bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable board governance and sustainable supply chain reporting: European evidence
Authors: Velte Patrick
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of sustainable board governance, based on (1) sustainability board committees, (2) critical mass of female board members and (3) sustainability-related executive compensation, on sustainable supply chain reporting (SSCR).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on stakeholder and critical mass theories, a sample of 1,577 firm-year observations for firms listed at the EuroSTOXX600 for the period 2017–2021 is used. Sustainable board governance and SSCR proxies are collected from the Refinitiv database. Correlation and logit regression analyses are conducted to measure the impact of sustainable board governance on SSCR.

Findings

Sustainable board governance significantly improves SSCR. The findings are robust to various robustness checks, based on the modification of dependent and independent variables.

Research limitations/implications

Due to massive regulations on sustainability reporting, finance and corporate governance, firms listed on the EuroSTOXX 600 are focused in this analysis. The European capital market represents a unique setting for archival research.

Practical implications

European standard setters should connect the relationship between sustainable board governance and SSCR in future regulations, for example, due to the recent corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD) and corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD).

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper provides the first analysis on the impact of sustainable board governance on SSCR.
Open science policies as regarded by the communities of researchers from the basic sciences in the scientific periphery
Authors: Manco Alejandra
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper explores the different open science policy effects on the knowledge generation process of researchers in basic sciences: biology, chemistry and physics.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a qualitative methodology with a content analysis approach. It uses seventeen semi-directed interviews.

Findings

The main perceived effect of open science is access to research inputs, with open access, open research data and code reuse as primary sources. Another issue is the increase of collaboration with other colleagues in terms of the ability to collaborate faster and encouraging the exchange of ideas. However, this benefit does not translate to the division of labor in large transnational teams. Time spent on tasks like cleaning up data and code, scooping and other ethical issues are unfavorable aspects noted.

Practical implications

Policymakers could use this study to enhance current open science policies in the countries.

Originality/value

This study analyzes the perspectives of basic sciences researchers from two countries about open science policies. The main conclusion is the fact that open science policies should focus on the research process itself – rather than research outputs – in order to effectively tackle inequalities in science.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-03-2023-0135
Diversity, species coexistence and functional composition patterns in subtropical Atlantic Forests invaded by non‐native trees
Authors: Larsen Janaina Gabriela , da Silva Ana Carolina , de Sá Dechoum Michele , de Freitas Elisete Maria , Gomes Juliano Pereira , Stedille Lilian Iara Bet , Carvalho Joema , Higuchi Pedro
Published: December 2023

Invasões biológicas são um grande desafio ambiental atualmente. Interações entre espécies invasoras e nativas podem moldar significativamente as estruturas da comunidade, influenciando a coexistência, diversidade e composição funcional das espécies. A Floresta Atlântica subtropical no sul do Brasil, um reconhecido hotspot de biodiversidade, oferece um cenário único para estudar essas interações, dada sua vulnerabilidade às invasões de árvores exóticas.

Nosso estudo buscou elucidar os impactos dessas invasões neste ecossistema frágil, abordando questões‐chave: (1) Como os padrões de diversidade da comunidade arbórea são afetados pela abundância de espécies exóticas invasoras? (2) Quais são os padrões de coexistência entre árvores nativas e exóticas invasoras? (3) A composição funcional das florestas é alterada pela abundância de árvores invasoras?

Para abordar essas questões, compilamos dados sobre a abundância e características funcionais de árvores nativas e invasoras. Determinamos os padrões de diversidade e composição funcional de parcelas com diferentes graus de invasão. Estes dados foram analisados usando Modelos Lineares Mistos Generalizados, Análise de Componentes Principais e um índice de coexistência.

Em parcelas com maior abundância de árvores invasoras, houve uma diminuição significativa na riqueza taxonômica e funcional das espécies nativas. Além disso, observamos que árvores exóticas invasoras coexistiam com espécies nativas, e à medida que a abundância de árvores invasoras aumentava, a média ponderada da comunidade nativa (CWM) da área foliar e da área foliar específica diminuía.

Em conclusão, nas áreas da Floresta Atlântica subtropical do sul do Brasil, nossos achados destacam que a abundância de árvores invasoras afeta adversamente a riqueza taxonômica e funcional das espécies nativas. Além disso, enquanto árvores exóticas invasoras foram encontradas coexistindo com espécies nativas, o aumento da abundância invasora correspondeu a uma redução na área foliar e na área foliar específica da comunidade nativa.
From Negative Emotions to Personal Growth: Failure and Re‐entry into Entrepreneurship
Authors: Shore Adam , Pittaway Luke , Bortolotti Thomas
Published: December 2023

This study explores how entrepreneurs’ extent of experience of business failure affects the level of negative emotional response (NER) they experience, moderating the level of personal growth that occurs after business failure. Contrary to common assumption, the study finds no significant relationship between the extent of failure experience and the level of NER. The results show that many entrepreneurs demonstrate personal growth following business failure, however, the extent of failure experience and the level of NER. This interaction moderates the level of personal growth for the entrepreneur and suggests that high levels of failure experience interfere with the level of personal growth obtained. The study contributes to theory by providing insights into the processes and consequences of entrepreneurial failure. In particular, the study brings together key threads of debate on personal growth and failure to develop and test conceptual arguments, and further explores the way entrepreneurship scholars think about emotion, business failure and its impact on the individual and society.
An innovative transfer DNA experimental design and qPCR assay to identify primary, secondary, and tertiary DNA transfer
Authors: McCrane Samantha M. , Mulligan Connie J.
Published: December 2023

“Touch DNA” is a form of trace DNA that is presumed to be deposited when an individual touches something and leaves behind DNA‐containing skin cells, sweat, or other fluids. While touch DNA is often the result of direct contact (i.e., primary transfer), it can also be indirectly transferred between surfaces or individuals (e.g., secondary or tertiary transfer). Even experts cannot distinguish between different types of transfer and do not fully understand which variables affect direct versus indirect transfer or how often each type of transfer occurs. In this study, we utilize an innovative protocol that combines a paired male and female transfer DNA experimental design with an Amelogenin qPCR assay to generate data on primary, secondary, and tertiary DNA transfer. We report frequencies of indirect DNA transfer and also investigate the potential effects of participant age, self‐identified ethnicity, and skin conditions on DNA transfer. Out of 22 experimental trials, we detected primary transfer (male + female) in 71% of trials, secondary DNA transfer in 50% of trials, and tertiary DNA transfer in 27% of trials. No significant associations were found between primary DNA transfer and age, self‐identified ancestry, or skin conditions, however, all individuals with sloughing skin conditions demonstrated primary DNA transfer and we suggest this variable be explored in larger samples. These results contribute to a better understanding of the conditions under which secondary and tertiary DNA transfer occurs and can be used to propose realistic DNA transfer scenarios in court cases.
Effect of abrocitinib on skin biomarkers in patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis
Authors: Guttman‐Yassky Emma , Facheris Paola , Gomez‐Arias Pedro Jesus , Del Duca Ester , Da Rosa Joel Correa , Weidinger Stephan , Bissonnette Robert , Armstrong April W. , Seneschal Julien , Eyerich Kilian , Estrada Yeriel D. , Bose Swaroop N. , Xu Dan , Chen Allshine , Tatulych Svitlana , Güler Erman , Chan Gary , Page Karen M. , Kerkmann Urs
Published: December 2023

Background

This is the first report on the effects of abrocitinib, a Janus kinase 1–selective inhibitor, on the expression of skin biomarkers in patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Methods

JADE MOA (NCT03915496) was a double‐blind Phase 2a trial. Adults were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive monotherapy with once‐daily abrocitinib 200 mg, abrocitinib 100 mg, or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in markers of inflammation (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]‐12), epidermal hyperplasia (keratin‐16 [KRT16]), T‐helper 2 (Th2) immune response (C‐C motif chemokine ligand [CCL]17, CCL18, and CCL26), and Th22 immune response (S100 calcium binding protein A8, A9, and A12 [S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12]) in skin through 12 weeks.

Results

A total of 46 patients received abrocitinib 200 mg (n = 14), abrocitinib 100 mg (n = 16), or placebo (n = 16). Abrocitinib improved AD clinical signs and reduced itch. Gene expression of MMP‐12, KRT16, S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 was significantly decreased from baseline with abrocitinib 200 mg (at Weeks 2, 4, and 12) and abrocitinib 100 mg (at Weeks 4 and 12) in a dose‐dependent manner. Abrocitinib 200 mg resulted in significant decreases from baseline in CCL17 expression at Week 12 and CCL18 expression at Weeks 2, 4, and 12; no significant decreases were observed for CCL26.

Conclusions

Alongside improvements in clinical signs and symptoms of AD, 12 weeks of abrocitinib treatment resulted in downregulation of genes associated with inflammation, epidermal hyperplasia, and Th2 and Th22 immune responses in the skin of patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD.
Response of herbaceous functional types and woody vegetation to selective shrub control on wildlife and cattle ranches in a semi‐arid savanna
Authors: Marquart Arnim , van Coller Helga , van Staden Nanette , Kellner Klaus
Published: December 2023

Aims

Shrub encroachment is a major challenge for livestock and wildlife management in semi‐arid savannas. Shrub removal by land managers is widespread, but the long‐term effects on vegetation structure and composition, which determine carrying capacity for herbivores, are poorly documented. This study aims to examine the effects of selective shrub removal to guide vegetation management in key land uses of semi‐arid African savannas.

Questions

Vegetation responses were assessed across land uses and treatments to answer the following questions: (1) does shrub removal increase the frequency of palatable plants and therefore herbivore‐carrying capacity; (2) does selective shrub removal decrease woody vegetation structure 15 years after application; and (3) how do these effects differ between cattle and wildlife ranching?

Location

Molopo region of the North West Province, South Africa.

Methods

Herbaceous and woody vegetations were sampled within six transects each of three wildlife ranches and three cattle ranches in areas that had either been selectively shrub‐controlled with herbicides 10–15 years previously or left untreated. To quantify effects of woody shrub control on herbaceous functional‐group abundances and assemblages, tree equivalents, regrowth rate, and shrub abundance, we compared these variables across two treatments (treated and untreated) and land uses. Data were analysed using GLMMs, NMDS ordinations, PERMANOVA, and SIMPER.

Results

Selective shrub control effectively improved palatable herbaceous vegetation, especially on cattle ranches. Especially abundance of perennial grass was higher on wildlife ranches compared to cattle ranches. Tree equivalent was higher in untreated compared to treated plots, and these differences were more pronounced on wildlife ranches than on cattle ranches.

Conclusionss

Selective shrub removal improved the palatable herbaceous layer for both wildlife and cattle ranching and can be considered an effective management strategy in semi‐arid rangelands.
Berberine attenuates cognitive dysfunction and hippocampal apoptosis in rats with prediabetes
Authors: Wu Lan , Meng Xiang‐jian , Xu Tian‐bao , Zhang Xian‐cui , Zhou Yong , Tong Zhu‐feng , Jiang Jing‐han
Published: December 2023

The cognitive dysfunction caused by prediabetes causes great difficulties in human life, and the terrible thing is that the means to prevent the occurrence of this disease are very limited at present, Berberine has shown the potential to treat diabetes and cognitive dysfunction, but it still needs to be further explored to clarify the mechanism of its therapeutic effect. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Berberine on prediabetes‐induced cognitive dysfunction. Prediabetes rat model was induced by a high‐fat diet and a normal diet was used as a control. They were fed for 20 weeks. At week 13, the model rats were given 100 mg/kg Berberine by gavage for 7 weeks. The cognitive function of rats was observed. At the same time, OGTT, fasting blood glucose, blood lipids, insulin and other metabolic parameters, oxidative stress, and apoptosis levels were measured. The results showed that the model rats showed obvious glucose intolerance, elevated blood lipids, and insulin resistance, and the levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis were significantly increased. However, after the administration of Berberine, the blood glucose and lipid metabolism of prediabetic rats were significantly improved, and the oxidative stress level and apoptosis level of hippocampal tissue were significantly reduced. In conclusion, Berberine can alleviate the further development of diabetes in prediabetic rats, reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis in hippocampal tissue, and improve cognitive impairment in prediabetic rats.
Alveolar ridge changes 1‐year after early implant placement, with or without alveolar ridge preservation at single‐implant sites in the aesthetic region: A secondary analysis of radiographic and profilometric outcomes from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Strauss Franz Josef , Fukuba Shunsuke , Naenni Nadja , Jung Ronald , Jonker Brend , Wolvius Eppo , Pijpe Justin
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To assess both the radiographic and profilometric outcomes of early implant placement with or without alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) (using two different ARP techniques) after 1 year of loading.

Materials and Methods

Seventy‐five patients with a failing single tooth in the anterior maxilla were randomly allocated to three groups (1:1:1): (a) ARP using demineralized bovine bone mineral containing 10% collagen (DBBM‐C) covered by a collagen matrix (CM), (b) ARP using DBBM‐C covered with a palatal graft (PG), and (c) unassisted socket healing (control). Eight weeks after tooth extraction, early implant placement was performed in all patients. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) and impressions were taken 8 weeks after tooth extraction (ARP/unassisted healing) prior to implant placement and 1‐year post‐loading. Radiographic and profilometric outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Out of the 70 patients available for re‐examination at 1‐year post‐loading, 55 datasets could be assessed (ARP‐CM 19; ARP‐PG 17; Control 19). The need for additional guided bone regeneration (GBR) at implant placement amounted to 31.6% (ARP‐CM), 29.4% (ARP‐PG), and 68.4% (unassisted healing). Adjusted models revealed that residual buccal bone height and additional GBR at implant placement significantly influenced the magnitude of the alveolar changes at 1 year (p < 0.05). In patients with ARP (group ARP‐CM or ARP‐PG) without additional GBR, the presence of bone convexity amounted to 36.0% (9/25) at 1‐year post‐loading. For patients that received ARP and additional GBR at implant placement, the frequency of bone convexity increased to 72.7% (8/11) (p = 0.042). Regarding profilometric measurements, a tendency toward agreement with radiographic outcomes was observed.

Conclusions

Early implant placement with ARP can attenuate alveolar ridge changes at 1‐year post loading by minimizing both radiographic and profilometric alterations. However, early implant placement with simultaneous GBR consistently yields superior radiographic and profilometric outcomes, regardless of whether ARP is performed.
Longitudinal associations between lie evaluations and frequency: The moderating role of age
Authors: Dykstra Victoria W. , Willoughby Teena , Evans Angela D.
Published: December 2023

While previous studies have demonstrated correlations between children and adolescents’ evaluations of lies and lie‐telling behaviors, the temporal order of these associations over time and changes across this developmental period remain unexamined. The current study examined longitudinal associations among children and adolescents’ (N = 1128; Mage = 11.54, SD = 1.68, 49.80% male, and 83.6% white) evaluations of lies to parents for autonomy and lie‐telling frequency to parents and friends. Autoregressive cross‐lagged analysis revealed longitudinal associations moderated by age. Among children, evaluations of lies predicted greater lie‐telling rates over time. Conversely, among adolescents, lie‐telling frequency predicted lie evaluations over time, and evaluations predicted lying to parents over time. These results demonstrate a novel developmental pattern of the associations between moral evaluations of lies and lie‐telling.

Research Highlights

Children and adolescents’ evaluations of lie‐telling and lie‐telling frequency were associated longitudinally, but the direction of this association was moderated by age.

Among children, more positive lie evaluations predicted greater lie‐telling to parents and friends over time.

Among adolescents, more positive lie evaluations predicted lying more often to parents over time; lying more to parents and friends predicted more positive evaluations over time.

These findings suggest a novel developmental pattern regarding the temporal order of the association between evaluations of lie‐telling and lie‐telling frequency.
Gendered professions, prestigious professions: When stereotypes condition career choices
Authors: Jaoul‐Grammare Magali
Published: December 2023

Despite social changes and the opening up of all professions to men and women, society continues to adhere to many stereotypes, and many professions are still considered to be feminine or masculine. In addition to gendered representations of occupations, there are also social representations linked to the social prestige associated with a profession. These two elements shape the study and professional choices of individuals. Based on this observation, the aim of this article is twofold: I study individuals' perceptions of various professions and I analyse the influence of theses perceptions on their choice of orientation. I use a questionnaire administered to secondary school pupils and students. The results obtained show a differentiated influence of stereotypes on career plans. It also appears that individuals tend to underrate the professions they consider ‘feminine’.
Determinants of outcomes and advances in CD19‐directed chimeric antigen receptor therapy for B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Gupta Supriya , Kohorst Mira , Alkhateeb Hassan B.
Published: December 2023

Relapsed and refractory B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) is an aggressive B‐cell neoplasm associated with poor outcomes. Conventional multiagent chemotherapy and bispecific antibody therapy may induce remission; however, relapse rates remain high and overall survival is poor. Chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell (CAR‐T) therapy provides durable, deep complete remission, and long‐term cures in relapsed and refractory B‐ALL. However, with this new treatment modality, 10%–30% of patients do not achieve remission, and over 50% experience relapse after therapy. Currently, there are two approved CD19‐specific CAR‐T cell constructs in B‐ALL, Tisagenlecleucel and Brexucabtagene Autoleucel by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In this review, we discuss patients, disease, and CAR‐T predictors of outcomes in B‐ALL. We describe the two approved CD19‐directed CAR‐T cell products, review the current literature, and discuss factors associated with high risks of therapy failure and future direction in CAR‐T cell therapy for B‐ALL.
Neurophysiological measures and correlates of cognitive load in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and dyslexia: A scoping review and research recommendations
Authors: Le Cunff Anne‐Laure , Dommett Eleanor , Giampietro Vincent
Published: December 2023

Working memory is integral to a range of critical cognitive functions such as reasoning and decision‐making. Although alterations in working memory have been observed in neurodivergent populations, there has been no review mapping how cognitive load is measured in common neurodevelopmental conditions such as attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and dyslexia. This scoping review explores the neurophysiological measures used to study cognitive load in these specific populations. Our findings highlight that electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are the most frequently used methods, with a limited number of studies employing functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRs), magnetoencephalography (MEG) or eye‐tracking. Notably, eye‐related measures are less commonly used, despite their prominence in cognitive load research among neurotypical individuals. The review also highlights potential correlates of cognitive load, such as neural oscillations in the theta and alpha ranges for EEG studies, blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) responses in lateral and medial frontal brain regions for fMRI and fNIRS studies and eye‐related measures such as pupil dilation and blink rate. Finally, critical issues for future studies are discussed, including the technical challenges associated with multimodal approaches, the possible impact of atypical features on cognitive load measures and balancing data richness with participant well‐being. These insights contribute to a more nuanced understanding of cognitive load measurement in neurodivergent populations and point to important methodological considerations for future neuroscientific research in this area.
Call for the use of the ILAE terminology for seizures and epilepsies by health care professionals and regulatory agencies to benefit patients and caregivers
Authors: Auvin Stéphane , Arzimanoglou Alexis , Brambilla Isabella , French Jacqueline , Knupp Kelly G. , Lagae Lieven , Perucca Emilio , Trinka Eugen , Dlugos Dennis
Published: December 2023

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) introduced a classification for seizure types in 2017 and updated the classification for epilepsy syndromes in 2022. These classifications aim to improve communication among healthcare professionals and help patients better describe their condition. So far, regulatory agencies have used different terminology. This paper stresses the crucial need for consistently adopting ILAE terminology in both regulatory processes and clinical practice. It highlights how language plays a significant role in healthcare communication and how standardized terminology can enhance patient comprehension. The ongoing review of guidelines by regulatory bodies offers a timely opportunity. Aligning regulatory terminologies holds the potential to facilitate discussions on future drug development and harmonize practices across diverse regions, ultimately fostering improved care and research outcomes in epilepsy treatment.
Microbiome ecological memory and responses to repeated marine heatwaves clarify variation in coral bleaching and mortality
Authors: Vompe Alex D. , Epstein Hannah E. , Speare Kelly E. , Schmeltzer Emily R. , Adam Thomas C. , Burkepile Deron E. , Sharpton Thomas J. , Vega Thurber Rebecca
Published: December 2023

Microbiomes are essential features of holobionts, providing their hosts with key metabolic and functional traits like resistance to environmental disturbances and diseases. In scleractinian corals, questions remain about the microbiome's role in resistance and resilience to factors contributing to the ongoing global coral decline and whether microbes serve as a form of holobiont ecological memory. To test if and how coral microbiomes affect host health outcomes during repeated disturbances, we conducted a large‐scale (32 exclosures, 200 colonies, and 3 coral species sampled) and long‐term (28 months, 2018–2020) manipulative experiment on the forereef of Mo'orea, French Polynesia. In 2019 and 2020, this reef experienced the two most severe marine heatwaves on record for the site. Our experiment and these events afforded us the opportunity to test microbiome dynamics and roles in the context of coral bleaching and mortality resulting from these successive and severe heatwaves. We report unique microbiome responses to repeated heatwaves in Acropora retusa, Porites lobata, and Pocillopora spp., which included: microbiome acclimatization in A. retusa, and both microbiome resilience to the first marine heatwave and microbiome resistance to the second marine heatwave in Pocillopora spp. Moreover, observed microbiome dynamics significantly correlated with coral species‐specific phenotypes. For example, bleaching and mortality in A. retusa both significantly increased with greater microbiome beta dispersion and greater Shannon Diversity, while P. lobata colonies had different microbiomes across mortality prevalence. Compositional microbiome changes, such as changes to proportions of differentially abundant putatively beneficial to putatively detrimental taxa to coral health outcomes during repeated heat stress, also correlated with host mortality, with higher proportions of detrimental taxa yielding higher mortality in A. retusa. This study reveals evidence for coral species‐specific microbial responses to repeated heatwaves and, importantly, suggests that host‐dependent microbiome dynamics may provide a form of holobiont ecological memory to repeated heat stress.
Process‐oriented models of leaf senescence are biased towards the mean: Impacts on model performance and future projections
Authors: Meier Michael , Bugmann Harald , Bigler Christof
Published: December 2023

The timing of leaf senescence in deciduous trees influences carbon uptake and the resources available for tree growth, defense, and reproduction. Therefore, simulated biosphere‐atmosphere interactions and, eventually, estimates of the biospheric climate change mitigation potential are affected by the accuracy of process‐oriented leaf senescence models. However, current leaf senescence models are likely to suffer from a bias towards the mean (BTM). This may lead to overly flat trends, whereby errors would increase with increasing difference from the average timing of leaf senescence, ultimately distorting model performance and projected future shifts. However, such effects of the BTM on model performance and future shifts have rarely been investigated. We analyzed >17 × 106 past dates and >49 × 106 future shifts of leaf senescence simulated by 21 process‐oriented models that had been calibrated with >45,000 observations from Central Europe for three major European tree species. The surmised effects on model performance and future shifts occurred in all 21 models, revealing strong model‐specific BTM. In general, the models performed only slightly better than a null model that just simulates the average timing of leaf senescence. While standard comparisons of model performance favored models with stronger BTM, future shifts of leaf senescence were smaller when projected by models with weaker BTM. Overall, the future shifts for 2090–2099 relative to 1990–1999 increased by an average of 13–14 days after correcting for the BTM. In conclusion, the BTM substantially affects simulations by state‐of‐the‐art leaf senescence models, which compromises model comparisons and distorts projections of future shifts. Smaller shifts result from flatter trends associated with stronger BTM. Therefore, smaller shifts according to models with weaker BTM illustrate the considerable uncertainty in current leaf senescence projections. It is likely that state‐of‐the‐art projections of future biosphere behavior under global change are distorted by erroneous leaf senescence models.
Parenting through place‐of‐care disruptions: A qualitative study of parents' experiences of neonatal care
Authors: Cupit Caroline , Paton Alexis , Boyle Elaine , Pillay Thillagavathie , Anderson Josie , Armstrong Natalie ,   the OPTI‐PREM team
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Neonatal care is complex, involving multiple people and technologies within a community of care. When preterm babies are cared for far from home and/or transferred between units, the whole community of care (and particularly parent participation) is disrupted. Although previous studies have captured subjective experiences of parents, there has been little research exploring the material practices undertaken by parents as a consequence of place‐of‐care decisions, or the social organisation of those practices.

Methods

As part of a wider study exploring optimal place‐of‐care, semistructured interviews were conducted between July 2018 and October 2019 with 48 parents (36 families) with one or more preterm babies (born at 27–31 weeks gestation) cared for in a neonatal unit in the last 12 months.

Findings

We highlight parents' labour‐intensive and stressful work to: (1) parent in the neonatal care community (an oversight role that goes beyond contemporary notions of ‘involvement’); (2) create continuity amid place‐of‐care disruptions; and (3) adapt to the managerial logics of neonatal care settings. Our analysis focuses on the work generated by managerial systems that organise place‐of‐care decision‐making and other efficiency‐focused practices. Parents are absorbed into negotiating institutional systems and diverted from routine parenting activities.

Conclusion

Those involved in the organisation and management of neonatal care should take account of how managerial systems impact parents' workload, ability to participate in their baby's community of care and, ultimately, on the wellbeing and development of babies and their families.

Patient or Public Contribution

The OPTI‐PREM study embedded parents' experiences of neonatal care into the research, through a discrete workstream that employed qualitative methodology to capture parents' experiences—as reported in this paper. The OPTI‐PREM project was also supported by a Bliss volunteer parent panel, which was involved in designing and overseeing the research. Bliss ‘champion[s] the right for every baby born premature or sick to receive the best care by supporting families, campaigning for change and supporting professionals and enabling life‐changing research’ (https://www.bliss.org.uk/about-us/about-bliss). A representative of Bliss is a co‐author of this manuscript, and a parent representative (named in the Acknowledgements) provided feedback during its preparation.
‘Keeping it real’: A qualitative exploration of preferences of people with lived experience for participation and active involvement in mental health research in Australia
Authors: Dray Julia , Palmer Victoria J. , Banfield Michelle
Published: December 2023

Background

Historically, researchers have been apt at conducting research on, rather than with, the people who are the focus of their efforts. Such approaches often fail to effectively support and benefit the populations they are intended to. This study aimed to explore the preferences of people with lived experience for engagement with research either as research participants within studies, or through active involvement in mental health research.

Methods

Data for this paper were collected in three separate lived experience agenda‐setting studies conducted over a 9‐year period from 2013 to 2022; two group discussions and an open‐ended online survey. Data were combined and thematic analysis undertaken.

Results

Participants described the inclusion of lived experience as a critical ingredient and the highest level of knowledge and expertise in mental health research that should lead to knowledge generation and research agendas. Participants discussed the importance and value of research that enables sharing experiences and stories, expressed a need for flexibility in research methods for choice and agency, and support for greater active involvement of people with lived experience across all stages of research. Participants also spoke to the need for perspective and knowledge generated from people with lived experience to have equal power in research, making space for lived experience voices across multiple aspects of research, and greater respect and recognition of the value of lived experience.

Conclusion

Lived experience in mental health research is coming of age, but dedicated, cocreated development is needed to get it right. People with lived experience increasingly understand the value their experiential knowledge brings to the mental health research effort, and describe a wide range of ways that researchers can support them to be research participants, and to get actively involved. Power‐sharing, respect and recognition of lived experience as central to effective mental health research are the keys to ‘keeping it real’.

Patient or Public Contribution

People with lived experience of mental health problems or distress either personally, and/or as carers, family and kinship group members, were involved in the coideation and codesign of this research. All authors identify as people with lived experience.
Using ohmic heating to shorten the tempering time for frozen fish
Authors: Chysirichote Teerin , Phumchom Nahathai , Chintapum Sappayakorn , Klinthong Worasuang , Ohtaguchi Kazuhisa , Yoovidhya Tipaporn
Published: December 2023

Thawing is necessary to restore the freshness of fish before cooking because fish is often frozen to retain its freshness. Frequently, fish is partially thawed (or ‘tempered’) as it is easier to handle in this form than fully thawed fish. However, the conventional tempering techniques – immersion in water and still air tempering – take a long time and alter the fish's characteristics. Hence, the aim of this study was to use the heat generated inside the frozen fish, or ohmic heating, to alter the tempering process. Compared with conventional tempering operations, in this study, three voltage levels (20, 30 and 40 V/cm) were used for ohmic tempering. The fish quality and yield findings revealed that 30‐V/cm ohmic heating was more appropriate, even though ohmic heating at 40 V/cm provided the shortest tempering time. The main operating expense for ohmic tempering was the power cost of USD 58.5/100 kg, whereas the major operating expense for water immersion was the cost of water supply and wastewater treatment, which was around USD 108/100 kg. By using ohmic heating instead of still air and water immersion to temper the frozen fish, not only was less time required while retaining the freshness of the fish but the cost of tempering was also reduced.
Arthrospira platensis as future food: a review on functional ingredients, bioactivities and application in the food industry
Authors: Chang Mengwei , Liu Kunlun
Published: December 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐2019) pandemic and other factors have significantly increased the number of people suffering from food shortages worldwide in 2020. As many as 720–811 million people, which is nearly 10% of the global population, are facing hunger. Thus, the need for substances that fulfil human nutritional requirements is growing to address this issue. Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis), commonly or commercially called spirulina, is an ideal product that contains various functional ingredients. Given them, various health benefits of A. platensis are proven gradually, including anti‐oxidant, immune regulation, anti‐inflammation, hypoglycaemia, anti‐bacterial and anti‐radiation properties. In recent years, functional ingredients of A. platensis are showing the potential to be functional foods. This paper gives an overview on the functional ingredients and the resulting health benefits of A. platensis summarises the research progress of A. platensis as functional foods in recent years and looks forward to its application development prospects.
MicroRNA‐based therapies: Revolutionizing the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Chandraprabha Vineetha Radhakrishnan , Anitha Geetha Raj John , Devipriya Padmakumar , Sreelatha Mahitha Mohanan , Hariharan Sreedharan
Published: December 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding epigenetic regulators that exert critical significance by influencing target mRNAs and governing gene expression patterns and cellular signaling pathways. miRNAs play a pivotal role in a wide array of biological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Numerous miRNAs contribute to tumorigenesis and cancer progression by promoting tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and immune evasion, while others exert tumor suppressive effects. From a clinical perspective, it has been demonstrated that numerous miRNAs are related to the prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. They hold the potential to be utilized as biomarkers, aiding in improved treatment decision‐making. Moreover, a number of preclinical investigations have offered compelling evidence to create novel treatment approaches that target miRNAs in AML. This review highlights the clinical significance of miRNAs in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response of adult patients with AML.
Pedigree diversity and implications for genetic selection of Katahdin sheep
Authors: Nilson Sara M. , Burke Joan M. , Murdoch Brenda M. , Morgan James L. M. , Lewis Ronald M.
Published: December 2023

The Katahdin hair breed gained popularity in the United States as low input and prolific, with a propensity to exhibit parasite resistance. With the introduction of genomically enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBV) to the Katahdin genetic evaluation, defining the diversity present in the breed is pertinent. Utilizing pedigree records (n = 92,030) from 1984 to 2019 from the National Sheep Improvement Program, our objectives were to (i) estimate the completeness and quality of the pedigree, (ii) calculate diversity statistics for the whole pedigree and relevant reference subpopulations and (iii) assess the impact of current diversity on genomic selection. Reference 1 was Katahdins born from 2017 to 2019 (n = 23,494), while reference 2 was a subset with at least three generations of Katahdin ancestry (n = 9327). The completeness of the whole pedigree, and the pedigrees of reference 1 and reference 2, were above 50% through the fourth, fifth and seventh generation of ancestors, respectively. Effective population size (Ne) averaged 111 animals with a range from 42.2 to 451.0. The average generation interval was 2.9 years for the whole pedigree and reference 1, and 2.8 years for reference 2. The mean individual inbreeding and average relatedness coefficients were 1.62% and 0.91%, 1.74% and 0.90% and 2.94% and 1.46% for the whole pedigree, reference 1, and reference 2, respectively. There were over 300 effective founders in the whole pedigree and reference 1, with 169 in reference 2. Effective number of ancestors were over 150 for the whole pedigree and reference 1, while there were 67 for reference 2. Prediction accuracies increased as the reference population grew from 1k to 7.5k and plateaued at 15k animals. Given the large number of founders and ancestors contributing to the base genetic variation in the breed, the Ne is sufficient to maintain diversity while achieving progress with selection. Stable low rates of inbreeding and relatedness suggest that incorporating genetic conservation in breeding decisions is currently not of high priority. Current Ne suggests that with limited genotyping, high levels of accuracy for genomic prediction can be achieved. However, intense selection on GEBV may cause loss of genetic diversity long term.
Inverted U‐shaped associations between serum uric acid and fasting ‐ plasma glucose level in non‐diabetic, pre‐diabetic, and diabetic adults: A population‐based study in China
Authors: Shi Hongjuan , Liu Yining , Yang Danyu , Liang Peifeng , Chen Chen , Luan Hong , Shi Chao
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study was designed to examine the correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels across non‐diabetic, pre‐diabetic, and diabetic adults from Northwest China.

Materials and Methods

This study utilized data from a cross‐sectional survey conducted in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, which investigated the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular disease. All subjects underwent tests for SUA and FPG levels. Generalized additive models and two‐piecewise linear regression models were applied to explore the relationships between SUA and FPG level. The triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index was examined as a measure of insulin resistance, with an analysis of its mediating effects on the association between SUA and FPG level.

Results

A total of 10,217 individuals aged 18 and over were included. Generalized additive models verified the inverted U‐shaped association between SUA and FPG levels, and the inflection points of FPG levels in the curves were 6.5 mmol/L in males and 8.8 mmol/L in females. The TyG index is an intermediate variable in the relationship between SUA levels and elevated FPG levels, with mediating effects of 12.82% (P < 0.001) for males and 34.02% (P < 0.001) for females.

Conclusions

An inverted U‐shaped association between FPG and SUA levels was observed in both genders. The threshold of FPG level was lower in males than in females. The relationship between these variables seems to be partially mediated by serum insulin levels.
Designing salt stress‐resilient crops: Current progress and future challenges
Authors: Liang Xiaoyan , Li Jianfang , Yang Yongqing , Jiang Caifu , Guo Yan
Published: December 2023

Excess soil salinity affects large regions of land and is a major hindrance to crop production worldwide. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant salt tolerance has scientific importance and practical significance. In recent decades, studies have characterized hundreds of genes associated with plant responses to salt stress in different plant species. These studies have substantially advanced our molecular and genetic understanding of salt tolerance in plants and have introduced an era of molecular design breeding of salt‐tolerant crops. This review summarizes our current knowledge of plant salt tolerance, emphasizing advances in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of osmotic stress tolerance, salt‐ion transport and compartmentalization, oxidative stress tolerance, alkaline stress tolerance, and the trade‐off between growth and salt tolerance. We also examine recent advances in understanding natural variation in the salt tolerance of crops and discuss possible strategies and challenges for designing salt stress‐resilient crops. We focus on the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and the four most‐studied crops: rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), maize (Zea mays), and soybean (Glycine max).
The gut microbiota composition and metabolites are different in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and normotension: A pilot study
Authors: Wu Zhouyi , Ge Mengdi , Liu Jinsu , Chen Xiaoqing , Cai Zhiqiang , Huang Huan
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are one of the main causes of perinatal morbidity. Gut microbiota influences host inflammatory pathways, glucose, and lipid metabolism. However, there is a lack of studies available on gut microbiota in HDP.

Objectives

We investigate the mechanistic and pathogenic role of microbiota in the development of HDP, and want to treat HDP with gut microbiota.

Methods

We performed a case–control study to compare fecal samples of HDP and normotensive pregnant women by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Fecal samples, collected from pregnant women, were divided into groups P and C (pregnant women with HDP and normotension, respectively). There were six pregnant women in group P and nine pregnant women in group C. Age of pregnant women is from 18 to 40 years and gestational age is from 27 to 40 weeks. DNA was extracted from fecal samples; a gene library was constructed and analyzed using bioinformatics. Finally, we determined the changes in the microbiome by alpha diversity, beta diversity, classification abundance, and taxonomic composition analyses.

Results

Escherichia (10.48% in group P and 0.61% in group C) was the dominant bacterium in HDP patients by classification abundance analysis, which can lead to the development of preeclampsia through inflammatory response. We found that pregnant women with HDP had higher abundance of Rothia (p = 0.04984), Actinomyces (p = 0.02040), and Enterococcus (p = 0.04974) and lower abundance of Coprococcus (p = 0.04955) than pregnant women with normotension for the first time by taxonomic composition analysis. Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database analysis, physiological and biochemical functions of HDP patients were significantly weakened, especially in energy metabolism.

Conclusions

We found the effect of changes in gut microbiota on the development of HDP. In comparison with group C, group P contained more harmful bacteria and less beneficial bacteria, which are associated with HDP. Our research further provides a basis for a clinical application for HDP treatment using antibiotics and probiotic supplementation.