bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Cyclic Peptides Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions using AlphaFold
Authors: Kosugi Takatsugu , Ohue Masahito
Published: August 2023

More than 930,000 protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have been identified in recent years, but their physicochemical properties differ from conventional drug targets, complicating the use of conventional small molecules as modalities. Cyclic peptides are a promising modality for targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs), but it is difficult to predict the structure of a target protein-cyclic peptide complex or to design a cyclic peptide sequence that binds to the target protein using computational methods. Recently, AlphaFold with a cyclic offset has enabled predicting the structure of cyclic peptides, thereby enabling de novo cyclic peptide designs. We developed a cyclic peptide complex offset to enable the structural prediction of target proteins and cyclic peptide complexes and found AlphaFold2 with a cyclic peptide complex offset can predict structures with high accuracy. We also applied the cyclic peptide complex offset to the binder hallucination protocol of AfDesign, a de novo protein design method using AlphaFold, and we could design a high predicted local-distance difference test and lower separated binding energy per unit interface area than the native MDM2/p53 structure. Furthermore, the method was applied to 12 other protein-peptide complexes and one protein-protein complex. Our approach shows that it is possible to design putative cyclic peptide sequences targeting PPI.
NPR1 protects young leaves from systemic salicylic acid-induced damage during bacterial infection
Authors: Hõrak Hanna , Rolfe Stephen A. , Ton Jurriaan , Gray Julie E.
Published: August 2023

The phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) is an important molecular signal that mediates pathogen defence mechanisms, including triggering Arabidopsis immune responses to the hemi-biotrophPseudomonas syringaepv.tomato(Pst). SA induces the expression of a myriad of defence genes via its receptor and transcriptional regulator NONEXPRESSER OF PR GENES 1 (NPR1). Here, we used chlorophyll fluorescence imaging of Fv/Fm, to detect damage to photosystem II beforePst-induced disease symptoms were visible. We observed that the pathogen only induced damage, and subsequent cell death, in mature leaves while developing leaves in the center of the rosette appeared to be protected. However, in thenpr1-1mutant,Pst-infected mature leaves were able to systemically transmit a signal that caused damage to the photosynthetic machinery in uninfected young leaves. Reductions in Fv/Fmcould also be induced systemically in developingnpr1-1leaves by high levels of SA in mature leaves, and rescued by SA biosynthesis deficiency innpr1-1sid2-2mutants. Together, these results indicate that, in addition to its well-known role as a positive regulator of SA responses, NPR1 also acts to suppress SA-dependent immune responses and thereby protects developing leaves from autoimmune damage.
XDSGUI: a graphical user interface for XDS, SHELX and ARCIMBOLDO
Authors: Brehm Wolfgang , Triviño Josep , Krahn Juno M. , Usón Isabel , Diederichs Kay
Published: August 2023

XDSGUI is a lightweight graphical user interface (GUI) for the XDS, SHELX and ARCIMBOLDO program packages that serves both novice and experienced users in obtaining optimal processing and phasing results for X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction data. The design of the program enables data processing and phasing without command line usage, and supports advanced command flows in a simple user-modifiable and user-extensible way. The GUI supplies graphical information based on the tabular log output of the programs, which is more intuitive, comprehensible and efficient than text output can be.
Developing an interactive pile training module for construction risk management and gaging users’ intentions
Authors: Du Wei , M.E. Sepasgozar Samad , Khan Ayaz , Shirowzhan Sara , Garzon Romero Juan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a novel theoretical model for predicting the users’ intention to use virtual tools designed for construction risk evaluation. Risk evaluation is a vital objective for construction managers. This paper intends to examine critical factors such as potential benefits, motivation, performance expectancy and rich sources of information that may affect users’ intention to use virtual technology.

Design/methodology/approach

A pile training module (PTM) was developed in a virtual environment to analyze the proposed virtual reality-technology acceptance model (VR-TAM) factors. Further, a questionnaire survey was conducted with the participation of 102 construction professionals in China to validate the proposed VR-TAM model and PTM tool. The retrieved data was computed to test the proposed model by using partial least squares structural equation modeling and the significance of the PTM tool in a virtual environment.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that high-significance paths represent five relationships between crucial factors affecting users’ intention to use a selected virtual reality (VR) module. Five of seven hypothesis paths were significant with acceptable t-values. By quantitative measurement of high-significance paths, this research has found that each factor under VR-TAM has received significant loadings, with many above the 0.7 threshold mark and others around 0.6. The top factors include “motivation” and “benefits” and have multiplier effects on “intention to use” as the source factors.

Practical implications

The finding of this study presents crucial factors for VR adoption, and the proposed VR-TAM model contributes to the body of knowledge toward managing construction risk using pre-optimization and understanding in a virtual environment. This study supports Chinese construction company managers in effectively using VR technology in their construction projects for risk assessment and management.

Originality/value

This study offered the development of a novel VR-TAM integrated with risk assessment techniques for piling processes. Further, the developed model was analyzed by using a survey of Chinese construction professionals to collect perceptions about the modified theoretical model of VR-TAM.
Poverty, population growth and agglomeration effects in all Brazil cities
Authors: M. Marques André
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to test three hypotheses in city growth literature documenting the poverty reduction observed in Brazil and exploring a rich spatial dataset for 5,564 Brazilian cities observed between 1991 and 2010. The large sample and the author's improved econometric methods allows one to better understand and measure how important income growth is for poverty reduction, the patterns of agglomeration and population growth in all Brazilian cities.

Design/methodology/approach

The author identifies literature gaps and use a sizeable spatial dataset for 5,564 Brazilian cities observed in 1991, 2000 and 2010 applying instrumental variables methods. The bias-corrected accelerated bootstrap percentile interval supports the author's point estimates.

Findings

This manuscript finds that Brazilian data for cities does not support Gibrat's law, raising the scope for urban planning and associated policies. Second, economic growth on a sustainable basis is still a vital source of poverty reduction (The author estimates the poverty elasticity at four percentage points). Lastly, agglomeration effects positively affect the city's productivity, while negative externalities underlie the city's development patterns.

Originality/value

Data for cities in Brazil possess unique characteristics such as spatial autocorrelation and endogeneity. Applying proper methods to find more reliable answers to the above three questions is a desirable procedure that must be encouraged. As the author points out in the manuscript, dealing with endogenous regressors in regional economics is still a developing matter that regional scientists could more generally apply to many regional issues.
Semantic technology for cultural heritage: a bibliometric-based review
Authors: Desul Sudarsan , Mahapatra Rabindra Kumar , Patra Raj Kishore , Sethy Mrutyunjay , Pandey Neha
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review the application of semantic technologies in cultural heritage (STCH) to achieve interoperability and enable advanced applications like 3D modeling and augmented reality by enhancing the understanding and appreciation of CH. The study aims to identify the trends and patterns in using STCH and provide insights for scholars and policymakers on future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

This research paper uses a bibliometric study to analyze the articles published in Scopus and Web of Science (WoS)-indexed journals from 1999 to 2022 on STCH. A total of 580 articles were analyzed using the Biblioshiny package in RStudio.

Findings

The study reveals a substantial increase in STCH publications since 2008, with Italy leading in contributions. Key research areas such as ontologies, semantic Web, linked data and digital humanities are extensively explored, highlighting their significance and characteristics within the STCH research domain.

Research limitations/implications

This study only analyzed articles published in Scopus and WoS-indexed journals in the English language. Further research could include articles published in other languages and non-indexed journals.

Originality/value

This study extensively analyses the research published on STCH over the past 23 years, identifying the leading authors, institutions, countries and top research topics. The findings provide guidelines for future research direction and contribute to the literature on promoting, preserving and managing the CH globally.
Cyberattacks in the context of international law enforcement
Authors: Alweqyan Deymah
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to manage the dilemma of cyberspace operations, as the incidence of cybercrimes has increased tremendously in the past few decades, turning cyberspace into a field of war in which all nations must fight. For many countries, cyberattacks and conflicts, and even the basic operation of cyberspace in general, are new territories. Furthermore, international law today does not address many aspects of cyber warfare, as it typically has dealt with only traditional warfare.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined this crime whether it is a domestic or an international crime and whether cyber wars are under international law or domestic law to address these issues.

Findings

Although many attempts to criminalize these actions occurred, the findings suggest that the world has failed to frame the legal instruments against cyberattacks. The findings also suggest recommendations to solve this issue.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study analyzed the comparison between the same crime in the perspective of domestic and international law, highlighting an unsolved dilemma in the world, suggesting some unprecedented solutions to solve.
Integrating forensic accounting in education and practices to detect and prevent fraud and misstatement: case study of Jordanian public sector
Authors: Alharasis Esraa Esam , Haddad Hossam , Alhadab Mohammad , Shehadeh Maha , Hasan Elina F.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the degree of consciousness of forensic accounting (FA) in Jordan. This study surveys practitioners and academicians about their views and thoughts toward the expected role of using FA techniques to detecting and preventing fraud practices and shedding more light on advantages and obstacles of using the FA techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

To collect the data, a questionnaire was constructed and distributed to the study population which consists of accounting academics, students and accounting practitioners.

Findings

The results of this study show evidence that both students and professionals have a lower level of awareness on the FA concept and its importance. The results also confirm there is a significant correlation between, fraud prevention and detection, advantages of the application of FA, the training courses toward the application of FA and the application of FA in the context of Jordan. It has also been confirmed that there is a number of significant factors hinders this implementation in Jordan.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study offer many policy implications for regulators and policymakers on the needed relevant information to address and implement FA in education and practice, thereby activating the FA concept in Jordan.

Originality/value

The primary motivation of this study is driven by the limited and inconclusive research on the FA as a monitoring tool, notably there is a high possibility of fraud and misstatement practices due to the agency conflict. This study is the first of its kind to discuss this topic in the context of Jordan. The need to integrating the accounting education within accounting profession regarding FA becomes an urgent need to develop the awareness level of practitioners when it comes to practice of FA.
The Recovering Citizenship Learning Collaborative: a system-wide intervention to increase citizenship practices and outcomes
Authors: Flanagan Elizabeth , Tondora Janis , Harper Annie , Benedict Patricia , Giard Julienne , Bromage Billy , Williamson Bridgett , Acker Paul , Bragg Cheri , Adams Virginia , Rowe Michael
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the Recovering Citizenship Learning Collaborative (RCLC), a training, consultation and implementation effort for 13 local mental health authorities and two state hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

The learning collaborative used a Recovering Citizenship approach, which holds that recovery occurs in the context of people’s lives in their communities and society, that is, their citizenship. The RCLC was implemented by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) in the USA and the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health along with lived experience leaders. The RCLC supported system change through training DMHAS staff on concepts of recovery and citizenship and developing agency action plans, with the long-term goal of improving citizenship-oriented care at the agency-level and recovery and citizenship-related outcomes for people receiving services.

Findings

Lessons learned include the importance of assessing organizational readiness for change, addressing leadership investment and attention to systemic barrier, and offering tools to promote structure and accountability. Next steps are supporting agency action plans through technical assistance, state-wide educational offerings and a resource library.

Research limitations/implications

Systemic barriers are considerable and must be addressed before system transformation is possible.

Practical implications

The authors are hopeful that the RCLC has been part of overcoming those challenges and can be a tool for building foundations for improving citizen practices and people’s citizenship-related outcomes.

Social implications

Next steps are sustaining agency action plans, ongoing agency-specific technical assistance, ongoing state-wide educational offerings and a resource library.

Originality/value

The RCLC has provided tools and supports to build the foundation for improved citizenship practices and client outcomes at the multiagency system level.
Revolutionizing libraries: leveraging the deep Web as a lasting solution for displacement and replacement challenges
Authors: Bashorun Musediq Tunji , Ajani Yusuf Ayodeji , Fagbola Olaronke Oyinlola
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the deep Web as a solution for displacement and replacement challenges in libraries, addressing the challenges, benefits, strategies and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper synthesizes existing literature on deep Web integration in libraries, providing a comprehensive analysis of insights from scholarly articles, case studies and expert opinions.

Findings

The deep Web grants libraries access to unique content, improving information access, fostering collaboration and enabling personalized content. However, security, privacy, ethics and data protection must be considered.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive examination of deep Web integration in libraries, offering valuable recommendations for navigating the changing landscape and leveraging the deep Web’s potential.
The impact of job loss on mental health during the COVID-19 crisis in Tunisia: analysis based on counterfactual decomposition approach
Authors: Nasri Khaled , Ben Abdallah Mohamed Anis , Amri Fethi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of job loss on the mental health of individuals in Tunisia during the COVID-19 crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the authors use the counterfactual decomposition technique and the potential outcome approach. In the first part, the authors calculated mental health indicators for all individuals included in the sample based on the World Health Organization-5 items. The individuals were then grouped into two subpopulations: the first group included those who had lost their jobs and the second group included individuals whose status in the labor market had remained unchanged. In the second part, the authors used the Blinder and Oaxaca decomposition to explain the mean difference in the mental health scores between the two groups and determine the factors contributing to this difference.

Findings

The empirical results identified symptoms of depressed mood, decreased energy and loss of interest in several individuals. Based on these three symptoms, the authors were able to classify individuals into three types of depression: mild, moderate and severe. In addition, it appeared that job loss had significantly contributed to the worsening mental health of the individuals.

Originality/value

Although the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak among health-care professionals has been the subject of other studies in health literature on Tunisia, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research has addressed the impact of job loss on the mental health of Tunisian workers. Thus, this study fills this gap in the literature.
Quality indicators of effective teacher-created summative assessment
Authors: Brownlie Nicole , Burke Katie , van der Laan Luke
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The current literature on school teacher-created summative assessment lacks a clear consensus regarding its definition and key principles. The purpose of this research was therefore to arrive at a cohesive understanding of what constitutes effective summative assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

Conducting a systematic literature review of 95 studies, this research adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The objective was to identify the core principles governing effective teacher-created summative assessments.

Findings

The study identified five key principles defining effective summative assessment creation: validity, reliability, fairness, authenticity and flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

The expansiveness of education research is such that not all relevant studies may have been identified, particularly outside of mainstream databases. This study considered only the school environment, so contextual limitations will exist.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study contributes original insights by proposing a holistic definition that can facilitate consensus-building in further research. The assimilation of core principles guided the development of quality indicators beneficial for teacher practice. The comprehensive definition, key principles and quality indicators offer a unique perspective on summative assessment discourse.
Can virtual reality nudge toward green investing? An experiment with small business entrepreneurs
Authors: Vassilopoulos Achilleas , Papadaki Lydia , Koundouri Phoebe
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Storytelling through virtual reality (VR) combines the strengths of cutting-edge technology with traditional informational campaigns. As a tool for climate change mitigation, VR has been shown to educate individuals and stimulate both emotional and cognitive responses that promote pro-environmental behavior. This paper aims to investigate whether these benefits extend to the field of green investing through an experiment conducted with a sample of small business entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental design involved making choices between bonds varying in maturity dates, annual interest and environmental classification (regular versus green). To identify potential impacts of the immersive experience on investment decisions, these choices were made both before and after exposure to VR videos illustrating the devastating effects of climate change. A multiple price list was employed to elicit subjects' risk preferences, enabling the joint estimation of the treatment effect and the risk and time preference parameters.

Findings

The findings indicate that, when risk and time preference parameters are controlled for, a VR experience can nudge toward green investment choices. This effect is more profound among those who already exhibit a greater propensity to opt for green investments.

Originality/value

Previous research shows that negative emotions, such as guilt, affect pro-environmental intentions, as well as actions, while message vividness through immersive experiences is effective in nudging greener behavior. Since analogous results in the framework of financial investments are not currently available, this paper seeks to test whether VR videos depicting the adverse effects of climate change can generate negative emotions associated with experiencing these effects and make them salient in subsequent investment decisions made by small business entrepreneurs.
A hermeneutic review of records management practices in Malawi: a developing country context
Authors: Simwaka Kaitano , Malanga Donald Flywell
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to review and understand the state of records management practices in Malawi, focusing on both public and private sector organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The hermeneutic framework underpinned a qualitative review of the study phenomenon. The inclusion and exclusion criterion for the literature was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis methodology. Fifteen documents met the eligibility criteria and informed the study findings. The literature comprised of journal articles, dissertations at both master and doctoral levels, and conference papers.

Findings

The study found that records are created, captured and maintained both in print and electronic formats. It also confirmed that different types of organisations (public, private, academia and civil society) recognise the need for proper records management practices. However, effective and efficient records management is besieged by numerous obstacles, including lack of funding, absence of records management policy, standards and procedures at both institutional and national levels, poor records classification systems and a lack of top management support. Most importantly, the review shows that the majority of studies in Malawi have focused on academia, with little attention to other equally fundamental areas such as agriculture, trade, tourism, transport and energy. Thus, this situation calls for more empirical studies of records management practices in those sectors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first kind of review to be done at a national level, so the findings provide significant insights for policymakers and research practitioners on records management research trends to date in Malawi.
Negative tourism rumors towards user online citizenship behavior: the differential influence of correction sources
Authors: Ruan Wen-Qi , Deng Fang , Zhang Shu-Ning , Zhou Yan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Negative rumors damage the destination’s image and tourist experience. This study aims to compare how rumor correction sources (government vs business vs tourist) affect user online citizenship behavior (UOCB).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the stimuli-organism-response framework, a hypothetical model was established from rumor correction to UOCB. Three scenario experiments (more than 1,000 valid samples) were designed. Study 1 illustrated the effects of different rumor corrections, Study 2 was designed to verify the mediating effects of sympathy and perceived information authenticity (PIA) and the robustness of results was demonstrated in Study 3.

Findings

Government correction elicited the highest sympathy and PIA. Business correction was less than tourist correction in arousing sympathy but better than tourist correction in enhancing PIA. Sympathy and PIA had a mediating effect on the relationship between rumor correction and UOCB.

Practical implications

This study helps to identify the different advantages of rumor correctors and provides insights to prevent the deterioration of negative tourism rumors or even reverse these crises.

Originality/value

This study innovates research perspective of negative tourism rumor governance, expands the understanding of the effect and process of rumor correction and enriches the research content of tourism crisis communication.
Lived experiences constraints of family caregivers in caring for older adults with chronic diseases during the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study of Indonesian perspectives
Authors: Bahtiar Bahtiar , Sri Widiastuti Ida Ayu Kade , Nopriyanto Dwi , Fitriani Nurlaila , Khumaidi Khumaidi , Andriyanto Arief , Muda Iskandar
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of the constraints of older adult family caregivers with chronic diseases in caring for and accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the descriptive phenomenology qualitative method. The sampling method was purposive sampling involving 16 older adult family caregivers.

Findings

The results of this study showed three themes such as difficulties in health services in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic (complaints of services provided by doctors, older adult treatment control problems and difficulty getting to hospital health facilities); difficulties accompanying taking older adult medicine (older adult non-compliance response to taking medication and older adult medicine assistance); and psychosocial complaints caring for and accompanying the older adult (negative emotions for the older adult, difficulty interacting with the older adult and the economic burden of caring for the older adult).

Practical implications

Barriers to family caregivers in caring for older adults with chronic diseases can help health-care service providers understand and support families caring for and assisting older adults, which may contribute to the quality of life and care for both family caregivers and older adults.

Originality/value

This study showed that Indonesian family caregivers faced difficulties caring for and living with older adults with chronic diseases during the pandemic. Family caregivers’ experiences are essential when developing an intervention to support and manage health care for older adults with chronic illnesses.
Using ‘I am’ Digital Stories to facilitate autistic young people to have a voice in their transition to adulthood
Authors: Lewis‐Dagnell Stephanie , Burden Louisa , Marsden Kirsty , Parsons Sarah , Kovshoff Hanna
Published: August 2023

The voices of autistic young people are frequently excluded from transition planning and decision‐making, especially when they have more complex needs and may not use speech to communicate. The aim of this research, based at a residential special school in England, was to extend and evaluate the use of the ‘I am’ Digital Stories methodology. ‘I am’ Digital Stories are short (c.3–5 min) videos that use a strengths‐based framework to support the sharing of voice, experiences, and preferences in visual form. ‘I am’ Digital Stories is an accessible and inclusive methodology that enables young people to present their ‘best selves’ to people in new settings who are meeting them for the first time. Digital Stories were co‐created with and/or for three young adults aged 18–19, their families and the school, and shared with stakeholders as part of the transition to post‐school contexts. Reflexive thematic analysis of data from 17 semi‐structured interviews with stakeholders resulted in five themes: benefits of Digital Stories, humanising approach; ownerships and agency, ethical considerations and direct impact on practice. Stakeholders highlighted how powerful the ‘I am’ Digital Stories were for gaining a fuller, more humanising understanding of the young person that was unavailable or impossible via other sources.
Differentiated influence by supranational institutions: Evidence from the European Union
Authors: LUNDGREN MAGNUS , TALLBERG JONAS , WASSERFALLEN FABIO
Published: August 2023

This article develops a novel approach for studying the influence of supranational institutions in international cooperation. While earlier research tends to treat member states as a collective yielding influence on supranational institutions, we unpack this collective to explore differentiated supranational influence. To this end, the article makes three contributions. First, it develops a method for measuring differentiated supranational influence that makes it possible to identify which member states give ground when a supranational institution is influential. Second, it theorizes the sources of differentiated supranational influence, arguing that states are more likely to accommodate a supranational institution when they are more dependent on the resources of this institution. Third, it illustrates the usefulness of this approach empirically through an analysis of the influence of the European Commission in European Union bargaining. The analysis suggests that our approach can measure and explain differentiated supranational influence under conditions of both heightened crisis and everyday politics.
Functional trait composition of carabid beetle communities predicts prey suppression through both mass ratio and niche complementarity mechanisms
Authors: Rouabah Abdelhak , Lasserre‐Joulin Françoise , Plantureux Sylvain , Taugourdeau Simon , Amiaud Bernard
Published: August 2023

Several components of predator functional diversity have been hypothesized to influence prey suppression through either niche complementarity or mass ratio effects. Nevertheless, most studies have used a functional group approach when assessing the role of these predators in ecosystem functioning. By adopting a trait‐based approach, we evaluated the relative contributions of carabid diversity components in predicting prey suppression. Our results highlight the importance of both taxonomic and functional diversity components of carabids as key drivers of prey suppression. Prey suppression was best predicted by carabid densities, with the dominance of Poecilus cupreus potentially driving the positive effect of community total abundance through the mass ratio effect. Prey suppression increased with increasing the density of large carabids. In addition, carabid eye diameter and antennal length were key functional traits for predicting prey suppression. Furthermore, prey suppression increased with increasing carabid functional richness following the niche complementarity effect. In contrast to functional richness, functional evenness and functional divergence of carabid communities were weakly correlated with prey suppression. By identifying which diversity components of carabid communities contribute the most to increase prey suppression, our results can guide efforts aiming to predict the relationship between diversity of these predators and ecosystem functioning.
Novel and highly reliable leak check tests for drop‐ and external pressure‐type cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy
Authors: Kobayashi Yasuko , Ozawa Nana , Yoshida Tamami , Minowa Takashi , Michinaga Yuki , Inui Keita , Hashimoto Koji , Kamijo Yuji
Published: August 2023

Introduction

For safe management of cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART), a highly reliable leak test for detecting ascites filter damage is essential. However, such a test has not been established for drop‐type CART.

Methods

We devised two novel leak tests for drop‐ and external pressure‐type CART, manual or pump pressurization methods, using high‐pressure loading and pressure monitoring, and investigated their reliability.

Results

Both methods could easily load and maintain sufficiently high pressure (>400 Torr) on the hollow fibers for 2 min. No result deviation was noted between different operators. The pressure drops in both methods were identical and significantly lower than those in the leak test using a special CART machine, the e‐CART.

Conclusion

The reliability of our revised leak test is equivalent to that of the automatic leak test of e‐CART. These highly reliable leak tests may contribute to safety in patients undergoing drop‐ and external pressure‐type CART.
Fatty acid β‐oxidation and mitochondrial fusion are involved in cardiac microvascular endothelial cell protection induced by glucagon receptor antagonism in diabetic mice
Authors: Wang Peng , Wei Rui , Cui Xiaona , Jiang Zongzhe , Yang Jin , Zu Lingyun , Hong Tianpei
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The role of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) in diabetic cardiomyopathy is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate whether a glucagon receptor (GCGR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) ameliorated diabetic cardiomyopathy and clarify whether and how CMECs participated in the process.

Research Design and Methods

The db/db mice were treated with GCGR mAb or immunoglobulin G (as control) for 4 weeks. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate cardiac function. Immunofluorescent staining was used to determine microvascular density. The proteomic signature in isolated primary CMECs was analyzed by using tandem mass tag‐based quantitative proteomic analysis. Some target proteins were verified by using western blot.

Results

Compared with db/m mice, cardiac microvascular density and left ventricular diastolic function were significantly reduced in db/db mice, and this reduction was attenuated by GCGR mAb treatment. A total of 199 differentially expressed proteins were upregulated in db/db mice versus db/m mice and downregulated in GCGR mAb‐treated db/db mice versus db/db mice. The enrichment analysis demonstrated that fatty acid β‐oxidation and mitochondrial fusion were the key pathways. The changes of the related proteins carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B, optic atrophy type 1, and mitofusin‐1 were further verified by using western blot. The levels of these three proteins were upregulated in db/db mice, whereas this upregulation was attenuated by GCGR mAb treatment.

Conclusion

GCGR antagonism has a protective effect on CMECs and cardiac diastolic function in diabetic mice, and this beneficial effect may be mediated via inhibiting fatty acid β‐oxidation and mitochondrial fusion in CMECs.
Investigation of the efficacy and feasibility of combined therapy of PD‐L1‐enhanced exogenous peripatetic adoptive natural killer (NK) cells in combination with antiangiogenic targeted therapy in the treatment of extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Zhizhen , Zhang Ruiping , Cao Yuchan , Chen Yang , Huang Sheng , Luo Yan'an
Published: August 2023

A 67‐year‐old male patient presented with extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer with the primary lesion located in the right upper lung, accompanied by multiple metastases to the pleura and abdominal cavity with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. A combination therapy approach was used to target the patient's multiple systemic metastases after localized radiotherapy. The approach involved adoptive transfer of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) enhanced exogenous natural killer (NK) cells, along with antiangiogenic treatment. Allogeneic cord blood NK cells were infused back into the patient over two consecutive days. On the first day, the treatment was followed by a dose of 1200 mg of atezolizumab. Subsequently, the patient received a daily dose of 10 mg of anlotinib administered orally for 14 days. This was followed by a 7‐day break, and each cycle lasted 21 days. After delivering localized radiation to the primary lesion in the right lung and metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes, complete remission was achieved in the local lesion, effectively avoiding the risk of superior vena cava syndrome. Following six cycles of combined therapy, most of the metastatic lesions had disappeared, and the remaining metastatic lesions had significantly reduced in size. The recent therapeutic effect resulted in partial remission. The combination therapy of immune checkpoint inhibitor PD‐L1‐enhanced exogenous adoptive transfer NK cells, along with antiangiogenic targeted treatment, demonstrated a satisfactory short‐term effect, with disappearance of most of the metastases and noticeable shrinkage in the remaining metastatic lesions.
Predicting pathological response to neoadjuvant or conversion chemoimmunotherapy in stage IB–III non‐small cell lung cancer patients using radiomic features
Authors: Yang Nong , Yue Hai‐Lin , Zhang Bai‐Hua , Chen Juan , Chu Qian , Wang Jian‐Xin , Yu Xiao‐Ping , Jian Lian , Bin Ya‐Wen , Liu Si‐Ye , Liu Jin , Zeng Liang , Yang Hai‐Yan , Zhou Chun‐Hua , Jiang Wen‐Juan , Liu Li , Zhang Yong‐Chang , Xiong Yi , Wang Zhan
Published: August 2023

Background

To develop a radiomics model based on chest computed tomography (CT) for the prediction of a pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant or conversion chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Patients with stage IB–III NSCLC who received neoadjuvant or conversion CIT between September 2019 and July 2021 at Hunan Cancer Hospital, Xiangya Hospital, and Union Hospital were retrospectively collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to screen features. Then, model 1 (five radiomics features before CIT), model 2 (four radiomics features after CIT and before surgery) and model 3 were constructed for the prediction of pCR. Model 3 included all nine features of model 1 and 2 and was later named the neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy‐related pathological response prediction model (NACIP).

Results

This study included 110 patients: 77 in the training set and 33 in the validation set. Thirty‐nine (35.5%) patients achieved a pCR. Model 1 showed area under the curve (AUC) = 0.65, 64% accuracy, 71% specificity, and 50% sensitivity, while model 2 displayed AUC = 0.81, 73% accuracy, 62% specificity, and 92% sensitivity. In comparison, NACIP yielded a good predictive value, with an AUC of 0.85, 81% accuracy, 81% specificity, and 83% sensitivity in the validation set.

Conclusion

NACIP may be a potential model for the early prediction of pCR in patients with NSCLC treated with neoadjuvant/conversion CIT.
Enhanced prediction of postoperative radiotherapy‐induced esophagitis in non‐small cell lung cancer: Dosiomic model development in a real‐world cohort and validation in the PORT‐C randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ma Zeliang , Liang Bin , Wei Ran , Liu Yunsong , Bao Yongxing , Yuan Meng , Men Yu , Wang Jianyang , Deng Lei , Zhai Yirui , Bi Nan , Wang Luhua , Dai Jianrong , Hui Zhouguang
Published: August 2023

Background

Radiotherapy‐induced esophagitis (RE) diminishes the quality of life and interrupts treatment in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing postoperative radiotherapy. Dosimetric models showed limited capability in predicting RE. We aimed to develop dosiomic models to predict RE.

Methods

Models were trained with a real‐world cohort and validated with PORT‐C randomized controlled trial cohort. Patients with NSCLC undergoing resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy between 2004 and 2015 were enrolled. The endpoint was grade ≥2 RE. Esophageal three‐dimensional dose distribution features were extracted using handcrafted and convolutional neural network (CNN) methods, screened using an entropy‐based method, and selected using minimum redundancy and maximum relevance. Prediction models were built using logistic regression. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and precision‐recall curve were used to evaluate prediction model performance. A dosimetric model was built for comparison.

Results

A total of 190 and 103 patients were enrolled in the training and validation sets, respectively. Using handcrafted and CNN methods, 107 and 4096 features were derived, respectively. Three handcrafted, four CNN‐extracted and three dosimetric features were selected. AUCs of training and validation sets were 0.737 and 0.655 for the dosimetric features, 0.730 and 0.724 for handcrafted features, and 0.812 and 0.785 for CNN‐extracted features, respectively. Precision‐recall curves revealed that CNN‐extracted features outperformed dosimetric and handcrafted features.

Conclusions

Prediction models may identify patients at high risk of developing RE. Dosiomic models outperformed the dosimetric‐feature model in predicting RE. CNN‐extracted features were more predictive but less interpretable than handcrafted features.
Pressure from words: The tone of investors in Chinese earnings communication conferences and managerial myopia
Authors: Luo Runmei , Ye Yong
Published: August 2023

This study examines whether and how the negative tone of investors in earnings communication conferences (ECCs) held by Chinese listed companies influences managerial myopia. We use the bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) model to construct sentence‐level emotional tone and find that the negative tone of investors in ECCs leads to greater myopic behaviour by managers. The positive relationship between the negative tone of investors and managerial myopia is stronger when more investors participate in ECCs, investors ask more questions, and managers respond with longer statements. However, this positive relationship becomes weaker when managers have positions in other companies, managers are more competent, and managers display a more positive tone in ECCs. Additionally, this positive relationship weakens when listed companies that hold ECCs have more institutional investors and strengthens when the media reports these companies more frequently. Our results prove that individual investors can have a voice and influence the decision‐making behaviour of managers through ECCs.
Combined effects of methadone and quetiapine on respiratory rate, haemodynamic variables, and temperature in conscious rats
Authors: Andersen Freja Drost , Steffensen Simon Comerma , Vistisen Simon Tilma , Pinilla Estefano , Pedersen Tina Myhre , Matchkov Vladimir , Simonsen Ulf , Andersen Charlotte Uggerhøj
Published: August 2023

Fatal poisonings where both methadone and quetiapine are detected post‐mortem occurs frequently in legal autopsy cases. It is unclear whether quetiapine increases the risk of fatal methadone poisoning or if it is merely detected due to widespread use. We hypothesized that methadone and quetiapine would have additive toxic effects on respiratory rate, blood pressure, and the QTc‐interval. To investigate this hypothesis, we used telemetry implants for measurements of respiratory rate, haemodynamic variables, the velocity of blood pressure changes, temperature, and movement in conscious, freely moving male Wistar rats aged 12–13 weeks. The combined effects of three accumulative i.p. doses of methadone (2.5, 10, 15 mg/kg) and quetiapine (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) were compared to rats treated with the same doses of each drug alone, and a vehicle‐treated group in a randomized investigator blinded study. No additive effects of quetiapine and methadone on respiratory rate, haemodynamic variables, or movement were observed. However, body temperature was significantly lower by approximately 1.5°C on average in the group treated with both methadone and quetiapine (15 + 30 mg/kg) compared to the other groups. This indicates a synergistic effect of quetiapine and methadone on thermoregulation, which may increase the risk of fatal poisoning. We suggest studying this finding further in human settings.
Scrutinizing the human TEX genes in the context of human male infertility
Authors: Sieper Marie. H. , Gaikwad Avinash S. , Fros Marion , Weber Philipp , Di Persio Sara , Oud Manon S. , Kliesch Sabine , Neuhaus Nina , Stallmeyer Birgit , Tüttelmann Frank , Wyrwoll Margot J.
Published: August 2023

Background

Infertility affects around 15% of all couples worldwide and is increasingly linked to variants in genes specifically expressed in the testis. Well‐established causes of male infertility include pathogenic variants in the genes TEX11, TEX14, and TEX15, while few studies have recently reported variants in TEX13B, TEX13C, FAM9A (TEX39A), and FAM9B (TEX39B).

Objectives

We aimed at screening for novel potential candidate genes among the human TEX (“testis expressed”) genes as well as verifying previously described disease associations in this set of genes.

Materials and methods

To this end, we screened the exome sequencing data of 1305 men, including 1056 crypto‐ and azoospermic individuals, and determined cell‐specific expression by analyzing testis‐specific single‐cell RNA sequencing data for genes with identified variants. To investigate the overarching role in male fertility, we generated testis‐specific knockdown (KD) models of all 10 orthologous TEX genes in Drosophila melanogaster.

Results

We detected rare potential disease‐causing variants in TEX10, TEX13A, TEX13B, TEX13C, TEX13D, ZFAND3 (TEX27), TEX33, FAM9A (TEX39A), and FAM9B (TEX39B), in 28 infertile men, of which 15 men carried variants in TEX10, TEX27, and TEX33. The KD of TEX2, TEX9, TEX10, TEX13, ZFAND3 (TEX27), TEX28, TEX30, NFX1 (TEX42), TEX261, and UTP4 (TEX292) in Drosophila resulted in normal fertility.

Discussion

Based on our findings, the autosomal dominant predicted genes TEX10 and ZFAND3 (TEX27) and the autosomal recessive predicted gene TEX33, which all three are conceivably required for germ cell maturation, were identified as novel potential candidate genes for human non‐obstructive azoospermia. We additionally identified hemizygous loss‐of‐function (LoF) variants in TEX13B, TEX13C, and FAM9A (TEX39A) as unlikely monogenic culprits of male infertility as LoF variants were also found in control men.

Conclusion

Our findings concerning the X‐linked genes TEX13B, TEX13C, and FAM9A (TEX39A) contradict previous reports and will decrease false‐positive reports in genetic diagnostics of azoospermic men.