bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Mechanisms of Cannabis Oil for Alleviating Side Effects of Breast Cancer Chemotherapy (CBC2): Protocol for Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Thu May Soe , Pongpirul Krit , Vongsaisuwon Mawin , Vinayanuwattikun Chanida , Banchuen Kamonwan , Ondee Thunnicha , Payungporn Sunchai , Phutrakool Phanupong , Nootim Preecha , Chariyavilaskul Pajaree , Cherdchom Sarocha , Wanaratna Kulthanit , Hirankarn Nattiya
Published: January 2023

Background

In a pilot study using both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as single agents in advanced cancer patients undergoing palliative care in Thailand, the doses were generally well tolerated, and the outcome measure of total symptom distress scores showed overall symptom benefit. The current study aims to determine the intensity of the symptoms experienced by breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, to explore the microbiome profile, cytokines, and bacterial metabolites before and after the treatment with cannabis oil or no cannabis oil, and to study the pharmacokinetics parameters and pharmacogenetics profile of the doses.

Methods

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted on the metastatic breast cancer cases receiving chemotherapy at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH), Bangkok, Thailand. Block randomization will be used to allocate the patients into three groups: Ganja Oil (THC 2 mg/ml; THC 0.08 mg/drop, and CBD 0.02 mg/drop), Metta Osot (THC 81 mg/ml; THC 3 mg/drop), and placebo oil. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), microbiome profile, cytokines, and bacterial metabolites will be assessed before and after the interventions.

Thai Clinical Trial Registration

TCTR20220809001
Genomic assessment of invasion dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1
Authors: Tsui Joseph L.-H. , Lambert Ben , Bajaj Sumali , McCrone John T. , Inward Rhys P.D. , Bosetti Paolo , Hill Verity , Pena Rosario Evans , Zarebski Alexander E. , Peacock Thomas P. , Liu Luyang , Wu Neo , Davis Megan , Bogoch Isaac I. , Khan Kamran , Colquhoun Rachel , O’Toole Áine , Jackson Ben , Dasgupta Abhishek , Wilkinson Eduan , Tegally Houriiyah , de Oliveira Tulio ,   The COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium, Connor Thomas R. , Loman Nicholas J. , Colizza Vittoria , Fraser Christophe , Volz Erik , Ji Xiang , Suchard Marc A. , Gutierrez Bernardo , Chand Meera , Dellicour Simon , Cauchemez Simon , Raghwani Jayna , Lemey Philippe , Rambaut Andrew , Pybus Oliver G. , Kraemer Moritz U.G.
Published: January 2023

SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) arise against the backdrop of increasingly heterogeneous human connectivity and population immunity. Through a large-scale phylodynamic analysis of 115,622 Omicron genomes, we identified >6,000 independent introductions of the antigenically distinct virus into England and reconstructed the dispersal history of resulting local transmission. Travel restrictions on southern Africa did not reduce BA.1 importation intensity as secondary hubs became major exporters. We explored potential drivers of BA.1 spread across England and discovered an early period during which viral lineage movements mainly occurred between larger cities, followed by a multi-focal spatial expansion shaped by shorter distance mobility patterns. We also found evidence that disease incidence impacted human commuting behaviours around major travel hubs. Our results offer a detailed characterisation of processes that drive the invasion of an emerging VOC across multiple spatial scales and provide unique insights on the interplay between disease spread and human mobility.

Highlights

Over 6,000 introductions ignited the epidemic wave of Omicron BA.1 in England

Importations prior to international travel restrictions were responsible for majority of local BA.1 infections but importations continued from sources other than southern Africa

Human mobility at regional and local spatial scales shaped dissemination and growth of BA.1

Changes in human commuting patterns are associated with higher case incidence in travel hubs across England
ASTK: a machine learning-based integrative software for alternative splicing analysis
Authors: Huang Shenghui , He Jiangshuang , Yu Lei , Guo Jun , Jiang Shangying , Sun Zhaoxia , Cheng Linghui , Chen Xing , Ji Xiang , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2023

Alternative splicing (AS) is a fundamental mechanism that regulates gene expression. Splicing dynamics is involved in both physiological and pathological processes. In this paper, we introduce ASTK, a software package covering upstream and downstream analysis of AS. Initially, ASTK offers a module to perform enrichment analysis at both the gene- and exon-level to incorporate various impacts by different spliced events on a single gene. We further cluster AS genes and alternative exons into three groups based on spliced exon sizes (micro-, mid-, and macro-), which are preferentially associated with distinct biological pathways. A major challenge in the field has been decoding the regulatory codes of splicing. ASTK adeptly extracts both sequence features and epigenetic marks associated with AS events. Through the application of machine learning algorithms, we identified pivotal features influencing the inclusion levels of most AS types. Notably, the splice site strength is a primary determinant for the inclusion levels in alternative 3’/5’ splice sites (A3/A5). For the alternative first exon (AF) and skipping exon (SE) classes, a combination of sequence and epigenetic features collaboratively dictate exon inclusion/exclusion. Our findings underscore ASTK’s capability to enhance the functional understanding of AS events and shed light on the intricacies of splicing regulation.
A dynamic partitioning mechanism polarizes membrane protein distribution
Authors: Banerjee Tatsat , Matsuoka Satomi , Biswas Debojyoti , Miao Yuchuan , Pal Dhiman Sankar , Kamimura Yoichiro , Ueda Masahiro , Devreotes Peter N. , Iglesias Pablo A.
Published: January 2023

The plasma membrane is widely regarded as the hub of the signal transduction network activities that drives numerous physiological responses, including cell polarity and migration. Yet, the symmetry breaking process in the membrane, that leads to dynamic compartmentalization of different proteins, remains poorly understood. Using multimodal live-cell imaging, here we first show that multiple endogenous and synthetic lipid-anchored proteins, despite maintaining stable tight association with the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, were unexpectedly depleted from the membrane domains where the signaling network was spontaneously activated such as in the new protrusions as well as within the propagating ventral waves. Although their asymmetric patterns resembled those of standard peripheral “back” proteins such as PTEN, unlike the latter, these lipidated proteins did not dissociate from the membrane upon global receptor activation. Our experiments not only discounted the possibility of recurrent reversible translocation from membrane to cytosol as it occurs for weakly bound peripheral membrane proteins, but also ruled out the necessity of directed vesicular trafficking and cytoskeletal supramolecular structure-based restrictions in driving these dynamic symmetry breaking events. Selective photoconversion-based protein tracking assays suggested that these asymmetric patterns instead originate from the inherent ability of these membrane proteins to “dynamically partition” into distinct domains within the plane of the membrane. Consistently, single-molecule measurements showed that these lipid-anchored molecules have substantially dissimilar diffusion profiles in different regions of the membrane. When these profiles were incorporated into an excitable network-based stochastic reaction-diffusion model of the system, simulations revealed that our proposed “dynamic partitioning” mechanism is sufficient to give rise to familiar asymmetric propagating wave patterns. Moreover, we demonstrated that normally uniform integral and lipid-anchored membrane proteins inDictyosteliumand mammalian neutrophil cells can be induced to partition spatiotemporally to form polarized patterns, by optogenetically recruiting membrane domain-specific peptides to these proteins. Together, our results indicate “dynamic partitioning” as a new mechanism of plasma membrane organization, that can account for large-scale compartmentalization of a wide array of lipid-anchored and integral membrane proteins in different physiological processes.
HPC-Atlas: Computationally Constructing A Comprehensive Atlas of Human Protein Complexes
Authors: Pan Yuliang , Li Ruiyi , Li Wengen , Lv Liuzhenghao , Guan Jihong , Zhou Shuigeng
Published: January 2023

A fundamental principle of biology is that proteins tend to form complexes to play significant roles in the core functions of cells. For a complete understanding of human cellular functions, it is crucial to have a comprehensive atlas of human protein complexes. Unfortunately, we still lack such a comprehensive atlas of experimentally validated protein complexes, which prevents us from gaining a complete understanding of the compositions and functions of human protein complexes and biological mechanisms. To fill this gap, we built HPC-Atlas, as far as we know, the most accurate and comprehensive atlas of human protein complexes available to date. We integrated two latest protein interaction networks, and developed a novel computational method to identify nearly 9000 protein complexes, including many previously uncharacterized complexes. Compared with the existing works, our method achieves outstanding performance on both test and independent sets. Furthermore, with HPC-Atlas we identified 751 SARS-CoV-2 affected human protein complexes, and 456 multifunctional proteins that contain many potential moonlighting proteins. These results suggest that HPC-Atlas can serve as not only a computing framework to effectively identify biologically meaningful protein complexes by integrating multiple protein data sources, but also a valuable resource for exploring new biological findings. The HPC-Atlas webserver is freely available athttp://www.yulpan.top/HPC-Atlas.
Calponin 2 harnesses metabolic reprogramming to determine kidney fibrosis
Authors: Gui Yuan , Tao Jianling , Wang Yuanyuan , Palanza Zachary , Qiao Yi , Hargis Geneva , Kreutzer Donald L. , Liu Silvia , Bastacky Sheldon I. , Wang Yanlin , Yu Yanbao , Fu Haiyan , Zhou Dong
Published: January 2023

In the fibrotic kidneys, the extent of a formed deleterious microenvironment is determined by cellular mechanical forces. This process requires metabolism for energy; however, how cellular mechanics and metabolism are connected remains unclear. Our proteomics revealed that actin filament binding and cell metabolism are the two most dysregulated events in the fibrotic kidneys. As a prominent actin stabilizer, Calponin 2 (CNN2) is predominantly expressed in fibroblasts and pericytes. CNN2 knockdown preserves kidney function and alleviates fibrosis. Global proteomics profiled that CNN2 knockdown enhanced the activities of the key rate-limiting enzymes and regulators of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in diseased kidneys. Inhibiting carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1α in the FAO pathway results in lipid accumulation and extracellular matrix deposition in the fibrotic kidneys, which were restored after CNN2 knockdown. In patients, increased serum CNN2 levels are correlated with lipid content. Bioinformatics and chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that CNN2 interactor, estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) binds peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) to transcriptionally regulate FAO downstream target genes expression amid kidney fibrosis.In vitro, ESR2 knockdown repressed the mRNA levels of PPARα and the key genes in the FAO pathway. Conversely, activation of PPARα reduced CNN2-induced matrix inductions. Our results suggest that balancing cell mechanics and metabolism is crucial to develop therapeutic strategies to halt kidney fibrosis.
A critical role of retinoic acid concentration for the induction of a fully human-like atrial phenotype in hiPSC-CM
Authors: Schulz Carl , Sönmez Muhammed , Krause Julia , Schwedhelm Edzard , Bangfen Pan , Alihodzic Dzenefa , Hansen Arne , Eschenhagen Thomas , Christ Torsten
Published: January 2023

Retinoic acid (RA) induces an atrial phenotype in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), but expression of atrium-selective currents such as the ultrarapid (IKur) and acetylcholine-stimulated K+current (IK,ACh) is variable and less than in adult human atrium. We suspected methodological issues and systematically investigated the concentration-dependency of RA. RA treatment increased IKurconcentration-dependently from 1.1±0.54 pA/pF (0 RA) to 3.8±1.1, 5.8±2.5 and 12.2±4.3 at 0.01, 0.1 and 1 µM, respectively. Only 1 µM RA induced enough IKurto fully reproduce human atrial AP shape and a robust shortening of action potentials (AP) upon carbachol. We found that sterile filtration caused substantial loss of RA. We conclude that 1 µM RA appears necessary and sufficient to induce a full atrial AP shape in hiPSC-CM in EHT format. RA concentrations are prone to methodological issues and may profoundly impact success of atrial differentiation.
Apolipoprotein E O-glycosylation is associated with amyloid plaques andAPOEgenotype
Authors: Lawler Paige E , Bollinger James G , Schindler Suzanne E , Hodge Cynthia R , Iglesias Nicolas J , Krishnan Vishal , Coulton John B , Li Yan , Holtzman David M , Bateman Randall J
Published: January 2023

Although theAPOEε4 allele is the strongest genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the relationship between apolipoprotein (apoE) and AD pathophysiology is not yet fully understood. Relatively little is known about the apoE protein species, including post-translational modifications, that exist in the human periphery and CNS. To better understand these apoE species, we developed a LC-MS/MS assay that simultaneously quantifies both unmodified and O-glycosylated apoE peptides. The study cohort included 47 older individuals (age 75.6 ± 5.7 years [mean ± standard deviation]), including 23 individuals (49%) with cognitive impairment. Paired plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples underwent analysis. We quantified O-glycosylation of two apoE protein residues – one in the hinge region and one in the C-terminal region – and found that glycosylation occupancy of the hinge region in the plasma was significantly correlated with plasma total apoE levels,APOEgenotype and amyloid status as determined by CSF Aβ42/Aβ40. A model with plasma glycosylation occupancy, plasma total apoE concentration, andAPOEgenotype distinguished amyloid status with an AUROC of 0.89. These results suggest that plasma apoE glycosylation levels could be a marker of brain amyloidosis, and that apoE glycosylation may play a role in the pathophysiology of AD.

Highlights

Simultaneous quantification of unmodified and O-glycosylated apoE via LC-MS/MS.

Total plasma apoE varies byAPOEgenotype in an isoform, dose-dependent fashion.

CNS-derived apoE is more extensively O-glycosylated than peripherally derived apoE.

Hinge region glycosylation occupancy of plasma apoE is associated with amyloidosis.
Metrics of Coral Microfragment Viability
Authors: Lager Claire , Perry Riley , Daly Jonathan , Page Christopher , Mizobe Mindy , Bouwmeester Jessica , Consiglio Anthony N. , Carter Jake , Powell-Palm Matthew J. , Hagedorn Mary
Published: January 2023

Coral reefs are being degraded at unprecedented rates and decisive intervention actions are urgently needed to help them. One such intervention in aid of reefs is coral cryopreservation. Although the cryopreservation of coral sperm and larvae has been achieved, preservation of coral fragments including both its tissue and skeleton, has not. The goal of this paper was to understand and assess the physiological stressors that might underlie coral fragment cryopreservation and the long-term consequences of these physiological exposures to continued growth. Therefore, we assessed small fragments (∼0.5 x0.5 mm2) from the Hawaiian coral,Porites compressa, examining: 1) the sensitivity of the fragments and their algal symbionts to chilling temperatures; 2) the sensitivity of the coral to complex cryoprotectants; 3) methods to safely remove the algal symbionts from the coral fragment for cryopreservation, given the two symbiotic partners may require different cryopreservation protocols; 4) continued growth over time of coral fragments once returned to running seawater after treatment exposures; and, 5) assessment of health and viability of microfragments after treatments examining the distribution of green fluorescent protein and fluorescent symbionts. Technological advances in cryo-technology promise to support successful coral fragment cryopreservation soon, and its success could help secure much of the genetic and biodiversity of reefs in the next decade.
Drifting population dynamics with transient resets characterize sensorimotor transformation in the monkey superior colliculus
Authors: Heusser Michelle R. , Jagadisan Uday K. , Gandhi Neeraj J.
Published: January 2023

To produce goal-directed eye movements known as saccades, we must channel sensory input from our environment through a process known as sensorimotor transformation. The behavioral output of this phenomenon (an accurate eye movement) is straightforward, but the coordinated activity of neurons underlying its dynamics is not well understood. We searched for a neural correlate of sensorimotor transformation in the activity patterns of simultaneously recorded neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) of three male rhesus monkeys performing a visually guided, delayed saccade task. Neurons in the intermediate layers produce a burst of spikes both following the appearance of a visual (sensory) stimulus and preceding an eye movement command, but many also exhibit a sustained activity level during the intervening time (“delay period”). This sustained activity could be representative of visual processing or motor preparation, along with countless cognitive processes. Using a novel measure we call the Visuomotor Proximity Index (VMPI), we pitted visual and motor signals against each other by measuring the degree to which each session’s population activity (as summarized in a low-dimensional framework) could be considered more visual-like or more motor-like. The analysis highlighted two salient features of sensorimotor transformation. One, population activity on average drifted systematically toward a motor-like representation and intermittently reverted to a visual-like representation following a microsaccade. Two, activity patterns that drift to a stronger motor-like representation by the end of the delay period may enable a more rapid initiation of a saccade, substantiating the idea that this movement initiation mechanism is conserved across motor systems.
gp120 envelope glycoproteins of HIV-1 Group M Subtype A and Subtype B differentially affect gene expression in human vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Suh Andrew J. , Suzuki Dante I. , Gychka Sergiy G. , Brelidze Tinatin I. , Suzuki Yuichiro J.
Published: January 2023

Cardiovascular complications are seen among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals who can now survive longer due to successful antiretroviral therapies. Among them, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease characterized by increased blood pressure in the lung circulation due to vasoconstriction and vascular wall remodeling, resulting in the overworking of the heart. The prevalence of PAH in the HIVpositive population is dramatically higher than that in the general population. While HIV-1 Group M Subtype B is the most prevalent subtype in western countries, the majority of HIV-1 infections in eastern Africa and former Soviet Union countries are caused by Subtype A. Research on the mechanism of vascular complications in the HIV-positive population, especially in the context of subtype differences, however, has not been rigorous. Much of the research on HIV has focused on Subtype B and information on the molecular mechanisms of Subtype A is non-existent. The lack of such knowledge results in health disparities in the development of therapeutic strategies to prevent/treat HIV complications. The present study examined the effects of HIV-1 viral fusion protein gp120 of Subtypes A and B on cultured human pulmonary artery endothelial cells by performing protein arrays. We found that the gene expression changes caused by the gp120s of Subtypes A and B are different. Specifically, Subtype A is a more potent downregulator of perostasin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and ErbB/Her3 than Subtype B, while Subtype B is more effective in downregulating monocyte chemotactic protein-2 (MCP-2/CCL8), MCP-3 (CCL7), and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) proteins. This is the first report of gp120 proteins affecting host cells in an HIV subtype-specific manner, opening up the possibility that vascular complications may occur differently in HIV patients throughout the world.
Cooperative NF-κB and Notch1 signaling promotes macrophage-mediated MenaINV expression in breast cancer
Authors: Duran Camille L. , Karagiannis George S. , Chen Xiaoming , Sharma Ved P. , Entenberg David , Condeelis John S. , Oktay Maja H.
Published: January 2023

Metastasis is a multistep process that leads to the formation of clinically detectable tumor foci at distant organs and frequently patient demise. Only a subpopulation of breast cancer cells within the primary tumor can disseminate systemically and cause metastasis. To disseminate, cancer cells must express MenaINV, an isoform of the actin-regulatory protein Mena encoded by theENAHgene that endows tumor cells with transendothelial migration activity allowing them to enter and exit the blood circulation. We have previously demonstrated that MenaINV mRNA and protein expression is induced in cancer cells by macrophage contact. In this study, we discovered the precise mechanism by which macrophages induce MenaINV expression in tumor cells. We examined the promoter of the human and mouseENAHgene and discovered a conserved NF-κB transcription factor binding site. Using live imaging of an NF-κB activity reporter and staining of fixed tissues from mouse and human breast cancer we further determined that for maximal induction of MenaINV in cancer cell NF-κB needs to cooperate with the Notch1 signaling pathway. Mechanistically, Notch1 signaling does not directly increase MenaINV expression, but it enhances and sustains NF-κB signaling through retention of p65, an NF-κB transcription factor, in the nucleus of tumor cells, leading to increased MenaINV expression. In mice, these signals are augmented following chemotherapy treatment and abrogated upon macrophage depletion. Targeting Notch1 signalingin vivodecreased NF-κB signaling and MenaINV expression in the primary tumor and decreased metastasis. Altogether, these data uncover mechanistic targets for blocking MenaINV induction that should be explored clinically to decrease cancer cell dissemination and improve survival of patients with metastatic disease.
Mammary-specific ectopic expression of mutant human GATA3 did not potentiate medroxyprogesterone acetate-driven mouse mammary tumorigenesis
Authors: Lofgren Kristopher A. , Kenny Paraic A.
Published: January 2023

GATA3 is somatically mutated in approximately 15% of estrogen receptor positive human breast tumors, however the mechanism(s) by which these alterations contribute to tumorigenesis are unclear. The observed patterns of mutations suggest a strong selective pressure to mutate a single allele of GATA3 in a manner favoring retention of the first of two zinc finger domains. The non-mutated GATA3 allele is maintained and expressed. We and others have hypothesized that expression of the mutant GATA3 protein may actively contribute to breast tumorigenesis, however the aging of several independently generated mouse models with mammary-specific mutant GATA3 expression did not result in tumorigenesis. In this study, we evaluated whether a mammary tumor-promoting dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate could synergize with mammary specific mutant GATA3 (G335fs) expression and accelerate the kinetics of tumor formation. We report that the tumor incidence rate in these animals did not differ from that observed in wild-type littermate controls.
Niche differential gene expression analysis in spatial transcriptomics data identifies context-dependent cell-cell interactions
Authors: Mason Kaishu , Sathe Anuja , Hess Paul , Rong Jiazhen , Wu Chi-Yun , Furth Emma , Ji Hanlee P. , Zhang Nancy
Published: January 2023

Single cells influence, and are shaped by, their local spatial niche. Technologies for in situ measurement of gene expression at the transcriptome scale have enabled the detailed profiling of the spatial distributions of cell types in tissue as well as the interrogation of local signaling patterns between cell types [1]. Towards these goals, we propose a new statistical procedure called niche-differential expression (niche-DE) analysis. Niche-DE identifies cell-type specific niche-associated genes, defined as genes whose expression within a specific cell type is significantly up- or down-regulated, in the context of specific spatial niches. We develop effective and interpretable measures for global false discovery control and show, through the analysis of data sets generated by myriad protocols, that the method is robust to technical issues such as over-dispersion and spot swapping. Niche-DE can be applied to low-resolution spot- and ROI-based spatial transcriptomics data as well as data that is single-cell or subcellular in resolution. Based on niche-DE, we also develop a procedure to reveal the ligand-receptor signaling mechanisms that underlie niche-differential gene expression patterns. When applied to 10x Visium data from liver metastases of colorectal cancer, niche-DE identifies marker genes for cancer-associated fibroblasts and macrophages and elucidates ligand-receptor crosstalk patterns between tumor cells, macrophages and fibroblasts. Co-detection by indexing (CODEX) was performed on the same patient samples, to corroborate the niche-DE results.
Identification of a new antiphage system inMycobacteriumphage Butters
Authors: Mohammed Hamidu T. , Mageeney Catherine , Ware Vassie C.
Published: January 2023

During lysogeny temperate phages establish a truce with the bacterial host. In this state, the phage genome (prophage) is maintained within the host environment. Consequently, many prophages have evolved systems to protect the host from heterotypic viral attack. This phenomenon of prophages mediating defense of their host against competitor phages is widespread among temperate mycobacteriophages. We previously showed that theMycobacteriumphage Butters prophage encodes a two-component system (gp30/31) that inhibits infection from a subset of mycobacteriophages that include PurpleHaze, but not Island3. Here we show that Butters gp57r is both necessary and sufficient to inhibit infection by Island3 and other phages. Gp57r acts post-DNA injection and its antagonism results in the impairment of Island3 DNA amplification. Gp57r inhibition of Island3 is absolute with no defense escape mutants. However, mutations mapping to minor tail proteins allow PurpleHaze to overcome gp57r defense. Gp57r has a HEPN domain which is present in many proteins involved in inter-genomic conflicts, suggesting that gp57r may inhibit heterotypic phage infections via its HEPN domain. We also show that Butters gp57r has orthologues in clinical isolates ofMycobacterium abscessus sp. including the phage therapy candidate strain GD91 which was found to be resistant to the panel of phages tested. It is conceivable that this GD91 orthologue of gp57r may mediate resistance to the subset of phages tested. Challenges of this nature underscore the importance of elucidating mechanisms of antiphage systems and mutations that allow for escape from inhibition.

IMPORTANCE

The evolutionary arms race between phages and their bacteria host is ancient. During lysogeny, temperate phages establish a ceasefire with the host where they do not kill the host but derive shelter from it. Within the phenomenon of prophage-mediated defense, some temperate phages contribute genes that make their host more fit and resistant to infections by other phages. This arrangement has significance for both phage and bacterial evolutionary dynamics. Further, the prevalence of such antiphage systems poses a challenge to phage therapy. Thus, studies aimed at elucidating antiphage systems will further our understanding of phage-bacteria evolution as well as help with efforts to engineer therapeutic phages that circumvent antiphage systems.
The interfascicular matrix of energy storing tendons houses heterogenous cell populations disproportionately affected by ageing
Authors: Zamboulis Danae E. , Marr Neil , Lenzi Luca , Birch Helen L. , Screen Hazel R. C. , Clegg Peter D. , Thorpe Chavaunne T.
Published: January 2023

Energy storing tendons such as the human Achilles and equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) are prone to injury, with incidence increasing with ageing. The interfascicular matrix (IFM), which binds tendon fascicles, plays a key role in energy storing tendon mechanics, and ageing alterations to the IFM negatively impact tendon function. While the mechanical role of the IFM in tendon function is well-established, the biological role of IFM-resident cell populations remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify IFM-resident cell populations and establish how these populations are affected by ageing. Cells from young and old SDFTs were subjected to single cell RNA-sequencing, and immunolabelling for markers of each resulting population used to localise cell clusters. Eleven cell clusters were identified, including tenocytes, endothelial cells, mural cells and immune cells. One tenocyte cluster localised to the fascicular matrix, whereas nine clusters localised to the IFM. Interfascicular tenocytes and mural cells were preferentially affected by ageing, with differential expression of genes related to senescence, dysregulated proteostasis and inflammation. This is the first study to uncover the importance of the IFM niche for a diverse range of cell populations, and to identify age-related alterations specific to IFM-localised cells.
The supports provided by artificial intelligence to continuous usage intention of mobile banking: evidence from China
Authors: Lin Rong-Rong , Lee Jung-Chieh
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely used as a financial technology (fintech) in the mobile banking (M-banking) domain. However, in the literature, how AI affects users' perceptions of social support and the users' satisfaction and continuance intention (CI) remains unknown. To fill this gap, the two core characteristics of AI, perceived intelligence (PI) and perceived anthropomorphism (PA), are combined with social support theory (SST) (including informational support (IS) and emotional support (ES)) to develop a research model to investigate how PI and PA affect IS and ES, which in turn affect users’ M-banking satisfaction and CI.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a random probability sampling method to collect a total of 360 valid responses to verify the proposed model. Partial least squares (PLS) was employed for data analysis.

Findings

The results showed that PI and PA both have a significant positive impact on consumers' perception of social support (IS and ES). IS was a direct driver of satisfaction and CI. Surprisingly, although ES was positively associated with satisfaction, the study found that higher levels of ES will decrease CI. This study exposed how AI affects consumers’ satisfaction and CI through SST, and the role of AI in M-banking applications has been further confirmed.

Originality/value

This study expanded the SST to creatively integrate with AI features to reveal the impact of PI and PA on IS and ES, which in turn influence users' M-banking usage.
Influence of friction stir welding parameters on the tribological behavior of dissimilar aluminum alloy joint
Authors: S. Sivaselvan , M. Natarajan , S.R. Devadasan , N.M. Sivaram
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Aluminum alloys are applicable in marine and aero fields. Alloys AA5083 and AA6061 are aluminum alloys with different chemical and physical properties. Combination of two dissimilar materials could result in enhanced strength. Generally, dissimilar aluminum alloy joint is made by friction stir welding (FSW) to achieve improved physical properties compared with the parent alloys. The purpose of this research is to develop a new FSW dissimilar material with enhanced properties using AA5083 and AA6061 alloys.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, FSW joint was made for butt joint configuration using AA5083 and AA6061 aluminum alloys. Cylindrical pin with threaded profile was used to perform the joint. The tool tilting angle was maintained as constant, and the tool rotational speed and the welding speed were varied. Wear performance and mechanical strength of the joint were analyzed.

Findings

The results revealed that the increase of tool rotational speed led to poor wear performance, whereas increase of welding speed showed a better wear performance. Further, the prepared joint was analyzed for different wear parameters such as sliding velocity and applied load. The results displayed that the increase of sliding velocity exhibited low wear rate and the increase of load showed high wear rate.

Originality/value

This work is original and deals with the wear performance of AA5083–AA6061 joint at different tool rotational and welding speeds.
How to earn a premium price: the effect of green marketing and brand coolness
Authors: Guerreiro João , Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia , Nascimento Jorge , Duarte Miguel
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The current paper aims to explore how brand coolness can mediate the relationship between tactical green marketing orientation (GMO) and willingness to pay (WTP), by exploring the differences between two global brands with opposite green marketing perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the stimuli-organism-response (S-O-R) framework, the relation between tactical GMO, brand coolness and consumer's WTP is examined through a survey with 272 participants, who gave their perceptions about two different brands regarding their green orientations: British Petroleum (BP) and L'Oréal. The variable set was adapted and validated through focus group sessions.

Findings

Brand coolness is found to mediate the impact GMO on WTP and, for both brands, green marketing does affect the extent to which brands are perceived as cool by consumers. More importantly, evidence shows that only in the case of the “green brand” (e.g. L'Oréal), the impact on WTP is significant, which offers new implications regarding the outcomes of companies' pro-environmental policies.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the outcomes of GMO over consumer's intentions (WTP) and the role of brand perceptions (coolness). The effects are compared between two global brands, with significantly different perceptions on their environmental sustainability.
An examination of the insulation of global worker communities for political reasons: the case of the J-1 Visa in the United States
Authors: Ryan Jason , Silvanto Sari
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The insulation of globally mobile workers into communities is often influenced by political considerations within the host country. Most studies examining this area have focused on how expatriates and globally mobile workers seclude themselves into insulated communities when working abroad. This perspective does not take into consideration political and societal factors that often pressure globally mobile workers into secluded communities composed of people similar to themselves. This study examines how host-country political imperatives can help create and maintain insulated communities of foreign workers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a case study methodology that examines the J-1 Visa program in the United States and how it has, in many instances, evolved into a de facto guest worker program that secludes foreign workers into insulated communities. The case study includes interviews with five J-1 administrators at sponsoring organizations that employ J-1 recipients.

Findings

This study finds that political pressures do have an impact on the insulation of J-1 recipients into secluded communities in the United States. This is largely accomplished through the legal requirements of the program, pressure from sponsoring employers on the government and the significant political and economic ties that the United States maintains with the home countries of J-1 recipients.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies to examine insulated communities of globally mobile workers from a political perspective. It is exploratory in nature and recommends that further studies be conducted.
Stock market integration and volatility spillovers: new evidence from Asia–Pacific and European markets
Authors: Guru Biplab Kumar , Yadav Inder Sekhar
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This work investigates the volatility spillovers across stock markets and the nature of such spillovers through different periods of crises and tranquility.

Design/methodology/approach

Using daily stock return volatility data from June 2003 to June 2021, the generalized forecast error variance decomposition method (based on Diebold and Yilmaz, 2012 approach) is employed to measure the degree of volatility spillovers/connectedness among stock markets of 24 Asia–Pacific and 12 European Union (EU) economies.

Findings

The empirical results from static analysis suggested that about 28.1% (63.7%) of forecast error variance in return volatility for Asia–Pacific (EU) markets is due to spillovers. The evidence from dynamic analysis suggested that during mid of the global financial crisis, European debt crisis (EDC) and Covid-19, the gross volatility spillovers for Asia–Pacific (EU) was around 67% (80%), 65% (80%) and 73% (67%), respectively. The degree of net volatility transmission from Singapore (Denmark) to other Asia–Pacific (EU) markets was found to be highest.

Practical implications

The findings have crucial implications for the investors and portfolio managers in assessment of risk and optimum allocation of assets and investment decisions.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature on risk management by systematically examining the impact of global financial crises, EDC and Covid-19 on the market interactions by capturing the magnitude, duration and pattern of the shock-specific market volatilities for a large sample of Asian and European markets using recent and large data set.
The impact of short sale prospect on income smoothing
Authors: Sun Xu , Zhang Tianming
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of short sale prospect on future income smoothing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines how short sale prospect impacts future income smoothing. This study follows prior research and uses two measures of income smoothing. One is the correlation between the change in prediscretionary income and the change in discretionary accruals. The other is the variability of earnings relative to the variability of cash flows.

Findings

This study finds that short sale prospect has a negative impact on future income smoothing. This finding is robust to use different measures of short sale prospect and income smoothing and to subsample tests. Additional analysis reveals that short sale prospect, by curbing income smoothing, reduces future stock price crash risk.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the impact of short selling on firms’ subsequent smoothing of reported income. This study contributes to the earnings quality literature by demonstrating the governance role of short selling on future earnings smoothness.
Do stakeholders’ interaction and collaboration influence CSR practice within supplier premises in Bangladesh? A managerial perception study
Authors: Hossain Md Tareq Bin , Momin Mahmood Ahmed , Dellaportas Steven
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of collaborative stakeholder relationships (buyers, media, government and top management) on apparel suppliers’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

“Face to face” and “drop off and collect” survey administration techniques were used to collect a total of 371 questionnaires from middle-level managerial executives of apparel suppliers in Bangladesh. The data were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling combined with resampling and bootstrapping techniques.

Findings

The findings suggest that buyers, the media and top management have a direct and significant influence on the stakeholder network and, in turn, positively impact the CSR of apparel suppliers in Bangladesh. The media and buyer firms work together to provide a combined and salient influence on the top management of supplier firms in Bangladesh to shape CSR practices.

Practical implications

The extent of stakeholder influence varies according to the strength of the network and the mediation within interconnected relationships. Suppliers’ top management could use the study’s findings to improve CSR by focussing on the strongest path of interconnected stakeholders. The Bangladesh Government could take policy initiatives to address CSR-related concerns raised by interconnected stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study contributes to stakeholder and CSR literature by providing valuable insights into the empirical justification of interactive stakeholder influences on suppliers’ CSR.
Modelling of the effects of luminaire installation geometries and other factors on road illumination system photometric parameters and energy efficiency
Authors: Bhattacharya Sourin , Majumder Sanjib , Roy Subarna
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Properly planned road illumination systems are collectively a public wealth and the commissioning of such systems may require extensive planning, simulation and testing. The purpose of this simulative work is to offer a simple approach to facilitate luminance-based road lighting calculations that can be easier to comprehend and apply to practical designing problems when compared to complex multi-objective algorithms and other convoluted simulative techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Road illumination systems were photometrically simulated with a created model in a validated software platform for specified system design configurations involving high-pressure sodium (HPS) and light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires. Multiple regression analyses were conducted with the simulatively obtained data set to propound a linear model of estimating average luminance, overall uniformity of luminance and energy efficiency of lighting installations, and the simulatively obtained data set was used to explore luminaire power–road surface average luminance characteristics for common geometric design configurations involving HPS and LED luminaires, and four categories of road surfaces.

Findings

The six linear equations of the propounded linear model were found to be well-fitted with their corresponding observation sets. Moreover, it was found that the luminaire power–road surface average luminance characteristics were well-fitted with linear trendlines and the increment in road surface average luminance level per watt increment of luminaire power was marginally higher for LEDs.

Originality/value

This neoteric approach of estimating road surface luminance parameters and energy efficiency of lighting installations, and the compendia of luminaire power–road surface average luminance characteristics offer new insights that can prove to be very useful for practical purposes.
Playing it safe; risk‐induced trait responses increase survival in the face of predation
Authors: Aguiar Olivia , Sonnega Sam , DiNuzzo Eleanor R. , Sheriff Michael J.
Published: January 2023

Predation risk effects are impacts on prey caused by predators that do not include consumption. These can include changes in prey behaviour, physiology, and morphology (i.e. risk‐induced trait responses), which can have consequences to individual fitness and population dynamics (i.e. non‐consumptive effects). While these risk‐induced trait responses (RITRs) can lower individual fitness as compared to prey not exposed to risk, they are assumed to increase fitness in the presence of predators. While much work has been built upon this assumption, most evidence occurs in consumptive experiments where the trait values of consumed prey are unknown. We have little evidence showing individuals with a greater magnitude of RITR have greater survival.

Here, we tested the hypothesis that RITRs increase survival in the presence of predators, but come at a cost to growth. We tested this hypothesis usingNucella lapillusas prey andCarcinus maenasas a predator and including mussels as a basal resource in a two‐phase mesocosm experimental set‐up. In phase 1,Nucellawere placed into either a control or risk treatment (exposure to non‐lethalCarcinus) for 28 days and their behaviour and growth measured. In phase 2, a lethalCarcinuswas added to all mesocosms (non‐lethal crabs were removed), and survival was recorded for 15 days.

At the treatment (group) level, we found thatNucellaexposed to predation risk in phase 1 had significantly greater risk aversion behaviour (summed score of risky vs. safe behaviour) and significantly lower growth. In phase 2, we found thatNucellaexposed to predation risk had greater survival.

At the individual level (regardless of treatment), we found thatNucellawith greater risk aversion scores in phase 1 had significantly higher survival in phase 2 when exposed to a lethal predator, but this came at a cost to their growth.

This study provides some of the first empirical evidence, at both the group and individual level, testing a long‐held assumption that predation risk‐induced behavioural responses increase survival in the face of direct predation, but that these responses come at a cost to the prey. These results add to our growing understanding of the benefits of RITRs to individual fitness and non‐consumptive effects generally.
The determinants of office cap rates: The international evidence
Authors: Białkowski Jędrzej , Titman Sheridan , Twite Garry
Published: January 2023

We examine commercial office cap rates in 89 large cities in 33 developed and developing countries in the 2000–2019 period. We find that cap rates decline throughout the world over this period, reflecting a corresponding decline in the real rate of interest. In the cross‐city analysis our most robust findings are that office cap rates are lower in wealthier cities, especially those that are either considered gateway cities or financial centers. In addition, cap rates tend to be higher in countries with lower credit ratings and higher inflation rates. We find that cap rates in suburban office markets are higher than in central business districts, and for a given metropolis, suburban cap rates are lower in suburbs with better public transport connections to the central business district. Finally, evidence from regressions with city fixed effects reveal that cap rates rise as the discount rate and vacancy rates increase and fall as cities get wealthier.