bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antifungal Therapy in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Single-center Experience
Authors: Yigit Metin , Arman Bilir Özlem , Kanik Yüksek Saliha , Kaçar Dilek , Özbek Namik Y. , Yarali Hüsniye N.
Published: September 2021

Introduction:

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in leukemia patients. This study investigated antifungal treatment and prophylaxis features according to leukemia risk groups and treatment phases in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients who received Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster-based protocols.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively examined ALL patients’ data between the ages of 1 and 18 and treated them with Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster-ALL protocols between June 2013 and December 2016.

Results:

A total of 446 febrile neutropenic attacks in 85 children were evaluated. Seventy-two patients received antifungals in 151 infection attacks, while 13 patients did not receive any antifungal treatment during chemotherapy. Empirical, preemptive, or proven treatments were given to 74.8%, 21.2%, and 4% of patients, respectively. The frequency of antifungal therapy increased linearly and significantly from the standard-risk group to the intermediate-risk (IR) group, high-risk (HR) group, and relapsed group. IR patients needed more antifungal therapy while receiving induction, whereas HR patients needed more throughout the induction and HR consolidation blocks than other phases. During induction, IR patients received antifungal therapy similar to HR patients’ treatment in the induction and HR consolidation blocks.

Conclusions:

Antifungal therapy requirements increased as the severity and intensity of chemotherapy increased for all leukemia risk groups. The requirement of antifungal therapy for IR patients receiving induction was similar to that of HR patients; further studies are needed to evaluate the potential advantages of using primary antifungal prophylaxis in IR patients.
A Case of a Pediatric Patient With Protein S Heerlen Polymorphism and Deep Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Kacar Marija , Bhatt Mihir
Published: September 2021

Hereditary protein S (PS) deficiency is a rare autosomal dominant disorder with increased risk of venous thromboembolism. The PS Heerlen polymorphism at codon 501 of the PROS1 gene is considered a variant of uncertain significance. It has since been shown that PS Heerlen has a reduced half-life, resulting in reduced levels of free PS. We report a case of an adolescent female with May Thurner syndrome and heterozygous PS Heerlen mutation resulting in a mild PS deficiency and venous thromboembolism. With this nonmodifiable risk factor, the patient received prolonged anticoagulation with strong consideration for lifelong prophylaxis.
Pulmonary Outcomes After Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Davidow Kimberly , Bunin Nancy , Goldfarb Samuel , Li Yimei , Freedman Jason L.
Published: September 2021

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT) may be curative therapy for pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Therapy for HL may involve pulmonary toxic modalities. Little information exists regarding pulmonary function in these patients post-ASCT. A retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing ASCT from February 2012 to December 2019. Lung disease was defined as a z-score ≤−1.7 in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), or diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide. Descriptive and limited statistical analyses were performed. Twenty-eight patients were included. Median age at diagnosis was 15 (2 to 19) and was 17 (4 to 21) at ASCT. Twenty-three received radiation before ASCT. Fourteen received brentuximab before, and 9 after, transplant. Nineteen met criteria for lung disease post-ASCT. Sixteen had lung disease before ASCT. Longitudinal trends for pulmonary function testing parameters did not reach statistical significance, however, FEV1, FVC, and TLC trended towards worsening immediately post-transplant. There was no statistically significant change in FEV1, FVC, or TLC at 2 years as compared with pretransplant data, suggesting no substantial difference from baseline. Diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide showed statistically significant improvement at the 2 year timepoint (P=0.03). This data reinforces the importance of close follow-up for these patients. Large cohort studies are necessary to identify risk factors so that possible mitigative strategies or alternate regimens could be used.
Comparison of Clinical and Diagnostic Features of Pediatric Oncology Patients With or Without COVID-19 Infection: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Shahid Saba , Jabbar Naeem , Mansoor Neelum , Rafiq Naila , Maqsood Sidra
Published: September 2021

There is a scarcity of data summarizing the clinical picture, laboratory, and imaging findings and outcome in children with malignancy and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This study characterizes a detailed comparison of pediatric oncology patients with and without COVID infection. A retrospective study was conducted at The Indus Hospital, Karachi, from March 2020 to June 2020. Clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging findings, disease severity, and outcome were compared between cohorts. The mean age of children with and without COVID was 8.0±4.9 and 7.4±4.1 years, respectively. Hematologic malignancy comprised the largest number of patients, followed by solid tumors. Lymphocytosis and low neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was observed in the COVID positive group. Cardiac dysfunction (1.4% vs. 0%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (8% vs. 0%) and lower peripheral capillary oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (473 vs. 486) found to be associated with severe disease in COVID positive group (P<0.05). Overall mortality in children with COVID was 6.8% versus 2.7% in children without COVID. Pediatric patients with malignancy have different clinical features and laboratory parameters as compared with children without malignancy. Acute respiratory distress syndrome, absolute lymphocytosis and low neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is associated with severe disease in children with malignancy and COVID infection. In contrast to adults, biochemical markers and complete blood count parameters do not help recognize COVID infection in pediatric patients with malignancy.
T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in a Patient With Chromosome 8q21.11 Microdeletion
Authors: Yip James , Thompson Karen S.
Published: September 2021

The chromosome 8q21.11 deletion syndrome is an extremely rare genetic condition characterized by facial dysmorphic features, Peters anomaly and impaired intellectual development. We report a case of a 2-year-old female with chromosome 8q21.11-q21.2 microdeletion complicated by T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Whole genome single-nucleotide polymorphism microarray detected an interstitial deletion of 8q21.11 to q.21.2, including 16 genes. Autopsy findings revealed a T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma presenting as an anterior mediastinal mass, encroaching upon the aortic arch, left subclavian artery, left carotid bifurcation and trachea. The genes that may contribute to a neoplastic process are identified (PKIA, IL7, TPD52, PAG1, and FABP5) and discussed in this article.
The Use of Sunitinib as Maintenance Therapy in a Pediatric Patient With a Poorly Differentiated Thymic Carcinoma
Authors: Romanos-Sirakis Eleny , Doan Andrew , Bittman Mark E. , Webb Ryan L. , Williamson Alex K. , Edelman Morris , Hanson Derek , Riely Gregory J. , Fein Levy Carolyn
Published: September 2021

Background:

Thymic carcinomas are rare aggressive mediastinal tumors with a median survival of 2 years.

Observation:

We present a pediatric patient who was diagnosed with metastatic thymic carcinoma and showed continuous improvement of his primary mass and lung metastases with a regimen of cisplatin/docetaxel followed by long-term maintenance therapy with sunitinib for over 5 years.

Conclusions:

This report demonstrates a long-term positive treatment effect using chemotherapy followed by sunitinib in an advanced thymic carcinoma. We are not aware of other reports of pediatric patients with metastatic thymic carcinoma treated with sunitinib maintenance who maintained a durable response for this prolonged period of time.
New Therapeutic Approach in an Infant With Systemic Myofibromatosis and Intestinal Hemorrhage
Authors: Salvador Christina , Entenmann Andreas , Crazzolara Roman , Kropshofer Gabriele
Published: September 2021

We report the case of an infant with multicentric myofibromatosis affecting the gastric and intestinal mucosa, leading to continuous intestinal hemorrhage and iron deficiency. Conventional vinblastine and methotrexate combination treatment was administered for 4 months, but persistent intestinal blood loss required repeated blood transfusions. Because of insufficient tumor response to treatment, we opted for the experimental combination of rapamycin and dasatinib. Six weeks after the start of this therapy, hemoglobin levels stabilized without transfusions, and no fecal blood loss was detected. In addition, a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging excluded tumor progression. We here show the effectiveness of an experimental therapy with rapamycin and dasatinib in a child with multicentric myofibromatosis after the failure of conventional therapy with vinblastine and methotrexate.
Impact of State Nurse Practitioner Regulations on Potentially Inappropriate Medication Prescribing Between Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Authors: Tzeng Huey-Ming , Raji Mukaila A. , Chou Lin-Na , Kuo Yong-Fang
Published: September 2021

Background:

The American Geriatrics Society regularly updates the Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) to improve prescribing safety.

Purpose:

This study assessed the impact of nurse practitioner (NP) practices on PIM prescribing across states in the United States and compared the change in PIM prescribing rates between 2016 and 2018.

Methods:

We used data from a random selection of 20% of Medicare beneficiaries (66 years or older) from 2015 to 2018 to perform multilevel logistic regression. A PIM prescription was classified as initial or refill on the basis of medication history 1 year before a visit. PIM use after an outpatient visit was the primary study outcome.

Results:

We included 9 000 224 visits in 2016 and 9 310 261 in 2018. The PIM prescription rate was lower in states with full NP practice and lower among NPs than among physicians; these rates for both physicians and NPs decreased from 2016 to 2018.

Conclusions:

Changes could be due to individual state practices.
Heart Weight Is an Independent Factor Associated With, But Is a Poor Predictor for, Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: Garland Jack , Kesha Kilak , Glenn Charley , Stables Simon , Ondruschka Benjamin , Lohner Larissa , Tse Rexson
Published: September 2021

An enlarged heart can cause electrical instability and impaired contractility, leading to fatal arrhythmia and acute heart failure, and is associated with sudden cardiac death. However, there is limited postmortem evidence on whether heart weight is an independent factor associated with sudden cardiac death. This 18-month retrospective study examined 108 adult heart weights in which all the hearts were weighed after dissection, blood and blood clots removed, rinsed in water, and pat dried. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed heart weight was an independent factor associated with sudden cardiac death. However, after normalization, the heart weight was a poor predictor of sudden cardiac death with an area under the curve less than 0.7 in the plotted receiver operating characteristic curve.
Molecular Evaluation of Low-grade Low-stage Endometrial Cancer With and Without Recurrence
Authors: Matrai Cathleen E. , Ohara Kentaro , Eng Kenneth Wha , Glynn Shannon M. , Chandra Pooja , Chatterjee-Paer Sudeshna , Motanagh Samaneh , Mirabelli Susanna , Kurtis Boaz , He Bing , Sigaras Alexandros , Gupta Divya , Chapman-Davis Eloise , Holcomb Kevin , Sboner Andrea , Elemento Olivier , Ellenson Lora Hedrick , Mosquera Juan Miguel
Published: September 2021

Low-grade, low-stage endometrioid carcinomas (LGLS EC) demonstrate 5-yr survival rates up to 95%. However, a small subset of these tumors recur, and little is known about prognostic markers or established mutation profiles associated with recurrence. The goal of the current study was to identify the molecular profiles of the primary carcinomas and the genomic differences between primary tumors and subsequent recurrences. Four cases of LGLS EC with recurrence and 8 cases without recurrence were evaluated via whole-exome sequencing. Three of the 4 recurrent tumors were evaluated via Oncomine Comprehensive Assay. The resulting molecular profiles of the primary and recurrent tumors were compared. Two of the 3 recurrent cases showed additional mutations in the recurrence. One recurrent tumor included an additional TP53 mutation and the other recurrent tumor showed POLE and DDR2 kinase gene mutation. The POLE mutation occurred outside the exonuclease domain. PIK3CA mutations were detected in 4 of 4 primary LGLS EC with recurrence and in 3 of 8 disease-free cases. LGLS EC with recurrence showed higher MSIsensor scores compared with LGLS without recurrence. The level of copy number gains in LGLS EC with recurrence was larger than LGLS EC without recurrence. This pilot study showed 1 of 3 recurrent cases gained a mutation associated with genetic instability (TP53) and 1 of them also acquired a mutation in the DDR2 kinase, a potential therapeutic target. We also noted a higher level of copy number gains, MSIsensor scores and PIK3CA mutations in the primary tumors that later recurred.
Detecting Preanalytical Errors Using Quality Indicators in a Hematology Laboratory
Authors: Alshaghdali Khalid , Alcantara Tessie Y. , Rezgui Raja , Cruz Charlie P. , Alshammary Munif H. , Almotairi Yasser A. , Alcantara Jerold C.
Published: September 2021

Background and Objectives:

Monitoring laboratory performance continuously is crucial for recognizing errors and fostering further improvements in laboratory medicine. This study aimed to review the quality indicators (QIs) and describe the laboratory errors in the preanalytical phase of hematology testing in a clinical laboratory.

Methods:

All samples received in the Hematology Laboratory of the Maternity and Pediatric Hospital in Hail for 3 years were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated for preanalytical issues using a set of QIs. The rate of each QI was compared to the quality specifications cited in the literature.

Results:

A total of 95002 blood samples were collected for analysis in the hematology laboratory from January 2017 through December 2019. Overall, 8852 (9.3%) were considered to show preanalytical errors. The most common were “clotted specimen” (3.6%) and “samples not received” (3.5%). Based on the quality specifications, the preanalytical QIs were classified generally as low and medium level of performance. In contrast, the sigma-based performance level indicates acceptable performance on all the key processes. Further analysis of the study showed a decreasing rate of preanalytical errors from 11.6% to 6.5%.

Conclusions:

Preanalytical errors remain a challenge to hematology laboratories. The errors in this case were predominantly related to specimen collection procedures that compromised the specimen quality. Quality indicators are a valuable instrument in the preanalytical phase that allows an opportunity to improve and explore clinical laboratory process performance and progress. Continual monitoring and management of QI data are critical to ensure ongoing satisfactory performance and to enhance the quality in the preanalytical phase.
Cross-species parallels in babbling: animals and algorithms
Authors: ter Haar Sita M. , Fernandez Ahana A. , Gratier Maya , Knörnschild Mirjam , Levelt Claartje , Moore Roger K. , Vellema Michiel , Wang Xiaoqin , Oller D. Kimbrough
Published: September 2021

A key feature of vocal ontogeny in a variety of taxa with extensive vocal repertoires is a developmental pattern in which vocal exploration is followed by a period of category formation that results in a mature species-specific repertoire. Vocal development preceding the adult repertoire is often called ‘babbling’, a term used to describe aspects of vocal development in species of vocal-learning birds, some marine mammals, some New World monkeys, some bats and humans. The paper summarizes the results of research on babbling in examples from five taxa and proposes a unifying definition facilitating their comparison. There are notable similarities across these species in the developmental pattern of vocalizations, suggesting that vocal production learning might require babbling. However, the current state of the literature is insufficient to confirm this suggestion. We suggest directions for future research to elucidate this issue, emphasizing the importance of (i) expanding the descriptive data and seeking species with complex mature repertoires where babbling may not occur or may occur only to a minimal extent; (ii) (quasi-)experimental research to tease apart possible mechanisms of acquisition and/or self-organizing development; and (iii) computational modelling as a methodology to test hypotheses about the origins and functions of babbling.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vocal learning in animals and humans’.
Vocal imitations and production learning by Australian musk ducks (
Biziura lobata
)
Authors: ten Cate Carel , Fullagar Peter J.
Published: September 2021

Acquiring vocalizations by learning them from other individuals is only known from a limited number of animal groups. For birds, oscine and some suboscine songbirds, parrots and hummingbirds demonstrate this ability. Here, we provide evidence for vocal learning in a member of a basal clade of the avian phylogeny: the Australian musk duck (
Biziura lobata
). A hand-reared individual imitated a slamming door and a human voice, and a female-reared individual imitated Pacific black duck quacks. These sounds have been described before, but were never analysed in any detail and went so far unnoticed by researchers of vocal learning. The imitations were produced during the males' advertising display. The hand-reared male used at least three different vocalizations in the display context, with each one produced in the same stereotyped and repetitive structure as the normal display sounds. Sounds of different origins could be combined in one vocalization and at least some of the imitations were memorized at an early age, well before they were produced later in life. Together with earlier observations of vocal differences between populations and deviant vocalizations in captive-reared individuals, these observations demonstrate the presence of advanced vocal learning at a level comparable to that of songbirds and parrots. We discuss the rearing conditions that may have given rise to the imitations and suggest that the structure of the duck vocalizations indicates a quite sophisticated and flexible control over the vocal production mechanism. The observations support the hypothesis that vocal learning in birds evolved in several groups independently rather than evolving once with several losses.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vocal learning in animals and humans’.
Prenatal auditory learning in avian vocal learners and non-learners
Authors: Colombelli-Négrel Diane , Hauber Mark E. , Evans Christine , Katsis Andrew C. , Brouwer Lyanne , Adreani Nicolas M. , Kleindorfer Sonia
Published: September 2021

Understanding when learning begins is critical for identifying the factors that shape both the developmental course and the function of information acquisition. Until recently, sufficient development of the neural substrates for any sort of vocal learning to begin in songbirds was thought to be reached well after hatching. New research shows that embryonic gene activation and the outcome of vocal learning can be modulated by sound exposure
in ovo
. We tested whether avian embryos across lineages differ in their auditory response strength and sound learning
in ovo
, which we studied in vocal learning (Maluridae, Geospizidae) and vocal non-learning (Phasianidae, Spheniscidae) taxa. While measuring heart rate
in ovo
, we exposed embryos to (i) conspecific or heterospecific vocalizations, to determine their response strength, and (ii) conspecific vocalizations repeatedly, to quantify cardiac habituation, a form of non-associative learning. Response strength towards conspecific vocalizations was greater in two species with vocal production learning compared to two species without. Response patterns consistent with non-associative auditory learning occurred in all species. Our results demonstrate a capacity to perceive and learn to recognize sounds
in ovo
, as evidenced by habituation, even in species that were previously assumed to have little, if any, vocal production learning.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vocal learning in animals and humans’.
The vocal development of the pale spear-nosed bat is dependent on auditory feedback
Authors: Lattenkamp Ella Z. , Linnenschmidt Meike , Mardus Eva , Vernes Sonja C. , Wiegrebe Lutz , Schutte Michael
Published: September 2021

Human vocal development and speech learning require acoustic feedback, and humans who are born deaf do not acquire a normal adult speech capacity. Most other mammals display a largely innate vocal repertoire. Like humans, bats are thought to be one of the few taxa capable of vocal learning as they can acquire new vocalizations by modifying vocalizations according to auditory experiences. We investigated the effect of acoustic deafening on the vocal development of the pale spear-nosed bat. Three juvenile pale spear-nosed bats were deafened, and their vocal development was studied in comparison with an age-matched, hearing control group. The results show that during development the deafened bats increased their vocal activity, and their vocalizations were substantially altered, being much shorter, higher in pitch, and more aperiodic than the vocalizations of the control animals. The pale spear-nosed bat relies on auditory feedback for vocal development and, in the absence of auditory input, species-atypical vocalizations are acquired. This work serves as a basis for further research using the pale spear-nosed bat as a mammalian model for vocal learning, and contributes to comparative studies on hearing impairment across species.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vocal learning in animals and humans’.
Operant control and call usage learning in African elephants
Authors: Stoeger Angela S. , Baotic Anton
Published: September 2021

Elephants exhibit remarkable vocal plasticity, and case studies reveal that individuals of African savannah (
Loxodonta africana
) and Asian (
Elephas maximus
) elephants are capable of vocal production learning. Surprisingly, however, little is known about contextual learning (usage and comprehension learning) in elephant communication. Usage learning can be demonstrated by training animals to vocalize in an arbitrary (cue-triggered) context. Here we show that adult African savannah elephants (
n
= 13) can vocalize in response to verbal cues, reliably producing social call types such as the low-frequency rumble, trumpets and snorts as well as atypical sounds using various mechanisms, thus displaying compound vocal control. We further show that rumbles emitted upon trainer cues differ significantly in structure from rumbles triggered by social contexts of the same individuals (
n
= 6). Every form of social learning increases the complexity of a communication system. In elephants, we only poorly understand their vocal learning abilities and the underlying cognitive mechanisms. Among other research, this calls for controlled learning experiments in which the prerequisite is operant/volitional control of vocalizations.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vocal learning in animals and humans’.
The dynamic connectome of speech control
Authors: Valeriani Davide , Simonyan Kristina
Published: September 2021

Speech production relies on the orchestrated control of multiple brain regions. The specific, directional influences within these networks remain poorly understood. We used regression dynamic causal modelling to infer the whole-brain directed (effective) connectivity from functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 36 healthy individuals during the production of meaningful English sentences and meaningless syllables. We identified that the two dynamic connectomes have distinct architectures that are dependent on the complexity of task production. The speech was regulated by a dynamic neural network, the most influential nodes of which were centred around superior and inferior parietal areas and influenced the whole-brain network activity via long-ranging coupling with primary sensorimotor, prefrontal, temporal and insular regions. By contrast, syllable production was controlled by a more compressed, cost-efficient network structure, involving sensorimotor cortico-subcortical integration via superior parietal and cerebellar network hubs. These data demonstrate the mechanisms by which the neural network reorganizes the connectivity of its influential regions, from supporting the fundamental aspects of simple syllabic vocal motor output to multimodal information processing of speech motor output.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vocal learning in animals and humans’.
Epidemiology and genetic characteristics of murine kobuvirus from faecal samples of Rattus losea, Rattus tanezumi and Rattus norvegicus in southern China
Authors: Zhang Minyi , You Fangfei , Wu Fei , He Huan , Li Qiushuang , Chen Qing
Published: September 2021

Recently, murine kobuvirus (MuKV), a novel member of the family Picornaviridae, was identified in faecal samples of Rattus norvegicus in China. The limited information on the circulation of MuKV in other murine rodent species prompted us to investigate its prevalence and conduct a genetic characterization of MuKV in Rattus losea, Rattus tanezumi and Rattus norvegicus in China. Between 2015 and 2017, 243 faecal samples of these three murine rodent species from three regions in southern China were screened for the presence of MuKV. The overall prevalence was 23.0% (56/243). Three complete MuKV polyprotein sequences were acquired, and the genome organization was determined. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that our sequences were closely related to Chinese strains and belong to the species Aichivirus A in the genus Kobuvirus. Additional studies are required to understand the true prevalence of MuKV in murine rodent populations in China.
Collagen VI regulates motor circuit plasticity and motor performance by cannabinoid modulation
Authors: Lam Daniel D. , Williams Rhîannan H. , Lujan Ernesto , Tanabe Koji , Huber Georg , Saw Nay Lui , Merl-Pham Juliane , Salminen Aaro V. , Lohse David , Spendiff Sally , Plastini Melanie J. , Zech Michael , Lochmüller Hanns , Geerlof Arie , Hauck Stefanie M. , Shamloo Mehrdad , Wernig Marius , Winkelmann Juliane
Published: September 2021

Collagen VI is a key component of muscle basement membranes, and genetic variants can cause monogenic muscular dystrophies. Conversely, human genetic studies recently implicated collagen VI in central nervous system function, with variants causing the movement disorder dystonia. To elucidate the neurophysiological role of collagen VI, we generated mice with a truncation of the dystonia-related collagen α3 (VI) (COL6A3) C-terminal domain (CTD). These Col6a3CTT mice showed a recessive dystonia-like phenotype. We found that COL6A3 interacts with the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) complex in a CTD-dependent manner. Col6a3CTT mice have impaired homeostasis of excitatory input to the basal pontine nuclei (BPN), a motor control hub with dense COL6A3 expression, consistent with deficient endocannabinoid signaling. Aberrant synaptic input in the BPN was normalized by a CB1R agonist, and motor performance in Col6a3CTT mice was improved by CB1R agonist treatment. Our findings identify a readily therapeutically addressable synaptic mechanism for motor control.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary movements. We previously identified genetic variants affecting a specific domain of the COL6A3 protein as a cause of dystonia. Here, we we created mice lacking the affected domain and observed an analogous movement disorder. Using a protein interaction screen, we found that the affected COL6A3 domain mediates an interaction with the cannabinoid receptor CB1R. Concordantly, our COL6A3-deficient mice showed a deficit in synaptic plasticity linked to a deficit in cannabinoid signaling. Pharmacological cannabinoid augmentation rescued the motor impairment of the mice. Thus, cannabinoid augmentation could be a promising avenue for treating dystonia, and we have identified a possible molecular mechanism mediating this.
Prevalence of mutualism in a simple model of microbial co-evolution
Authors: Stucchi Luciano , Galeano Javier , Pastor Juan Manuel , Iriondo Jose María , Cuesta José A.
Published: September 2021

Evolutionary transitions among ecological interactions are widely known, although their detailed dynamics remain absent for most population models. Adaptive dynamics has been used to illustrate how the parameters of population models might shift through evolution, but within an ecological regime. Here we use adaptive dynamics combined with a generalised logistic model of population dynamics to show that transitions of ecological interactions might appear as a consequence of evolution. To this purpose we introduce a two-microbial toy model in which population parameters are determined by a bookkeeping of resources taken from (and excreted to) the environment, as well as from the byproducts of the other species. Despite its simplicity, this model exhibits all sorts of ecological transitions, some of which resemble those found in nature. Overall, the model shows a clear trend toward the emergence of mutualism.
Can deep convolutional neural networks support relational reasoning in the same-different task?
Authors: Puebla Guillermo , Bowers Jeffrey
Published: September 2021

Same-different visual reasoning is a basic skill central to abstract combinatorial thought. This fact has lead neural networks researchers to test same-different classification on deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs), which has resulted in a controversy regarding whether this skill is within the capacity of these models. However, most tests of same-different classification rely on testing on images that come from the same pixel-level distribution as the testing images, yielding the results inconclusive. In this study we tested relational same-different reasoning DCNNs. In a series of simulations we show that models based on the ResNet-50 architecture are capable of visual same-different classification, but only when the test images are similar to the training images at the pixel-level. In contrast, even when there are only subtle differences between the testing and training images, the performance of DCNNs drops substantially. This is true even when DCNNs' training regime is augmented with images from new versions of the same-different task or through multi-task learning on the test images. Furthermore, we show that the Relation Network, a deep learning architecture specifically designed to tackle visual relational reasoning problems, suffers the same kind of limitations than ResNet-50 classifiers.
Bdelloid rotifers use hundreds of horizontally acquired genes against fungal pathogens
Authors: Nowell Reuben W. , Barraclough Timothy G. , Wilson Christopher G.
Published: September 2021

Obligately asexual lineages are typically rare and short-lived. According to one hypothesis, they adapt too slowly to withstand relentlessly coevolving pathogens. Bdelloid rotifers seem to have avoided this fate, by enduring millions of years without males or sex. We investigated whether bdelloids’ unusual capacity to acquire non-metazoan genes horizontally has enhanced their resistance to pathogens. We found that horizontally transferred genes are three times more likely than native genes to be upregulated in response to a natural fungal pathogen. This enrichment was twofold stronger than that elicited by a physical stressor (desiccation), and the genes showed little overlap. Among hundreds of upregulated non-metazoan genes were RNA ligases putatively involved in resisting fungal toxins and glucanases predicted to bind to fungal cell walls, acquired from bacteria. Our results provide evidence that bdelloids mitigate a predicted challenge of long-term asexuality in part through their ability to acquire and deploy so many foreign genes.
An integrative approach to mosquito dynamics reveals differences in people’s everyday experiences of mosquitoes
Authors: Evans M.V. , Bhatnagar S. , Drake J.M. , Murdock C.M. , Mukherjee S
Published: September 2021

Urban environments are heterogeneous landscapes of social and environmental features, with important consequences for human-nature entanglements, such as that of mosquito-borne disease.

Investigations into this intra-urban heterogeneity in mosquito dynamics find conflicting results, likely due to the complex socio-ecological interactions and the importance of place-based context. Integrative research, which synthesizes multiple disciplines and epistemologies, can help place ecological results into their social context to explore these place-based differences.

Here, we develop an integrative approach to understanding spatial patterns of mosquito burdens in urban systems by combining entomological surveys, semi-structured interviews, and sketch maps.

Although we found no evidence for a difference in mosquito abundance across an urban gradient, there were differences in individuals’ everyday experiences with mosquitoes. These differences were mediated by how individuals moved through public space and their vulnerability to hazards in these spaces.

This example of integrative research illustrates what can be gained from the inclusion of multiple epistemologies, particularly for research in socio-ecological systems.
Comparing trait syndromes between Taiwanese subtropical terrestrial and epiphytic ferns at the species and community level
Authors: Helsen Kenny , Viana Jéssica Lira , Lin Tsung-Yi , Kuo Li-Yaung , Zelený David
Published: September 2021

Background and Aims

While functional trait-trait and trait-environment relationships are well studied in angiosperms, it is less clear if similar relationships, such as the leaf economics spectrum (LES), hold for ferns, and whether they differ between terrestrial and epiphytic fern communities. We used vegetation data collected along an elevation gradient in Taiwan to explore these relationships.

Methods

We measured nine leaf traits for 47 terrestrial and 34 epiphytic fern species across 59 vegetation plots along an elevation gradient in the subtropical forest of Northern Taiwan. We explored trait-trait and trait-environment relationships at both the species and community levels for both growth habits, while accounting for phylogenetic relationships.

Key Results

Epiphytes differed from terrestrial ferns in species- and community-level trait values, mainly reflecting responses to higher drought and nutrient stress. The angiosperm LES was reflected in the trait-trait correlations of terrestrial ferns and less expressively in epiphytes. This pattern suggests that mainly water rather than nutrient availability shapes epiphytic trait patterns. Trait-trait analysis on raw trait data and on independent contrasts vary in some ways. Trait-environment relationships were similar for several drought-related traits across both species’ groups.

Conclusions

This study illustrates that fern trait patterns are not entirely equivalent for epiphytic and terrestrial species or communities and should not be extrapolated across growth habits or between the species and community levels. Phylogenetic constraints may influence the trait-environment response of epiphytic species.
Green market orientation, green innovation capability, green knowledge acquisition and green brand positioning as determinants of new product success
Authors: Borah Prasad Siba , Dogbe Courage Simon Kofi , Pomegbe Wisdom Wise Kwabla , Bamfo Bylon Abeeku , Hornuvo Lawrence Kwabena
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess if the mediating effect of green innovation capability (GIC) in the relationship between green market orientation (GMO) and new product success (NPS) was conditional on the moderating effects of green knowledge acquisition (GKA) and green brand positioning (GBP).

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis was based on primary data gathered using a structured questionnaire, which was developed on a five-point Likert scale of 1-Strongly disagree to 5-Strongly agree. There were 259 manufacturing firms engaged in the study, with data analyzed using PROCESS macro (v.3.4) for SPSS (v.23).

Findings

The research revealed that GMO had no direct effect on NPS among manufacturing firms, the relationship was rather mediated by GIC of the firms. The effect of GMO on GIC was moderated by GKA, whereas the effect of GIC on NPS was moderated by GBP. Overall, the mediating effect of GIC in the relationship between GMO and NPS was conditional on the moderating effects of GKA and GBP.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on only knowledge acquisition (green), without recourse to assimilation, transformation and exploitation. These may, however, be very important in explaining the role of knowledge in green innovation.

Practical implications

Green market-oriented manufacturing firms must seek to also make investments in GIC to transform those concepts into successful innovative products.

Originality/value

Despite the increasing number of studies on GMO, very limited concentration has been paid to how firms could leverage on the potentials of GMO to enhance the success of new products introduced into the market. This study did not just establish the effect of GMO on the success of new products but also identified some intervening variables in this relationship.
University students’ perceptions of climate change: the case study of the University of the South Pacific-Fiji Islands
Authors: Prasad Ravinesh Rohit , Mkumbachi Ramadhani Lausi
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Higher education plays a vital role in educating citizens about climate change and promoting pro-environment behavior. Based on this statement, this study aims to analyze and evaluate students’ perception of climate change at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. The study aims to understand the main ideas and concepts of climate change by analyzing information habits and individual opinions on the causes of climate change as perceived by the students of two student organizations aimed at environmental protection.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was used to gather data on students’ perceptions and information habits toward climate change. The data were collected through a questionnaire to characterize students from the socio-demography and their perceptions, information habits and knowledge relating to climate change. This paper uses the case study method to examine students’ climate change perceptions at two different student organizations at the same university. The research study involved a focus group technique. Two focus groups at the University of the South Pacific were administered. The focus groups’ selection in this study took into account the aims and objectives of the students’ organization toward climate change awareness, adaptation, mitigation and environment protection.

Findings

The focus groups participants believe that climate change is a serious problem in the South Pacific region. Results suggest significant differences in climate change perception at the two students’ organizations chosen for this study. Students at the Econesian society nicknamed climate change as a nuclear weapon for the South Pacific responsible for changes in the habitat, coral bleaching, lifestyle changes, mother of all other environmental problems and the introduction of invasive species into Fiji. Students at Wantok Moana-related climate change to drastic weather changes, lack of fish feed and additional toxins in the sea. The results also showed that students at the Econesian society have a better understanding of climate change than the students of Wantok Moana.

Practical implications

This paper provides an insight into how students of Small Islands Developing States view climate change and the factors affecting their opinions. It also shows how climate change perception varies within the same university. This implies the need to integrate climate change into the higher education curriculum and more research on this topic.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to compare and contrast university students’ climate change perception in Fiji. The results make an essential contribution to the extant climate change literature by identifying and categorizing climate change perception and the factors that shape students’ perception of climate change from the university students’ perspective in Fiji.
Research on mosquito repellent performance of bamboo-polyester blended anti-mosquito yarn seamless knitted fabric
Authors: Xu Jingying , Jin Zimin , Jin Jing , Lei Lei , Tao Jianwei
Published: September 2021

Purpose

People have always been invaded by mosquitoes, and the development of new anti-mosquito fabrics has attracted much attention. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of knitting process on the performance of anti-mosquito seamless fabrics and provide a basis for obtaining anti-mosquito seamless knitted fabrics with excellent comprehensive performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses bamboo–polyester mosquito repellent yarn containing wormwood extract as the face of seamless knitted fabric. The test factors include ordinary material in the face yarn, ground yarn material, seamless knitted structure and arrangement ratio of ordinary yarn and anti-mosquito yarn in face yarn. According to the quasi-level additional orthogonal test, 12 knitting plans are determined, and the mosquito repellent test and durability test are performed on the fabric.

Findings

The experimental results show that the optimal fabric for anti-mosquito performance is 12#, and the average repellent rate after washing 15 times is 58.57%. The corresponding process is that the face yarn is fully anti-mosquito yarn, the fabric is a single-sided mesh structure and the ground yarn is made of 4.4tex moisture-absorbing nylon/2.2tex spandex wrapped yarn.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, there is still a lack of diversity in the selection of yarn materials and fabrics. In the follow-up research, the authors will use more fabrics and yarn materials for combination and experimentation and simulate and predict the mosquito resistance rate of knitted fabrics with different materials and structures.

Practical implications

The development of anti-mosquito seamless knitted fabrics with good comprehensive performance and the use of environmentally friendly wormwood repellents not only conform to the current people's healthy and environmentally friendly life philosophy, but also promote the development of the functional seamless knitted fabric market.

Social implications

In addition, seamless knitted fabrics have a huge market prospect, and many of their fabrics are used for sports underwear and outdoor wear. Therefore, the research and development of functional knitted fabrics will attract consumers to buy. While improving the wearing comfort, it can increase profits for the company.

Originality/value

The mosquito-proof functional seamless knitted fabric developed in this research has a high mosquito-proof rate after 15 times and can be used as underwear fabric or outdoor sports fabric.
Implications of GHRM on organisational citizenship behaviour: the mediating role of enablers of green culture
Authors: Muisyo Paul Kivinda , Qin Su , Ho Thu Hau , Julius Mercy Muthoni , Barisoava Andriamandresy Tsirinirinantenaina
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine how firms can build collective organisational citizenship behaviour towards the environment (OCBE) from green human resource management (GHRM) practices. The study tests how the three main aspects of GHRM, namely green abilities, green motivation and green opportunities, give rise to the enablers of green culture (EGC). The study further tests how each of the EGC (leadership emphasis, message credibility, peer involvement and employee empowerment) leads to the development of OCBE at the organisational level of analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from Taiwanese manufacturing companies with a target of departmental heads. The authors managed to get 284 valid responses and analysed the data using path analysis on Stata12.

Findings

The study findings suggest that GHRM practices that include developing green abilities, green motivation and green opportunities support the development of the EGC. The EGC include leadership emphasis, message credibility, peer involvement and employee empowerment. It was, however, found that green abilities do not support the development of message credibility. It was further found the EGC lead to the development of collective OCBE except for peer involvement.

Originality/value

The authors propose an original concept of EGC in the context of Taiwanese manufacturing firms. This paper is amongst the pioneer papers to test the OCBE at organisational level. The authors also develop an integrated conceptual framework upon which firms can use in order to build OCBE at organisational level. Previous studies have examined OCBEs at employee/individual level.
Representation and presentation of knowledge and processes – an integrated approach for a dynamic communication-intensive environment
Authors: Hübscher Gerd , Geist Verena , Auer Dagmar , Hübscher Nicole , Küng Josef
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Knowledge- and communication-intensive domains still long for a better support of creativity that considers legal requirements, compliance rules and administrative tasks as well, because current systems focus either on knowledge representation or business process management. The purpose of this paper is to discuss our model of integrated knowledge and business process representation and its presentation to users.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors follow a design science approach in the environment of patent prosecution, which is characterized by a highly standardized, legally prescribed process and individual knowledge study. Thus, the research is based on knowledge study, BPM, graph-based knowledge representation and user interface design. The authors iteratively designed and built a model and a prototype. To evaluate the approach, the authors used analytical proof of concept, real-world test scenarios and case studies in real-world settings, where the authors conducted observations and open interviews.

Findings

The authors designed a model and implemented a prototype for evolving and storing static and dynamic aspects of knowledge. The proposed solution leverages the flexibility of a graph-based model to enable open and not only continuously developing user-centered processes but also pre-defined ones. The authors further propose a user interface concept which supports users to benefit from the richness of the model but provides sufficient guidance.

Originality/value

The balanced integration of the data and task perspectives distinguishes the model significantly from other approaches such as BPM or knowledge graphs. The authors further provide a sophisticated user interface design, which allows the users to effectively and efficiently use the graph-based knowledge representation in their daily study.