bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A phage weaponizes a satellite recombinase to subvert viral restriction
Authors: Nguyen Maria HT , Netter Zoe , Angermeyer Angus , Seed Kimberley D.
Published: June 2022

Bacteria can acquire mobile genetic elements (MGEs) to combat infection by viruses (phages). Satellite viruses, including the PLEs (phage-inducible chromosomal island-like elements) in epidemic Vibrio cholerae, are MGEs that restrict phage replication to the benefit of their host bacterium. PLEs parasitize the lytic phage ICP1, unleashing multiple mechanisms to restrict phage replication and promote their own spread. In the arms race against PLE, ICP1 uses nucleases, including CRISPR-Cas, to destroy PLE’s genome during infection. However, through an unknown CRISPR-independent mechanism, specific ICP1 isolates subvert restriction by PLE. Here, we discover ICP1-encoded Adi that counteracts PLE by exploiting the PLE’s large serine recombinase (LSR), which normally mobilizes PLE in response to ICP1 infection. Unlike previously characterized ICP1-encoded anti-PLE mechanisms, Adi is not a nuclease itself but instead appears to modulate the activity of the LSR to promote destructive nuclease activity of the LSR’s specific attachment site, attP. The PLE LSR, its catalytic activity, and attP are additionally sufficient to sensitize a PLE encoding a resistant variant of the recombination module to Adi activity. This work highlights a unique type of adaptation arising from inter-genome conflicts, in which the intended activity of a protein can be weaponized to overcome the antagonizing genome.
Morphological integration and evolutionary potential of the primate shoulder: Variation among taxa and implications for genetic covariances with the basicranium, pelvis, and arm
Authors: Agosto Elizabeth R. , Auerbach Benjamin M.
Published: June 2022

Within the primate order, the morphology of the shoulder girdle is immensely variable and has been shown to reflect the functional demands of the upper limb. The observed morphological variation among extant primate taxa consequently has been hypothesized to be driven by selection for different functional demands. Evolutionary analyses of the shoulder girdle often assess this anatomical region, and its traits, individually, therefore implicitly assuming independent evolution of the shoulder girdle. However, the primate shoulder girdle has developmental and functional covariances with the basicranium and pelvic girdle that have been shown to potentially influence its evolution. It is unknown whether these relationships are similar or even present across primate taxa, and how they may affect morphological variation among primates. This study evaluates the strength of covariance and evolutionary potential across four anatomical regions: shoulder girdle, basicranium, pelvis, and distal humerus. Measures of morphological integration and evolutionary potential (conditioned covariance, and evolutionary flexibility) are assessed across eight anthropoid primate taxa. Results demonstrate a consistent pattern of morphological constraint within paired anatomical regions across primates. Differences in evolutionary flexibility are observed among primate genera, with humans having the highest evolutionary potential overall. This pattern does not follow functional differences, but rather a separation between monkeys and apes. Therefore, evolutionary hypotheses of primate shoulder girdle morphological variation that evaluate functional demands alone may not account for the effect of these relationships. Collectively, our findings suggest differences in genetic covariance among anatomical regions may have contributed to the observable morphological variation among taxa.
Rescue of transcriptional pausing in metabolic genes jumpstarts Salmonella antioxidant defenses
Authors: Kant Sashi , Till James Karl A , Liu Lin , Kim Ju-Sim , Vazquez-Torres Andres
Published: June 2022

Detoxification, scavenging and repair systems embody the archetypical antioxidant defenses of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells1–3. Metabolic rewiring is an emergent aspect in the adaptation of bacteria to oxidative stress4, 5. Evolutionarily diverse bacteria combat the toxicity of reactive oxygen species by actively engaging the stringent response6–8, a metabolic program activated at the level of transcription initiation via guanosine tetraphosphate and the α-helical DksA protein9. Studies herein with Salmonella demonstrate that the interactions of structurally related, but functionally unique, α-helical Gre factors with the secondary channel of RNA polymerase elicit the expression of metabolic signatures that are associated with resistance to oxidative killing. Gre proteins resolve pauses in ternary elongation complexes of Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) glycolysis and aerobic respiration genes. The Gre-directed utilization of glucose in overflow and aerobic metabolism satisfies the energetic and redox demands of Salmonella, while preventing the occurrence of amino acid bradytrophies. Moreover, the simultaneous utilization of lower glycolysis, the methylglyoxal pathway and the electron transport chain curtails the noxious coexistence of reductive and electrophilic stress. The resolution of transcriptional pauses in EMP glycolysis and aerobic respiration genes by Gre factors safeguards Salmonella from the cytotoxicity of phagocyte NADPH oxidase in the innate host response. Control of transcriptional elongation represents a pivotal breakpoint in the regulation of metabolic programs underlying bacterial pathogenesis.
Beyond the foliage: Using non-destructive multimodal 3D imaging and AI to phenotype and diagnose trunk diseases
Authors: Fernandez Romain , Le Cunff Loïc , Mérigeaud Samuel , Verdeil Jean-Luc , Perry Julie , Larignon Philippe , Spilmont Anne-Sophie , Chatelet Philippe , Cardoso Maïda , Goze-Bac Christophe , Moisy Cédric
Published: June 2022

Quantifying healthy and degraded inner tissues in plants is of great interest in agronomy, for example, to assess plant health and quality and monitor physiological traits or diseases. However, detecting functional and degraded plant tissuesin-vivowithout harming the plant is extremely challenging. New solutions are needed in ligneous and perennial species, for which the sustainability of plantations is crucial. To tackle this challenge, we developed a novel approach based on multimodal 3D imaging and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based image processing that allowed a noninvasive diagnosis of inner tissues in living plants. The method was successfully applied to the grapevine (Vitis viniferaL.) in vineyards where sustainability was threatened by trunk diseases, while the sanitary status of vines cannot be ascertained without injuring the plants. By combining MRI and X-ray CT 3D imaging with an automatic voxel classification, we could discriminate intact, degraded, and white rot tissues with a mean global accuracy of over 91%. Each imaging modality contribution to tissue detection was evaluated, and we identified quantitative structural and physiological markers characterizing wood degradation steps. The combined study of inner tissue distributionversusexternal foliar symptom history demonstrated that white rot and intact tissue contents are key measurements in evaluating vines’ sanitary status. We finally proposed a model for an accurate trunk disease diagnosis in grapevine. This work opens new routes for precision agriculture andin-situmonitoring of wood quality and plant health across plant species.
SARS-CoV-2 requires acidic pH to infect cells
Authors: Kreutzberger Alex J.B. , Sanyal Anwesha , Saminathan Anand , Bloyet Louis-Marie , Stumpf Spencer , Liu Zhuoming , Ojha Ravi , Patjas Markku T. , Geneid Ahmed , Scanavachi Gustavo , Doyle Catherine A. , Somerville Elliott , Bango Da Cunha Correira Ricardo , Di Caprio Giuseppe , Toppila-Salmi Sanna , Mäkitie Antti , Kiessling Volker , Vapalahti Olli , Whelan Sean P.J. , Balistreri Giuseppe , Kirchhausen Tom
Published: June 2022

SARS-CoV-2 cell entry starts with membrane attachment and ends with spike-protein (S) catalyzed membrane fusion depending on two cleavage steps, one usually by furin in producing cells and the second by TMPRSS2 on target cells. Endosomal cathepsins can carry out both. Using real-time 3D single virion tracking, we show fusion and genome penetration requires virion exposure to an acidic milieu of pH 6.2-6.8, even when furin and TMPRSS2 cleavages have occurred. We detect the sequential steps of S1-fragment dissociation, fusion, and content release from the cell surface in TMPRRS2 overexpressing cells only when exposed to acidic pH. We define a key role of an acidic environment for successful infection, found in endosomal compartments and at the surface of TMPRSS2 expressing cells in the acidic milieu of the nasal cavity.

Significance Statement

Infection by SARS-CoV-2 depends upon the S large spike protein decorating the virions and is responsible for receptor engagement and subsequent fusion of viral and cellular membranes allowing release of virion contents into the cell. Using new single particle imaging tools, to visualize and track the successive steps from virion attachment to fusion, combined with chemical and genetic perturbations of the cells, we provide the first direct evidence for the cellular uptake routes of productive infection in multiple cell types and their dependence on proteolysis of S by cell surface or endosomal proteases. We show that fusion and content release always require the acidic environment from endosomes, preceded by liberation of the S1 fragment which depends on ACE2 receptor engagement.

One sentence summary

Detailed molecular snapshots of the productive infectious entry pathway of SARS-CoV-2 into cells
Solid-state NMR of paired helical filaments formed by the core tau fragment tau(297-391)
Authors: Al-Hilaly Youssra K. , Hurt Connor , Rickard Janet E. , Harrington Charles R. , Storey John M.D. , Wischik Claude M. , Serpell Louise C. , Siemer Ansgar B.
Published: June 2022

Aggregation of the tau protein into fibrillar cross-β aggregates is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s diseases (AD) and many other neurodegenerative tauopathies. Recently, several core structures of patient-derived tau paired helical filaments (PHFs) have been solved revealing a structural variability that often correlates with a specific tauopathy. To further characterize the dynamics of these fibril cores, to screen for strain-specific small molecules as potential biomarkers and therapeutics, and to develop strain-specific antibodies, recombinant in-vitro models of tau filaments are needed. We recently showed that a 95-residue fragment of tau (from residue 297 to 391), termed dGAE, forms filaments in vitro in the absence of polyanionic co-factors often used for in vitro aggregation of full length tau. Tau(297-391) was identified as the proteolytic resistant core of tau PHFs and overlaps with the structures characterized by cryo-electron microscopy in ex-vivo PHFs, making it a promising model for the study of AD tau filaments in vitro. In the present study, we used solid-state NMR to characterize tau(297-391) filaments and show that such filaments assembled under non-reducing conditions are more dynamic and less ordered than those made in the presence of the reducing agent, DTT. We further report the resonance assignment of tau(297-392)+DTT filaments and compare it to existing core structures of tau.
Bio-orthogonal chemistry-based conjugation strategy facilitates investigation of impacts of s2U, s4U, m1A and m6A guide RNA modifications on CRISPR activity
Authors: Hoy Alyssa , Zheng Ya Ying , Sheng Jia , Royzen Maksim
Published: June 2022

The CRISPR-Cas9 system is an important genome editing tool that holds enormous potential towards treatment of human genetic diseases. Clinical success of CRISPR technology is dependent on incorporation of modifications into the single guide RNA (sgRNA). However, chemical synthesis of modified sgRNAs, which are over 100 nucleotides in length, is difficult and low-yielding. We developed a conjugation strategy that utilized bio-orthogonal chemistry to efficiently assemble functional sgRNAs containing nucleobase modifications. The described approach entails the chemical synthesis of two shorter RNA oligonucleotides: a 31-mer containing tetrazine (Tz) group and a 70-mer modified with a trans-cyclooctene (TCO) moiety. The two oligonucleotides were conjugated to form functional sgRNAs. The two-component conjugation methodology was utilized to synthesize a library of sgRNAs containing nucleobase modifications such as m1A, m6A, s2U and s4U. The impacts of these RNA modifications on overall CRISPR activity was investigated in vitro and in Cas9-expressing HEK293T cells.
Sequence-sensitive elastic network captures dynamical features necessary for miR-125a maturation
Authors: Mailhot Olivier , Frappier Vincent , Major François , Najmanovich Rafael
Published: June 2022

The Elastic Network Contact Model (ENCoM) is a coarse-grained normal mode analysis (NMA) model unique in its all-atom sensitivity to the sequence of the studied macromolecule and thus to the effect of mutations. We adapted ENCoM to simulate the dynamics of ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules, benchmarked its performance against other popular NMA models and used it to study the 3D structural dynamics of human microRNA miR-125a, leveraging high-throughput data on the maturation efficiency of over 26 000 sequence variants. We also introduce a novel way of using dynamical information from NMA to train multivariate linear regression models, with the purpose of highlighting the most salient contributions of dynamics to function. ENCoM has a similar performance profile on RNA than on proteins when compared to the Anisotropic Network Model (ANM), the most widely used coarse-grained NMA model; it has the advantage on predicting large-scale motions while ANM performs better on B-factors prediction. A stringent benchmark from the miR-125a maturation dataset, in which the training set contains no sequence information in common with the testing set, reveals that ENCoM is the only tested model able to capture signal beyond the sequence. This ability translates to better predictive power on a second benchmark in which sequence features are shared between the train and test sets. When training the linear regression model using all available data, the dynamical features identified as necessary for miR-125a maturation point to known patterns but also offer new insights into the biogenesis of microRNAs. Our novel approach combining NMA with multivariate linear regression is generalizable to any macromolecule for which relatively high-throughput mutational data is available.

Availability

ENCoM is open source software part of the NRGTEN package available athttps://github.com/gregorpatof/nrgten_package

Contact

rafael.najmanovich@umontreal.ca,francois.major@umontreal.ca
Starvation Induces Diverse Autophagic Response in Cardiomyocytes and Noncardiomyocytes
Authors: He Xi-Biao , Huang Haozhi , Wu Yi , Guo Fang
Published: June 2022

Cardiac autophagy serves as a potential mechanism to be genetically, epigenetically and pharmaceutically manipulated to prevent or alleviate pathological conditions in heart diseases. One of the complexities of this manipulation comes from the cellular heterogeneity of the heart. In this study, we assessed the dynamics of nutrient deprivation-induced autophagy activation in four major cardiac cell types in vitro and in vivo and found a major difference between cardiomyocyte and other three types of noncardiomyocyte. In comparison to the constant increase and maintenance of autophagic activity in noncardiomyocytes, cardiomyocyte undergoes rapid gain and loss of autophagic activity. This difference contributes to at least two aspects of cardiomyocyte pathophysiology: high vulnerability to nutrient deprivation-induced cell death and unresponsiveness to pharmaceutical regulation of autophagy. Our present findings support a cell type-specific targeting of autophagy for therapeutic intervention of cardiac diseases.
Dynamics of mRNA fate during light stress and recovery: from transcription to stability and translation
Authors: Smith Aaron B. , Ganguly Diep R. , Moore Marten , Bowerman Andrew F. , Janapala Yoshika , Shirokikh Nikolay , Pogson Barry J. , Crisp Peter A
Published: June 2022

Transcript stability is an important determinant of its abundance and, consequently, translation. However, it is unclear the extent to which it is modulated between environmental conditions. We previously hypothesised that recovery-induced transcript destabilisation facilitated a phenomenon of rapid recovery gene down-regulation (RRGD) inArabidopsis thalianafollowing stress, based on mathematical calculations to account for ongoing transcription. Here, we test this hypothesis, and investigate processes regulating transcript abundance and fate, by quantifying changes in transcription, stability, and translation before, during, and after light stress. We adapt syringe infiltration to apply a transcriptional inhibitor to soil-grown plants in combination with stress. Compared to measurements in juvenile plants and cell culture, we find reduced stability in a range of transcripts. We also observe transcript destabilisation during light stress, followed by stabilisation upon recovery. Alongside fast transcriptional shut-off in recovery, this destabilisation appears to facilitate RRGD. Translation was dynamic over the course of light stress and recovery, with substantial transcript-specific increases in ribosome-association, independent of changes in total transcript abundance, observed after 30 minutes of light stress. Taken together, we provide evidence for the combinatorial regulation of transcription, stability, and translation that occurs to facilitate responses to light stress and recovery.
An Optogenetic Toolkit for Light-Inducible Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Sheets Michael B. , Dunlop Mary J.
Published: June 2022

Antibiotics are a key control mechanism for synthetic biology and microbiology. Resistance genes are used to select desired cells and regulate bacterial populations, however their use to-date has been largely static. Precise spatiotemporal control of antibiotic resistance could enable a wide variety of applications that require dynamic control of susceptibility and survival. Here, we use light-inducible Cre recombinase to activate expression of drug resistance genes in Escherichia coli. We demonstrate light-activated resistance to four antibiotics: carbenicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline. Cells exposed to 465 nm blue light survive in the presence of lethal antibiotic concentrations, while those kept in the dark do not. To optimize resistance induction ranges, we characterize the impact of the promoter, ribosome binding site, and enzyme variant strength using chromosome and plasmid-based constructs. Using time-lapse microscopy, we further show resistance activation dynamics. These optogenetic drug resistance tools pave the way for spatiotemporal control of cell survival.
High-content quantitative high-throughput screening identifies a cell cycle-associated signaling cascade that regulates a multienzyme metabolic assembly for glucose metabolism
Authors: Schmitt Danielle L. , Dranchak Patricia , Parajuli Prakash , Blivis Dvir , Voss Ty , Kohnhorst Casey L. , Kyoung Minjoung , Inglese James , An Songon
Published: June 2022

We have previously demonstrated that human liver-type phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1) recruits other rate-determining enzymes in glucose metabolism to organize multienzyme metabolic assemblies, the glucosomes, in human cells. However, it has remained largely elusive how glucosomes are reversibly assembled and disassembled to functionally regulate glucose metabolism in human cells. We developed a high-content quantitative high-throughput screening (qHTS) assay to evaluate the impact of small molecule libraries on the formation of PFK1-mediated glucosome assemblies from stably transfected HeLa Tet-On cells. Initial qHTS with a library of pharmacologically active compounds directed following efforts to kinase-inhibitor enriched collections. Consequently, three active compounds that were known to inhibit cyclin-dependent kinase 2, ribosomal protein S6 kinase and Aurora kinase A, respectively, were identified and further validated under high-resolution fluorescence single-cell microscopy. Subsequent knockdown studies using small-hairpin RNAs confirmed an active role of Aurora kinase A on the formation of PFK1 assemblies in HeLa cells. Importantly, all the identified protein kinases here have been investigated as key signaling nodes of one specific cascade that controls cell cycle progression in human cells. Collectively, our qHTS approaches unravel a cell cycle-associated signaling cascade that regulates the formation of PFK1-mediated glucosome assembly in human cells.
Generating triply periodic surfaces from crystal structures: the tiling approach and its application to zeolites
Authors: Smolkov Michail I. , Blatova Olga A. , Krutov Alexander F. , Blatov Vladislav A.
Published: June 2022

Physical properties of objects depend on topological features of the corresponding triply periodic surfaces; thus topological exploration and classification of the surfaces has practical relevance. A general method is developed for generating triply periodic surfaces from triply periodic crystal structures. A triply periodic surface is derived from the natural tiling of a crystal network by an appropriate removal of some tile faces and subsequent smoothing of the resulting facet surface. The labyrinth nets of a generated triply periodic surface are built from the natural tiling, and in turn the topological parameters of the labyrinth nets are used to determine if the surface is isomorphic to a minimal surface. This method has been applied to all known 253 zeolite frameworks and 98 triply periodic surfaces were obtained, which belong to 55 topological types. Twelve surfaces were found to be isomorphic to already known triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs), while four surfaces can be treated as isomorphic to new TPMSs. A procedure has also been developed for transferring the generated surfaces to a 3D-printer-readable format.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 4-bromo-2-[3-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl)oxazolidin-2-yl]phenol
Authors: Khalilov Ali N. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Fortalnova Elena A. , Akkurt Mehmet , Yıldırım Sema Öztürk , Bhattarai Ajaya , Mamedov İbrahim G.
Published: June 2022

The title compound, C20H24BrNO2, is chiral at the carbon atoms on either side of the oxygen atom of the oxazolidine ring and crystallizes as a racemate. The 1,3-oxazolidine ring adopts an envelope conformation with the N atom in an endo position. The mean plane of the oxazolidine ring makes dihedral angles of 77.74 (10) and 45.50 (11)°, respectively, with the 4-bromophenol and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene rings. In the crystal, adjacent molecules are connected via C—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions into layers parallel to the (200) plane. The packing is strengthened by van der Waals interactions between parallel molecular layers. A Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that H...H (58.2%), C...H/H...C (18.9%), and Br...H/H...Br (11.5%) interactions are the most abundant in the crystal packing.
Crystal structures of three zinc(II) halide coordination complexes with quinoline N-oxide
Authors: Padgett Clifford W. , Lynch Will E. , Groneck Erin N. , Raymundo Melina , Adams Desiree
Published: June 2022

The reaction of one equivalent of zinc(II) halide with two equivalents of quinoline N-oxide (QNO) in methanol yields compounds as ZnX
2(QNO)2, where X = Cl (I), Br (II) and I (III), namely, dichloridobis(quinoline N-oxide-κO)zinc(II), [ZnCl2(C9H7NO)2], dibromidobis(quinoline N-oxide-κO)zinc(II), [ZnBr2(C9H7NO)2], and diiodidobis(quinoline N-oxide-κO)zinc(II) [ZnI2(C9H7NO)2]. In all three complexes, Zn cations are coordinated by two QNO ligands bound through the oxygen atoms and two halide atoms, with X—Zn—X bond angles ca 20° wider than the O—Zn—O, giving rise to a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Crystals of (II) and (III) are isostructural and both show pairwise π-stacking of QNO ligands and weak C—H...X hydrogen bonds, while (I) packs differently, with a shorter C—H...Cl bond and without π-stacking.
3-Isobutyl-5,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione
Authors: Guerrab Walid , El Moutaouakil Ala Allah Abderrazzak , Alsubari Abdulsalam , Mague Joel T. , Ramli Youssef
Published: June 2022

The imidazolidine ring in the title molecule, C19H20N2O2, is slightly `ruffled'. In the crystal, a layer structure is generated by N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds plus C—H...π(ring) interactions.
trans-Carbonylchloridobis(triethylphosphane-κP)platinum(II) tetrafluoridoborate
Authors: Corfield Peter W. R.
Published: June 2022

The chemical formulation of the title compound was established as trans-[PtCl{P(C2H5)3(CO)}BF4 by single-crystal X-ray analysis, in contrast to the five-coordinate tetrafluoroethylene complex that had been anticipated. The compound had been prepared by reaction of trans-PtHCl(P(C2H5)3)2 with C2F4 in the absence of air, and the presence of the carbonyl group was not suspected. The square-planar cations and BF4
− anions are linked by C—H...F and C—H...O interactions into thick wavy (010) sheets. The present crystal-structure refinement is based on the original intensity data recorded in 1967.
Demystifying the role of absorptive capacity in achieving innovation-based performance: model development and empirical validation
Authors: Bindra Sunali , Sharma Deepika , Mishra Hari Govind , Bhardwaj Rohit
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explicate the relationship between knowledge-based dynamic capacities (KBDC) and innovation-based performance (INPF) in information technology (IT) firms in India by examining the mediating impact of absorptive capacity (ABCP). The paper aims to determine whether and how the ABCP of the firms is recognized as the essential facilitator of INPF.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 511 respondents from Indian IT employees at the upper and middle management levels was undertaken. In this study, the partial least squares (PLS) technique explored the causal links between constructs with the use of the software application SMART-PLS 3.0.

Findings

The outcomes of this study proved the existence of a statistically significant relationship between the ABCP and INPF of information technology firms. Furthermore, ABCP's influence as a mediator between KBDC and INPF is significant. Therefore, findings imply that ABCP mediates the relationship between KBDC and INPF, however, only to some extent.

Research limitations/implications

With the dynamism of the global market, the research has made significant gains in illustrating the criticality of ABCP for strengthening its KBDC in a much-needed Indian context. Therefore, following the recommendations and findings of this study, practitioners should concentrate on strengthening both ABCP and KBDCs to improve their INPF. To do this, managers must proactively organize their resources, procedures, and structure to promote knowledge absorption and dissemination, fostering innovation.

Originality/value

It is a ground-breaking study that proposes that the ABCP plays a crucial role in enhancing the INPF of the firms. The software industry will likely benefit from this study by understanding ABCP's potential impact on its INPF and designing knowledge management methods accordingly.
Community of practice: the making of knowledge dynamic in intangible cultural heritage
Authors: Lee Louisa Yee Sum
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to understand how a community of practice (CoP) facilitates the knowledge spiral of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in tourist destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study focuses on Cantonese opera, a representative example of the ICH of Hong Kong. Narrative inquiry with eight CoP members was used in this study.

Findings

The CoP members believed that the city has unique and quality tourism knowledge. They used their professional expertise in the domains of creating, collecting and sharing both explicit and tacit knowledge. With the strategic goal of creating a sustainable competitive advantage, CoP act as a kernel in knowledge creation by converting explicit knowledge into tacit knowledge and vice versa.

Originality/value

This study uses the knowledge spiral model to understand knowledge creation, and it contributes to the sparse literature on knowledge management in the field of tourism, especially the role of CoP. It addressed a gap in the literature pertaining to knowledge creation and ICH.
Evaluating the impact of a prison smoking ban on the cardiovascular health of men in a UK prison
Authors: Perrett Stephanie E. , Craddock Christie , Dunseath Gareth , Shankar Giri , Luzio Stephen , Gray Benjamin J.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Smoking rates are known to be higher amongst those committed to prison than the general population. Those in prison suffer from high rates of comorbidities that are likely to increase their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), making it more difficult to manage. In 2016, a tobacco ban began to be implemented across prisons in England and Wales, UK. This study aims to measure the effect of the tobacco ban on predicted cardiovascular risk for those quitting smoking on admission to prison.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a prevalence study of CVD in prisons, the authors have assessed the effect of the tobacco ban on cardiovascular risk, using predicted age to CVD event, ten-year CVD risk and heart age, for those who previously smoked and gave up on admission to prison.

Findings

The results demonstrate measurable health gains across all age groups with the greatest gains found in those aged 50 years and older and who had been heavy smokers. Quitting smoking on admission to prison led to a reduced heart age of between two and seven years for all participants.

Originality/value

The data supports tobacco bans in prisons as a public health measure to reduce risk of CVD. Interventions are needed to encourage maintenance of smoking cessation on release from prison for the full health benefits to be realised.
Which leadership processes encourage sustainable transitions within universities?
Authors: Azizi Leyla
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The implementation of sustainability-related policies at universities has been marked by a greater sense of urgency in recent years. Despite this emerging trend, it is still unclear which leadership processes, at which levels and which theoretical concepts encourage sustainable transitions within universities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to offer a systematic literature review of the existing literature on sustainability-related leadership processes, levels and theories that encourage the transformation of universities, aimed at providing guidance on this topic; uncovering gaps in the literature; and finding new paths for future research.

Findings

Leadership processes in the context of sustainability-related transitions have been approached in a rather fragmented way in the literature, and the scientific field would benefit from more in-depth and longitudinal studies. In total, this study identifies 95 processes that are related to 17 aspects of universities’ transitions.

Research limitations/implications

The various leadership levels are involved in transition processes at different stages. The theories of distributed and sustainability leadership seem to be the most frequently used theories in the literature.

Practical implications

Structuring and defining leadership processes, levels and theories can lead to a better understanding of the dynamics of the transition process and, in a broader sense, of the process of sustainability integration in higher education. A better knowledge of how such a transition develops could contribute to the enhancement of existing sustainable development strategy and policy.

Originality/value

By focusing on an underresearched topic through a theoretical perspective of leadership theories, this study contributes to literature pertaining to leadership levels and processes involved in sustainability transitions of universities.
Enterprising tendency and entrepreneurial performance of indigenous Dayak women entrepreneurs in Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Keling William , Yap Ching Seng , Ho Poh Ling
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine entrepreneurial performance differences between indigenous Dayak women entrepreneurs of their high versus low enterprising tendency in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was used for data collection and analysis. The population of this study was the indigenous women entrepreneurs in Sarawak, Malaysia. Primary data were collected from 129 indigenous women entrepreneurs using convenience sampling. The survey instrument for measuring enterprising tendency and entrepreneurial performance was adopted from the relevant literature. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests in Statistical Packages for Social Science.

Findings

This study found that indigenous women entrepreneurs with higher enterprising tendencies performed better than those with lower enterprising tendencies. A significant difference was found between entrepreneurs with a higher enterprising tendency and those with a lower enterprising tendency in three of the five entrepreneurial attributes: need for achievement, creative tendency and calculated risk-taking. Nevertheless, no significant difference was observed in need for autonomy and internal locus of control between the two groups of indigenous women entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

Very few studies are available in the Malaysian context explicitly concerning women entrepreneurs in general and indigenous Dayak women in specific. Therefore, this study provides novel insights into the relationship between enterprising tendency and entrepreneurial performance among indigenous Dayak women entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
Vaccine network design to maximize immunization coverage
Authors: Goentzel Jarrod , Russell Timothy , Carretti Henrique Ribeiro , Hashimoto Yuto
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced countries to consider how to reach vulnerable communities with extended outreach services to improve vaccination uptake. The authors created an optimization model to align with decision-makers' objective to maximize immunization coverage within constrained budgets and deploy resources considering empirical data and endogenous demand.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed integer program (MIP) determines the location of outreach sites and the resource deployment across health centers and outreach sites. The authors validated the model and evaluated the approach in consultation with UNICEF using a case study from The Gambia.

Findings

Results in The Gambia showed that by opening new outreach sites and optimizing resource allocation and scheduling, the Ministry of Health could increase immunization coverage from 91.0 to 97.1% under the same budget. Case study solutions informed managerial insights to drive gains in vaccine coverage even without the application of sophisticated tools.

Originality/value

The research extended resource constrained LMIC vaccine distribution modeling literature in two ways: first, endogenous calculation of demand as a function of distance to health facility location enabled the effective design of the vaccine network around convenience to the community and second, the model's resource bundle concept more accurately and flexibly represented complex requirements and costs for specific resources, which facilitated buy-in from stakeholders responsible for managing health budgets. The paper also demonstrated how to leverage empirical research and spatial analysis of publicly available demographic and geographic data to effectively represent important contextual factors.
Board dynamics and relational tensions in the English NHS foundation trusts
Authors: Manzoor Humera , Nocker Manuela , Rashid Mehboob ur , Ghani Usman
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study explores interactional dynamics and relational tensions within English NHS Foundation Trust board meetings that are influenced by governance structure and the board composition.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws upon an ethnonarrative approach to enable the understanding of the nuances of boardroom interactions. Data was collected through participant observation of board of directors’ and board of governors’ meetings and narrative interviews from directors and governors of two NHS Foundation Trusts. Data was analyzed through thematic narrative analysis to enable the identification and understanding of the patterns and the hidden tensions in boards.

Findings

Findings reveal that board interactions are influenced strongly by the nexus of structural, contextual and human elements of governance. Three main findings are highlighted: a lack of clarity of the governors’ and chairpersons’ roles which create ambiguities within board processes; the large size of the board of governors disrupts meaningful discussions in board meetings; the unacceptability and avoidance of governors’ accountability by the directors creates a struggle for supremacy and legitimacy in boards.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can explore both the positive and negative outcomes of board behaviors, which are influenced by the perceived built-in tensions in governance structures. In addition, access to other spaces of governance, such as, subcommittee meetings and private board meetings can further enrich our understanding of board dynamics.

Originality/value

This study attempts to uncover the neglected modes of interactions within boards through a combination of two disparate perspectives: board structures/composition and interactions through an ethnonarrative approach.
Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders: A retrospective population‐based cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Chiang Chien‐Ping , Hung Chih‐Tsung , Chen Yi‐Hsien , Chen Chih‐Yu , Soong Chen‐Yeu , Liu Sheng‐Wen , Liu Hsi‐Ling , Ma Jun , Chung Chi‐Hsiang , Tsao Chang‐Huei , Sun Chien‐An , Chien Wu‐Chien , Wang Wei‐Ming
Published: June 2022

Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life‐threatening adverse reactions to drugs and psychological sequelae are also observed to follow the trauma of widespread epidermal necrolysis. To delineate the association between SJS and TEN, and psychiatric disorders, we conducted a retrospective population‐based cohort study by including 212 patients diagnosed with first‐time SJS or TEN in Taiwan between 2000 and 2013 and 669 population controls. Adjusted hazard ratios were calculated after adjusting for sex, age, comorbidity in the form of Charlson comorbidity index, and facility level of care. Overall, SJS or TEN was associated with an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, mania, anxiety, and bipolar with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.392 (95% CI, 1.192–1.625; p < 0.001). Particularly, the adjusted hazard ratios of psychiatric disorders were 1.290 (95% CI, 1.105–1.506; p < 0.001) for SJS and 1.855 (95% CI, 1.587–2.167; p < 0.001) for TEN.
What is truth – in science and beyond
Authors: Brüssow Harald
Published: June 2022

Truth is threatened in our societies and one might wish that scientists should stand up for truth, but in order to do so, one needs to know what is truth and how it can be recognized. The oldest and most widely accepted concept of truth is the Correspondence Theory requesting a fit of propositions and reality. In the Coherence Theory truth is a consistent property of a whole system of propositions. In the Pragmatic Theory truth works in practical terms. Scientists have defined criteria to verify true statements by experiments and by the simplicity of theories. Aristotle proposed parsimony claiming the superiority of theories which derive from fewer hypotheses. David Hume suggested probability arguments to assess the force of evidence. Nicolai Hartmann elaborated a model based on the congruence of a priori logical arguments with a posteriori empirical observations. Karl Popper introduced the falsification of testable theories as a way to better theories. The analysis shows that scientific and medical research uses classical philosophical criteria of truth in their daily work. Humanities use different, hermeneutic criteria of truth. Finally, societies need for their coherence a dialectic approach to truth based on honest discussion of opposing views.
COVID‐19 in kidney transplant recipients; a DALMATIAN single‐center experience
Authors: Dogas Tina , Brkovic Tonci , Novak Ivana , Radic Josipa
Published: June 2022

Introduction

We aimed to explore COVID‐19 severity, complications, and outcome predictors in the Dalmatian population of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Methods

KTRs confirmed with acute COVID‐19 infection until May 2021 were included and followed up for 6 months.

Results

Out of 50 KTRs average aged 63 years, 36 (72%) were men. Nine (18%) KTRs had no pulmonary infiltration, and twenty‐nine (58%) did not require oxygen supplementation. Bilateral pulmonary infiltrates had 29 (58%) while high‐flow nasal cannula or mechanical ventilation required 8 (16%) KTRs. The mortality rate was 16%. Acute kidney injury developed in 18 (36%), and acute renal replacement therapy required 2 (4%) KTRs. Nine (18%) KTRs were subsequently rehospitalized. Chronic COVID‐19 syndrome reported 23 (58%) KTRs.

Conclusions

D‐dimers were found to be the key prognostic factor of clinical complications, emphasizing the importance of underlying thrombotic microangiopathy. Optimal immunosuppressant adjusting in KTRs with acute COVID‐19 infection remains to be clarified.
New Zealand national retrospective cohort study of survival outcomes of patients with metastatic melanoma receiving immune‐checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Ab Rahman Ahmad Sufian , Strother Robert Matthew , Paddison Johanna
Published: June 2022

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have increased overall survival (OS) in metastatic melanoma in all clinical trials to date. However, pivotal trial populations were not representative of the real‐world population in New Zealand. Real‐world treatment effectiveness studies help evaluate the value of public pharmaceutical expenditure.

Aim

To determine the survival outcomes of New Zealand patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma treated with pembrolizumab or nivolumab.

Methods

This is a national retrospective cohort study. Patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic melanoma who received publicly funded immune‐checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) from 2017 to 2019 were included. Individual patient data were extracted from national administrative databases. The primary endpoint was OS, and secondary endpoints included OS by age, duration of treatment, posttreatment survival, and 30‐day mortality from last pharmaceutical claim.

Results

Five hundred ninety‐seven patients were included, with a median follow‐up of 25 months. One‐year OS was 72%, the 2‐year OS estimate was 60%, and median OS not reached. Survival did not differ by dichotomized age (≥70 vs. <70 year old), hazard ratio (HR) .94 (95% confidence interval (CI): .72–1.22; p = .62). Median duration of treatment was 9.0 months (95% CI: 7.9–10.1). Median post‐treatment survival for the subgroup who had ceased treatment was 12.0 months (95% CI: 9.0–14.0). For the sample as a whole, the estimated 30‐day mortality from last pharmaceutical claim was 15.7%.

Conclusion

OS in our New Zealand real‐world population is comparable to pivotal clinical trials and real‐world data (RWD) from other countries. These findings support the achievement of health gains from use of ICI in advanced unresectable and metastatic melanoma.
The long‐term mortality of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian population after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Nellipudi Jessy A. , Baker Robert A. , Prabhakaran Sarita , Klebe Sonja , Krieg Bronwyn M. , Bennetts Jayme S.
Published: June 2022

Background

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians have an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease and present at a younger age for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) when compared to non‐Indigenous Australians. Studies have reported postoperative outcomes in Indigenous people to be less favourable. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate long term mortality between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous people post‐CABG.

Methods

We analysed data on all patients who underwent isolated CABG, with and without cardiopulmonary bypass, at our institution between January 1998 to September 2008. There were 33 395 person‐years of survival for analysis with a median follow‐up of 13 years (Interquartile range (IQR): 8–16 years). We analysed all‐cause mortality with the Kaplan–Meier graph and log‐rank test. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The mean age at presentation for Indigenous people was 52 years compared to 65 yr for non‐indigenous people. There were 1431 (52.1%) deaths by the study census date, with the overall mortality for Indigenous patients at 49.8% (n = 147) and 52.4% for non‐Aboriginal patients (n = 1284). The age and comorbidities adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all‐cause late mortality (median years) was HR = 1.712 (95% CI: 1.288–2.277, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Indigenous patients present for CABG at a younger age and have a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Our study demonstrates they have a higher risk of propensity adjusted all‐cause long term mortality. Primary and secondary prevention strategies, tailored to Indigenous people, may improve health outcomes in the long‐term post‐CABG.
Mechanomyography and tissue oxygen saturation during electrically‐evoked wrist extensor fatigue in people with tetraplegia
Authors: Mohamad Saadon Nurul Salwani , Hamzaid Nur Azah , Hasnan Nazirah , Dzulkifli Muhammad Afiq , Teoh Mira , Davis Glen M.
Published: June 2022

Background

Repetitive electrically‐evoked muscle contractions lead to the early onset of muscle fatigue. This study assessed the relationship between muscle mechanomyography (%RMS‐MMG) and tissue oxygen saturation (%TSI) in extensor carpi radialis (ECR) during electrically‐evoked fatiguing exercise in individuals with tetraplegia.

Methods

Skin‐surface mechanomyography (MMG) and near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensors were placed on the ECR of seven individuals with tetraplegia. All participants performed repetitive electrically‐evoked wrist extension to fatigue while their muscle MMG and NIRS responses were monitored against their power output (PO). Findings: One out of seven participants showed no changes in %TSI throughout the repeated wrist FES‐evoked contraction. The other six participants' %TSI was positively correlated with %PO before fatigue onset. At 50%POpeak, %TSI was negatively correlated (0.489) significantly with declining %PO as the ability of the muscle to take up oxygen became limited. The %RMS‐MMG behaved analogously during pre and post‐fatigue against declining %PO, whereby both displayed positive correlations of 0.443 and 0.214, respectively, (%RMS‐MMG decreased) throughout the exercise session. Regression analysis revealed that %TSI was proportional to pre‐fatigue and inversely proportional to %RMS‐MMG during post‐fatigue.

Conclusion

The significant changes in muscle mechanomyography and tissue oxygenation correlations after 50%POpeak implied that the muscle contraction mechanical‐and‐physiological behavior association had been altered following FES‐evoked fatigue.