bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of adrenergic β1-AR/Gαs signaling promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation through activation of RhoA-YAP axis
Authors: Sakabe Masahide , Thompson Michael , Chen Nong , Verba Mark , Hassan Aishlin , Lu Richard , Xin Mei
Published: October 2021

The regeneration potential of the mammalian heart is incredibly limited, as cardiomyocyte proliferation ceases shortly after birth. β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) blockade has been shown to improve heart functions in response to injury; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we inhibited β-AR signaling in the heart using a cardiomyocyte specific β1-adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) blocker (metoprolol) to examine its role in heart maturation and regeneration at the neonatal stage. We found that metoprolol robustly enhanced cardiomyocyte proliferation and promoted cardiac regeneration post myocardial infarction, resulting in reduced scar formation and improved cardiac function. Moreover, the increased cardiomyocyte proliferation was also induced by the genetic deletion of Gnas, the gene encoding G protein alpha subunit (Gαs), a downstream effector of β-AR. Genome wide transcriptome analysis revealed that the cardiomyocytes of β-blocker treated and Gnas cKO hearts maintained an immature proliferating status even at the young-adult age, and that the loss of Gαs function enhanced the activity of the Hippo-effector YAP, which is associated with immature cardiomyocyte proliferation. Moreover, the increased YAP activity is modulated by RhoA signaling. Our pharmacological and genetic studies reveal a previously unrecognized β1-AR-Gαs-YAP signaling axis for regulating cardiac regeneration. These results suggest that inhibiting β-AR-Gαs signaling promotes the regenerative capacity and extends the cardiac regenerative window in mice by activating YAP-mediated transcriptional programs. Thus, targeting β-AR-Gαs signaling may serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic heart.
Clinical outcomes and longitudinal circulating tumor DNA changes after treatment with nivolumab and olaparib in immunotherapy relapsed melanoma with detected homologous recombination deficiency
Authors: Khaddour Karam , Ansstas Michael , Ansstas George
Published: October 2021

The treatment of immunotherapy relapsed cutaneous melanoma constitutes a challenge in both research and clinical practice fields given the lack of effective therapeutic options. Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) has been identified in several solid cancers including cutaneous melanoma. However, the utility of medications targeting HRD cancer cells is an uncharted territory in melanoma. Moreover, preclinical evidence suggests a synergistic role of combining immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with drugs targeting HRD cancer cells such as PARP inhibitors. Here, we present a case study of a patient with immunotherapy relapsed melanoma who was found to have detected HRD and was treated with nivolumab (ICB) and olaparib (PARP inhibitors).
Probabilistic parameter estimation using a Gaussian mixture density network: application to X-ray reflectivity data curve fitting
Authors: Kim Kook Tae , Lee Dong Ryeol
Published: October 2021

X-ray reflectivity (XRR) is widely used for thin-film structure analysis, and XRR data analysis involves minimizing the difference between experimental data and an XRR curve calculated from model parameters describing the thin-film structure. This analysis takes a certain amount of time because it involves many unavoidable iterations. However, the recently introduced artificial neural network (ANN) method can dramatically reduce the analysis time in the case of repeated analyses of similar samples. Here, the analysis of XRR data using a mixture density network (MDN) is demonstrated, which enables probabilistic prediction while maintaining the advantages of an ANN. First, under the assumption of a unimodal probability distribution of the output parameter, the trained MDN can estimate the best-fit parameter and, at the same time, estimate the confidence interval (CI) corresponding to the error bar of the best-fit parameter. The CI obtained in this manner is similar to that obtained using the Neumann process, a well known statistical method. Next, the MDN method provides several possible solutions for each parameter in the case of a multimodal distribution of the output parameters. An unsupervised machine learning method is used to cluster possible parameter sets in order of probability. Determining the true value by examining the candidates of the parameter sets obtained in this manner can help solve the inherent inverse problem associated with scattering data.
Multiple scattering and resolution effects in small-angle neutron scattering experiments calculated and corrected by the software package MuScatt
Authors: Jaksch Sebastian , Pipich Vitaliy , Frielinghaus Henrich
Published: October 2021

This article deals with multiple scattering effects that are important for the method of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). It considers three channels for the coherent elastic, the incoherent elastic and the incoherent inelastic scattering processes. The first channel contains the desired information on the experiment. Its multiple scattering effects can be desmeared, as shown in the later sections of the article. The other two channels display a nearly constant background as a function of the scattering angle. The incoherent elastic scattering is treated by the theory of Chandrasekhar, allowing for multiple scattering even at large scattering angles. The transfer to a single representative thermalized wavelength by the inelastic scattering – as a simplification – is assumed to happen by a single scattering event. Once the transition to this altered wavelength has happened, further incoherent multiple scattering is considered. The first part of the paper deals with the multiple scattering effects of light water. In the later part of the article, deconvolution algorithms for multiple scattering and instrumental resolution of the elastic coherent signal as implemented in the program MuScatt are described. All of these considerations are interesting for both reactor-based instruments with velocity selectors and time-of-flight SANS instruments and may improve the reliability of the data treatment.
Crystal structure of the [2Fe–2S] protein I (Shethna protein I) from Azotobacter vinelandii
Authors: Kabasakal Burak V. , Cotton Charles A. R. , Murray James W.
Published: October 2021

Azotobacter vinelandii is a model diazotroph and is the source of most nitrogenase material for structural and biochemical work. Azotobacter can grow in above-atmospheric levels of oxygen, despite the sensitivity of nitrogenase activity to oxygen. Azotobacter has many iron–sulfur proteins in its genome, which were identified as far back as the 1960s and probably play roles in the complex redox chemistry that Azotobacter must maintain when fixing nitrogen. Here, the 2.1 Å resolution crystal structure of the [2Fe–2S] protein I (Shethna protein I) from A. vinelandii is presented, revealing a homodimer with the [2Fe–2S] cluster coordinated by the surrounding conserved cysteine residues. It is similar to the structure of the thioredoxin-like [2Fe–2S] protein from Aquifex aeolicus, including the positions of the [2Fe–2S] clusters and conserved cysteine residues. The structure of Shethna protein I will provide information for understanding its function in relation to nitrogen fixation and its evolutionary relationships to other ferredoxins.
Willingness to pay for traditional ready-to-eat food packaging: examining the interplay between shape, font and slogan
Authors: Suci Afred , Maryanti Sri , Hardi Hardi , Sudiar Nining
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates how to design traditional ready-to-eat food packaging by manipulating its shape, font and slogan to promote consumer buying intention and willingness to pay (WTP).

Design/methodology/approach

Two package designs, interplaying the square shapes (vertical vs horizontal), font formality (formal vs less formal/casual) and slogans (ethno-positioning vs short and catchy), were created and tested in an online experiment with 483 participants.

Findings

The results revealed that the differed package designs elicited relatively equal levels of attractiveness to consumers and their buying intentions. However, the designs significantly differentiated consumers' WTP. The results further show the significant direct and indirect effects on WTP of packaging attractiveness when it is moderated by package designs and mediated by buying intention. However, the varied package designs did not have significant direct or indirect impacts on WTP when mediated by packaging attractiveness and buying intention.

Practical implications

The vertical square-shaped packaging, written in a less formal font and highlighting a short and catchy slogan, is more financially promising for marketers to get a better price for local food products perceived as hedonic and bought impulsively on casual occasions. Furthermore, besides prominent package design elements such as font, color, size, material and picture, packaging designers or marketing practitioners should consider other supporting factors, such as shelf efficiency.

Originality/value

This study complements existing studies of “cue utilization theory” and “packaging design theory” by demonstrating the importance of extrinsic packaging cues, such as shape, font style and slogan, in improving consumers' WTP for traditional food products. The study also fills some gaps in the literature by exploring the direct, mediating and moderating relationships between package design, packaging attractiveness, buying intention and WTP, especially in an emerging market such as Indonesia.
The optimal subsidy scheme and technology innovation strategy considering consumers' green premium
Authors: Wang Manman , Chen Menghan , Yang Feng
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates how a regulator pursuing social welfare maximization designs an optimal subsidy scheme to stimulate technology innovation in the presence of a consumer green premium. Specifically, the authors solve the following questions: (1) Does the consumers' green premium affect the design of the subsidy scheme? (2) How should the firm choose a green technology innovation strategy under the optimal subsidy scheme? (3) Does technology innovation bring higher social welfare and lower environmental impact?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first develop a game model to explore the impact of subsidy schemes on social welfare without considering technology innovation. Then the authors investigate two innovation strategies, in-house innovation and external introduction, under the optimal subsidy scheme. Finally, they illustrate the optimal choices of innovation strategy for the firm, consumers and regulators.

Findings

The results reveal that the subsidy scheme will not always increase social welfare, which depends on the environmental improvement coefficient of the unit green level. The optimal subsidy level increases with the green premium, but it is not related to the size of the consumer green segment. Moreover, the success rate of in-house innovation will raise the optimal green level, but the company benefits from an increased success rate of in-house innovation only when the green segment is large enough. The green segment size and external green level jointly determine the choice of technology innovation strategy.

Originality/value

This research is the first to analyze this problem while considering the green demand and subsidy scheme simultaneously as drivers of a firm's technology innovation, thereby providing new managerial implications for decisions by the regulator and firms.
Does board capital increase firm performance in the Chinese tourism industry?
Authors: Yousaf Umair Bin , Ullah Irfan , Wang Man , Junyan Li , Rehman Ajid Ur
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between board capital and firm performance in the Chinese tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study’s sample includes firms from the Chinese hotel, air transportation/travel and catering industries. This study explores the governance environment in tourism industries. This study estimates three dimensions of the board, including education, expertise and directors interlock. These dimensions are further grouped as human capital (i.e. education and expertise), social capital (interlocks) and board capital (sum of social and human capital). Ordinary least square regressions with multiple robustness tests are used to investigate the effect of board capital on firm value in Chinese listed tourism firms during 2005–2018.

Findings

This study finds that board capital positively impacts firm performance in its dimensions of human and social capital. This study also highlights the two important ownership contexts, namely, institutional investors and state-ownership, that shape the board capital-firm performance association in the Chinese tourism industry.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that board capital plays a significant role in corporate decisions. The results illustrate that higher board capital improves both governance mechanisms and resource provision roles of the board, resulting in higher firm value. The results further offer implications for managers and shareholders of tourism firms when electing directors as shareholders’ representatives.

Originality/value

The study has two important contributions. First, it extends the prior literature of firm value by considering the board’s human and social dimensions in the tourism sector. Second, contrary to prior research on board, this study takes three facets of board capital, education, expertise and interlocks that improve governance mechanisms and bring new resources in the shape of skills, knowledge and expertise.
Workforce localization, women workers and gendered power relations in Saudi Arabian private sector workplaces
Authors: Albelali Saja , Williams Steve
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The paper investigates the implications for gendered power relations at work ofNitaqat, a workforce localization policy operating in Saudi Arabia which, by regulating the employment of Saudi nationals in private sector firms, has stimulated greater feminization of employment.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an interpretivist, phenomenological research approach, rich qualitative data were collected in two case study organizations – a retail company and an architectural firm. The mixed-method design involved in-depth interviews with managers and women workers and extensive non-participant observation.

Findings

In exploring gendered power relations in Saudi private sector workplaces under theNitaqatregime, the paper highlights the importance of patriarchal power. However, increased feminization of employment provides women workers with access to power resources of their own, producing complexity and variation in gendered workplace power relations.

Originality/value

Drawing on Bradley's (1999) relational conception of gendered power, the paper illuminates how aNitaqat-inspired feminization of employment, by increasing firms' dependency on women workers, has influenced the dynamics of gendered power relations in Saudi workplaces.
“Wearing Only Our Skin”: the multimodal literacies classroom as a living arrangement
Authors: Zapata Angie , Kleekamp Monica C.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Literacy research exploring multimodal composition and justice-oriented children’s literature each have rich landscapes and histories. This paper aims to add to both of these bodies of scholarship through the emerging assemblage of Studio F, a fifth-grade classroom. The authors share poststructural analytic encounters with attention to the unexpected multimodal relationships and the justice-oriented talk and texts that emerged, as well as the classroom conditions that produce them.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors think with assemblage theory to examine the newness that emerged as one small group of students wrestled with the emerging instances of racism present in Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles.

Findings

Together, the living arrangement of bodies, materials and discourses created openings for students’ explorations of race and racism.

Originality/value

This paper offers teachers and researchers space to rethink what is possible in the literacy classroom when the authors re-envision classrooms as vibrant assemblages, support emergent multimodal composing processes and follow students’ critical encounters toward justice-oriented literacies.
A blockchain-based information management system for academic institutions: a case study of international students’ workflow
Authors: Chen Weiru , Bohloul Seyed Mahdi , Ma Yifang , Li Ling
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of applying a blockchain-based information system in the international students’ administrative workflow in the context of a public research university in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, a prototype of the blockchain-based information system was developed and tested. The system has the potential advantages of being more efficient, more transparent, faster and safer.

Findings

The results show that digital registration could increase student registration efficiency with a blockchain-based application.

Research limitations/implications

There are also some limitations of this study. As an early exploration of the use of blockchain technology in higher education, this study could be further extended in several aspects: different institutions (e.g. private vs public school) may have different operational strategies towards international student affairs. The different administrative processes should be discussed in the context of different institutions, and thus the proposed system should be tested and evaluated based on the requirements of different institutions. Use experience and feedback from different users such as university administrators and students should be considered and investigated with respect to the necessary improvement of the proposed system. The extensibility and scalability of the system should be assessed to accommodate any potential modifications of the administrative process.

Originality/value

The findings show that a blockchain-based information management system has the potential to improve data transmission efficiency and protect information privacy.
The value of public business education in Australia: challenges and opportunities for decision makers
Authors: Hogan Owen , Charles Michael B. , Kortt Michael A.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

With their former role as “cash cows” under threat owing to COVID-19, Australian business schools are fighting not only to maintain their status but also their survival. This study aims to look at how the sector might best approach these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reviews the recent literature on business and management education in Australia and compares that with emerging trends and policy directions.

Findings

This analysis of current and emerging trends suggests that business education needs to find alternative arguments for legitimacy, and that business schools in public universities can no longer be regarded automatically as the “keepers of knowledge”.

Research limitations/implications

The study contends that public resources would be better channelled towards fit-for-purpose business and management education, with this being administered by an array of entities, some of which would include private providers, public–private partnerships or public entities other than “business schools”.

Practical implications

The study articulates the current and emerging challenges faced by decision and policy makers in the field of public business education and contends that the largely homogeneous business education provided by public universities in Australia is not always in the public interest.

Social implications

The value of business education provided by public institutions is becoming increasingly contested, with many stakeholders, including employers, questioning the utility of contemporary business education.

Originality/value

Previous studies have looked at the aspects of the future of business and management education, but no overview has hitherto synthesised the findings of such studies and drawn out the practical implications.
Designing employee performance evaluation model in Isfahan municipality: an interorganizational experience
Authors: Hassanpour Neda , Shaemi Barzoki Ali , Moshref Javadi Mohammad Hossein , Safari Ali
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aimed at developing and testing a model to evaluate employee performance in Isfahan municipality.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method design is applied in this study. To extract the model, a semi-structured interview based on the thematic analysis approach was employed. The qualitative data were obtained using a researcher-made questionnaire from a sample of 12 municipal experts selected based on purposive sampling. In the quantitative phase, the sample consisted of 76 managers and interim managers. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by the content validity index, while the structural validity was tested based on structural equation modeling using SmartPLS software. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability indices.

Findings

The factors obtained in the qualitative model included performance evaluation criteria, the desired time interval for performance evaluation, results announcement, performance evaluation approach, performance evaluation method and evaluator-related variables. There should have been an agreement between evaluators and those who were evaluated in all components of the model. In the quantitative section, performance evaluation criteria, evaluators, the evaluation method and time interval were confirmed with coefficients of 0.871, 0.815, 0.646 and 0.615, respectively.

Practical implications

The novelty of this study is that it uses a mixed-method research approach to extract a performance evaluation model that is specific to the Isfahan municipality.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is that it uses a mixed-method research approach to extract a performance evaluation model that is specific to the Isfahan municipality.
The interplay of word-of-mouth and customer value on B2B sales performance in a digital platform: an expectancy value theory perspective
Authors: Mai Enping (Shirley) , Liao Ying
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Building on the expectancy value theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of word-of-mouth (WOM) and customer value (i.e. functional value and ease-of-doing-business value) on B2B business performance in the B2B sales process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a framework to understand how B2B WOM and customer value influence supplier sales performance. This model was tested using structural equation modeling with a sample of 220 suppliers on Alibaba.com.

Findings

The empirical findings demonstrate that B2B WOM valence and volume have positive influences on the number of quotations and the number of transactions, respectively. Additionally, B2B WOM volume mediates the relationship between operational performance and the number of transactions. Response rate mediates the relationships between response time and both the number of quotations and the number of transactions, respectively.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the industrial marketing of B2B sales on the digital platform by investigating two influencers on sales performance: WOM and customer value.
Information technology and E-accounting: some determinants among SMEs
Authors: Thottoli Mohammed Muneerali , Ahmed Essia Ries
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Based on the importance of E-accounting, the purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants influencing information technology and E-accounting among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was used to select the sample among SMEs in Oman. Using descriptive statistics, the impact of the determinants on E-accounting practices in SMEs in Oman were tested.

Findings

The findings reveal that except information technology (IT) cost, all other possible determinants (IT risk, employee IT skills and employee theoretical knowledge) has a significant influence on E-accounting practice among SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

The link between variables of this study was not analyzed in Oman. Moreover, this study only concentrated on the impact of the fourth determinants, while in reality, there must be other determinants that should also be investigated by other researchers.

Practical implications

This study has added to the literature by examining the E-accounting practices while evaluating the effect of IT determinants on the relationship. Besides, this might add benefits to many SMEs relating to their current accounting practice that might lead to adopting E-accounting practice to ensure application of applicable accounting standards to show fair financial statements to its stakeholders.

Originality/value

This current study is one of the first works in the context of Oman. It has added a new discussion to the body of knowledge in light of the IT determinants and their relationship with E-accounting practices; hence, an approach that is not widely discussed in the literature. Furthermore, conducting such research in the field of accounting provides new insight into the literature among both emerging and developed economies including Oman.
Environmental corporate social responsibility initiatives and green purchase intention: an application of the extended theory of planned behavior
Authors: Vu Dang Manh , Ha Ngoc Thang , Ngo Thi Viet Nga , Pham Huong Thao , Duong Cong Doanh
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to integrate the perspective of consumer social responsibility with the theory of planned behavior to explore the impact of environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) initiatives on intention to buy environmentally friendly products among Vietnamese consumers. Also, the moderating role of gender on the associations of antecedents and green purchase intention is tested in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of 823 consumers using the tool of the mall-intercept survey recruited from several big cities in Vietnam. Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis has been used to test the reliability and validity of scales; then, structural equation modeling and PROCESS approach was used to test the fitness of the research model, formulated hypotheses and the indirect associations.

Findings

This study presented that ECSR initiatives were strongly and positively correlated with attitude towards green products, subjective norms, perceived behavioral and green purchase intention. Perceived behavioral control was found to be a partial mediator in the link between ECSR initiatives and intention to engage in pro-environmental consumption while the meditating roles of attitude towards green products and subjective norms in this linkage were not statistically significant. Additionally, this study illustrated that the impacts of subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and ECSR initiatives on green purchase intention were stronger for females than males.

Practical implications

This study provides several useful insights for policymakers and administrators to foster pro-environmental behavior of consumers as well as to inspire corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of firms.

Originality/value

Even though there is a growing interest in investigating the impacts of CSR activities on consumers’ purchase behaviors, there is a lack of studies considering the aspect of consumer social responsibility on their sustainable consumption behavior. There is a need to enrich one’s knowledge about the effect of ECSR initiatives on consumer’ green purchase intention.
Teaching playground behavioural expectations to secondary age students with intellectual disabilities attending a special school
Authors: Simó-Pinatella David , Carvalho Marisa
Published: October 2021

Purpose

School-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) is a proactive behavioural support system that fosters behaviour change in individuals in a school setting. This article aims to present a case example of teaching and reinforcing behavioural expectations in a special school.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study reflects different steps and materials used before and during the intervention in a special education school with 61 secondary students with intellectual disabilities. An AB design (A – baseline; B – intervention) was used to collect and analyze data.

Findings

Results suggest that teaching behavioural expectations as a universal measure may be feasible and positively impact school climate. Suggestions and recommendations for implementing SWPBS within a school are provided.

Originality/value

This case study provides a step-by-step guide illustrating the process of teaching and reinforcing behavioural playground expectations to young adults with intellectual disabilities attending a special school.
Refreshing our magnesium sulphate strategy
Authors: Magee LA
Published: October 2021

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on KE Eddy et al., pp. 379–391 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16913
The role of perinatal palliative care following prenatal diagnosis of major, incurable fetal anomalies: a multicentre prospective cohort study
Authors: de Barbeyrac C , Roth P , Noël C , Anselem O , Gaudin A , Roumegoux C , Azcona B , Castel C , Noret M , Letamendia E , Stirnemann J , Ville Y , Lapillonne A , Viallard M‐L , Kermorvant‐Duchemin E ,   the PALLIMAGE Study Group
Published: October 2021

Objective

To describe prenatal decision‐making processes and birth plans in pregnancies amenable to planning perinatal palliative care.

Design

Multicentre prospective observational study.

Setting

Nine Multidisciplinary Centres for Prenatal Diagnosis of the Paris‐Ile‐de‐France region.

Population

All cases of major and incurable fetal anomaly eligible for TOP where limitation of life‐sustaining treatments for the neonate was discussed in the prenatal period between 2015 and 2016.

Methods

Cases of congenital defects amenable to perinatal palliative care were prospectively included in each centre. Prenatal diagnosis, decision‐making process, type of birth plan, birth characteristics, pregnancy and neonatal outcome were collected prospectively and anonymously.

Main outcome measure

Final decision reached following discussions in the antenatal period.

Results

We identified 736 continuing pregnancies with a diagnosis of a severe fetal condition eligible for TOP. Perinatal palliative care was considered in 102/736 (13.9%) pregnancies (106 infants); discussions were multidisciplinary in 99/106 (93.4%) cases. Prenatal birth plans involved life‐sustaining treatment limitation and comfort care in 73/736 (9.9%) of the pregnancies. The main reason for planning palliative care at birth was short‐term inevitable death in 39 cases (53.4%). In all, 76/106 (71.7%) infants were born alive, and 18/106 (17%) infants were alive at last follow‐up, including four with a perinatal palliative care birth plan.

Conclusions

Only a small proportion of severe and incurable fetal disorders were potentially amenable to limitation of life‐sustaining interventions. Perinatal palliative care may not be considered a universal alternative to termination of pregnancy.

Tweetable abstract

Perinatal palliative care is planned in 10% of continuing pregnancies with a major and incurable fetal condition eligible for TOP.
Intrapartum antibiotics and childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Richards M , Ferber J , Swor E , Frescholtz T , Li D‐K , Darrow LA
Published: October 2021

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between intrapartum antibiotics (IABX) and asthma and allergic rhinitis among children by ages 6, 8 and 10 years.

Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting and population

Data were collected though Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s (KPNC) integrated healthcare system. Children were eligible if they were born in a KPNC hospital between 1997 and 2012 and stayed enrolled through age 6.

Methods

Modified Poisson regressions with robust error variances were used to estimate risk ratios for IABX and each outcome at each follow‐up age during two separate time periods: 1997–2004 (n = 91 739) and 2005–2012 (n = 108 314).

Main outcome measures

Asthma and allergic rhinitis by ages 6, 8 and 10.

Results

The proportion of women receiving IABX increased drastically over the study period (from 4% in 1997 to 49% in 2011), while the incidence of asthma (8%) and allergic rhinitis (6%) stayed relatively stable. In adjusted models, risk ratios for the association between IABX and asthma and allergic rhinitis were largely compatible with the null, with some slightly elevated risk ratios observed. For births from 1997 to 2004, risk ratios for asthma were 1.08 (95% CI 1.00–1.17) at age 6, 1.05 (95% CI 0.97–1.15) at age 8, and 1.08 (95% CI 0.99–1.18) at age 10. For births from 2005 to 2012, risk ratios were 1.00 (95% CI 0.95–1.04) at age 6, 1.07 (95% CI 1.01–1.12) at age 8, and 1.11 (95% CI 1.03–1.20) at age 10.

Conclusions

Exposure to intrapartum antibiotics is not a strong predictor of childhood asthma or allergic rhinitis risk.

Tweetable abstract

Exposure to intrapartum antibiotics is not a strong predictor of childhood asthma or allergic rhinitis risk.
Gene sequencing in ovarian cancer: continually moving targets
Authors: Gourley C
Published: October 2021

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on B Frugtniet et al., pp. 433‐442 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16975
A novel exome probe set captures phototransduction genes across birds (Aves) enabling efficient analysis of vision evolution
Authors: White Noor D. , Batz Zachary A. , Braun Edward L. , Braun Michael J. , Carleton Karen L. , Kimball Rebecca T. , Swaroop Anand
Published: October 2021

The diversity of avian visual phenotypes provides a framework for studying mechanisms of trait diversification generally, and the evolution of vertebrate vision, specifically. Previous research has focused on opsins, but to fully understand visual adaptation, we must study the complete phototransduction cascade (PTC). Here, we developed a probe set that captures exonic regions of 46 genes representing the PTC and other light responses. For a subset of species, we directly compared gene capture between our probe set and low‐coverage whole genome sequencing (WGS), and we discuss considerations for choosing between these methods. Finally, we developed a unique strategy to avoid chimeric assembly by using “decoy” reference sequences. We successfully captured an average of 64% of our targeted exome in 46 species across 14 orders using the probe set and had similar recovery using the WGS data. Compared to WGS or transcriptomes, our probe set: (1) reduces sequencing requirements by efficiently capturing vision genes, (2) employs a simpler bioinformatic pipeline by limiting required assembly and negating annotation, and (3) eliminates the need for fresh tissues, enabling researchers to leverage existing museum collections. We then utilized our vision exome data to identify positively selected genes in two evolutionary scenarios—evolution of night vision in nocturnal birds and evolution of high‐speed vision specific to manakins (Pipridae). We found parallel positive selection of SLC24A1 in both scenarios, implicating the alteration of rod response kinetics, which could improve color discrimination in dim light conditions and/or facilitate higher temporal resolution.
DNA methylation as a tool to explore ageing in wild roe deer populations
Authors: Lemaître Jean‐François , Rey Benjamin , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Régis Corinne , Gilot‐Fromont Emmanuelle , Débias François , Duhayer Jeanne , Pardonnet Sylvia , Pellerin Maryline , Haghani Amin , Zoller Joseph A. , Li Caesar Z. , Horvath Steve
Published: October 2021

DNA methylation‐based biomarkers of ageing (epigenetic clocks) promise to lead to new insights into evolutionary biology of ageing. Relatively little is known about how the natural environment affects epigenetic ageing effects in wild species. In this study, we took advantage of a unique long‐term (>40 years) longitudinal monitoring of individual roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) living in two wild populations (Chizé and Trois‐Fontaines, France) facing different ecological contexts, to investigate the relationship between chronological age and levels of DNA methylation (DNAm). We generated novel DNA methylation data fromn = 94 blood samples, from which we extracted leucocyte DNA, using a custom methylation array (HorvathMammalMethylChip40). We present three DNA methylation‐based estimators of age (DNAm or epigenetic age), which were trained in males, females, and both sexes combined. We investigated how sex differences influenced the relationship between DNAm age and chronological age using sex‐specific epigenetic clocks. Our results highlight that old females may display a lower degree of biological ageing than males. Further, we identify the main sites of epigenetic alteration that have distinct ageing patterns between the two sexes. These findings open the door to promising avenues of research at the crossroads of evolutionary biology and biogerontology.
MGMT gene promoter methylation in humoral tissue as biomarker for lung cancer diagnosis: An update meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Bizheng , Ying Xiaozhen , Bao Liming
Published: October 2021

Objective

To investigate O‐6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter methylation in humoral tissue as biomarker for lung cancer diagnosis by pooling relevant open published data.

Methods

Clinical studies relevant to MGMT gene promoter methylation and lung cancer were systematic electronic searched in the databases of Medline, EMBASE, Ovid, Web of Science, and CNKI. Data of true positive (tp), false positive (fp), false negative (fn), and true negative (tn) were extracted from the included studies and made combination. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) of MGMT gene methylation for lung cancer diagnosis were pooled.

Results

Twelve studies were included in the meta‐analysis. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, DOR were 0.39 (95% CI = 0.31–0.49) 0.92 (95% CI = 0.77–0.97), and 4.20 (95% CI = 2.09–8.44), respectively under random effect model. The SROC of MGMT gene methylation for lung cancer diagnosis was 0.58 (95% CI = 0.53–0.62).

Conclusion

MGMT methylation rate was higher in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BLAF) of lung cancer cases compared to controls. High diagnostic specificity indicated that MGMT methylation in plasma and BLAF can be applied as lung cancer confirmation test.
The ultrastructure of spermatogenic cells and morphological evaluation of testicular development in the silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus)
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Yaya , Wang Yajun , Hu Jiabao , Zhang Man , Sun Yibo , Gu Weiwei , Zhang Youyi , Sun Jiachu , Jacques Kimran Jean , Xu Shanliang
Published: October 2021

The silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) is a widely distributed and economically important marine fish in the Indo‐Pacific. In this study, we acquired the second generation of wild P. argenteus by artificial breeding and further studied the testicular development and ultrastructure of spermatogenesis. The results of gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed the spawning period of this marine fish was from April to June. Besides, through morphological analysis, we found that P. argenteus had an anastomosing tubular testis surrounded by a layer of tunica albuginea, in which spermatogenesis occurred in cysts where the synchronous germ cells were completely surrounded by the cytoplasmic projection of Sertoli cells. Meanwhile, based on submicroscopic characteristics, the germ cells are classified into nine different types. During the ontogenesis of testis, both the early stage of spermatogenesis and sperm were observed in P. argenteus. At sperm maturation stage, different types of spermatozoa and activation of sperms occurred non‐synchronously in the tubules. Cytoplasmic bridges also were observed among synchronous germ cells within the cysts, suggesting an interrelated and differentiated relationship among these germ cells.
Prediction of total corneal power from measured anterior corneal power on the IOLMaster 700 using a feedforward shallow neural network
Authors: Langenbucher Achim , Cayless Alan , Szentmáry Nóra , Weisensee Johannes , Wendelstein Jascha , Hoffmann Peter
Published: October 2021

Background

The corneal back surface is known to add some astigmatism against‐the‐rule, which has to be considered in cataract surgery with toric lens implantation. The purpose of this study was to set up a deep learning algorithm which predicts the total corneal power from keratometry and biometric measures.

Methods

Based on a large data set of measurements with the IOLMaster 700 from two clinical centres, data from N = 21 108 eyes were included, each record containing valid data for keratometry K, total keratometry TK, axial length AL, central corneal thickness CCT, anterior chamber depth ACD, lens thickness LT and horizontal corneal diameter W2W from an individual eye. After a vector decomposition of K and TK into equivalent power (.EQ) and projections of astigmatism to the 0°/90° (.AST0°) and 45°/135° (.AST45°) axis, a multi‐output feedforward shallow neural network was derived to predict TK from K, AL, CCT, ACD, LT, W2W and patient age.

Results

After some trial and error, the neural network having a Levenberg–Marquardt training function and three hidden layers (10/8/5 neurons) performed best and showed a fast convergence. The data set was split into training data (70%), validation data (15%) and test data (15%). The prediction error (predicted corneal power CPpred minus TK) of the network trained with the training and cross‐validated with test data showed systematically narrower distributions for CPEQ‐TKEQ, CPAST0°‐TKAST0° and CPAST45°‐TKAST45° compared with KEQ‐TKEQ, KAST0°‐TKAST0° and KAST45°‐TKAST45° . There was no systematic offset in the components between CPpred and TK.

Conclusion

Unlike any fixed correction term, which can compensate only for a static intercept of the astigmatic components TKEQ, TKAST0° and TKAST45° compared with KEQ, KAST0° and KAST45°, our trained neural network was able to reduce the variance in the prediction error significantly. This neural network could be used to account for the corneal back surface astigmatism for biometers where the corneal back surface measurement or total keratometry is not available.
Cognitive and social cognition deficits in Huntington’s disease differ between the prodromal and the manifest stages of the condition: A scoping review of recent evidence
Authors: Cavallo Marco , Sergi Antonietta , Pagani Marco
Published: October 2021

Objective

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a dramatic neurodegenerative disorder encompassing severe motor symptoms coupled to significant cognitive and social cognition deficits. However, it is not clear whether and how patients’ neuropsychological profile changes between the prodromal and the manifest stages of the condition. The aim of the present in‐depth review is to consider cognitive and social cognition impairment in HD patients by differentiating deficits arising before diagnosis from those evident from the manifest phase onwards.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2020 by using multiple combinations of keywords related to the investigation of neuropsychological profile in HD for preliminary search, and by defining strict selection criteria for studies to be included.

Results

Forty‐two studies were included. Evidence suggests that the neuropsychological profile in HD reflects a complex pathological spectrum of deficits. It includes impairment in the realms of executive functions, memory, attention, information processing, and social cognition. Interestingly, patients’ profiles differ significantly between the manifest and the prodromal stages of their condition, not only in quantitative terms but also from a qualitative point of view.

Conclusions

Researchers and clinicians should thus include in clinical routine timely and specific neuropsychological assessments in order to monitor patients’ cognitive status as time goes by, with the ultimate goal to implement effective clinical management strategies.

Practitioner points

The neuropsychological profile in HD encompasses a complex pathological spectrum of deficits.

Patients’ profiles differ significantly between the manifest and the prodromal stages of their condition.

Clinicians should include in everyday practice a timely and specific neuropsychological assessment.

Detecting patients’ cognitive status during the early stages of the condition already can contribute significantly to implement effective clinical management strategies.
The importance of an inclusive alumni network for ensuring effective transitions into employment and future destinations for people with learning disabilities
Authors: Blake Hannah , Hanson Jill , Clark Lewis
Published: October 2021

Accessible summary

Sometimes people go back to their school to talk to students about the experiences that they have had to help the current learners think about what they would like to do in the future.

People with learning disabilities do not often get to talk about their future careers and aspirations, and we think this is unfair.

We wanted to find out how older students with learning disabilities could help current students with learning disabilities think about their future.

We believe that people with learning disabilities are often left out of careers events, and we think this needs to be changed.

We talked to school and college staff about how they thought people with learning disabilities could be better included.

Background

Research has previously been undertaken around the subject of alumni networks, yet it remains to touch upon the inclusivity of these networks, particularly relating to people with learning disabilities. Referring to Law's “Community Interaction Theory”, this study sets out to explore how education providers understand and implement alumni networks and how these networks can be adapted to enhance career and life course aspirations for people with learning disabilities.

Methods

The data collection process was part of a larger, innovative project that set out to address the issue of inclusion in the labour market for people with learning disabilities. Six education providers participated in focus groups. In one special educational needs college two students with learning disabilities also participated.

Participants were asked about what alumni means to them, their experiences of engaging alumni and what impact an inclusive alumni network could have on their educational setting.

Findings

The findings show that participants are aware of the importance of creating an inclusive alumni network and recognised the benefits it could bring to their institute and their learners with learning disabilities, but any signs of an alumni network were yet to be implemented.

Conclusion

This research contributes to data and debate on the relationship between social inclusion and education for people with learning disabilities. The research demonstrates the impact that an inclusive alumni network could have for young people with learning disabilities and how it could promote confidence and aspirations not only in the young people themselves but the whole community with whom they interact. It initiates a discussion about the importance of an inclusive alumni network in education to further support people with learning disabilities to take part in society and be reciprocally active in its spaces.