelevated (n=134) and elevated (n=389) cognitive complaint groups, which were compared on objective neurocognitive performance, report of ADHD-specific symptoms, and performance validity tests.

Results:

Significant differences were identified between the elevated and nonelevated cognitive complaints groups in performance validity tests and ADHD symptom reporting; however, clinical differences were not identified on objective neurocognitive measures.

Conclusions:

Consistent with the results of previously published research, subjective cognitive complaints did not align with objective neurocognitive deficits in a sample of adult ADHD referrals. Elevated cognitive complaints were associated with higher rates of performance validity failure and invalid ADHD-specific symptom reporting. These findings highlight the importance of assessing cognitive complaints using symptom report inventories and cognitive tests that include objective validity indices.
The Evaluation of the Pterygomaxillary Separation Pattern in Le Fort I Osteotomy Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Faisal Mustafa M. , Bede Salwan Y.
Published: January 2025

Pterygomaxillary separation (PMS) is an important step in Le Fort I osteotomy procedure, without which complete mobilization of the maxilla cannot be achieved. The aim of this study was to evaluate PMS patterns and their relationship with the anatomic measurements in Le Fort I osteotomy. In this prospective observational study cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to measure the anatomic variables of the pterygomaxillary junction (PMJ) region including thickness, width, the distance between the most concave point at the lateral surface of PMJ and the greater palatine foramen (C-GPF), and the angle preoperatively, and the separation patterns postoperatively divided into the clean-cut type, maxillary sinus type, and the pterygoid fracture type. Twenty-seven patients (54 sides) were included in this study. Nineteen females (70.4%) and 8 males (29.6%) with a mean (standard deviation) of 22.1 (5.5) years. The mean PMJ thickness, width, C-GPF, and angle were 5.6 mm, 8.6 mm, 6.55 mm, and 91.5 degrees, respectively. The most common PMS pattern was the clean-cut type (38/54, 70.4%), followed by the pterygoid plate fracture type (10/54, 18.5%), and the maxillary sinus type (6/54, 11.1%). There were non-significant relationships between the anatomic variables of PMJ and PMS patterns (thickness P=0.179, width P=0.234, C-GPF P=0.174, and angle P=0.792). There were non-significant relationships between PMS patterns and age, sex, and skeletal classification of the patients (P= 0.941, 0.211, and 0.519, respectively).
Scrofimicrobium appendicitidis sp. nov., isolated from a patient with ruptured appendicitis
Authors: Lao Hiu-Yin , Wong Annette Y. P. , Ng Timothy Ting-Leung , Wong Ryan Yik-Lam , Yau Miranda Chong-Yee , Lam Jimmy Yiu-Wing , Siu Gilman Kit-Hang
Published: January 2025

A clinical isolate, R131, was isolated from the peritoneal swab of a patient who suffered from ruptured appendicitis with abscess and gangrene in Hong Kong in 2018. Cells are facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, Gram-positive coccobacilli. Colonies were small, grey, semi-translucent, low convex and alpha-haemolytic. The bacterium grew on blood agar but not on Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) and Mueller–Hinton agars. It was negative for catalase, oxidase, indole and aesculin hydrolysis. The initial identification attempts via matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA gene sequencing yielded inconclusive results. The 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that R131 shared >99% nucleotide identity with certain uncultured Actinomycetales bacteria. In this retrospective investigation, a complete genome of R131 was constructed, disclosing a DNA G+C content of 64%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the bacterium was mostly related to Scrofimicrobium canadense WB03_NA08, which was first described in 2020. However, its 16S rRNA gene shared only 94.15% nucleotide identity with that of S. canadense WB03_NA08. Notably, the orthoANI between R131 and S. canadense WB03_NA08 was 67.81%. A pan-genome analysis encompassing R131 and 4 Scrofimicrobium genomes showed 986 core gene clusters shared with the Scrofimicrobium species, along with 601 cloud genes. The average nucleotide identity comparisons within the pan-genome analysis ranged from 59.78 to 62.51% between R131 and the other Scrofimicrobium species. Correspondingly, the dDDH values ranged from 19.20 to 22.30%, while the POCP values spanned from 57.48 to 60.94%. Therefore, a novel species, Scrofimicrobium appendicitidis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is R131T (=JCM 36615T=LMG 33627T).
Predictive model for the determination of caesarean sections in the Catalan National Health System: an approach based on clinical factors
Authors: Medina Català Albert , Espada-Trespalacios Xavier , Raventos Gil de Biedma Maria , Ricart Conesa Assumpta , Palau-Costafreda Roser , Escuriet Ramon
Published: January 2025

Objective

To develop and validate a logistic regression model for analyzing the probability of caesarean section births, adjusted for clinical complexity, across public hospitals in Catalonia, and to identify deviations from expected caesarian section rates for benchmarking and quality improvement.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the Catalan National Health System’s Minimum Basic Data Set (CMBD-AH), including all deliveries in public hospitals from January 2018 to June 2024. A logistic regression model was constructed using maternal and obstetric factors such as age, obstetric history, and clinical conditions. The model was validated through calibration plots and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.803.

Results

The analysis revealed variability in observed-to-expected caesarean section ratios across hospital complexity levels. Level III hospitals aligned closely with expected rates, reflecting adherence to clinical standards for high-complexity cases. Level I hospitals demonstrated significant variability, with 59.1% performing more cesareans than expected; smaller hospitals with fewer than 1,000 births exhibited the greatest deviation. The model highlighted both underperforming and overperforming institutions, offering actionable insights for resource allocation and policy interventions.

Conclusions

The logistic regression model provides a robust framework for evaluating caesarean section practices, enabling fair comparisons between hospitals by adjusting for clinical complexity. It supports the identification of non-clinical factors influencing cesarean practices and offers a critical tool for quality improvement and optimizing maternal healthcare within Catalonia’s public health system.
CPI-Pred: A deep learning framework for predicting functional parameters of compound-protein interactions
Authors: Xu Zhiqing , Barghout Rana Ahmed , Wu Jinghao , Garg Dhruv , Song Yun S. , Mahadevan Radhakrishnan
Published: January 2025

Recent advancements in deep learning have enabled functional annotation of genome sequences, facilitating the discovery of new enzymes and metabolites. However, accurately predicting compound-protein interactions (CPI) from sequences remains challenging due to the complexity of these interactions and the sparsity and heterogeneity of available data, which constrain the generalization of patterns across their solution space. In this work, we introduce CPI-Pred, a versatile deep learning model designed to predict compound-protein interaction function. CPI-Pred integrates compound representations derived from a novel message-passing neural network and enzyme representations generated by state-of-the-art protein language models, leveraging innovative sequence pooling and cross-attention mechanisms. To train and evaluate CPI-Pred, we compiled the largest dataset of enzyme kinetic parameters to date, encompassing four key metrics: the Michaelis-Menten constant (KM), enzyme turnover number (kcat), catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM), and inhibition constant (KI).These kinetic parameters are critical for elucidating enzyme function in metabolic contexts and understanding their regulation by compounds within biological networks. We demonstrate that CPI-Pred can predict diverse types of CPI using only the amino acid sequence of enzymes and structural representations of compounds, outperforming state-of-the-art models on unseen compounds and structurally dissimilar enzymes. Over workflow provides a valuable tool for tackling a range of metabolic engineering challenges, including the designing of novel enzyme sequences and compounds, such as enzyme inhibitors. Additionally, the datasets curated in this study offer a valuable resource for the scientific community, serving as a benchmark for machine learning models focused on enzyme activity and promiscuity prediction.
Accounting for comorbidity in etiological research
Authors: Khachadourian Vahe , Janecka Magdalena
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Despite the theoretical advancements and recommendations regarding covariate adjustment in causal inference, clinical studies often fail to explicitly state the underlying assumptions related to causal structure among the study variables. Specifically, despite the pervasive nature of comorbidity, explicit causal assumptions about the role of comorbidity in exposure-outcome relationships are often lacking, potentially leading to inappropriate accounting for comorbid conditions and resulting in biased effect estimates. This study aims to explore common causal structures involving comorbidity and provide guidance for handling it in etiologic research.

Methods

We use Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) to depict six causal scenarios involving comorbidity as a confounder, mediator, collider, or consequence of the exposure or outcome. Simulations were conducted across 5,000 iterations for each scenario, assessing the impact of conditioning on comorbidity under three effect measures (mean difference, odds ratio, risk ratio). Bias was evaluated by comparing adjusted and unadjusted effect estimates to the true values.

Results

The impact of conditioning on comorbidity varied by its causal role. Adjusting for comorbidity mitigated bias when it acted as a confounder, but introduced bias when it was a mediator or collider. In instances where comorbidity was a consequence of either the exposure or outcome, the decision to adjust depended on the research objectives. Nonlinear models revealed differences in marginal and conditional effects due to non-collapsibility.

Discussion

Explicit causal assumptions are essential for selecting appropriate analytical strategies in etiologic research. This study provides practical guidance on handling comorbidity-related challenges, highlighting the need for study design and analysis to align with research objectives. Future work should address more complex causal structures and other methodological challenges.
Density-dependent expression of epitranscriptomic, stress, and appetite regulating genes in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Frapin Morgane , Quispe Laura , Troka Joana , Prokkola Jenni M. , Laurikainen Ossi , Hyvärinen Pekka , Primmer Craig R. , Aykanat Tutku , Ahi Ehsan Pashay
Published: January 2025

Intraspecific competition due to e.g., density, has substantial influence on fitness dynamics and life histories, but the underlying physiological mechanisms are often complex, and the molecular basis unclear. Further, designing laboratory experiments to measure physiological responses that reflect natural conditions is challenging. Here, we reared Atlantic salmon juveniles in semi-wild conditions in two naturally occurring densities to investigate the molecular mechanism of density-related changes in the hypothalamus, a key brain region regulating stress and energy homeostasis. We measured density-dependent changes in the expression of 12 genes involved in appetite and stress regulation, and 16 genes involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression via m6A RNA methylation. This gene set includes paralog pairs, to account for potential functional divergence associated with salmonid genome duplication. We also quantified genotype-environment interactions between density and two major life-history loci,vgll3andsix6. We found significant density-related differences in the expression of genes coding for corticotropin-releasing factors, appetite stimulators and inhibitors, and m6A RNA methylation actors. Moreover, a paralogue of an appetite inhibitor showed a density-dependent pattern that was the opposite of what was expected.Six6locus was also associated with changes in the expression of epitranscriptomic markers, including two writers and one eraser. Our results highlight that individuals’ response to density in natural conditions is shaped by a complex interplay between stress, appetite and epitranscriptomic pathways in the hypothalamus. In addition, the functional divergence of paralogs indicates a potential role of genome duplication shaping such a response. We emphasize the value of integrating different physiological responses at the molecular level to better understand ecological processes affected by environmental change.
Barriers and facilitators to specialist service referrals for sleep disorders from healthcare professionals’ perspective: A scoping review of qualitative research evidence
Authors: Sýkorová Martina , Nolte Ellen , Martineau Frederick , Miller Michelle A. , Eriksson Sofia H. , Smith Ian E. , Strongman Helen
Published: January 2025

Background

Access to specialist sleep centres can lead to timely diagnosis and management of sleep disorders, improving the health and quality of life of people with these conditions. Evidence describing factors that influence referral to specialist sleep services is needed to inform improvements to the referral process.

Objective

This scoping review identifies and summarises qualitative evidence on barriers and facilitators to referrals to specialist sleep services by healthcare professionals.

Eligibility criteria

The review considered qualitative studies published in any language between 1995-2024 that explore the barriers and/or facilitators to referral to specialist services for sleep-related disorders from healthcare care professionals’ perspective.

Sources of evidence

A systematic search of six databases (Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE and Open Grey) was conducted.

Results

Out of 3507 records, seven heterogeneous studies from two countries (Australia and USA) and one multi-country study met the inclusion criteria. Referrals were from a range of settings including primary care (two studies). Major themes identified as influencing referral included clarity of roles, referral experiences and options, knowledge of sleep disorders, funding, and views on treatment. Specific barriers and facilitators varied between countries, healthcare professionals and sleep disorders.

Conclusions

Although specific barriers and facilitators vary between settings, cross-cutting themes influencing referral to sleep centres reflect a lack of awareness of sleep disorders among healthcare professionals, poorly defined referral pathways, and funding issues.

Impacts

This is the first scoping review to synthesise qualitative evidence on factors influencing referrals to specialist services for sleep disorders. The themes identified can be used in further research to inform improvements to referral pathways in different settings.

Reporting Method

Adherence to the PRISMA-ScR checklist was maintained.
Standardized Residue Numbering and Secondary Structure Nomenclature in the Class D β-Lactamases
Authors: Stasyuk Anastasiya , Smith Clyde A.
Published: January 2025

Over 1370 class D β-lactamases are currently known, and they pose a serious threat to the effective treatment of many infectious diseases, particularly in some pathogenic bacteria where evolving carbapenemase activity has been reported. Detailed understanding of their molecular biology, enzymology and structural biology are critically important but the lack of a standardized residue numbering scheme and inconsistent secondary structure annotation has made comparative analyses sometimes difficult and cumbersome. Compounding this, in the post-AlphaFold world where we currently find ourselves, an extraordinary wealth of detailed structural information on these enzymes is literally at our fingertips, therefore it is vitally important that a standard numbering system is in place to facilitate the accurate and straightforward analysis of their structures. Here we present a residue numbering and secondary structure scheme for the class D enzymes and apply it to test targets to demonstrate ease at which it can be used.
Type-I nNOS neurons orchestrate cortical neural activity and vasomotion
Authors: Turner Kevin , Brockway Dakota , Hossain Md Shakhawat , Griffith Keith , Greenawalt Denver , Zhang Qingguang , Gheres Kyle , Crowley Nicole , Drew Patrick J
Published: January 2025

It is unknown how the brain orchestrates coordination of global neural and vascular dynamics. We sought to uncover the role of a sparse but unusual population of genetically-distinct interneurons known as type-I nNOS neurons, using a novel pharmacological strategic to unilaterally ablate these neurons from the somatosensory cortex of mice. Region-specific ablation produced changes in both neural activity and vascular dynamics, decreased power in the delta-band of the local field potential, reduced sustained vascular responses to prolonged sensory stimulation, and abolished the post-stimulus undershoot in cerebral blood volume. Coherence between the left and right somatosensory cortex gamma-band power envelope and blood volume at ultra-low frequencies was decreased, suggesting type-1 nNOS neurons integrate long-range coordination of brain signals. Lastly, we observed decreases in the amplitude of resting-state blood volume oscillations and decreased vasomotion following the ablation of type-I nNOS neurons. This demonstrates that a small population of nNOS-positive neurons are indispensable for regulating both neural and vascular dynamics in the whole brain and implicates disruption of these neurons in diseases ranging from neurodegeneration to sleep disturbances.
GAL-101 prevents amyloid beta-induced membrane depolarization in two different types of retinal cells
Authors: Pizzi Erika , Gornati Simona , Stabilini Stefano , Brambilla Dario , Mercurio Chiara A. , Russ Hermann , Parsons Christopher G. , Mazzanti Michele
Published: January 2025

Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are two of the major causes of progressive vision loss and ultimately blindness worldwide. Both retinopathies share several pathological features with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) such as: impairment of neuronal function, astrocytosis, and activation of immune-competent microglia and Müller cells. It also has been shown that these conditions are characterized by the presence of an elevated concentration of amyloid beta (Aβ). Under pathological conditions, Aβ1-42tends to aggregate, forming toxic soluble oligomers, considered to be the most harmful amyloid species. One strategy adopted to prevent cell damage caused by these oligomers is to impair their aggregation. Here we studied GAL-101, a small molecule designed to modify the aggregation of Aβ1-42.To assess the role of GAL-101 in the aggregation of Aβ1-42,in vitroelectrophysiological measurements on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were performed to determine the polarization of the resting membrane potential. Cells treated only with Aβ1-42oligomers showed a strong depolarization of the resting membrane potential, which is believed to be the main reason for retinal cells malfunctioning in neurodegenerative diseases of the eye. Pre-incubation with GAL-101 stabilized the cell resting potential to around -50mV during exposure to Aβ1-42, in both RGCs and RPE cells. GAL-101 was able to prevent changes in resting membrane potential and thus would be expected to prevent impairment of retinal cell function. These results are supportive of evaluating GAL-101 as a potential treatment of Aβ-associated retinopathies like glaucoma and dry AMD.
Estimating the motor exploration in reinforcement learning
Authors: Zai Anja T. , Lorenz Corinna , Srikantharajah Shakana , Giret Nicolas , Hahnloser Richard H.R.
Published: January 2025

What motor exploration strategies do animals use to learn a skill from rewards? Reinforcement learning theory provides no guidance for estimating motor exploration — the behavioral component aimed at discovering better strategies. Inspired by the brain’s modular organization, we postulate a latent learner that explores via an additive source of ideal randomness it injects into behavior.

Assuming the learner is ignorant of other motor components, which is sub-optimal by design, evolutionary fitness argues that these should display mainly non-ideal variability.

We test this recipe for behavior decomposition in songbirds subjected to a vocal pitch conditioning task. The explorative component we estimate from vocalizations accounts for the motor contribution of a basal ganglia pathway and the other behavioral component accounts for birds’ suboptimal learning trajectories. This congruence between normative exploration and brain organization suggests that the evolutionary pressure for behavioral optimality is lesser than to learn from purely random trials.
p16.1andp16.2, new HSPC markers, play redundant roles in zebrafish T-cell lymphopoiesis
Authors: Gomez Etienne , Li Roman A. , Bertrand Julien Y.
Published: January 2025

In the recent years, the zebrafish model has become a first-choice animal model in the field of hematopoiesis, due to extra-uterine development and optical transparency that allow an easy observation of early stages of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) development. Here, we characterized the function of two undescribed genes,si:ch211-214p16.1andsi:ch211-214p16.2(shortenedp16.1andp16.2) that are expressed by HSPCs, as early as their emergence. By combining different strategies, we have demonstrated thatp16.1andp16.2play redundant roles in embryonic thymopoiesis. Knocking-down both genes at the same time – or one gene in the mutant background for the other gene – impaired HSPCs commitment towards lymphoid fate and homing to the thymus. However double mutant embryos did not show any phenotype. As these double-mutant animals were viable, their thymocytes were compared to their wild-type counterparts by RNA sequencing, revealing that double mutant thymocytes compensated the lack ofp16.1andp16.2by upregulating genes involved in chemotaxis and cell migration. One of these transcripts,ccr9b, was indeed validated as an important regulator of thymic homing in double mutant embryos, only. In summary, we found two new markers of embryonic HSPCs, functionally linked to lymphoid fate. The description of such markers will be important for our understanding of heterogeneity among emerging HSPCs in the embryo.
Structural and theoretical studies of amantadinium fenamates
Authors: Krawczyk Marta S. , Krawczyk Monika K. , Majerz Irena
Published: January 2025

Two new crystals of amantadinium salts were obtained from fenamic and tolfenamic acid. The salt of fenamic acid is a model compound for interaction analysis, while amantadinium tolfenamate is a composition of a drug used in the treatment of symptoms of Parkinsonism and as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The crystal structures were studied and a theoretical analysis of the hydrogen bonds and weak interactions was carried out using quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and non-covalent interaction (NCI) methods.
Who is taking climate action in university? Drivers of personal and professional climate action in higher education
Authors: Ferrari Enzo , Whitmarsh Lorraine , Haggar Paul , Mitev Kaloyan , Lowe Alice
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Climate change (CC) poses significant risks to society, but there are ways people can address it – including in their personal and professional lives. One professional context – higher education – has a unique role in tackling CC through educating future leaders and researching potential solutions. This study aims to identify the predictors that determine climate action in the university.

Design/methodology/approach

The predictors of climate action (including both personal behaviour change and academic subject choice) are examined amongst both university students and staff at a UK university. The authors present the results of an online survey (N = 3,326).

Findings

Climate education and research were associated with early and mid-career researchers, years working/studying and academic field, with engineering staff/students most involved. Climate anxiety and awareness of university climate emergency declarations and credible climate information sources significantly explain academic behaviour among students and academics. In addition, activities with substantial carbon footprints, such as driving and eating ruminant meat, could be associated with CC research and teaching.

Originality/value

These results highlight the importance of improving climate literacy, and sustainability initiatives within higher education. To address the urgent issues of CC, higher education institutions must integrate climate education, research and sustainable practices.
Beyond aesthetics: investigating the interplay between office design, employer brand and employee intention to leave
Authors: de Campos Ribeiro Gisele , Minchella Delphine
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Through the perspective of current employees, this study aims to investigate the relationship between different office configurations, employer brand evaluations and employees’ intentions to leave the company.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studied 2,025 office employees in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy using an online survey. It employed ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and mediation analysis to investigate how office type relates to employer brand evaluations and the intention to leave the company.

Findings

The analysis shows a significant relationship between office type and both variables. Three office configurations shape these relationships: shared rooms and flex offices lower employer brand evaluations, while large open-plan offices increase turnover intention. Employer brand mediates the relationship between office type and intention to leave the company. Shared rooms and flex spaces indirectly raise turnover intention by lowering employer brand ratings.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to examine the interplay between different office types, employer brand evaluations and employees’ intentions to leave the company from the perspective of current employees.
What incentivises innovative firms to avoid taxes?
Authors: Toumi Fadoua , Jouini Fathi
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Prior studies have examined the relationship between tax avoidance and corporate innovation, showing that innovative firms use their intellectual properties and research and development (R&D) activities to avoid taxes. This study aims to investigate the motivation behind tax avoidance practices within innovative firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the Compustat database to collect financial information for US companies, comprising 33,872 firm-year observations from 5,504 non-financial from 2011 to 2021. To ensure robust findings, the authors conducted the Hussman test to compare fixed effects and random effects models, the Breusch–Pagan test for heteroskedasticity and the Koenker and Machado test to assess coefficient consistency across quantiles in quantile regressions (QRs). Based on these tests, the authors used two empirical approaches: a random-effect model to examine the linear relationship between variables and QR to capture potential non-linear relationships and address heteroskedasticity issues.

Findings

Results indicate that corporate patent activity facilitates tax avoidance practices; however, not all innovative firms use their intellectual properties (e.g. patents) for this purpose. The association between tax avoidance and innovation is negative at the lowest quantile, suggesting that high innovation output and quality patents can enhance tax avoidance. This is likely because high-quality patents are valuable and generate more profit, increasing income shifted to foreign subsidiaries. In addition, the study found that innovative firms investing more in R&D benefit from tax advantages and pay less taxes than non-innovative firms. Finally, testing for the moderating effect of foreign income showed no impact on the relationship between tax avoidance and corporate innovation. The results are robust for alternative testing and measuring change.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to investigate the incentives that drive innovative firms to avoid taxes.
What role does the “smart employee” play in the economic development of the tourism sector. An empirical study in Spanish hotels
Authors: Folgado-Fernández José A. , Robina-Ramirez Rafael , Pizarro-Polo Ángel , Arenas Escaso Juan Francisco
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to define the “smart tourism employee” and explore how combining technological and interpersonal skills helps tourism workers adapt to emerging technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative-quantitative methodology was used, proposing 22 indicators related to defining the “smart tourism employee.”

Findings

Analysis of 883 responses from hotel employees across Spain using SmartPLS 4 revealed the crucial role of both technological and interpersonal skills and the importance of periodic evaluation aligned with hotels’ innovation orientation.

Practical implications

The study highlights that enhancing hotel competitiveness through technology requires employees who can effectively use the latest technological advances for customers.

Originality/value

Unlike prior research focusing solely on technological aspects in the tourism sector, this study emphasizes the need for comprehensive training of employees in technology use.
Hybrid HRM systems and employee well-being: a self-determination theory perspective
Authors: Liu Li , She Long , Cafferkey Kenneth , Townsend Keith
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Drawing from the human resource management (HRM) literature and framed with self-determination theory, this article seeks to investigate the impact of a hybrid system of HRM, characterized by the integration of practices from high-involvement work systems (HIWS) and high-compliance work systems (HCWS), on employee well-being in China.

Design/methodology/approach

We hypothesize there is a positive relationship between the hybrid system and employee well-being, mediated by the satisfaction of basic psychological needs as proposed by self-determination theory. To test these hypotheses, we conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 337 employees from both an agricultural company and a bank in China.

Findings

Our dataset provides support for the hypotheses, indicating that hybrid human resource (HR) systems positively relate to employee well-being, with a positive association with work engagement and a negative association with emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, our findings reveal that this relationship is mediated by the satisfaction of basic psychological needs.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the HRM literature in three significant ways. First, it explores the hybrid HRM system, which integrates high-involvement work systems (HIWS) and high-compliance work systems (HCWS), enhancing the theorization of HRM in a more comprehensive manner. Second, it utilizes self-determination theory (SDT) to illuminate the underlying mechanisms connecting hybrid HRM to employee well-being – a topic that has received limited attention in prior research. Lastly, we operationalize employee well-being by examining both work engagement and emotional exhaustion, thereby offering a comprehensive understanding of its multidimensional nature.
Examining the impact of stakeholders' pressures on sustainability practices
Authors: Sun Guo , Sulemana Inusah , Agyemang Andrew Osei
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the influence of stakeholder pressure on sustainability practices via the mediating effect of green innovation (GI) from a developing economy in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used primary data from 567 respondents in manufacturing and mining firms in Ghana to conduct the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis using Smart-PLS, Version 4.0. Data was gathered using survey questionnaire. A purposive sampling method was used to choose participants' companies.

Findings

The findings revealed that shareholder and government pressure significantly and positively influence sustainability practices, while pressure from the community has an insignificant beneficial impact on sustainability practices. Consumer pressure revealed an insignificant detrimental influence on sustainability practices. The study discovered that green innovation fully and substantially mediates the association between stakeholder pressure and sustainability practices.

Research limitations/implications

The study has limitations, including the exclusion of control variables and its focus on four different stakeholders, excluding other stakeholders that who also impact sustainability practices.

Practical implications

The study’s findings can assist Ghanaian companies in making strategic decisions to enhance corporate reputation, acknowledging the effect of stakeholder pressure on sustainability practices.

Social implications

The study outcome may enable companies to implement more inclusive sustainable development initiatives, benefiting their bottom line while contributing to the well-being of local communities and the environment.

Originality/value

The study’s originality stems from integrating green innovation in examining stakeholders' influence and sustainability practices of firms, a gap that remained unexplored. It highlights the essence of green innovation in shaping a company’s sustainability practices, highlighting the need for businesses to integrate technology and sustainability in their operations.
A Text Analysis of News Media Framing of Government Response to the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake
Authors: Binici Simal , Choi Jeongho , Mitchell Sara McLaughlin , Pizzi Elise
Published: January 2025

The February 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake had a profound impact on political, economic, and social life in Türkiye. Despite criticism about government disaster response, the government of Türkiye won an election 3 months later. We examine variance in media coverage of government disaster responses with Structural Topic Modeling of 12,268 articles in five pro‐ and anti‐government newspapers in Türkiye (Anadolu Ajansi, Hurriyet, Sozcu, Cumhuriyet, and Posta) between the February earthquake and the May election. We identify five general topical themes in the data: emotion, science, information provision, government response, and the economy. We conduct sentiment analysis and find little direct criticism of the government's responses, although anti‐government newspapers are more negative on topics related to building structures and damage. The general pattern of positive sentiment among all newspapers regarding government responses to the earthquake may help us understand why the disaster was not as consequential for the election outcome as some observers expected.
Analysis of related factors for systemic lupus erythematosus flare after SARS‐Cov‐2 infection: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li Qian , Zhao Jun‐Kang , Zhang Jun‐Yan , Li Rong , Zhao Li , Su Ya‐Zhen , Liu Yang , Xu Ke , Zhang Li‐Yun
Published: January 2025

Objective

Since COVID‐19 infections are more common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, most recent research has focused on the outcome of COVID‐19, with fewer studies on disease activity in SLE. This research aims to evaluate flares in SLE with COVID‐19 infection while investigating predictive factors.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information on patients with previously diagnosed SLE from multi‐center. SLE patients infected with COVID‐19 after December 7, 2022, were selected. Detailed information covering demographic characteristics, SLE and COVID‐19 clinical features, disease activity, and medication was collected through an electronic questionnaire. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the predictive factors for SLE disease onset after COVID‐19 infection.

Results

A total of 240 patients were finally included in our analysis. Thirty (12.5%) of those enrolled reported an SLE flare. Multivariate analysis with logistic models confirmed that SLE in the active stage (OR 2.617, 95% CI 1.008–6.514, p = .041) and COVID‐19 duration (OR 4.140, 95% CI 1.412–11.694, p = .008) were predictors for flare in SLE patients with Covid‐19 infection. In contrast, immunosuppressants were associated with a low incidence of flare of SLE (OR 0.138, 95% CI 0.042–0.46, p = .005).

Conclusions

The active phase of SLE and the progression of COVID‐19 were the main risk factors for disease exacerbation in SLE patients, while the use of immunosuppressive medications was associated with a lower risk of flare‐ups. These findings provide valuable insights for managing SLE patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic.