bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QSPC-11 NEWLY DIAGNOSED BRAIN METASTASES: WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR EMERGENCY ROOM EVALUATION AND HOSPITAL ADMISSION?
Authors: Soto Daniel , Wendel Sarah , Catalino Michael , Brady William , Gaughan Elizabeth , Sheehan Jason , Fadul Camilo
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Approximately 40% of patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases (BMETs) present to the ED or are admitted to the hospital. The optimal diagnostic and therapeutic care for these patients has not been established.

OBJECTIVE

To map and identify the opportunities to provide value care for patients who come to the ED or are admitted to the hospital with newly diagnosed BMETs.

METHODS

Following quality improvement methodology, we defined the scope of the population to be studied, developed a flowchart, and identified decision points to measure the characteristics and outcomes of patients who come to the ED or are admitted with newly diagnosed BMETs at a tertiary academic center. We abstracted data between 2017 and 2019 including performance status (ECOG, KPS, U-RPA), synchronous/metachronous status, consulting and admitting specialties, diagnostic workup performed, BMETs characteristics on imaging, and acute interventions (surgery, WBRT, and/or GKRS).

RESULTS

We identified 138/339 (40.7%) patients who met eligibility criteria; 101/138 (73.2%) presented via ED; 37/138 (26.8%) were direct admissions. Of the 138 patients, 68 (49.3%) had synchronous BMETs with 66/68 (97.1%) having tissue sampled for pathology (peripheral tissue biopsy and/or BMET surgical resection). In 83/138 (60.1%), an intervention was performed during hospital admission. The median time (h:mm) spent in the ED was 7:16 (Range: 0:58 – 25:35). Of the 101 patients seen in the ED, 96 (95.0%) were admitted. All 12 patients with hydrocephalus received an acute intervention.

CONCLUSION

The lack of clear guidelines for ED evaluation and hospital admission for patients with newly diagnosed BMETs leads to higher admission rates and inpatient resource usage. Analysis of our results will identify interventions that may improve the value of the care provided to this complex patient population.
QSPC-12 CNS-ONLY DISEASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH LONGER SURVIVAL BUT HIGH CNS-RELATED MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH HER2+ BREAST CANCER
Authors: Ferraro Emanuela , Reiner Anne S , Nassif Rabih Bou , Tosi Umberto , Brown Samantha , Zeller Sabrina , Dang Chau T , Seidman Andrew D , Panageas Katherine , Moss Nelson
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Due to poorer drugs efficacy in the CNS than extracranially, patients with metastatic HER2+ breast cancer and CNS-only disease are a growing population. Here, we aimed to report the overall survival (OS) and CNS-related death in HER2+ MBC patients with CNS metastasis by disease distribution.

METHODS

Patients with HER2+ MBC with CNS disease including BrM, leptomeningeal (LMD) and/or dural metastasis treated in our Institution between 8/2010 and 4/2022 were included. Extracranial metastasis (ECM) was evaluated at the time of CNS metastasis and at last follow-up/death. CNS-related death was defined as death from tumor-related brain injury, functional deficits/seizures, and/or complications of brain-directed therapies. OS was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methodology.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 274 patients. At CNS metastasis diagnosis, 72/274 (26%) presented with CNS-only disease (63 without prior ECM diagnosis, and 9 with prior ECM in complete response), and 200/274 (73%) with concomitant ECM. Two patients had unknown ECM status at CNS disease diagnosis. Among patients with CNS-only disease, 34/72 (47%) never developed ECM progression by the time of their last follow-up/death. Patients with CNS-only disease had longer OS than patients with CNS+ECM: 3.48 years (95%CI: 2.10-5.14) versus 1.96 years (95%CI: 1.62-2.27), respectively (p=0.017).The cumulative incidence of CNS-related death at 3 years was 32.91% (27.2-38.7%), and did not differ between CNS+ECM versus CNS-only groups, p=0.14, despite higher use of neurosurgical resection in the latter group. Conversely, death due to other causes was more likely to occur in the CNS+ECM group than CNS-only, p=<0.001. LMD and whole-brain radiotherapy were independently associated with CNS-related death [HR=1.88 (95%CI: 1.20-2.95), p=0.006; HR=1.69 (95%CI: 1.12-2.54), p=0.01].

CONCLUSIONS

With higher rates of local therapy, patients with CNS-only disease had longer survival but high rates of CNS-related death owing to the treatable but ultimately refractory disease nature. Novel therapies with CNS efficacy are urgently needed.
SRGD-04 FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES FOLLOWING LASER ABLATION VERSUS RESECTION OF MOTOR CORTEX METASTASES
Authors: Jackson Joshua , Haskell-Mendoza Aden , Flusche Ann Marie , Woo Joshua , Gonzalez Ariel , Reason Ellery , Srinivasan Ethan , Lerner Emily , Edwards Ryan , Huie David , Calabrese Evan , Fecci Peter
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has clinical utility in treating radiographically progressive brain metastases (BM) following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), while resection has been reserved for large, symptomatic lesions in the upfront setting. Resection-associated morbidity in eloquently-located metastases may hinder definitive management.

METHODS

Patients receiving resection or LITT for BM radiographically associated with the primary motor cortex (PMC) from 2015-2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicodemographic and survival data were collected, with patient Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) or modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores assessed out to 1-year by independent raters.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients underwent resection and 30 underwent LITT to a PMC-associated lesion. Median age was 67 (range 38 – 80) vs 65 (44 – 80) for resection vs LITT; median pre-operative KPS (70 vs 80, P = 0.1) or mRS (2 vs 2, P = 0.66) did not differ between groups. Lung was the most common primary site (56.1% resections vs 56.7% LITTs). Resected lesions were of larger median diameter than LITT, 2.8 vs 1.9 cm, P = 0.0001. For resections, length of stay was longer, median 2 vs 1 day, P = 0.0002, and ICU use more frequent (75.6% versus 20.0%, P < 0.0001). At 1-month post-op, 66.7% of resection patients and 51.7% of LITT patients had stable or improved symptoms from pre-op, P = 0.21, with parity at 3-months (65.7% vs 62.9%). Further, there was no significant decrement in KPS or mRS score out to a year for either intervention.

CONCLUSION

While LITT-induced edema may slightly increase the risk of post-operative neurologic deficits, this is a transient and clinically insignificant phenomenon. Reduced operative footprint in the context of LITT may allow for faster definitive management of BM. For carefully selected lesions, LITT adjacent to eloquent cortex is feasible.
TRSC-04 DE NOVO GTP SYNTHESIS IS A METABOLIC VULNERABILITY FOR THE INTERCEPTION OF BRAIN METASTASES
Authors: Kieliszek Agata , Mobilio Daniel , Bassey-Archibong Blessing , Johnson Jarrod , Piotrowski Mathew , Aghaei Nikoo , Escudero Laura , Gwynne William , de Araujo Elvin , Sedighi Abootaleb , Chafe Shawn , Zhai Kui , Zhang Cunjie , Quaile Andrew , McKenna Dillon , Subapanditha Minomi , Gunning Patrick , Tokar Tomas , Montenegro-Burke J Rafael , Venugopal Chitra , Magolan Jakob , Singh Sheila
Published: August 2024

Patients with brain metastases (BM) face a 90% mortality rate within one year of diagnosis and the current standard of care is mainly palliative. Targeting BM-initiating cells (BMIC) is a feasible strategy to treat BM, but druggable targets are still very limited. Here, we applied Connectivity Map analysis to lung-, breast-, and melanoma- pre-metastatic BMIC gene expression signatures and identified inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), the rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo GTP synthesis pathway, as a target for BM. We showed that pharmacological and genetic perturbation of IMPDH attenuates BMIC proliferation in vitro and the formation of BM in vivo. Furthermore, we used medicinal chemistry to develop novel brain penetrant IMPDH-inhibitors with enhanced in vivo efficacy. Metabolomic analyses and CRISPR knockout studies confirmed that de novo GTP synthesis is a potent metabolic vulnerability in BM. Overall, our work employed a phenotype-guided therapeutic strategy to uncover IMPDH as a relevant target for attenuating BM outgrowth, which may provide an alternative treatment strategy for patients who are otherwise limited to palliation.
TRSC-06 CHARACTERIZATION OF A NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER ROS1-FUSION BRAIN METASTASIS MODEL
Authors: Rijmers Jamie , Bui Viët , Heijningen Caroline van , Lebre Maria , Tellingen Olaf van , Beijnen Jos , Schinkel Alfred
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85 percent of all lung cancers. Among NSCLC patients, 1-2 percent harbor mutations in the ROS1 proto-oncogene (ROS1). The most prevalent fusion mutations observed include SLC34A2-, CD74- and EZR-ROS1. Approximately 30 percent of the NSCLC patients with these ROS1 fusions develop brain metastases over time, posing significant challenges in treatment efficacy, due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the BBB restrict the penetration of compounds into the brain, reducing treatment effectiveness. To address this critical gap in treatment efficacy, a model that accurately mimics NSCLC brain metastases might be of great value. Currently, no SLC34A2-ROS1 driven intracranial tumor model exists, which might limit the clinical development of targeted agents in ROS1-fusion brain metastases. Therefore, the development and characterization of a mouse intracranial brain tumor model utilizing HCC78 cells, which have an intrinsic ROS1-SLC34A2 fusion, could provide valuable insights into targeted therapy efficacy and enhance understanding of NSCLC disease progression.

METHOD

The publicly available HCC78 cells will be transduced with a mCherry-Luciferase tag, to enable tumor growth visualization over time. Nude FVB mice will be injected with 250.000 HCC78 cells intracranially. Tumor growth will be assessed using IVIS imaging and MRI scanning. When the tumor size reaches its endpoint, the mice will be sacrificed and perfused with Texas Red. The brain will be stained for different markers, to assess tumor proliferation, immune infiltration, ROS1 status and the presence of ABC-transporters.

RESULTS

Preliminary results show that HCC78 cells are able to grow intracranially. No significant side effects have been observed in the mice. Further characterization of this model is ongoing.
Effectiveness of digital health interventions for perinatal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Anyanwu Ifunanya Stellamaris , Jenkins Judy
Published: August 2024

Pregnant women and new mothers within 1 year after delivery are at a high risk of depression, yet many do not get the help they need due to wide reasons heralding stigma, access, cost, time, and shortage of human resources. Hence, compelling the exploration of alternate and potentially cost-effective means of delivering care, including the leverage of digital tools. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of digital health interventions in reducing depressive symptoms among perinatal women. Literatures were sought from seven academic databases alongside the references of previous reviews. Included studies were all quantitative study types involving the use of digital health interventions for perinatal women not more than 1-year post-delivery. Standardized mean difference and standard error were used to perform random-effect model meta-analysis. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to determine certainty and modifiers of the findings, respectively. Forty-eight studies were included in this review with 28 studies used for meta-analyses. Numerous digital channels were identified; however, none specified the use of a digital health theory in its development. The digital health interventions showed a small positive significant effect over the controls (standardized mean difference = 0.29, P = 0.003, I2 = 34%), and this was significantly influenced by intervention delivery and facilitation modes, time of initiation of the intervention, and period covered by the intervention. Although digital health interventions may hold some potential for perinatal depression, scaling the interventions may be challenging sequel to overlooked influences from the interactions within the human–computer–society complex.
Loneliness and brain rhythmic activity in resting state: an exploratory report
Authors: Hu Xin , Wang Xufang , Long Changquan , Lei Xu
Published: August 2024

Recent studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging have shown that loneliness is associated with altered blood oxygenation in several brain regions. However, the relationship between loneliness and changes in neuronal rhythm activity in the brain remains unclear. To evaluate brain rhythm, we conducted an exploratory resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) study of loneliness. We recorded resting-state EEG signals from 139 participants (94 women; mean age = 19.96 years) and analyzed power spectrum density (PSD) and functional connectivity (FC) in both the electrode and source spaces. The PSD analysis revealed significant correlations between loneliness scores and decreased beta-band powers, which may indicate negative emotion, attention, reward, and/or sensorimotor processing. The FC analysis revealed a trend of alpha-band FC associated with individuals’ loneliness scores. These findings provide new insights into the neural basis of loneliness, which will facilitate the development of neurobiologically informed interventions for loneliness.
Privacy, Decisional Autonomy, and the Right to Intimate Association—Insights on the Cost of Being in Live-In Relationships in India Under New Legislation
Authors: Sriram Akshay
Published: August 2024

The trend of states actively policing intimate arrangements does not remain unseen in the context of illiberal democracies. The prioritization of societal morality has continuously been a consideration within the conservative fold, whether it is in the denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples or active state intrusion into the intimacies of interpersonal relationships. The passage of the Uniform Civil Code (“UCC”) Bill in the State of Uttarakhand in India forms a segment of this concerning trend. Being a part of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (“BJP”) lofty aspirations, the UCC brings about a peculiar requirement. Couples in live-in relationships are now required to undergo a ‘mandatory’ registration procedure. As the implementation of a nationwide UCC becomes more imminent, the mandatory registration of live-in relationships raises important constitutional questions regarding the extent of state interference in private decision-making. Indian jurisprudence around the concept of ‘decisional autonomy’ peaked in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India. (“Puttaswamy”) But in the backdrop of the newly reconceptualized ‘Right to Intimate Association’ in Supriyo@Supriya Chakraborty v. Union of India (“Supriyo”), the Registration of live-in relationships is yet another peculiar constitutional conundrum to be explored.
Miniscule Mollicutes: Current hurdles to bacteriophage identification
Authors: Catchpowle Jody , Maynard Julia , Chang Barbara J , Payne Matthew S , Beeton Michael L , Furfaro Lucy L
Published: August 2024

Mollicutes are a diverse class of bacteria with a variety of unique characteristics that have allowed them to adapt to a range of hosts and often evade routine cultivation techniques. The focus of previous work has been on the major human pathogens; however, here we present a holistic introduction to the many other different genera that constitute the Mollicutes. They represent a significant One Health concern with limited available treatment options given their intrinsic and acquired resistance to many antibiotics. Bacteriophages (phages) are a promising therapeutic and one poorly explored in these bacteria and an avenue to understand gene transfer and resistance development. This review aims to emphasize the many unique and diverse qualities of the Mollicutes and synthesize our current understanding of phages of these bacteria and the challenges that have hindered their isolation and characterization.
Effect of SeaFeed, a canola oil infused with Asparagopsis armata, on methane emissions, animal health, performance, and carcass characteristics of Angus feedlot cattle
Authors: George Melissa M , Platts Samuel V , Berry Brent A , Miller Markus F , Carlock Anna M , Horton Taylor M , George Matthew H
Published: August 2024

The objectives of this project were to measure the effect of SeaFeed, a canola oil infused with Asparagopsis armata, on methane emissions, animal health, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. Angus steers (n = 160) with an initial body weight of 474.4 kg were fed a steam-flaked wheat and barley ration for 200 d in a large, commercial feedlot. A single-blinded randomized complete block design compared two treatments including control and SeaFeed included at a rate of 25 mg bromoform per kg dry matter intake (DMI). Monthly testing of bromoform levels in the canola demonstrated that SeaFeed maintained a stable bromoform concentration for 6 mo. The inclusion of SeaFeed had no effect on daily DMI. However, steers fed SeaFeed were more efficient with a 6.6% higher (P < 0.01) gain-to-feed ratio as compared to control steers over the 200-d feeding period. This improved efficiency resulted in 0.094 kg higher (P < 0.01) average daily gain and 19.7 kg higher (P < 0.01) live exit weight in steers fed SeaFeed as compared to control steers. Steers fed SeaFeed produced 51.7% less (P < 0.01) methane and yielded 50.5% less (P < 0.01) methane over the 200-d feeding period as compared to cattle fed the control ration. Peak methane inhibition occurred on day 29 on feed with 90.6% less methane production in cattle fed SeaFeed as compared to control animals. SeaFeed reduced (P < 0.01) methane intensity by 55.4% over the 200-d feeding period. Hot carcass weight tended (P = 0.097) to be 6.9 kg heavier in cattle fed SeaFeed as compared to controls. Cattle fed SeaFeed had similar (P > 0.20) marbling, meat color, eye muscle, area, and ultimate pH to control cattle. Interestingly, cattle fed SeaFeed tended (P = 0.054) to have slightly higher fat color scores. Rumen papillae from cattle fed SeaFeed were more (P < 0.01) gray in color and more oval (P < 0.01) in shape as compared to control animals; however, rumen damage was not different between treatment groups. In regards to food safety and residues, all muscle, fat, and kidney samples were free from bromoform residues. Bromine residues in kidney and meat samples were higher (P < 0.01) in the SeaFeed group as compared to controls. Cattle fed SeaFeed produced strip loin steaks similar (P > 0.05) in eating quality to control cattle. These results demonstrate that SeaFeed reduced methane emissions, improved performance, and produced safe beef with similar eating quality to conventional beef.
Hypoxia activates macrophage‐NLRP3 inflammasome promoting atherosclerosis via PFKFB3‐driven glycolysis
Authors: Wang Xuan , Liu Xiangbin , Wu Wanzhou , Liao Longshen , Zhou Ming , Wang Xiaobo , Tan Zeming , Zhang Guogang , Bai Yongping , Li Xiang , Zhao Min
Published: August 2024

The onset and progression of atherosclerosis are closely linked to the involvement of macrophages. While the contribution of NLRP3 inflammasome activation to the creation of a local highly inflammatory microenvironment is well recognized, the precise triggers remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in response to hypoxia‐induced glycolysis involving PFKFB3 in the development of atherosclerosis. To develop an atherosclerosis model, we selected ApoE knockout mice treated with a high‐fat western diet. We then quantified the expression of HIF‐1α, PFKFB3, and NLRP3. In addition, we administered the PFKFB3 inhibitor PFK158 during atherosclerosis modeling. The glycolytic activity was subsequently determined through 18F‐FDG micro‐PET/CT, ex vivo glucose uptake, and ECAR analysis. Furthermore, we employed lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and TNF‐α to induce the differentiation of bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) into M1‐like phenotypes under both hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Our histological analyses revealed the accumulation of PFKFB3 in human atherosclerotic plaques, demonstrating colocalization with NLRP3 expression and macrophages. Treatment with PFK158 reduced glycolytic activity and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby mitigating the occurrence of atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, hypoxia promoted glycolytic reprogramming and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in BMDMs. Subsequent blocking of either HIF‐1α or PFKFB3 downregulated the NLRP3/Caspase‐1/IL‐1β pathway in hypoxic BMDMs. Our study demonstrated that the HIF‐1α/PFKFB3/NLRP3 axis serves as a crucial mechanism for macrophage inflammation activation in the emergence of atherosclerosis. The therapeutic potential of PFKFB3 inhibition may represent a promising strategy for atheroprotection.
Translatome analysis in acute ischemic stroke: Astrocytes and microglia exhibit differences in poststroke alternative splicing of expressed transcripts
Authors: Jin Bingxue , Han Yilai , Xu Fang , Wang Junjie , Zhao Yunzhi , Liu Haijie , Wang Fei , Wang Ze , Lu Wanting , Wang Mingyang , Cui Lili , Zhao Yinan , Hao Junwei , Chai Guoliang
Published: August 2024

Astrocytes and microglia undergo dynamic and complex morphological and functional changes following ischemic stroke, which are instrumental in both inflammatory responses and neural repair. While gene expression alterations poststroke have been extensively studied, investigations into posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms, specifically alternative splicing (AS), remain limited. Utilizing previously reported Ribo‐Tag‐seq data, this study analyzed AS alterations in poststroke astrocytes and microglia from young adult male and female mice. Our findings reveal that in astrocytes, compared to the sham group, 109 differential alternative splicing (DAS) events were observed at 4 h poststroke, which increased to 320 at day 3. In microglia, these numbers were 316 and 266, respectively. Interestingly, the disparity between DAS genes and differentially expressed genes is substantial, with fewer than 10 genes shared at both poststroke time points in astrocytes and microglia. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of these DAS genes in diverse functions, encompassing immune response (Adam8, Ccr1), metabolism (Acsl6, Pcyt2, Myo5a), and developmental cell growth (App), among others. Selective DAS events were further validated by semiquantitative RT‐PCR. Overall, this study comprehensively describes the AS alterations in astrocytes and microglia during the hyperacute and acute phases of ischemic stroke and underscores the significance of certain hub DAS events in neuroinflammatory processes.
Coping Mechanisms and Their Associations With Depression and Anxiety Among Healthcare Workers in the Aftermath of COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mohamed Nihal , He Celestine , Rahman Nimra , Faherty Cara , Chan Chi , DePierro Jonathan M. , Clark Uraina , Peccoralo Lauren A. , Ripp Jonathan H.
Published: August 2024

Objective

This study investigated the associations between anxiety, depression, and coping in healthcare workers during coronavirus disease 2019.

Methods

A survey used the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2 to assess anxiety, the Patient Health Questionnaire 2 to assess depression, and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) scale to evaluate coping mechanisms.

Results

Of the 1172 participants who provided data, 24.7% screened positive for anxiety and 15.7% for depression. Logistic regression indicated that avoidance coping (odds ratio [OR], 3.92 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.91–5.29]; P < 0.001) and substance use coping (OR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.00–1.90]; P = 0.049) were associated with higher odds of depression. Avoidance coping (OR, 2.81 [95% CI, 2.15–3.67]; P < 0.001) and social support coping (OR, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.22–2.08]; P = 0.001) were associated with higher odds of anxiety.

Conclusions

Interventions are needed to improve healthcare workers' coping and well-being.
Microplastics as a novel facilitator for antimicrobial resistance: Effects of concentration, composition, and size onEscherichia colimultidrug resistance
Authors: Gross Neila , Muhvich Johnathan , Ching Carly , Gomez Bridget , Horvath Evan , Nahum Yanina , Zaman Muhammad H.
Published: August 2024

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a significant environmental pollutant with profound implications for public health, particularly as substrates to facilitate bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Recently, studies have shown that MPs may accommodate microbial communities, chemical contaminants and genetic material containing AMR genes. This study investigated the effects of MP concentration, composition, and size on the development of multidrug resistance inEscherichia coli. Specifically, we exposedE. colito varying concentrations of different MP types, including polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP), across a range of sizes (3-10 µm, 10-50 µm, and 500 µm). Results indicated a direct correlation between MP presence and elevated multidrug-resistant (MDR) inE. coli.

Notably, MPs exhibited a higher propensity for facilitating resistance than control substrates such as glass, likely due to their hydrophobicity, greater adsorption capacities, and surface chemistries. Furthermore, we observed that co-culture with MPs resulted in biofilm formation. Notably, we found that the bacteria from passaged MPs formed stronger biofilms once the MPs were removed, associated with changes in motility. Thus, we find that MPs also select for cells that are better at forming biofilms, which can lead to recalcitrant infections in the environment and healthcare setting. Our study highlights the immediate need for comprehensive environmental management strategies to mitigate the risk posed by MPs.

Importance

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the world’s most pressing global health crises, with an estimated 10 million deaths per year forecasted by 2050. With the pipeline of antibiotics running dry, it is imperative that mitigation strategies understand the mechanisms that drive the genesis of antimicrobial resistance. One emerging dimension of antimicrobial resistance is the environment. This study highlights the relationship between a widespread environmental pollutant, (MPs), and the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. While it is known that MPs facilitate resistance through several modes (biofilm formation, plastic adsorption rates, etc.), this study fills the knowledge gap on how different types of MPs are contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
Sulfoglycodendron Antivirals with Scalable Architectures and Activities
Authors: Coppola Francesco , Jafari Roya , McReynolds Katherine D. , KRAL PETR
Published: August 2024

Many viruses initiate their cell-entry by binding their multi-protein receptors to human heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and other molecular components present on cellular membranes. These viral interactions could be blocked and the whole viruses could be eliminated by suitable HSPG-mimetics providing multivalent binding to viral protein receptors. Here, large sulfoglyco-dendron HSPG-mimetics of different topologies, structures, and sizes were designed to this purpose. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were used to examine the ability of these broad-spectrum antivirals to block multi-protein HSPG-receptors in HIV, SARS-CoV-2, HPV, and dengue viruses. To characterize the inhibitory potential of these mimetics, their binding to individual and multiple protein receptors was examined. In particular, vectorial distributions of binding energies between the mimetics and viral protein receptors were introduced and calculated along the simulated trajectories. Space-dependent residual analysis of the mimetic-receptor binding was also performed. This analysis revealed detail nature of binding between these antivirals and viral protein receptors, and provided evidence that large inhibitors with multivalent binding might act like a molecular glue initiating the self-assembly of protein receptors in enveloped viruses.
The phage protein paratox is a multifunctional metabolic regulator ofStreptococcus
Authors: Muna Tasneem Hassan , Rutbeek Nicole R. , Horne Julia , Lao Ying Wen , Krokhin Oleg V. , Prehna Gerd
Published: August 2024

Streptococcus pyogenes, or Group A Streptococcus (GAS), is a commensal bacteria and human pathogen. Central to GAS pathogenesis is the presence of prophage encoded virulence genes. The conserved phage gene for the protein paratox (Prx) is genetically linked to virulence genes, but the reason for this linkage is unknown. Prx inhibits GAS quorum sensing and natural competence by binding the transcription factor ComR. However, inhibiting ComR does not explain the virulence gene linkage. To address this, we took a mass-spectrometry approach to search for other Prx interaction partners. The data demonstrates that Prx binds numerous DNA binding proteins and transcriptional regulators. We show binding of Prxin vitrowith the GAS protein EndoS1 (SpyM3_0890) and the phage protein JM3 (SpyM3_1246). An EndoS1:Prx complex X-ray crystal structure reveals that EndoS1 and ComR possess a conserved Prx binding helix. Computational modelling predicts that the Prx binding helix is present in several, but not all, binding partners. Namely, JM3 lacks the Prx binding helix. As Prx is conformationally dynamic, this suggests partner-dependent binding modes. Overall, Prx acts as a metabolic regulator of GAS to maintain the phage genome. As such, Prx maybe a direct contributor to the pathogenic conversion of GAS.
Cross-feeding options define eco-evolutionary dynamics of deep oligotrophic groundwater microbiome
Authors: Somee Maryam Rezaei , González-Rosales Carolina , Gralka Matti , Turner Stephanie , Bertilsson Stefan , Dopson Mark , Mehrshad Maliheh
Published: August 2024

Deep groundwaters populated by diverse and active microbes are among the most energy and nutrient-limited ecosystems. Characteristics of this ecosystem including nutrient and dispersal limitations, low cell densities, and episodic growth strategy interactively underpin the so far elusive eco-evolutionary dynamics of its microbiome. Here we applied a modular metabolic analyses on genome-resolved reconstructed community of disconnected deep groundwaters in the Fennoscandian Shield. In the community of deeper groundwaters despite their highly oligotrophic nature, lineages with larger genomes maintained larger populations which we hypothesize to be connected with their limited cross-feeding options. Thus providing an extension on the streamlining theory emphasizing the importance of ecological interactions in genome evolution which is further supported by the observed decrease in abundance of lineages with known metabolic dependencies, such as Patescibacteria and DPANN, with depth. The modular metabolic analyses showed that remarkably common niches based on same cross-feeding interactions are also available in different groundwaters, in addition to common niches for primary production. While these shared niches are critical for community assembly in this ecosystem, in different boreholes different lineages populated them. Our results provided new insights into the role of metabolic cross-feeding in genome evolution and community assembly of deep groundwater microbiome.
An investigation of country-scale collaboration patterns of digital humanities through dual perspectives of bibliometrics and altmetrics
Authors: Yan Chengxi , Pan Yuchen , Li Shaojian , Zhang Fuqian
Published: August 2024

Purpose

National collaboration is an important topic for the development of digital humanities (DH). However, the collaboration patterns of DH have not been well studied in terms of development stages and collaboration characteristics. This paper aims to reveal the typical patterns of country-level collaboration in the global environment of DH based on research capacity, network features and influence indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

We systematically designed a pipeline procedure based on the methods of bibliometrics and altmetrics to analyze global DH-related publications from two popular databases. The process includes the division of development stages, the identification of typical characteristics, the analysis of collaboration networks and the correlation test for different influences across countries.

Findings

The findings show that the collaboration in DH has certain characteristics and evolutionary patterns – with 2007 as the turning point that presents a gradual alteration from the strong competition of nation giants and the dominance of domestic collaboration to diversified international cooperation within regional alliances and a clear positive effect on national influence (both academic and social levels) by international collaboration. Some relevant suggestions are also put forward.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates not only the evidence of distinct patterns of country-level collaboration for DH during its evolutionary period as well as collaboration types and structures but also the positive effect of international collaboration on the enhancement of both academic influence and social attention. Moreover, the proposed analytical procedure provides insightful ideas around DH development from both the bibliometric and altmetric views, which can be an extensible framework for other scholarly collaboration research.
Exploring polymeric nanotextile devices: progress and outlook
Authors: Idumah Christopher Igwe , Odera Raphael Stone , Ezeani Emmanuel Obumneme
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Nanotechnology (NT) advancements in personal protective textiles (PPT) or personal protective equipment (PPE) have alleviated spread and transmission of this highly contagious viral disease, and enabled enhancement of PPE, thereby fortifying antiviral behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of a series of state of the art research papers on the subject matter.

Findings

This paper expounds on novel nanotechnological advancements in polymeric textile composites, emerging applications and fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

As a panacea to “public droplet prevention,” textiles have proven to be potentially effective as environmental droplet barriers (EDBs).

Practical implications

PPT in form of healthcare materials including surgical face masks (SFMs), gloves, goggles, respirators, gowns, uniforms, scrub-suits and other apparels play critical role in hindering the spreading of COVID-19 and other “oral-respiratory droplet contamination” both within and outside hospitals.

Social implications

When used as double-layers, textiles display effectiveness as SFMs or surgical-fabrics, which reduces droplet transmission to <10 cm, within circumference of ∼0.3%.

Originality/value

NT advancements in textiles through nanoparticles, and sensor integration within textile materials have enhanced versatile sensory capabilities, robotics, flame retardancy, self-cleaning, electrical conductivity, flexibility and comfort, thereby availing it for health, medical, sporting, advanced engineering, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, military, automobile, food and agricultural applications, and more. Therefore, this paper expounds on recently emerging trends in nanotechnological influence in textiles for engineering and fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
Relative, absolute or combined strength momentum strategies: what works for India?
Authors: Sehgal Sanjay , Pandey Asheesh , Sen Swapna
Published: August 2024

Purpose

In the present study, we investigate whether enhanced momentum strategies outperform price momentum strategies and if they show greater resilience and stability under adverse market conditions. We also examine if such strategies are explained by prominent asset pricing models or are a result of behavioral mispricing.

Design/methodology/approach

Data consist of the equity shares of all companies listed on National Stock Exchange over the study period. To check the efficacy of enhanced momentum over price momentum, six momentum strategies have been designed and their raw as well as risk-adjusted returns using multi-factor models have been observed. Behavioral mispricing has been examined by constructing an investor attention index. Finally, few robustness tests have been performed to confirm the results.

Findings

We find that an enhanced momentum strategy which combines relative and absolute strength momentum outperforms conventional price momentum strategy in India. We also demonstrate that rational pricing models are not able to explain momentum profits for any of the strategies. Finally, we observe that investor overreaction is the possible explanation of momentum profits in India. Thus, our results confirm the role of behavioral mispricing in explaining momentum returns.

Originality/value

Our research is the first major attempt to study enhanced momentum strategies in the Indian context. We experiment with several new enhanced momentum strategies which have not been explored in prior literature. The findings have strong implications for global portfolio managers who wish to design profitable trading strategies.
Enhancing dexterous hand control: a distributed architecture for machine learning integration
Authors: Tu Baoxu , Zhang Yuanfei , Li Wangyang , Ni Fenglei , Jin Minghe
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to enhance the control performance of dexterous hands, enabling them to handle the high data flow from multiple sensors and to meet the deployment requirements of deep learning methods on dexterous hands.

Design/methodology/approach

A distributed control architecture was designed, comprising embedded motion control subsystems and a host control subsystem built on ROS. The design of embedded controller state machines and clock synchronization algorithms ensured the stable operation of the entire distributed control system.

Findings

Experiments demonstrate that the entire system can operate stably at 1KHz. Additionally, the host can accomplish learning-based estimates of contact position and force.

Originality/value

This distributed architecture provides foundational support for the large-scale application of machine learning algorithms on dexterous hands. Dexterity hands utilizing this architecture can be easily integrated with robotic arms.
Board demographic, structural, and capital diversity, and corporate carbon performance: international evidence
Authors: Mehedi Sohel , Akhtaruzzaman Md , Zaman Rashid
Published: August 2024

Purpose

We examine the relationship between board demographic diversity, board structural diversity, board capital diversity and corporate carbon performance (CCP). Additionally, we investigate how corporate sustainable resource use mediates these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

We utilize unbalanced panel data from Refinitiv Eikon covering 9,960 global firms from 2002 to 2022. We conduct a panel regression analysis to examine the relationship between board demographic diversity, board structural diversity, board capital diversity and CCP. In addition, we estimate entropy balancing estimation and two-step system GMM to address endogeneity issues.

Findings

The results indicate that board demographic diversity (including tenure, gender, and cultural diversity), structural diversity (such as board independence, board size, CEO-chairman duality, board meetings, and board compensation), and capital diversity (comprising board member affiliation and specific skills) all have a positive and significant association with corporate carbon performance. Additionally, our findings reveal that corporate sustainable resource use fully mediates the relationship between board demographic diversity and CCP and partially mediates the relationship between board structural diversity, board capital diversity, and CCP.

Practical implications

Our study findings are based on a diverse range of global firms, ensuring that the results address the global challenges of firm-level climate change response and governance issues.

Originality/value

Our group diversity constructs offer new insights into the literature and further advance research on board group diversity. Additionally, for the first time, we explore the mediating role of sustainable resource use through the resource-based view (RBV) between-group diversity attributes and corporate carbon performance.
Using business simulation: an authentic learning experience for accounting students
Authors: Akhtaruzzaman Md , Ahmadi Hormoz , James Wendy , Ghosh Ratan
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Our study aims to investigate the learning effectiveness of business schools in Australia using the framework of authentic learning. Additionally, it proposes the acceptability of authentic learning measures within the Australian context.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was used to assess the efficacy of authentic learning constructs across different time frames from January 2021 to July 2022. Relevant measurements were employed to evaluate the convergent and discriminant validity scales used to measure authentic learning experiences.

Findings

The results indicate that all nine dimensions (constructs) of authentic learning have statistical significance in assessing learning outcomes in Australian business schools. No variability in the significance of the constructs across different time frames was observed, demonstrating the robustness of the results.

Practical implications

Our study offers valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and corporate recruiters by highlighting the development of authentic learning capabilities in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Australia. This approach can enhance academic development through industry-academia collaboration, reducing the gap between education and industry needs, and producing market leaders for sustainable economic development.

Originality/value

This study is a novel attempt to evaluate authentic learning scales in Australian HEIs, specifically within business schools, and to assess how academic practices align with recruiters' expectations.
Learning not blame: reflections on staying on the right side of the line for a Safeguarding Adults Review
Authors: Lloyd-Smith Walter
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The author will describe the operational tasks of S.44’s statutory mandate: for example, commissioning the review; being responsive to the representatives of the relevant agencies concerned; securing pharmacological/medical advice; adding Ben’s death to the review; engaging with relatives; and ensuring that “lessons” were foregrounded. How the review was set up/recognising the standout features from the beginning/managing the situation when an agency is withholding information/“drip feeds” information into the review; navigating/steering the Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) alongside other processes – police/inquest/Care Quality Commission.

Design/methodology/approach

This practice paper describes the experiences of coordinating a complex SAR into the deaths of three adults at Cawston Park Hospital in Norfolk.

Findings

The system insights that SARs give us prompt exploration of how to inject this learning into current discourse on how we better protect the most vulnerable in our communities.

Originality/value

The purpose of this paper is to explore the process and requirements of conducting a complex SAR from the perspective of a safeguarding adults board manager. It will be of interest to anyone who is involved in SARs, in particular safeguarding adult board chairs, board managers, members of SABs and SAR authors as management of SAR is one of the three statutory duties of a SAB.
Innovation is the key to academic excellence: exploring innovative work behavior through performance appraisal and self-efficacy
Authors: Zreen Aneeqa , Bin Abdul Hamid Abu Bakar , Raza Mohsin , Kanwal Nagina , Khalid Rimsha
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of performance appraisal on Innovative work behavior of employees in public sector universities of Pakistan, by using the Ability, Motivation, and Opportunity framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A newly developed framework has been created to explore how performance appraisal, self-efficacy, and organizational climate influence employees' innovative work behavior. The study collected data using a self-administered questionnaire from employees who work in public universities in Pakistan.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed a positive correlation between performance appraisal and innovative work behavior. It is observed that self-efficacy mediates the relationship between performance appraisal and innovative work behavior and organizational climate moderates the relationship between self-efficacy and innovative work behavior.

Originality/value

The current study is novel and unique for several reasons. But the main contribution of this study is the validation of self-efficacy's mediating impact on innovative work behavior as well as the validity of the organizational climate as moderating effect in Pakistan’s public sector universities, where a large number of students have been enrolled and they can get advantage from their teacher's improved innovative behavior.
YouTube influencer marketing through parasocial interaction: a dyadic perspective
Authors: Chen Chih-Ping
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Social media influencers (SMIs) have become vital components of interactive marketing to promote beauty-endorsed products. However, there are three major research gaps in the literature on influencer marketing. This research aimed to fill these gaps by integrating the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model with theories of source credibility and parasocial interaction (PSI).

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative method was used to gain a deep understanding of the Korean beauty field in YouTube influencer marketing.

Findings

The data showed that YouTube influencer marketing is an ongoing PSI process that conforms to the extended SOR model. This model was based on four concepts: stimulus, which was the SMIs’ source credibility; organism, which was the followers’ perceptions of homophily/relevance to the SMIs in PSIs; response, which was the desire to imitate and engage in impulse buying behavior, and management, which was the parasocial trust friendship and/or relationship.

Originality/value

This study expands the new concept into the existing SOR model and releases an insight into ongoing PSIs in YouTube influencer marketing.