bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FinTech as a digital innovation in microfinance companies – systematic literature review
Authors: Offiong Uwakmfon Promise , Szopik-Depczyńska Katarzyna , Cheba Katarzyna , Ioppolo Giuseppe
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The main purpose of the paper is to identify the most important directions of research to date and to indicate new, emerging areas of research concerned with application of financial technology (FinTech) solutions in microfinance companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper systematically reviews the literature on FinTech in microfinance, highlighting its role in enhancing operational efficiency, customer experience and financial inclusion through technologies like blockchain and AI. Despite these advancements, significant gaps remain in understanding the key drivers of FinTech as a digital innovation, most important direction of research to date and emerging areas for future research in microfinance literature. This paper has attempted to systematise the results of the research carried out so far, based on the publications indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, using selected multidimensional statistical methods.

Findings

The findings identify key themes, gaps and future research directions, shedding light on the strategic implications of digital technology in microfinance. This comprehensive analysis significantly advances the understanding of how FinTech enhances microfinance management operations and objectives, contributing to both academic discourse and practical applications.

Originality/value

The research’s novelty lies in its focussed exploration of digital innovation within microfinance, an area that remains relatively underexplored. No similar paper was found during the literature review.
Socially responsible leadership practices in university context: a developing nation perspective
Authors: Kyambade Mahadih , Namatovu Afulah , Namubiru Bridget , Muganzi Clare
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to determine the degree to which Uganda’s public universities feel obligated to adopt socially responsible leadership practices and, in turn, live up to the expectations of their stakeholders. A crucial component of higher education institutions is socially responsible leadership in universities.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 22 leaders of Uganda’s public universities participated in semi-structured interviews that the researchers conducted. Four main themes emerged from thematic analysis of the gathered data.

Findings

The researchers discover that although the leaders are willing to act appropriately in accordance with social norms, they do not fully exercise the four dimensions (moral excellence in character, stakeholder collaboration, personal abilities and moral direction). The respondents also went on to explain that they were unsure about how to start helping their societies function better as a whole.

Originality/value

As far as the researchers are aware, this is the first study to look empirically into socially responsible leadership practices in a university setting (public universities in this case), especially in developing and Orient countries.
Developing and marketing mobile health applications for low-income working adults in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Kara , Zhuo Yuyuan
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Despite the potential of mobile health applications in reducing barriers to accessing health information and facilities, the adoption and usage of such applications were low among low-income populations. This study aims to examine the use of mobile technology for health management and the perceived barriers of the use of mobile applications for health management among low-income working adults in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 working adults aged 25–45 from low-income families. The interviewees were asked about their perceptions of their health, their perceptions about and use of mobile health applications and they were asked to describe their ideal mobile health management app.

Findings

Interviewees often suffer from physical pain and many face relationship difficulties. They seek out health information actively on the internet, often using a mobile phone. However, their use of wearables and health mobile applications is limited. The perceived barriers of using mobile health applications included perceived difficulties in downloading and registering, privacy concerns and a lack of awareness of the health apps available. They prefer internet searching to a dedicated app. Their ideal health applications should be video based with real-life narratives. They were concerned about the credibility of the health information provided and preferred apps that engage professional and authoritative sources.

Research limitations/implications

The study was based on a convenience sample recruited through a nonprofit organization. It has the limitation of generalizing the results for the target population. Future studies can use survey methodology to test a theoretical model linking perceived barriers and intention to use mobile health technology. Studies using experimental design can investigate perceived ease of use and perceived benefits of different mobile health app designs.

Practical implications

These findings can inform the government’s health department and health organizations in designing appropriate mobile health applications that target those with limited financial and time resources.

Originality/value

There is a lack of studies that explore perceived barriers of adoption of mobile health technology in developed societies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the one of the first qualitative studies conducted in Hong Kong among low-income working adults about their health conditions and usage of mobile health technology.
The evolution of digitainability in the fashion industry: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Gazzola Patrizia , Grechi Daniele , Iliashenko Iuliia , Pezzetti Roberta
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the evolution of digital transformation research trends in the context of the fashion industry. The paper analyzes and addresses the impact of digital innovations on three areas of the industry: products, processes and business models.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examined 277 peer-reviewed articles using various bibliometric tools and indicators, aiming to identify and organize the contributions of the most influential works. Additionally, a critical review of the ten most cited papers in the field was carried out.

Findings

The study shows that digitalization is not merely a technological trend; rather, it is a transformative force reshaping the fashion industry. It fosters collaboration, innovation and sustainability, creating an ecosystem where businesses can thrive by aligning with circular principles and leveraging digital tools.

Research limitations/implications

The paper reveals a gap in the scientific systematization and exploration of the variety of applications of digital tools in the fashion industry. The study’s limitations include the keywords chosen for the research and the period of the research from 1998 to 2023.

Originality/value

The paper pursues to contribute to the current discussion on sustainable practices within the fashion industry, while also setting the foundation for future progress in digital innovation that supports the increasing need for sustainable and personalized products.
Patient experiences of behavioural therapy for bipolar depression: A qualitative study
Authors: Yilmaz Sakir , Hancox Anna , Price Molly , Regan Jemma , Dunn Barney , O'Mahen Heather , Wright Kim
Published: December 2024

Background

Although multiple qualitative studies have explored participants' experiences of behavioural activation (BA) for unipolar depression, none have investigated the experiences of BA in people with bipolar depression. This is of particular interest because qualitative studies concerning the experience of receiving therapy can help inform the theory of change underpinning the intervention.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of individuals with bipolar disorder who received a course of one‐to‐one BA for bipolar depression. We sought to explore participants' experience of the effects of BA therapy, both proximally and distally.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with nine individuals meeting research diagnostic criteria for bipolar I or II disorder who had received up to 20 sessions of BA adapted for bipolar depression. Thematic analysis using a framework approach was used to explore and describe the experiences of participants.

Results

Participants' perspectives on the impact of therapy were categorized under four subthemes: client behaviour inside and outside sessions, changes in clients' perspectives, the impact on symptoms and impact on life and functioning.

Conclusions

Participants' accounts of the impact of therapy were broadly consistent with the theory underpinning a behavioural approach. Participants described a central role for perspective change, and particularly increased acceptance of the self and mood states, as facilitating behavioural changes and more distal benefits. Process evaluations embedded in future trials may include quantitative measures of key processes described by our participants, as well as those clearly implied by the behavioural theory of depression.
Debate: Where to next for universal school‐based mental health interventions? Universal versus targeted school‐based mental health interventions: a health economic perspective
Authors: McCrone Paul
Published: December 2024

Mental health problems in schools are a concern and various initiatives have been developed to address these. Interventions can be universal (covering a whole school) or targeted (addressing those with specific needs). Any new intervention should be evaluated, and this should include an assessment of cost‐effectiveness. Evidence to date suggests that while gains from universal schemes may be modest, they can still be cost‐effective given the extent of their reach. However, targeted interventions can address key health inequalities which should also be an objective of an economic evaluation. Studies that have examined the longer term impact of both universal and targeted approaches have demonstrated that both can represent good values for money, and it is likely that a blended or tiered approach is appropriate.
A Novel Compound Ligusticum Cycloprolactam Alleviates Neuroinflammation After Ischemic Stroke via the FPR1/NLRP3 Signaling Axis
Authors: Gao Juan , Su Gang , Liu Jifei , Song Jinyang , Chen Wei , Chai Miao , Xie Xiaodong , Wang Manxia , Liu Junxi , Zhang Zhenchang
Published: December 2024

Background

Microglia/macrophages, as pivotal immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), play a critical role in neuroinflammation associated with ischemic brain injury. Targeting their activation through pharmacological interventions represents a promising strategy to alleviate neurological deficits, thereby harboring significant implications for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke. Ligusticum cycloprolactam (LIGc), a novel monomeric derivative of traditional Chinese medicine, has shown potential as a therapeutic agent; however, its specific role in cerebral ischemic injury remains unclear.

Methods

In vitro experiments utilized lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation models of RAW264.7 cells and primary mouse microglia. In vivo studies employed LPS‐induced neuroinflammation models in mice and a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model to evaluate the impact of LIGc on neuroinflammation and microglia/macrophage phenotypic alterations. Further elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects was achieved through RNA‐Seq analyses.

Results

LIGc exhibited the capacity to attenuate LPS‐induced production of pro‐inflammatory markers in macrophages and microglia, facilitating their transition to an anti‐inflammatory phenotype. In models of LPS‐induced neuroinflammation and tMCAO, LIGc ameliorated pathological behaviors and neurological deficits while mitigating brain inflammation. RNA‐seq analyses revealed formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) as a critical mediator of LIGc's effects. Specifically, FPR1 enhances the pro‐inflammatory phenotype of microglia/macrophages and inhibits their anti‐inflammatory response by upregulating NLR family pyrin domain protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, thus aggravating inflammatory processes. Conversely, LIGc exerts anti‐inflammatory effects by downregulating the FPR1/NLRP3 signaling axis. Furthermore, FPR1 overexpression or NLRP3 agonists reversed the effects of LIGc observed in this study.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that LIGc holds promise in improving ischemic brain injury and neuroinflammation through modulation of microglia/macrophage polarization. Mechanistically, LIGc attenuates the pro‐inflammatory phenotype and promotes the anti‐inflammatory phenotype by targeting the FPR1/NLRP3 signaling pathway, ultimately reducing inflammatory responses and mitigating neurological damage.
Machine learning derived physical activity in preschool children with developmental coordination disorder
Authors: Letts Elyse , King‐Dowling Sara , Kwan Matthew Y. W. , Obeid Joyce , Cairney John , Trost Stewart G.
Published: December 2024

Aim

To compare the device‐measured physical activity behaviours of preschool children with typical motor development to those with probable developmental coordination disorder (pDCD) and at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCDr).

Method

A total of 497 preschool children (4–5 years) in the Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren (CATCH) study completed repeated motor assessments and wore an ActiGraph GT3X on the right hip at baseline for 1 week. We calculated physical activity metrics from raw accelerometer data using a validated random forest classification machine learning model for preschool‐age children. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression models compared physical activity between typically developing children, children at risk for DCDr, and those with pDCD identified based on motor scores at baseline and averaged over time, accounting for age, sex, and accelerometer wear time.

Results

We found no differences in daily time spent sedentary, in light physical activity, or moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity between typically developing children, children at risk for DCDr, and those with pDCD. However, children in the DCD groups spent less time doing ambulatory activities (walking/running) than typically developing children. Analysis of variance: baseline classification, DCDr to typically developing, run: F = 5.34, p = 0.005, classification averaged over time, DCDr to typically developing, walk: F = 5.82, p = 0.003. Regressions: DCDr compared to typically developing for walk: B = −3.47 (standard error 1.05), p < 0.001, pDCD compared to typically developing for run: B = −1.82 (standard error 0.62), p = 0.004.

Interpretation

Designing interventions for preschool children with motor difficulties targeting specific physical activity types (walk/run) may help mitigate physical activity intensity differences observed later in childhood.
Mental Health Literacy Buffers the Association Between Nightmare Distress and Psychotic‐Like Experiences Among College Students
Authors: Chen Xingyu , Xu Bingna , Wang Dongfang
Published: December 2024

Background

Nightmares may lead to psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs). The present study aimed to examine the potential moderating and mediating effects of mental health literacy (MHL) on the association between nightmare distress (ND) and PLEs among Chinese college students.

Methods

A total of 4000 college students who have had nightmares in the past year were assessed using the Chinese version of the nightmare distress questionnaire (NDQ‐CV), mental health knowledge questionnaire (MHKQ), 15‐item positive subscale of the community assessment of psychic experiences (CAPE‐P15), 2‐item insomnia questionnaire, 2‐item patient health questionnaire (PHQ‐2), and a self‐compiled sample characteristics questionnaire.

Results

Greater ND and lower MHL were associated with an elevated risk of PLEs among college students when adjusting for sample characteristics, insomnia and depressive symptoms. Moderation analysis indicated that MHL buffers the association between ND and PLEs, such that a higher level of MHL attenuates the positive effect of ND on PLEs to a greater extent.

Conclusions

These findings strongly stressed the urgent need for early intervention in college students with ND. Strategies should prioritise treating ND and enhancing MHL, as these may be effective approaches to preventing and reducing PLEs.
Transition and Artificial Intelligence: The Case of Student Professionalisation
Authors: Capogna Stefania , Pellegrini Sara , Sebastiani Riccardo
Published: December 2024

The article explores the importance of university students' knowledge of the world as an essential prerequisite for facing digital, ecological and human transitions. A study of 50 third‐year students of primary education sciences investigates (a) familiarity with reflection during learning; (b) the influence of artificial intelligence in the construction of knowledge; and (c) the degree of trust placed in AI to improve skills. The aim is to highlight students' metacognitive attitude towards AI, its creative use and the beliefs that emerged in their professional development.
Associations between sleep parameters and falls among older adults with and without cardiovascular disease: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)
Authors: Wu Xinze , Ebihara Satoru
Published: December 2024

Aim

Falls are a major global public health concern, requiring early screening and prevention. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with physical impairments and increased fall risk. Despite the link between CVD and sleep parameters, research on falls and sleep in CVD patients is limited. We aimed to compare the correlation between falls and sleep in populations with and without CVD to develop fall prevention strategies.

Methods

This longitudinal cohort study utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Baseline data were collected in 2011, with follow‐up in 2015. Falls and CVD were assessed based on self‐reporting. Sleep parameters, including nighttime and total sleep duration, daytime napping, and sleep disturbance were collected via self‐reported questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and R statistical.

Results

A cohort of 4349 individuals with an average age of 68.00 ± 5.97 years was analyzed. From these individuals, 21.5% reported falls during follow‐up. Baseline CVD was significantly associated with follow‐up falls (P < 0.001). After adjusting for multiple factors, nighttime sleep durations of <6 h (P = 0.004), 8 to 9 h (P = 0.016) and >9 h (P = 0.031) were significantly associated with follow‐up falls among the CVD group. Total sleep duration <7 h was significantly associated with follow‐up falls in both the total and non‐CVD groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Maintaining a moderate sleep duration is crucial for preventing falls among older adults. Both excessively short and long sleep durations are associated with fall risks, particularly for individuals with CVD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 38–47.
Employment‐based visas: The inflexible U.S. Visa regime and the impact(s) on immigrant labour market integration
Authors: Obinna Denise N. , Bacong Adrian M.
Published: December 2024

Economic migrants play an important role in the fiscal stability of the United States. Focusing on economic‐based (EB) green cards, our work presents an incongruence between labour demands of the American economy and the supply of highly skilled economic migrants. Using data from the United States Department of Justice and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) from 1971 to 2000 as well as data from the 1990 to 2022 Visa Bulletins, we show that visa caps have meant that migrants from countries like China, India and the Philippines have had to wait between 12 and 15 years for their visas to be processed. We also show that the visa backlog accelerated in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s despite the labour demands of the American economy. Currently, there are over 1.2 million people in the EB visa queue. Our work lays out the complexities of the visa system and advances policy recommendations to alleviate backlogs.
Assessing the Link Between Environmental Quality and Life Expectancy in Developing Nations: An Empirical Analysis for Sustainable Development
Authors: Khan Farah , Sarwar Ghulam , Khan Muhammad Azam , Noor Sameena , Rehman Zia Ur
Published: December 2024

This study examines the relationship between environmental quality, measured by carbon emissions (CO2), and life expectancy (LE) in 31 developing nations from 1981 to 2020. The analysis uses the panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL)/pooled mean group (PMG) approach. Panel cointegration tests suggest cointegration in the series. The results indicate that environmental quality has a significantly negative impact on LE, whereas real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the age dependency ratio have positive effects. The Dumitrescu–Hurlin Granger causality test shows a feedback relationship among all variables. These findings suggest the need for emission reduction policies to mitigate the adverse effects of CO2 emissions on public health. It is essential to address the negative impact of CO2 emissions on the environment and public health to achieve sustainable development goals.
Brugada Phenocopy Induced by BRAF and MEK Inhibitors in a Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Portolan Leonardo , Ruzzarin Alessandro , Vassanelli Francesca , Ribichini Flavio , Mugnai Giacomo
Published: December 2024

Management of patients with drug‐induced type 1 Brugada pattern is complex and controversial. We report the case of a 66‐year‐old man affected by metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with type 1 Brugada phenocopy at electrocardiogram (ECG) after initiation of an oncological therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors.
Six‐fold increased risk of acute pancreatitis in alcohol‐related liver disease compared to matched comparators: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Dugic Ana , Widman Linnea , Löhr J.‐Matthias , Hagström Hannes
Published: December 2024

Background and Aims

Patients with alcohol‐related liver disease (ALD) might be at increased risk of acute pancreatitis (AP), but large‐scale data are lacking.

Methods

Population‐based cohort study using data from the Swedish National Patient Register on 37,062 patients with ALD from 1969 to 2020. Patients were matched to ≤10 general population comparators (n = 352,931). We used logistic regression to estimate the risk of acute or chronic pancreatitis prior to ALD diagnosis and Cox regression to estimate rates for hospitalization for AP after ALD diagnosis.

Results

Median age at ALD diagnosis was 59 years; 72% were men, and 67% had cirrhosis at baseline. Overall, 7% had experienced pancreatitis before ALD diagnosis, resulting in 9‐fold higher odds of pancreatitis compared to comparators. The 10‐year cumulative incidence of hospitalization for AP was 2.7% (95%CI = 2.5–2.8) in ALD and 0.6% (95%CI = 0.58–0.63) in comparators, yielding an adjusted HR of 6.3 (95%CI = 5.8–6.9). Younger age, male sex, and diagnoses of alcohol use disorders and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were independent risk factors for developing AP in ALD. Continued drinking after baseline was associated with a higher risk of AP (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.6, 95%CI = 2.29–2.85).

Conclusions

ALD is associated with 9‐fold higher odds of prevalent pancreatitis compared to the general population. The hospitalization rate for AP following ALD diagnosis is 6‐fold higher. About 10% of patients with ALD have or develop AP, suggesting that assessing history of pancreatitis and its sequelae might be relevant for patients with ALD.
Island biogeography theory and the assembly patterns of native versus non‐native forest insects
Authors: Mech Angela M. , Liebhold Andrew M. , Trombik Jiří , Björkman Christer , Gandhi Kamal J. K. , Lyytikäinen‐Saarenmaa Päivi , Pureswaran Deepa S. , Synek Jiří , Klapwijk Maartje J.
Published: December 2024

Forest tree diversity helps shape the assembly of herbivorous insect communities in forests worldwide, and Island biogeography theory explains the role of tree range area as a driver of variation in native insect richness per tree species. However, it is unclear if these biogeographical principles apply to non‐native insect herbivores. We created an extensive list of tree–insect associations for tree species native to Palearctic Europe bioregion, and investigated how both native and non‐native insect herbivore species richness per tree may be influenced by various factors including the range area of the tree and the tree type (conifer or angiosperm). Models were further subsetted to compare drivers for the richness of different feeding guilds (folivores, sap feeders or wood borers) and host breadth (specialist or generalist). Tree range area had a positive effect on native, but not non‐native, insect species richness per tree, while non‐native richness was affected by host type and had a positive correlation with native herbivore richness on the same tree species. Host breadth grouping did not influence the difference in the effect of tree range on native versus non‐native insect richness, but native folivores had a stronger relationship with range distribution area compared to the other groups. We conclude that the assembly of non‐native herbivorous insect species on trees occurs through fundamentally different mechanisms than the co‐evolutionary processes proposed by the framework of Island biogeography theory.
Distal His Pacing Promotes Reverse Remodeling in a Child With Conventional Pacing‐Induced Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Marzia Giaccardi , Mattia Zampieri , Elena Crudeli , Stella Cartei , Tania Chechi , Simone Cipani , Silvia Passantino , Giulio Porcedda
Published: December 2024

Children with indications of pacing often require epicardial pacemakers with generators implanted in the abdominal wall due to small body size or challenging anatomy because of congenital heart diseases. However, left ventricle (LV) systolic dyssynchrony induced by epicardial pacing may result in adverse remodeling and LV dysfunction. Recently, distal His bundle pacing (dHBP) has been shown to restore normal ventricular function in adult patients with pacemaker induced ventricular dysfunction. Nevertheless, the effects and relevance of HBP in pediatric patients are largely unresolved, with only limited data analyzing the feasibility and efficacy of HBP in the pediatric population. We report the case of a young girl with congenital atrioventricular (AV) block who developed LV dysfunction induced by prolonged epicardial stimulation. After upgrading to dHBP, she improved her LV ejection fraction from 40% to 60% and maintained stable pacing‐sensing parameters over‐time. We here provide a review of existing literature on the topic.
Utility of the Novel Auto + A3 Threshold Function in Maintaining Atrioventricular Synchrony
Authors: Ohinata Ryo , Inoue Naoya , Morikawa Shuji
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The VDD‐leadless pacemaker aims to maintain high atrioventricular (AV) synchrony, but proper sensing setup is crucial.

Methods and Results

This case was an elderly woman with an AV block who received a dual‐chamber pacemaker. Due to ventricular pacing failure, a Micra AV2 was implanted. However, postimplantation, high sinus rate, and frequent premature ventricular contractions were noted. Therefore, the auto + A3 threshold function was used in the atrial‐sensing setup. A few days later, the MAM test confirmed good AV synchrony.

Conclusion

The auto + A3 threshold function equipped in the Micra AV2 may offer to maintain high AV synchrony.
You Cannot Escape from People: Why Institutional Reasons Are Necessary for Arguing for Judicial Review
Authors: Vitaliani Emiliano Martin
Published: December 2024

One set of arguments on judicial review states that this is a necessary consequence of understanding rights as limits to democracy. This paper brings some nuances to this argument, arguing that the answer to the problem of judicial review should rely not only on rights‐based arguments, but also on institutional arguments. In order to do so, the first part will present the idea that links rights as trumps to judicial review. In the second part, the article will show it is possible to split the conception of rights as limits into two questions, one regarding what the state should or should not do and the other regarding who should be the one to give content to this set of decisions. The third part will show that all rights‐based arguments fail because they cannot deal with the fact of disagreement. The last part will show that rights still have a part to play in the discussion on judicial review, though without the final word.
Abnormalities of teeth and jaws in thalassemia pediatric patients
Authors: Lertsirivorakul Jinda , Sukanindr Parichamon , Jetsrisuparb Arunee , Pitiphat Waranuch , Sutthiprapaporn Pipop
Published: December 2024

Aims

To assess the prevalence of abnormalities of teeth and jaws in thalassemia patients and their association with the severity and type of thalassemia.

Methods and Results

This cross‐sectional study was conducted among thalassemia patients, attending the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic at a university hospital in Thailand. Data were collected from medical records, clinical and orthopantomographic examinations. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, and binary logistic regression were employed for data analyses. The study included 163 patients, aged 1.9−28.6 years, with 148 accepting panoramic radiographic examination. Dental caries, convex profile, malocclusion, abnormal teeth, small maxillary sinus, absent inferior alveolar canal, and eroded mandibular cortex presented in 93.9%, 76.7%, 86.3%, 22.9%, 52.7%, 49.3%, and 29.7% of the participants, respectively. Severe thalassemia patients had a higher prevalence of malocclusion (p < .01) and small maxillary sinus (p = .02) than non‐severe group. Compared to patients with β‐thalassemia, those with coinheritance of α‐ and β‐thalassemia demonstrated less malocclusion (p = .03) and small maxillary sinus (p < .001). No significant associations were found between the severity and type of thalassemia with other abnormalities.

Conclusion

Thalassemia pediatric patients manifested several dental and jaw abnormalities, with malocclusion and small maxillary sinuses being associated with severe thalassemia and β‐thalassemia.
Numerical Simulation Method for the Rain-Wind Induced Vibration of the Three-Dimensional Flexible Stay Cable
Authors: Zichen Pan , Jian Guan , Jian Wang , Canchen Wang , Xiaoyu Guo
Published: December 2024

Under specific wind and rain conditions, the cable may exhibit low frequency and large amplitude phonomenon, which is called the rain-wind induced vibration (RWIV). Because the RWIV phenomenon encompasses interactions among gas, liquid, and solid phases, make it difficult to reproduce through numerical simulation method. In the previous research, based on lubrication theory, researchers have established theory models of two-dimensional (2D) coupled and rigid segment of three-dimensional (3D) cables for RWIV. Based on the previous research, the new numerical simulation method for RWIV of 3D flexible cable is proposed in this paper, which can reflect the interaction among the gas, liquid, and solid phases. The aerodynamics forces are calculated using comsol. The evolution of water film is calculated using matlab. In the previous studies, the cable deformation was not considered. Hence, cable vibration is derived from the solution of a single-degree-of-freedom vibration equation. In this study, the cable is treated as a deformable body. The vibration response of the cable under external force is solved using ansys. The bidirectional coupling effect between the cable and the water film is considered. The morphology of water film on the cable surface is changing with time, which causes the variation of the lift over time. Therefore, it is necessary to discretize the time so that the lift acted on the cable at each time-step can be obtained. The Restart technique in ansys is used for this purpose. Additionally, the transmission of information can be achieved by using matlab is used to control comsol and ansys. The rain-wind induced vibration phenomenon of 3D flexible cable is reproduced by using the new numerical simulation method, analyzing the variation of water film, cable lift, cable vibration under the influence of cable deformation. The mechanism of rain-wind-induced vibration is revealed again by analysing the 3D model. In addition, the advantages and necessity of the 3D cable vibration model are demonstrated by comparing it with the 2D model simulating cable vibration
XPS spectra from five monosaccharides
Authors: Ramstedt Madeleine , Shchukarev Andrey
Published: December 2024

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to analyze commercially available powders of five monosaccharides: glucose, glucosamine, galactosamine, glucuronic acid, and N-acetyl galactosamine. These powders were pressed onto a sample holder and analyzed as received from the manufacturer. Survey spectra and high-resolution spectra of O 1s and C 1s of all monosaccharides are reported, including N 1s for N-acetyl galactosamine, glucosamine, and galactosamine and Cl 2p for glucosamine and galactosamine. Furthermore, the presented data are compared with theoretical values, and differences are discussed.
Effect of incomplete line defect size on energy localization and harvesting in phononic crystals
Authors: Zhang Guo-Yu , Liu Zi-Jiang , Guo Yuan , Dou Xi-Long , Zhang Cai-Rong , Sun Xiao-Wei
Published: December 2024

The high electrical output performance of the phononic crystal (PnC)–based piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) system is of great research value in self-powered applications. This work presents the effect of incomplete line defect size on elastic wave energy localization and harvesting. The results show that for a given 7 × 5 supercell when the incomplete line defect reaches the second to sixth layer, the energy localization and harvesting performance show a changing trend of first increasing and then decreasing; when the incomplete line defect reaches the 4th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd, and 6th layers of the supercell, respectively, the performance of PEH systems shows a trend from large to small. Among them, when the incomplete line defect reaches the fourth layer of the supercell, the performance of the PEH system is optimal, and the maximum output voltage and the maximum output electric power are 22.54 V and 12.78 mW, respectively. This work provides valuable insights for improving the performance of PEH devices by using the PnC with incomplete line defects.
A KSHV RNA-binding protein promotes FOS to inhibit nuclease AEN and transactivate RGS2 for AKT phosphorylation
Authors: Majerciak Vladimir , Alvarado-Hernandez Beatriz , Ma Yanping , Duduskar Shivalee , Lobanov Alexei , Cam Maggie , Zheng Zhi-Ming
Published: December 2024

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes an RNA-binding protein ORF57 in lytic infection. Using an optimized CLIP-seq in this report, we identified ORF57-bound transcripts from 544 host protein-coding genes. By comparing with the RNA-seq profiles from BCBL-1 cells with latent and lytic KSHV infection and from HEK293T cells with and without ORF57 expression, we identified FOS RNA as one of the major ORF57-specific RNA targets. FOS dimerizes with JUN as a transcription factor AP-1 involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and transformation. Knockout of the ORF57 gene from the KSHV genome led BAC16-iSLK cells incapable of FOS expression in KSHV lytic infection. The dysfunctional KSHV genome in FOS expression could be rescued by Lenti-ORF57 virus infection. ORF57 protein does not regulate FOS translation but binds to the 13-nt RNA motif near the FOS RNA 5′ end and prolongs FOS mRNA half-life 7.7 times longer than it is in the absence of ORF57. This binding of ORF57 to FOS RNA is likely competitive to the binding of host nuclease AEN (ISG20L1) of which physiological RNase activity remains unknown. KSHV infection inhibits the expression of AEN, but not exosomal RNA helicase MTR4. FOS expression mediated by ORF57 inhibits
AEN
transcription through FOS binding to
AEN
promoter but transactivates
RGS2
, a regulator of G-protein-coupled receptors. FOS binds a conserved AP-1 site in the
RGS2
promoter and enhances RGS2 expression to phosphorylate AKT. Altogether, we have discovered that KSHV ORF57 specifically binds and stabilizes FOS RNA to increase FOS expression, thereby disturbing host gene expression and inducing pathogenesis during KSHV lytic infection.

IMPORTANCE

We discovered that FOS, a heterodimer component of oncogenic transcription factor AP-1, is highly elevated in KSHV-infected cells by expression of a viral lytic RNA-binding protein, ORF57, which binds a 13-nt RNA motif near the FOS RNA 5′ end to prolong FOS RNA half-life. This binding of ORF57 to FOS RNA is competitive to the binding of host RNA destabilizer(s). KSHV infection inhibits expression of host nuclease AEN, but not MTR4. FOS inhibits AEN transcription by binding to the
AEN
promoter but transactivates RGS2 by binding to a conserved AP-1 site in the RGS2 promoter, thereby enhancing RGS2 expression and phosphorylation of AKT. Thus, KSHV lytic infection controls the expression of a subset of genes for signaling, cell cycle progression, and proliferation to potentially contribute to viral oncogenesis.
Draft genome sequence of a non-human primate-derived isolate of
Candida parapsilosis
Authors: James Steve A. , Parker Aimee , Purse Catherine , Baker David J. , Funnell Simon G. P. , Carding Simon R.
Published: December 2024

Candida parapsilosis
is a common human commensal and opportunistic fungal pathogen that is also found in non-human primates (NHPs). Here, we report the first draft sequence of
C. parapsilosis
NCYC 4418, a fecal isolate from an adult cynomolgus macaque.
Draft genome sequences of evolutionary distant
Yersinia
species representatives
Authors: Brady Amanda , Garrison Taylor M. , Ernst Robert K. , Rasko David A. , Lawrenz Matthew B.
Published: December 2024

Yersinia pestis
is the etiological agent of human plague. However, certain evolutionarily divergent subspecies have different host specificities and virulence capacity compared to the more commonly studied strains with pandemic potential. This resource examines 10 diverse isolates representing some of the most understudied subspecies commonly referred to as
Yersinia pestis
Pestoides.
Laboratory evaluation of oral fluid for syphilis screening among clinic users from Lima, Peru
Authors: Qquellon Jazmin , Vargas Silver K. , Vasquez Francesca , Reyes-Diaz E. Michael , Konda Kelika A. , Caceres Carlos F. , Klausner Jeffrey D.
Published: December 2024

Serological tests for syphilis require equipment unavailable in many health centers; however, point-of-care testing facilitates rapid screening using finger-prick whole blood samples. A further improvement could be oral fluid for ease of use. We evaluated the performance of treponemal antibody point-of-care testing for syphilis screening using oral fluid samples. We recruited users of STI clinics in Lima, Peru. We collected oral fluid using the OraSure collection device (OraSure Technologies Inc., USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions and serum from each participant. Oral fluid and serum were analyzed using the SD Bioline Syphilis 3.0 rapid test (Standard Diagnostics Inc., Korea). Serum was also tested using RPR (RPR slide test, Wiener Laboratorios SAIC, Argentina) and TPPA (Serodia, Fujirebio Diagnostics Inc., Japan). We assessed oral fluid rapid test overall percent agreement, sensitivity, specificity, and Kappa coefficient against serum SD Bioline Syphilis, TPPA, and RPR. Among 323 participants, nearly half (51.3%) reported prior syphilis. The overall percent agreement, sensitivity, specificity, and Kappa coefficient of oral fluid were 71.0% (95% CI: 65.6%–75.8%), 78.1% (71.1%–83.7%), 63.5% (55.8%–70.6%), and 0.42% (0.32%–0.52%), respectively, versus serum SD Bioline Syphilis. A similar performance was obtained versus serum TPPA. When limiting the sample to TPPA-reactive with RPR titer ≥1:8, the sensitivity increased to 88.1% (75.0%–94.8%), whereas the specificity did not vary (65.3% [57.2%–72.6%]). We observed a good performance of the rapid treponemal test using oral fluid. Further investigations are needed to improve the specificity of oral fluid as a potential sample for accurate syphilis screening.

IMPORTANCE

Point-of-care tests are essential for rapid and efficient screening of syphilis, especially in low-resource settings. Oral fluid specimens offer a noninvasive, accessible, and practical alternative to traditional blood samples. Our study evaluated the performance of a rapid treponemal test using oral fluid specimens. We found that the rapid treponemal test using oral fluid had good sensitivity compared with the rapid treponemal test using serum and the non-treponemal RPR test. This suggests that oral fluid could be a viable option for syphilis screening, facilitating broader and faster access to diagnosis and treatment. However, further studies are needed to improve the specificity of this method to ensure accurate screening in diverse clinical scenarios.
Implementation and validation of a new qPCR assay to detect imported human
Plasmodium
species
Authors: Cordier Camille , Hamane Samia , Ghelfenstein-Ferreira Théo , Dellière Sarah , Da Silva Élodie , Denis Blandine , Houzé Sandrine , Joste Valentin , Alanio Alexandre
Published: December 2024

Diagnosis of imported malaria is based on microscopic examination of blood smears (BS), detection of circulating plasmodial antigen by immunochromatography (ICT), or detection of
Plasmodium
spp. DNA by loop mediated isothermal amplification. We have developed duplex (
Plasmodium
spp. and
Plasmodium falciparum
) real-time PCR (qPCR) and species-specific qPCR assays for the identification and quantification of human
Plasmodium
species. Whole nucleic acids from 523 samples prospectively collected from 410 patients suspected of malaria between June 2016 and March 2021 were tested by qPCRs and compared to standard diagnostic procedures. All qPCRs were designed on 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid. The limit of detection of duplex qPCR was 8 copies/reaction, and analytical specificity of species-specific qPCRs was 100%. Seventy-nine patients diagnosed for single species malaria involving
P. falciparum
,
P. vivax
,
P. ovale,
and
P. malariae
were positive with duplex and species-specific qPCRs.
P. knowlesi
qPCR detected DNA from a
P. knowlesi
culture. Of eight cases of mixed
Plasmodium
species infection, five were identified with our qPCR assays with better sensitivity as compared to BS and ICT. Eight out of 323 patients with negative BS were hospitalized for symptoms suggestive malaria after malaria-endemic area travel or known with history of malaria had a low positive duplex qPCR. Between day of diagnosis and post-treatment follow-up at D2-D4 of malaria, a 3.1-log
P. falciparum
load decrease was observed by qPCR. These new
Plasmodium
qPCRs allowing detection of human plasmodial species have excellent species specificity and allow rapid detection of
P. falciparum
cases, malaria with low parasitaemia, and mixed
Plasmodium
species infection.

IMPORTANCE

Malaria is a disease transmitted by a
Plasmodium
parasite genus. Most cases are caused by
Plasmodium falciparum
. Despite a significant drop of incidence and mortality since 2000, 249million cases and 608,000 deaths have been estimated in 2022, mainly in Africa. Due to the increasing number of travels to endemic areas, incidence of imported malaria is rising in Europe. Various techniques are used in European laboratories, such as microscopic examination of thin and thick smears and rapid diagnostic tests. However, these techniques require skilled operators to differentiate plasmodial species and have limited sensitivity. Actually, molecular diagnosis is carried out using point-of-care test for rapid results with excellent sensitivity but is unabled to determine involved species and assess parasitaemia. In this study, we developed a combined molecular tool based on both detection of all human plasmodial species (
Plasmodium
spp.) and
P. falciparum
. We have also developed specific qPCRs for each human plasmodial species.
Mode of action of silver-based perovskite against Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Fani Fereshteh , Talebpour Cyrus , Leprohon Philippe , Salimnia Hossein , Alamdari Houshang , Ouellette Marc
Published: December 2024

Although silver is known for its antibacterial activity, its exact mode of action remains unclear. In our previous work, we described AgNbO
3
nanoparticles (AgNbO
3
NPs) prepared using a ceramic method, followed by high-energy and low-energy ball-milling processes, which exhibited antimicrobial activity with negligible release of Ag
+
in deionized water. Here, we investigated thoroughly the mode of action of these AgNbO
3
NPs against
Escherichia coli
. Drastic morphological changes in
E. coli
were observed after their exposure to AgNbO
3
NPs. In addition to cellular damage, AgNbO
3
NPs induced the production of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, likely following the release of small amounts of Ag
+
. This was concluded from the characterization of mutants resistant to AgNbO
3
NPs that showed cross-resistance to AgNO
3
, impaired reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation, and harbored a key mutation in a two-component regulatory system regulating an Ag
+
efflux pump. We calculated, however, that the quantity of Ag
+
released from AgNbO
3
NPs is not sufficient by itself to lead to bacterial death. We propose that bacterial contact with the AgNbO
3
NPs in combination with Ag
+
release is necessary for the mode of action of AgNbO
3
NPs.

IMPORTANCE

Silver is known for its antibacterial activity, but its exact mode of action remains unclear. Here, we investigated thoroughly the mode of action of AgNbO
3
nanoparticles against
Escherichia coli
. Our data suggest that AgNbO
3
nanoparticles have dual effects on the cell and that both are required for its lethal action.
Role of the two-component system AmgRS in early resistance of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to cinnamaldehyde
Authors: Dubois Eline , Spasovski Vladimir , Plésiat Patrick , Llanes Catherine
Published: December 2024

Exposure of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to cinnamaldehyde (CNA), a natural electrophilic antimicrobial often used as self-medication to treat mild infections, triggers overproduction of the MexAB-OprM efflux system, leading to multidrug resistance. In this study, we demonstrate that CNA exposure induces expression of genes regulated by the two-component system AmgRS. AmgRS activates MexAB-OprM production, independent of repressors MexR and NalD. In addition to the essential role played by the NalC-ArmR pathway in this adaptive process, AmgRS is critical for the survival of
P. aeruginosa
challenged with CNA. Altogether, these data suggest that efflux-dependent and -independent mechanisms are activated in the early phase of CNA exposure, allowing for progressive enzymatic reduction of the biocide to non-toxic cinnamic alcohol.

IMPORTANCE

Exposure of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to cinnamaldehyde (CNA), an antimicrobial used in self-medication, induces overproduction of the MexAB-OprM efflux system, leading to multidrug resistance. Our study demonstrates that the AmgRS two-component system aids in the survival of
P. aeruginosa
strain PA14 under CNA exposure through both MexAB-OprM-dependent and -independent mechanisms until the enzymatic reduction of CNA into the less toxic cinnamic alcohol. This discovery highlights the pivotal role of AmgRS in mediating defense against aldehyde biocides, emphasizing its significance in the persistence of
P. aeruginosa
, a pathogen associated with hospital-acquired infections and cystic fibrosis, and underscores the potential impact on clinical treatment strategies.