bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic evolution of retroviral envelope genes in egg-laying mammalian genomes
Authors: Kitao Koichi , Shoji Hiyori , Miyazawa Takayuki , Nakagawa So
Published: December 2022

Independently acquired envelope (env) genes from endogenous retroviruses have contributed to the placental trophoblast cell-cell fusion in therian mammals. Egg-laying mammals (monotremes) are an important sister clade for understanding mammalian placental evolution, but theenvgenes in their genomes have yet to be investigated. Here,env-derived open reading frames (env-ORFs) encoding more than 400 amino-acid lengths were searched in the genomes of two monotremes: platypus and echidna. Only twoenv-ORFs were present in the platypus genome, whereas 121env-ORFs were found in the echidna genome. The echidnaenv-ORFs were phylogenetically classified into seven groups named env-Tac1 to -Tac7. Among them, the env-Tac1 group contained only a single gene, and its amino acid sequence showed high similarity to those of the RD114/simian type D retroviruses. Using the pseudotyped virus assay, we demonstrated that the Env-Tac1 protein utilizes echidna sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter type 1 and 2 (ASCT1 and ASCT2) as entry receptors. Moreover, the Env-Tac1 protein caused cell-cell fusion in human 293T cells depending on the expression of ASCT1 and ASCT2. These results illustrate that fusogenicenvgenes are not restricted to placental mammals, providing insights into the evolution of retroviral genes and the placenta.
m6A-mRNA reader YTHDF2 identified as a potential risk gene in autism with disproportionate megalencephaly
Authors: Nishizaki Sierra S , Haghani Nicholas K , La Gabriana N , Mariano Natasha Ann F , Uribe-Salazar José M , Kaya Gulhan , Andrews Derek Sayre , Nordahl Christine Wu , Amaral David G , Dennis Megan Y , Regester Melissa
Published: December 2022

Among autistic individuals, a subphenotype of disproportionate megalencephaly (ASD-DM) seen at three years of age is associated with co-occurring intellectual disability and poorer prognoses later in life. However, many of the genes contributing to ASD-DM have yet to be delineated. In this study, we identified additional ASD-DM candidate genes with the aim to better define the genetic etiology of this subphenotype of autism. We expanded the previously studied sample size of ASD-DM individuals ten-fold by including probands from the Autism Phenome Project and Simons Simplex Collection, totaling 766 autistic individuals meeting the criteria for megalencephaly or macrocephaly and revealing 153 candidate ASD-DM genes harboring de novo protein-impacting variants. Our findings include thirteen high confidence autism genes and seven genes previously associated with DM. Five impacted genes have previously been associated with both autism and DM, including CHD8 and PTEN. By performing functional network analysis, we expanded to additional candidate genes, including one previously implicated in ASD-DM (PIK3CA) as well as 184 additional genes previously implicated in ASD or DM alone. Using zebrafish as a model, we performed CRISPR gene editing to generate knockout animals for seven of the genes and assessed head-size and induced-seizure-activity differences. From this analysis, we identified significant morphological changes in zebrafish loss-of-function of two genes, ythdf2 and ryr3. While zebrafish knockouts model haploinsufficiency of assayed genes, we identified a de novo tandem duplication impacting YTHDF2 in an ASD-DM proband. Testing zebrafish overexpressing YTHDF2 showed increased head and brain size matching that of the proband. Single-cell transcriptomes of YTHDF2 gain-of-function larvae point to reduced expression of Fragile-X-syndrome-associated FMRP-target genes globally and in the developing brain, providing insight into the mechanism underlying autistic phenotypes. We additionally discovered a variant impacting a different m6A-methylation reader, YTHDC1, in our ASD-DM cohort. Though we highlight only two cases to date, our study provides support for the m6A-RNA methylation pathway as potentially contributing to this severe form of autism.
Exogenous chromosomes reveal how sequence composition drives chromatin assembly, activity, folding and compartmentalization
Authors: Chapard Christophe , Meneu Léa , Serizay Jacques , Westbrook Alex , Routhier Etienne , Ruault Myriam , Bignaud Amaury , Thierry Agnès , Gourgues Géraldine , Lartigue Carole , Piazza Aurèle , Taddei Angela , Beckouët Frédéric , Mozziconacci Julien , Koszul Romain
Published: December 2022

Genomic sequences co-evolve with DNA-associated proteins to ensure the multiscale folding of long DNA molecules into functional chromosomes. In eukaryotes, different molecular complexes organize the chromosome’s hierarchical structure, ranging from nucleosomes and cohesin- mediated DNA loops to large scale chromatin compartments. To explore the relationships between the DNA sequence composition and the spontaneous loading and activity of these DNA-associated complexes in the absence of co-evolution, we characterized chromatin assembly and activity in yeast strains carrying exogenous bacterial chromosomes that diverged from eukaryotic sequences over 1.5 billion years ago. We show that nucleosome assembly, transcriptional activity, cohesin-mediated looping, and chromatin compartmentalization can occur in a bacterial chromosome with a largely divergent sequence integrated in a eukaryotic host, and that the chromatinization of bacterial chromosomes is highly correlated with their sequence composition. These results are a step forward in understanding how foreign sequences are interpreted by a host nuclear machinery during natural horizontal gene transfers, as well as in synthetic genomics projects.
The effect of pH alterations on TDP-43 in a cellular model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Al Ojaimi Yara , Slek Charlotte , Osman Samira , Alarcan Hugo , Marouillat Sylviane , Corcia Philippe , Vourc’h Patrick , Lanznaster Débora , Blasco Hélène
Published: December 2022

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. The pathophysiology of ALS is not well understood but TDP-43 proteinopathy (aggregation and mislocalization) is one of the major phenomena described. Several factors can influence TDP-43 behavior such as mild pH alterations that can induce conformational changes in recombinant TDP-43, increasing its propensity to aggregate. However to our knowledge, no studies have been conducted yet in a cellular setting, in the context of ALS. We therefore tested the effect of cellular pH alterations on the localization and aggregation of TDP-43. HEK293T cells overexpressing wildtype TDP-43 were incubated for 1h with solutions of different pH (6.4, 7.2, and 8). Incubation of cells for 1h in solutions of pH 6.4 and 8 led to an increase in TDP-43-positive puncta, an effect that was lost after 2h of incubation. This was accompanied by the mislocalization of TDP-43 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Our resulats suggest that small alterations in cellular pH affect TDP-43 and increase its mislocalization into cytoplasmic TDP-43-positive puncta, which might suggest a role of TDP-43 in the response of cells to pH alterations.
Mismatch novelty exploration training shifts VPAC1receptor mediated modulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity by endogenous VIP in male rats
Authors: Aidil-Carvalho F , Caulino-Rocha A , Ribeiro JA , Cunha-Reis D
Published: December 2022

Novelty influences hippocampal-dependent memory through metaplasticity. Mismatch novelty detection activates the human hippocampal CA1 area and enhances rat hippocampal-dependent learning and exploration. Remarkably, mismatch novelty training (NT) also enhances rodent hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Inhibition of VIP interneurons by prefrontal cortex GABAergic projections promotes rodent exploration. Since VIP, acting on VPAC1receptors (Rs), restrains hippocampal LTP and depotentiation by modulating disinhibition we now investigated the impact of NT on VPAC1modulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in male Wistar rats. NT enhanced both CA1 hippocampal LTP and depotentiation unlike exploring an empty holeboard (HT) or a fixed configuration of objects (FT). Blocking VIP VPAC1Rs with PG 97-269 (100nM) enhanced both LTP and depotentiation in naïve animals but this effect was less effective in NT rats. Altered endogenous VIP modulation of LTP was absent in animals exposed to the empty environment (HT). HT and FT animals showed mildly enhanced synaptic VPAC1R levels but neither VIP nor VPAC1R levels were altered in NT animals. Conversely, NT enhanced the GluA1/GluA2 AMPAR ratio and gephyrin synaptic content but not PSD-95 excitatory synaptic marker. In conclusion, NT influences hippocampal synaptic plasticity by reshaping brain circuits modulating disinhibition and its control by VIP-expressing hippocampal interneurons while upregulation of VIP VPAC1Rs is associated to maintenance of VIP control of LTP in FT and HT animals. This suggests VIP receptor ligands may be relevant to co-adjuvate cognitive recovery therapies in aging or epilepsy, where LTP/LTD imbalance occurs.

Significance statement

This work sheds light into the contribution of hippocampal neuropeptide VIP and VIP containing GABAergic neurons on the reformulation of hippocampal circuit communication leading to altered synaptic plasticity responses upon training in repeated exposure to object mismatch novelty as compared with routine training paradigms with and without objects. Although still far from the clinic, the results suggest that VIP receptor ligands may be useful to co-adjuvate cognitive stimuli therapies based on these aspects of novelty, aiming at the cognitive rescue of aged individuals or epilepsy patients, that show impaired capacity in novelty induced adaptations of cognitive function.

Graphical abstract
Mechanism of LLPS of SARS-CoV-2 N protein
Authors: Dang Mei , Li Tongyang , Song Jianxing
Published: December 2022

SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein with low mutation rate is the only structural protein not only functioning to package viral genomic RNA, but also manipulating the host-cell machineries, thus representing a key target for drug development. Recent discovery of its liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) not only sheds light on previously-unknown mechanisms underlying the host-SARS-CoV-2 interaction and viral life cycle, but most importantly opens up a new direction for developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies/drugs. However, so far the high-resolution mechanism of LLPS of N protein still remains unknown because it is not amenable for high-resolution biophysical investigations. Here we systematically dissected N protein into differential combinations of domains followed by DIC and NMR characterization. We successfully identified N (1-249), which not only gives high-quality NMR spectra, but phase separates as the full-length N protein. The results together decode for the first time: 1) nucleic acid modulates LLPS by dynamic but specific interactions multivalently over both folded NTD/CTD and Arg/Lys residues within IDRs. 2) ATP, mysteriously with concentrations >mM in all living cells but absent in viruses, not only specifically binds NTD/CTD, but also Arg residues within IDRs with Kd of 2.8 mM. 3) ATP dissolves LLPS by competitively displacing nucleic acid from binding the protein. Therefore, ATP and nucleic acid interplay in modulating LLPS by specific competitions for binding over the highly overlapped binding sites. Our study deciphers the mechanism of LLPS of N protein, which is targetable by small molecules. ATP is not only emerging as a cellular factor controlling the host-SARS-CoV-2 interaction, but also provides a lead for developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs efficient for different variants of SARS-CoV-2. Fundamentally, our results imply that the mechanisms of LLPS of IDR-containing proteins mediated by ATP and nucleic acids appear to be highly conserved from human to virus.
Examining the slow acceptance of HR analytics in the Indian engineering and construction industry: a SEM-ANN-based approach
Authors: Arora Meenal , Prakash Anshika , Mittal Amit , Singh Swati
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Despite the extensive benefits of human resource (HR) analytics, the intention to adopt such technology is still a matter of concern in the engineering and construction sectors. This study aims to examine the slow adoption of HR analytics among HR professionals in the engineering and construction sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional online survey including 376 HR executives working in Indian-based engineering and construction firms was conducted. Hierarchal regression, structural equation modeling and artificial neural networks (ANN) were applied to evaluate the relative importance of HR analytics predictors.

Findings

The results reveal that hedonic motivation (HM), data availability (DA) and performance expectancy (PE) influence the behavioral intention (BI) to use HR analytics, whereas effort expectancy (EE), quantitative self-efficacy (QSE), habit (HA) and social influence (SI) act as barriers to its adoption. Moreover, PE was the most influential predictor of BI.

Practical implications

Based on the findings of this study, engineering and construction industry managers can formulate strategies for the implementation and promotion of HR analytics to enhance organizational performance.

Originality/value

This study draws attention to evidence-based decision-making, emphasizing barriers to the adoption of HR analytics. This study also emphasizes the concept of DA and QSE to enhance adoption among HR professionals, specifically in the engineering and construction industry.
Brand systems: integrating branding research perspectives
Authors: Padela Shoaib M. Farooq , Wooliscroft Ben , Ganglmair-Wooliscroft Alexandra
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to conceptualise and characterise brand systems and outline propositions and research avenues to advance the systems’ view of branding.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual synthesis approach is adopted to integrate the extant branding research perspectives. The conceptual framework is grounded in the theoretical foundation of marketing systems theory.

Findings

The conceptual framework delineates brand inputs, throughputs, outcomes and feedback effects within a brand system. It configures the complexity and dynamics of brand value formation among brand actors within the branding environment.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to systems thinking in branding and brand value co-creation research. It extends marketing systems theory into the branding context and provides research directions for exploring the structural and functional configurations, cause–consequence processes and outcome concerns of brand value formation.

Practical implications

This conceptual framework informs brand development, management and regulation at a macro level. Managers can apply the brand system concept to identify and manage conflicting expectations of brand actors and alleviate adverse brand outcomes such as negative brand externalities, enhancing overall brand system health and societal value.

Originality/value

This research expands the scope of brand actor agency and identifies the likelihood of disproportionate brand outcomes. It provides methodological guidelines for analysis and intervention in brand systems.
The effects of major earthquakes on the labor market: evidence from Turkey
Authors: Dolu Aslı , İkizler Hüseyin
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of earthquakes on the labor market. The authors try to estimate the impact of two major earthquakes (Izmir and Elazig) in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to analyze the effects of devastating earthquakes in the nearby regions of the province where the earthquake took place, on the labor market, monthly and annual data from the TUIK and ISKUR database will be used. For this purpose, the authors consider the earthquake a natural experiment and employ a Synthetic Control Method (SCM). In addition, the analysis will be carried out using seasonally adjusted data, taking into account the seasonal effects of the monthly data to be used in the study.

Findings

The results show that the impact varies based on the labor market structure of the regions. While the earthquake positively affects the labor market of agriculture-oriented regions, it harms the labor market of nonagricultural-oriented regions.

Research limitations/implications

A major limitation of the study is that we cannot fully separate the impact of Covid-19 from our estimate. The authors believe that Covid-19 overestimates the negative impact of earthquakes on the labor market.

Social implications

Earthquakes have adverse effects on the labor market. The estimation of the earthquake-related costs may provide a useful guide on policy planning and government incentives.

Originality/value

The originality of the study lies in the fact that this is the first study to evaluate how the dynamics of the labor market has changed as a result of the earthquakes that have taken place in Turkey, within the framework of causality.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2022-0568
Virtual gifting behavior on new social media: the perspectives of the community gift-giving model and face-negotiation theory
Authors: Hsieh Jung-Kuei , Kunz Werner H. , Wu Ai-Yun
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the factors that affect an audience's purchase decisions on a new type of social media, namely live video streaming platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on data from an online survey providing 488 valid responses. These responses are used to test the research model by employing partial least squares (PLS) modeling.

Findings

Three antecedents (consumer competitive arousal, gift design aesthetics and broadcaster's image) influence the audience's purchase decisions (impulse buying and continuous buying intention). Chinese impression management (mianzi) acts as a moderator.Self-mianzi,mutual mianziandother mianzi(i.e. three subtypes ofmianzi) moderate the effects of consumer competitive arousal, gift design aesthetics and broadcaster's image on impulse buying.

Practical implications

The findings encourage practitioners developing marketing strategies for live video streaming platforms in the Chinese cultural context to consider peer influence, gift appearance, broadcaster's image andmianzi.

Originality/value

Drawing on the community gift-giving model and face-negotiation theory, this study provides an integrated research model to investigate a new type of social media (live video streaming). It offers insight into virtual gifting behaviors by confirming the effects of three antecedents on the audience's purchase decisions, withmianziacting as a moderator.
Determinants of online professor reviews: an elaboration likelihood model perspective
Authors: Li Yaojie , Wang Xuan , Van Slyke Craig
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Drawing on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), the authors examine the influence of perceived professor teaching qualities, as central cues, on online professor ratings. Also, our study investigates how the volume and period of reviews, as peripheral cues, affect online professor ratings.

Design/methodology/approach

Leveraging stratified random sampling, the authors collect reviews of 892 Information Systems professors from 250 American universities. The authors employ regression models while conducting robustness tests through multi-level logistic regression and causal inference methods.

Findings

Our results suggest that the central route from perceived professor qualities to online professor ratings is significant, including most qualitative pedagogical factors except positive assessment. In addition to course difficulty, the effect of the peripheral route is limited due to deficient diagnosticity.

Research limitations/implications

Our primary concern about the data validity is a lack of a competing and complementary dataset. However, an institutional evaluation survey or an experimental study can corroborate our findings in future research.

Practical implications

Online professor review sites can enhance their perceived diagnosticity and credibility by increasing review vividness and promoting site interactivity. In addition to traditional institutional evaluations, professors can obtain insightful feedback from review sites to improve their teaching effectiveness.

Originality/value

To our best knowledge, this study is the first attempt to employ the ELM and accessibility-diagnosticity theory in explicating the information processing of online professor reviews. It also sheds light on various determinants and routes to persuasion, thus providing a novel theoretical perspective on online professor reviews.
Integrating Green Lean Six Sigma and industry 4.0: a conceptual framework
Authors: Kaswan Mahender Singh , Rathi Rajeev , Cross Jennifer , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Antony Jiju , Yadav Vishwas
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This research aims to propose a framework to integrate Green Lean Six Sigma (GLSS) and Industry 4.0 to improve organizational sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The integration of GLSS and Industry 4.0 is proposed based on theoretical facets of the individual approaches. A generic, conceptual framework of an integrated GLSS-Industry 4.0 approach is then proposed using the application of different tools and techniques of GLSS and Industry 4.0 at different stages of the realization of a project.

Findings

Both approaches have common facets related to enablers and barriers, and the integrated application of tools and techniques of each approach supplements the common focus of both related to sustainability enhancement. The proposed, conceptual framework provides systematic guidelines from the project selection stage to the sustainment of the solution, with the enumerated application of different techniques and tools at each step of the framework.

Originality/value

This research is the first of its kind to propose the integration of GLSS and Industry 4.0 under the umbrella of a unified approach, including a conceptual framework of this integrated GLSS-Industry 4.0 approach.
Energy-conserving cryptocurrency response during the COVID-19 pandemic and amid the Russia–Ukraine conflict
Authors: Mnif Emna , Mouakhar Khaireddine , Jarboui Anis
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The mining process is essential in cryptocurrency networks. However, it consumes considerable electrical energy, which is undoubtedly harmful to the environment. In response, energy-conserving cryptocurrency projects with reduced energy requirements or based on renewable energies have been developed. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine ignited an unprecedented upheaval in financial products, especially in cryptocurrency and energy markets. Therefore, the paper aims to explore the response of these energy-conserving cryptocurrencies to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates the response of these energy-conserving cryptocurrencies to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Their competitiveness is compared with conventional ones by analyzing their efficiency through multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis and automatic variance ratio during the COVID-19 and Russian invasion periods.

Findings

The empirical results show that all investigated energy-conserving cryptocurrencies negatively responded to the pandemic and positively reacted to the Russian invasion. On the other hand, all conventional cryptocurrencies reacted negatively to the COVID-19 pandemic and the amid-Russian attack. Besides, Bitcoin and SolarCoin were the least inefficient before the outbreak of COVID-19. Nevertheless, the Ethereum market became the most efficient after the pandemic spread. Similarly, the efficiency of Ripple was the most significant during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The energy crisis caused by Russia benefited the efficiency of the studied energy-conserving cryptocurrencies.

Practical implications

This research is of interest to investors seeking opportunities in these energy-conserving cryptocurrencies and policymakers working to implement reforms to improve their market efficiency and promote long-term financial market growth.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, the behavior of cryptocurrencies based on renewable and reduced energy during the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine has not been explored.
Work from home amid black swan event (Covid-19): a bibliometric analysis from a social science perspective
Authors: Dogra Prinka , Parrey Aubid Hussain
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to facilitate researchers, practitioners and policymakers in understanding and managing the impact of the black swan event – COVID-19 on work from home in the social science subject area through bibliometric analysis. For this purpose, the authors analyzed publications from the Scopus database.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors conducted bibliometric analysis based on two major techniques: performance analysis and science mapping. The authors applied VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to address the research questions of present study. The study explored the hot trend topics and summarized them with discussions and implications.

Findings

Based on the analysis of 500 publications, the authors present an overview of performance and science mapping from the perspective of different aspects such as publication output and authors. Also, authors visualized the text mining by co-word analysis forming nine clusters as well as mapping trend topics. The existing publications were divided into ten clusters according to different keyword analyses: Leadership, Mental health, Technology, Crisis Management, Gender, Challenges, well-being and Work-life balance.

Research limitations/implications

Sample from the Scopus database is not exhaustive, and the dataset may be skewed due to the adoption of the selection criteria. The authors’ concentration was on academic publications in English that excludes potentially intriguing and pioneering studies done in other languages. The study area was limited to social science only.

Practical implications

The paramount lesson is that the COVID-19 quandary is multifaceted, necessitating not simply adaptations to current strategies but also an understanding and analysis of advancements in the economy, commerce and society. According to the analysis presented above, to overcome the COVID-19 “black swan event”, managers must think ahead. The analysis gives leaders and decision-makers a range of useful information on work from home (WFH) difficulties in COVID-19, as well as initiatives and revisions that must be implemented at the economic, social and scientific aspects when dealing with such uncertainties. The findings also aid managers in forecasting the need for sophisticated technology, organizational agility and resilience to attain the desired direction of progress.

Originality/value

With a focus on addressing WFH during COVID-19 from social science perspective and to synthesize its future research directions systematically, the authors performed Bibliometric analysis both with VOSviewer and Biblioshiny, in order to enhance the overall analysis for higher accuracy and more reliable results that is unique value addition and contribution to the existing literature.
Critical success factors of lean in the public services sector: the case of the Greek citizen's service centers
Authors: Keramida Efthalia , Psomas Evangelos L. , Antony Jiju
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine the most critical success factors (CSFs) of lean adoption in a specific Greek public services subsector namely citizen's service centers (CSCs) and to define their underlying structure (latent constructs).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study an online structured questionnaire survey was distributed to all the Greek CSCs and six hundred and seventy-two employees responded and fully completed the questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied to assess the reliability and validity of the latent constructs of the Lean CSFs.

Findings

Data analysis revealed that the latent constructs of the lean CSFs, namely communication, top management commitment and leadership, organizational culture, training and education, change and project management, availability of resources, teamwork, and employee involvement and empowerment are of major importance for the adoption of lean in the CSCs.

Research limitations/implications

The small percentage of the responding employees of the Greek CSCs, given their large population and the subjective nature of the data collected constitute the main limitations of the present study.

Practical implications

The findings of this research can guide managers and decision makers of CSCs in recognizing the key factors that potentially will influence the successful adoption of lean, and the enhancement of the quality management initiatives of these services organizations. Moreover, the formulated model can also serve as a reference for academics and researchers to generate new research ideas. Finally, the results may offer guidelines to managers of public services organizations of other countries with a similar structure of the public sector.

Originality/value

The present study is stimulated by the existing gap identified in the literature in the field of the public sector. Building on the public sector literature, this is the first study that evaluates the importance of the CSFs of lean in the Greek CSCs and defines their underlying structure.
Predator co‐occurrence in alpine and Arctic tundra in relation to fluctuating prey
Authors: Rød‐Eriksen Lars , Killengreen Siw T. , Ehrich Dorothee , Ims Rolf A. , Herfindal Ivar , Landa Arild M. , Eide Nina E.
Published: December 2022

Large carnivores influence ecosystem dynamics in multiple ways, for example, by suppressing meso‐carnivores and providing carrions for smaller scavengers. Loss of large carnivores is suggested to cause meso‐carnivore increase and expansion. Moreover, competition between meso‐carnivores may be modified by the presence of larger carnivores. In tundra ecosystems, the smallest meso‐carnivore, the Arctic fox, has experienced regional declines, whereas its larger and competitively superior congener, the red fox, has increased, potentially due to changes in the abundance of apex predators.

We explored if variation in the occurrence of wolverine and golden eagle impacted the occurrence and co‐occurrence of the Arctic fox and red fox in relation to varying abundances of small rodents within the Scandinavian tundra.

We applied multi‐species occupancy models to an extensive wildlife camera dataset from 2011–2020 covering 98 sites. Daily detection/non‐detection of each species per camera trap site and study period (late winter; March–May) was stacked across years, and species occupancy was related to small rodent abundance while accounting for time of the year and status of simulated carcass.

The Arctic fox was more likely to co‐occur with the red fox when the wolverine was present and less likely to co‐occur with the red fox when golden eagles were present and the wolverine was absent. Red foxes increased in occupancy when co‐occurring with the larger predators. The Arctic fox responded more strongly to small rodent abundance than the red fox and co‐occurred more often with the other species at carcasses when rodent abundance was low.

Our findings suggest that the interspecific interactions within this tundra predator guild appear to be surprisingly intricate, driven by facets of fear of predation, interspecific mediation and facilitation, and food resource dynamics. These dynamics of intraguild interactions may dictate where and when conservation actions targeted towards the Arctic fox should be implemented.
Can Stoicism inspire stuttering intervention? The clinical usefulness of an ancient philosophy
Authors: Connery Amy , Cavanna Andrea E. , Coleman Ross
Published: December 2022

Background

A range of psychotherapies are effective in managing an individual's personal reactions to stuttering and reducing the impact stuttering has on their lives. Many of these therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, have their origins in Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy founded in 301 bce. Stoicism remains a relatively unexplored topic in the psychotherapy and speech and language therapy literatures.

Aims

This paper aims to highlight the potential benefits of integrating Stoic principles and techniques into stuttering intervention.

Methods

This aim is achieved through a discussion on Stoic philosophy and the range of techniques that have informed modern evidence‐based psychotherapies that are effective with the stuttering population.

Main Contribution

This paper initiates an important conversation on the usefulness of Stoicism to the field of stuttering. Key recommendations are provided for the integration of Stoic philosophy into future clinical and research practice related to stuttering.

Conclusions

Stoicism offers philosophical guidance for the art of living, but also provides a range of strategies and practical techniques that have potential to expand the clinical toolkit of modern psychotherapy and speech and language therapy. Scientific validation of the clinical application of Stoicism is recommended to exploit its effectiveness with the stuttering population.

What This Paper Adds

What is already known on the subject

Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that has informed modern‐day psychotherapies including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Such therapies are recommended for use with individuals who stutter to target their personal reactions to stuttering and reduce any adverse impacts on their lives.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

This paper discusses the principles and techniques of Stoicism with reference to how they align with modern psychotherapeutic approaches and speech and language therapy interventions used with individuals who stutter. Clinical implications and directions for future research are also presented.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) are recommended to continue their use of psychotherapies such as CBT and ACT with individuals who stutter. In addition, SLTs are advised to explore Stoicism and its range of techniques to better understand the philosophical underpinnings of evidence‐based psychotherapies and to expand their clinical toolkit.
Towards an ethical multiplicity in low back pain care: Practising beyond the biopsychosocial model
Authors: Mescouto Karime , Olson Rebecca Eileen , Setchell Jenny
Published: December 2022

The biopsychosocial model is currently considered by most researchers and clinicians to be the best approach to low back pain (LBP) care. The model was popularised in LBP care in response to some clear deficiencies in earlier biomedical approaches and is now widely recommended in clinical guidelines and policy statements. Yet the biopsychosocial approach has also been critiqued for its narrow conceptualisation and application. In this article, we explore how attending to the multidimensionality of LBP in practice goes beyond a biopsychosocial approach. We engaged with 90 ethnographic observations of clinical practices, 22 collaborative dialogues with clinicians, and eight consultatory meetings with people with experience of LBP to consider the sociomaterialities of clinical practices in two settings: a private physiotherapy practice and a public multidisciplinary pain clinic. Drawing on the work of Annemarie Mol and Rosi Braidotti, our analyses suggest that sociomaterial practices, involving human and non‐human actors, produced multiple objects of clinical attention and ethical concerns about how to attend to this multiplicity well. We argue that the multiplicity of LBP is attended well by reimagining: (1) clinical settings as ‘becoming more‐than‐sterile environments’ where objects, furniture and elements such as tears and laughter help to provide a relational, welcoming and comfortable space to all bodies with LBP; (2) differences through ‘becoming minoritarian’ where considering power relations allows actions towards connectiveness and belonging; and (3) disciplinary boundaries through ‘becoming interdisciplinary within’ where actions expand traditional scopes of practice. The flux of these multiple becomings moves clinical practice and conceptualisations beyond the biopsychosocial approach to consider a new ethico‐onto‐epistemological approach to LBP care. They invite clinical practices that engage with an ethical multiplicity of LBP care, providing a better understanding of how places, objects, emotions, power, bodies and professions are interconnected and come together in everyday practice.
Are consumers willing to pay for conservation agriculture? The case of white maize in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Mulimbi Willy , Nalley Lanier , Nayga Rodolfo M. , Gaduh Arya
Published: December 2022

Throughout the low‐income world, agricultural producers have a motivation to slash‐and‐burn rainforests as they cannot afford inorganic fertilizers. Farmers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), who are predominantly women, are often forced to walk long distances to cultivate more productive lands, when fertility near their villages is reduced. On their way and while working away from home, women become targets for rape. Adopting conservation agriculture (CA) could help mitigate deforestation and potentially create a safer environment for women. Limited knowledge about the benefits of CA across countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) has hindered its adoption. Taking these impediments into account, we estimate if consumers in the DRC are willing to pay (WTP) a premium for CA, using maize flour as the medium. By means of a double‐bounded dichotomous choice valuation method, 600 consumers in Bukavu, DRC, were surveyed about their willingness‐to‐pay for CA‐produced maize. Our study finds that only those consumers who identify themselves as farmers are WTP a premium. This study indicates that if CA adoption is to spread in the DRC, it will likely need to happen via increased yields or reduced costs before the farm gate and not premiums after the farm gate.
Effect of the rearing diet on gene expression of antimicrobial peptides in Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)
Authors: Candian Valentina , Savio Carlotta , Meneguz Marco , Gasco Laura , Tedeschi Rosemarie
Published: December 2022

Insect proteins have been proposed for human and animal food production. Safeguarding the health status of insects in mass rearing allows to obtain high‐quality products and to avoid severe economic losses due to entomopathogens. Therefore, new strategies for preserving insect health must be implemented. Modulation of the insect immune system through the diet is one such strategy. We evaluated gene expression of two antimicrobial peptides (one defensin and one cecropin) in Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) reared on different diets. Analyses were performed on prepupae and 10‐day‐old larvae reared on cereal‐ and municipal organic waste‐based diets and on only prepupae reared on a cereal‐based diet supplemented with sunflower, corn, or soybean oil. The inclusion of sunflower oil at different points in the cereal‐based diet was also evaluated. Moreover, diet‐driven differences in the inhibitory activity of the hemolymph were tested against Escherichia coli DH5α and Micrococcus yunnanensis HI55 using diffusion assays in solid media. Results showed that a municipal organic waste‐based diet produced a significant overexpression of antimicrobial peptides only in prepupae. Inclusion of vegetable oils caused an upregulation of at least one peptide, except for the corn oil. Higher expression of both genes was observed when sunflower oil was added 5 days before pupation. All hemolymph samples showed an inhibitory activity against bacteria colonies. Our results suggest that municipal organic waste‐based diet and vegetable oil‐added diet may successfully impact the immune system of H. illucens. Such alternatives may also exist for other species of economic interest.
The influence of shorter red blood cell lifespan on the rate of HbA1c target achieved in type 2 diabetes patients with a HbA1c detection value lower than 7%
Authors: Wang Junmei , Zhang Li , bai Yu , Wang Xinli , Wang Weilin , Li Jing , Zhou Saijun
Published: December 2022

Background

Variations in the red blood cell (RBC) lifespan can affect glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test values, but there is still a lack of evidence regarding how and to what degree the RBC lifespan influences HbA1c in the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) population owing to the restriction of traditional RBC lifespan–detection means. This study aimed to investigate the influence of RBC lifespan variation on HbA1c values in T2DM patients with a HbA1c detection value lower than 7%.

Methods

Patients with HbA1c <7% were divided into two groups: RBC lifespan <90 days and RBC lifespan ≥90 days. We collected blood glucose levels at seven time points for three consecutive months, assessed the HbA1c and glycosylated albumin levels, and calculated the hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) for each patient.

Results

There were no statistical differences in the HbA1c value between two groups, but the estimated glycosylated hemoglobin (eHbA1c) was significantly higher in patients with an RBC lifespan <90 days. The proportion of the eHbA1c ≥7% in the group with an RBC lifespan <90 days was significantly higher than the other group (33.87% vs. 12.50%, p < .01). Pearson analysis showed a significant negative correlation between RBC lifespan and the HGI in patients with T2DM (r = −0.348, p < .01).

Conclusion

A reduced RBC lifespan in T2DM patients caused a noticeable underestimate of the blood glucose levels as presented by HbA1c detection value.
EIF4A3 stabilizes the expression of lncRNA AGAP2‐AS1 to activate cancer‐associated fibroblasts via MyD88/NF‐κb signaling
Authors: Xu Qingqing , Zhao Tingting , Han Honghao , Fan Jiahao , Xie Weiping
Published: December 2022

Background

Lung cancer (LC) is a fatal malignancy and often accompanied with converting normal fibroblasts to cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Exosomal lncRNA AGAP2‐AS1 has been elucidated to be a potent prognostic factor for LC, while its role in activating CAFs is largely unknown.

Methods

We first extracted exosomes from LC patients and co‐cultured them with MRC5 cells to observe the state of MRC5 cells, detect AGAP2‐AS1 using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and then analyze the interaction between EIF4A3 and AGAP2‐AS1 using RNA pull down experiments. CCK‐8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Transwell experiments demonstrated the regulation of MRC5 cells and, finally, the role of MyD88/NF‐κB in the downstream mechanism of EIF4A3/AGAP2‐AS1 was explored by RNA interference technology and pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic acid inhibition.

Results

We demonstrated that exosomes from the LC patients (cancer‐exo) notably increased the metastatic ability of MRC‐5 cells, promoting the expressions of the CAF biomarkers and lncRNA AGAP2‐AS1. Overexpression of lncRNA AGAP2‐AS1 prominently activated MRC‐5 cells. Moreover, EIF4A3 was upregulated in the cancer‐exo‐treated MRC‐5 cells, and EIF4A3 was verified to bind with lncRNA AGAP2‐AS1 to improve its stability. The MyD88/NF‐κB signaling pathway was subsequently proved to be positively regulated by lncRNA AGAP2‐AS1, and the promotive role of lncRNA AGAP2‐AS1 in LC and activating CAFs was confirmed in vivo.

Conclusions

The positive feedback of EIF4A3/AGAP2‐AS1/MyD88/NF‐κB signaling pathway contributed to the activation of CAFs and exacerbated LC in turn, revealing a novel regulatory axis underlying LC.
Pain treatment after total hip arthroplasty: Detailed statistical analysis plan for the RECIPE randomised clinical trial
Authors: Steiness Joakim , Hägi‐Pedersen Daniel , Lunn Troels H. , Nørskov Anders K. , Lindberg‐Larsen Martin , Graungaard Ben K. , Lundstrøm Lars H. , Lindholm Peter , Brorson Stig , Bieder Manuel J. , Beck Torben , Skettrup Michael , von Cappeln Adam G. , Thybo Kasper H. , Varnum Claus , Pleckaitiene Lina , Anker Pedersen Niels , Overgaard Søren , Mathiesen Ole , Jakobsen Janus C.
Published: December 2022

Background

The RECIPE trial systematically investigates the effects of different combinations of paracetamol, ibuprofen and dexamethasone for pain treatment after total hip arthroplasty. To preserve transparency, minimise risk of bias and to prevent data‐driven analysis, we present this detailed statistical analysis plan.

Methods

The RECIPE trial is a randomised, blinded, parallel four‐group multicenter clinical trial for patients undergoing planned primary total hip arthroplasty. Interventions are initiated preoperatively and continued for 24 h postoperatively. Primary outcome is total opioid consumption 0–24 h after end of surgery. Primary analysis will be performed in the modified intention to treat population of all patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, and all analyses will be stratified for site. We will perform pairwise comparisons between each of the four groups. The primary outcome will be analysed using the van Elteren test and we will present Hodges–Lehmann median differences and confidence intervals. Binary outcomes will be analysed using logistic regression. To preserve a family‐wise error rate of <0.05, we will use a Bonferroni‐adjusted alfa of 0.05/6 = 0.0083 for all six pairwise comparisons between groups when analysing the primary outcome. We will systematically assess the underlying statistical assumptions for each analysis. Data will be analysed by two blinded independent statisticians, and we will write abstracts covering all possible combinations of conclusions, before breaking the blind.

Discussion

The RECIPE trial will provide important information on benefit and harm of combinations of the most frequently used non‐opioid analgesics for pain after primary hip arthroplasty.
A decade of non‐invasive prenatal screening in Australia: National impact on prenatal screening and diagnostic testing
Authors: Hui Lisa , Halliday Jane
Published: December 2022

Prenatal screening for aneuploidy has undergone immense changes over the past two decades. In 2013 cell‐free DNA‐based non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) became a new self‐funded option primarily for Down syndrome screening, but also other aneuploidies and genetic conditions. The numbers of Medicare item claims for prenatal diagnostic procedures have halved since the introduction of NIPT, while billings for serum screening fell by 40% over the same period, on a background of steady births. Australia is now observing historically low rates of prenatal diagnostic testing. These data provide an informative snapshot of historic changes in prenatal screening and diagnosis, as our sector prepares for the impending impacts of other advances in genomics on maternity care. They also highlight the need to address equity and quality issues that arise when consumers must bear the full costs of improved genomic tests in the absence of Medicare funding.