bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multisensory perceptual learning in virtual reality may facilitate transfer to untrained locations but is impacted by training procedures
Authors: Fromm Catherine A. , Huxlin Krystel R. , Maddox Ross K. , Polonenko Melissa J. , Diaz Gabriel J.
Published: May 2023

Visual training improves performance in visually-intact and visually-impaired participants, making it useful as a rehabilitation tool. An interesting question in rehabilitation is whether invocation of multisensory integration could increase training efficacy. To investigate, participants completed a 10-day training experiment wherein they repeatedly performed a 4-way global motion direction discrimination task. On each trial, participants were presented with a 5° diameter visual global motion stimulus placed in a gaze-contingent manner at 10° azimuth/elevation. The visual-only group was presented the unimodal visual stimulus. However, for the auditory/visual (AV) group, the visual stimulus was paired with a pulsed white-noise auditory cue moving along in a direction consistent with the horizontal component of the visual motion stimulus. Direction range thresholds (DRT) were computed daily. The motion direction discrimination learning transferred fully in both groups, regardless of the presence of a feature-based attention cue. However, the figure-ground segregation learning only fully transferred to untrained locations with the addition of the feature-based attention cue. These results speak to the multiple levels of processing on which perceptual learning can operate.

PACS

0000, 1111

2000 MSC

0000, 1111
Reusable rule-based cell cycle model explains compartment-resolved dynamics of 16 observables in RPE-1 cells
Authors: Lang Paul F. , Penas David R. , Banga Julio R. , Weindl Daniel , Novak Bela
Published: May 2023

The mammalian cell cycle is regulated by a well-studied but complex biochemical reaction system. Computational models provide a particularly systematic and systemic description of the mechanisms governing mammalian cell cycle control. By combining both state-of-the-art multiplexed experimental methods and powerful computational tools, this work aims at improving on these models along four dimensions: model structure, validation data, validation methodology and model reusability.

We developed a comprehensive model structure of the full cell cycle that qualitatively explains the behaviour of human retinal pigment epithelial-1 cells. To estimate the model parameters, time courses of eight cell cycle regulators in two compartments were reconstructed from single cell snapshot measurements. After optimisation with a parallel global optimisation metaheuristic we obtained excellent agreements between simulations and measurements. The PEtab specification of the optimisation problem facilitates reuse of model, data and/or optimisation results.

Future perturbation experiments will improve parameter identifiability and allow for testing model predictive power. Such a predictive model may aid in drug discovery for cell cycle-related disorders.

Author Summary

While there are numerous cell cycle models in the literature, mammalian cell cycle models typically suffer from four limitations. Firstly, the descriptions of biological mechanisms are often overly complicated yet insufficiently comprehensive and detailed. Secondly, there is a lack of experimental data to validate the model. Thirdly, inadequate parameter estimation procedures are used. Lastly, there is no standardized description of the model and/or optimization problem.

To overcome these limitations, we combine best-in-class technology to address all four simultaneously. We use a rule-based model description to provide a concise and less error-prone representation of complex biology. By applying trajectory reconstruction algorithms to existing data from highly multiplexed immunofluorescence measurements, we obtained a rich dataset for model validation. Using a parallel global metaheuristic for parameter estimation allowed us to bring simulations and data in very good agreement. To maximize reproducibility and reusability of our work, the results are available in three popular formats: BioNetGen, SBML, and PEtab.

Our model is generalizable to many healthy and transformed cell types. The PEtab specification of the optimization problem makes it straightforward to re-optimize the parameters for other cell lines. This may guide hypotheses on cell type-specific regulation of the cell cycle, potentially with clinical relevance.
Circulating Microparticles: Optimization and Standardization of Isolation Protocols and Reassessment of Their Characteristics and Functions
Authors: Zhang Chen , Hu Jiajia , Shi Yifan , Feng Yang , Li Zeyang , Zhang Tianyu , Hong Liwen , Dong Zi , Tang Yiding , Wang Zhengting , Ning Guang , Huang Guorui
Published: May 2023

Microparticles (MPs) are convenient for clinical diagnosis, and have functional roles in signal transduction. Although the importance of MPs is being increasingly recognized, the diversity of isolated protocols for MPs results in a heterogeneous population of their unknown origins, even expands to uncertain functions. Here we systematically studied the composition of MPs at different centrifugal speed intervals, and found that 3000g was a critical centrifugation speed in determining new MPs composition. The platelet-derived particles accounted for more than 80% under 3000g, while only about 20% in MPs obtained over 3000g. Furthermore, we found that the function of new MPs was significantly different from that of traditional ones, such as procoagulation activity, anti-inflammation and clinical diagnosis etc. Thus, our work optimized the method of MPs isolation, clarified some characteristics and physiological functions that should belong to platelets rather than MPs, which will derive new conceptual MPs for its composition and function.
COVID-19 vaccination at a hospital in Paris: spatial analyses and inverse equity hypothesis
Authors: Valéry Ridde , Gaëlle André , Olivier Bouchaud , Emmanuel Bonnet
Published: May 2023

Background

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been deployed in France since January 2021. Evidence was beginning to show that the most vulnerable populations were the most affected by COVID-19. Without specific action for different population subgroups, the inverse equity hypothesis postulates that people in the least deprived neighbourhoods will be the first to benefit.

Methods

We performed a spatial analysis using primary data from the vaccination centre of the Avicenne Hospital in Bobigny (Seine-Saint-Denis, France) from January 8th to September 30th, 2021. We used secondary data to calculate the social deprivation index. We performed flow analysis, k-means aggregation, and mapping.

Results

During the period, 32,712 people were vaccinated at the study centre. Vaccination flow to the hospital shows that people living in the least disadvantaged areas were the first to be vaccinated. The number of people immunized according to the level of social deprivation then scales out with slightly more access to the vaccination centre for the most advantaged. The furthest have travelled more than 100 kilometres, and more than 1h45 of transport time to get to this vaccination centre. Access times are, on average, 50 minutes in February to 30 minutes in May 2021.

Conclusion

The study confirms the inverse equity hypothesis and shows that vaccination preparedness strategies must take equity issues into account. Public health interventions should be implemented according to proportionate universalism and use community health, health mediation, and outreach activities for more equity.
Short-term health system responses to epidemics across hard-to-reach areas in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Murunga Annette A. , Ngoye Ben , Wafula Francis P. , Kokwaro Gilbert O.
Published: May 2023

Background

Epidemics and disease outbreaks are the occurrence of cases of disease in excess of what would be normally expected. Epidemic-prone diseases, including emerging and re-emerging diseases, constitute the greatest threat to public health security and disruption of social and economic development. When cases of epidemics are diagnosed in specific areas, an outbreak response is triggered to stop the spread swiftly, keeping as few people as possible from being infected. In the past 20 years, the sub-Saharan region has witnessed a marked increase in the number of outbreaks in pandemics, such as cholera, dengue, A/H5N 1 influenza, and rift valley fever, among others. And while many of the efforts toward containment have been individually studied, we have no recent studies that examine them collectively in order to draw appropriate comparisons, no recent studies that have especially focused on hard-to-reach areas, and none that have applied a health systems lens. This study thus details a scoping review of short-term health system responses to epidemics across hard-to-reach areas in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

A scoping review will be undertaken following PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews. A modified Donabedian framework will be used to help in understanding approaches used in the immediate health system responses to disease outbreaks. The review will focus on published and unpublished studies that report short-term health systems responses during disease outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. These will be gleaned from PubMed, google scholar and Cochrane electronic databases, supplemented by a Google advanced search. In addition, manual searches will be carried out through related articles and websites. Two authors will independently screen the studies and extract data. Disagreements will be resolved by discussions, and a third reviewer will decide if there is no consensus. Data will be charted, coded, and narratively synthesized.

Outcome

We anticipate developing a document that will show the different approaches health systems responded with to epidemics in the short term and that will contribute to strengthening future short-term responses to disease outbreaks by identifying best practices and innovative ideas. In addition, the study will highlight possible knowledge gaps that need to be filled with new research.
Non-local model of chemotaxis based on peer attraction
Authors: Dupuy Lionel , Mimault Matthias , Ptashnyk Mariya
Published: May 2023

Movement is critical for bacterial species inhabiting soils because nutrient availability is limited and heterogeneously distributed both in space and time. Recent live microscopy experiments show that bacteria form flocks when navigating through porous medium, and complex cell-cell interactions may be required to maintain such flocks. Here we propose a non-local model to study how peer attraction can affect flocking patterns in a porous medium. We establish the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the problem, propose a numerical scheme for simulations of the non-local convection-diffusion equation, and investigate the numerical convergence of the scheme. Numerical simulations showed that the strength of peer attraction is critical to control the size, shape, and nature of movement of the flocks in a porous network.

MSC Classification

35F31, 92Cxx, 92-10
Tetrakis(triethylenediamin-1-ium) dodeca-μ2-chlorido-hexakis(thiocyanato-κN)hexa-octahedro-niobate
Authors: Sperlich Eric , Köckerling Martin
Published: May 2023

The crystal structure of the cluster complex salt, (C6H13N2)4[Nb6(NCS)6Cl12] or (H-DABCO)4[Nb6Cl12(NCS)6] (DABCO = triethylenediamine or 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane), comprises octahedral Nb6 cluster cores, which are μ2-coordinated by 12 chloride ligands (bridging the octahedral edges, inner ligand sphere). Furthermore, each Nb atom is N-bonded to a terminal thiocyanate ligand (outer ligand sphere). The discrete clusters carry a charge of −4, which is compensated by four monoprotonated DABCO molecules. These are arranged in rows, which are N—H...Cl and N—H...N hydrogen bonded to the anions and among each other.
Varied corrosion evolution behavior of pure Mg, AZ31 and AZ91 magnesium alloys in phosphate buffer solution
Authors: Li Mengmeng , Chen Jian , Sun Jingtao , Hao Long , Wu Di , Wang Jianqiu , Ke Wei
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the initial corrosion behavior of pure Mg, AZ31 and AZ91 alloys in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and to characterize the features in corrosion type and resistance of the corrosion product layer.

Design/methodology/approach

The scanning electron microscopy, equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy have been used to characterize the as-corroded samples. Besides, the Mg2+ concentration in PBSs has been determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrum.

Findings

It has been found that pure Mg suffers pit corrosion, and AZ31 initially undergoes pit corrosion and then uniform corrosion dominates with an extended immersion duration. However, AZ91 exhibits the uniform corrosion with the highest corrosion rate among the three materials. Besides, the corrosion product layer on AZ31 has the best compactness and corrosion resistance.

Originality/value

The findings add depth in understanding the corrosion of pure Mg and its alloys in PBS and also have guiding significance in exploring the effects by alloyed elements to develop new biomaterials with better performance.
What drives or inhibits consumers' preference to consume quietly?
Authors: Song Sigen , Wang Hengqin , Wang Cheng Lu
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Secret consumption refers to consumption of a product in a private situation, with the intent or behavior of hiding the consumption from others. This study contributes to the secret consumption literature by identifying the antecedents of secret consumption along with the explaining mechanism and boundary condition.

Design/methodology/approach

An online study with experiment design was conducted to examine the impact of extroversion/introversion, self-presentation and product scarcity on secrete consumption.

Findings

The results show that consumer extraverted disposition and the self-presentation motive negatively influence secret consumption intention and suggest this relationship is explained by the self-presentation need. The findings also revealed that perceived product scarcity attenuated the negative impact of extraversion and self-presentation on secret consumption intention.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide interesting insights into advertising and retailing. In recognizing that secret consumption is a prevalent phenomenon in consumer behavior that may improve actual consumer product evaluation and preference, retailers or brand managers may encourage consumers to consume secretly.

Originality/value

This empirical study is a first attempt to explore the antecedents, mediating mechanism and boundary condition of consumer intention to engage in secrete consumption. The findings of the study provide important implication to theoretical development and managerial applications in advertising and retailing.
How cultural leadership ideals shape entrepreneurship?
Authors: Aziz Miriam R. , Salloum Charbel
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories (CLTs), specifically the cultural assumptions regarding ideal leadership, on individual entrepreneurship within the context of Lebanese culture. This paper investigates the relationship between culture and entrepreneurship by incorporating cultural values such as uncertainty avoidance and in-group collectivism, cultural practices and two types of CLTs: self-protective and charismatic. By exploring these factors, this study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the role of culture in shaping entrepreneurial behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

As a fundamental quantitative research, this study used a snowball sampling method to collect primary data from 118 Lebanese entrepreneurs, avoiding selection biases. Three models were used, relevant to nascent entrepreneurship, new entrepreneurship and old entrepreneurship, and the data was analyzed using logistic regression analysis and likelihood ratio tests.

Findings

The findings indicate that there is a correlation between CLTs, cultural values and practices and individual entrepreneurship. However, this study did not find evidence of a causal relationship between cultural values and individual entrepreneurship through the mediating role of self-protective and charismatic CLTs.

Practical implications

The research findings shed light on the beneficial synergy between cultural leadership ideals and individual entrepreneurship in the Lebanese context, providing a closer and more productive approach to studying entrepreneurship and leadership. From a managerial standpoint, these results have important implications for promoting entrepreneurship among various stakeholders, including educators, policymakers and support organizations.

Originality/value

This study differs from previous research by examining a country that demonstrates high levels of entrepreneurial awareness and involvement despite its unstable political and economic conditions.
Examining high-performance work practices in academia: role of administrative workload and support staff
Authors: Aparna S.M. , Sahney Sangeeta
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The study aims to explore the effectiveness of performance-oriented practices like high-performance work practices (HPWPs) in higher education (HE), given its explicit focus on performance these days.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses hierarchical linear modeling using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 22.0) to test the hypotheses. An intertwined framework of the ability–motivation–opportunity (AMO) model and the job demand-resources (JD-R) model was proposed. The study considered strategic hiring, recognition and participatory decision-making as ability, motivation and opportunity-enhancing practices respectively. Further, the study addressed the impact of institutional level moderators, like administrative workload (AWL) and support staff (SS).

Findings

The findings based on the responses of 385 faculties and 443 students from 36 Indian institutes, indicated that HPWPs enhanced the education performance (EP) of HE institutes. Further, results revealed that both AWL and SS had differential effects on the relationship between HPWPs and EP. Contrary to authors’ expectations, SS showed a negative effect of the relationship between HPWPs and EP.

Research limitations/implications

The increased AWL was debilitating the beneficial effects HPWPs. The negative interaction effect of SS sheds light on the hidden issues surrounding SS in HE institutes. Based on findings, the study offered important theoretical and practical implications.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, the impact of innovative human resource (HR) practices in academia remains relatively under-researched, and the current study is an attempt to fill this void.
Critical incidents and supplier satisfaction - investigating tipping points in a seller’s market
Authors: Janssens Kim , Gelderman Cees J. , Petersen Jordy
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The main purpose of this research is exploring the tipping points for a radical shift in supplier (dis)satisfaction. This study identifies triggers and links them to consequences for the buyer–supplier relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The Critical Incident Technique (CIT) was used to interview Dutch supplier representatives in the infrastructure sector, resulting in rich descriptions of 29 critical incidents, extracting first-hand information.

Findings

Safety issues, technical disputes and recruitment of supplier’s technical staff have been identified as tipping points for suppliers to become dissatisfied. Implementing performance-based contracting is another critical incident that caused irritation and disappointment. On a more operational level, dissatisfaction was provoked by tender errors and price discussions with the buyer. This study also identified tipping points by which dissatisfied suppliers abruptly turned into satisfied suppliers. The effect of a solution-oriented buyer intervention appears to be most powerful if this behaviour transcends prior expectations.

Practical implications

Consequences of misunderstandings and discussion between supplier and buyer may be manageable or repairable, depending on the causes and triggers that influenced a supplier’s dissatisfaction. An early warning system could prove its worth, so that buyers are not faced with unpleasant surprises.

Originality/value

Despite the growing number of studies, processes of how antecedents lead to supplier (dis)satisfaction are not well understood. Antecedents are predominantly investigated by cross-sectional survey data, giving little insights into micro-processes and actual interaction between buyers and suppliers. Although CIT has been applied in many disciplines, the technique is hardly used within the context of purchasing and supply management research.
Against all odds: women's motivation to become STEM entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka
Authors: Adikaram Arosha , Razik Ruwaiha
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the motivations behind women in a developing South Asian country – Sri Lanka – to embark on entrepreneurship in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, which is a doubly masculine hegemony operating within a culturally nuanced gendered context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a qualitative research approach, conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 STEM women entrepreneurs, following the theoretical lenses of push and pull motivation theory and gender role theory.

Findings

Although the motivations of STEM women entrepreneurs cannot be exclusively categorized as either push or pull factors, the pull factors had a greater influence on the participants in motivating them to become entrepreneurs. The primary motivators for starting businesses in STEM were: inspiration from something or someone, inner calling, the identification of business opportunities, the need for flexibility, necessity and/or desire to help society. It was often difficult to identify one dominant motivator in many instances, as many factors were interlinked to motivate women to start a business. The study also revealed that gender ideologies could stifle the participants' motivation, while the inner need to break these gender ideologies implicitly stimulated their motivation.

Originality/value

The study contributes to and expands the knowledge of STEM women entrepreneurs in general and to the limited existing knowledge of STEM women entrepreneurs in developing countries specifically. The paper brings contextual novelty as Sri Lanka produces more female STEM graduates than men, which is unique compared to most other parts of the world.
Trade war, media tone and market reaction asymmetry
Authors: Zhang Wenjia , Du Julan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the impacts of Chinese media reporting strategy (media tone) on the market performance of US-trade-intensive firms vs non-US-trade-intensive firms and the effect of media tone on the occurrence of good and bad news.

Design/methodology/approach

News texts were retrieved from nine major financial/economic media outlets. Lexical analysis and event study have been adopted to examine the impact of different types of news during the US–China trade frictions on Chinese firms.

Findings

The results show that US-trade-intensive firms vs non-US-trade-intensive firms exhibited different reactions to media coverage. US-trade-intensive firms care more about the governmental attitudes toward the trade war and potential policy supports implied in the official media reports than non-US-trade-intensive firms do. The return-chasing behavior hypothesis is supported by US-trade-intensive investors, and this effect is further enhanced when multiple releases occur on the same day. A higher media tone combined with intensified media releases significantly increases the volatilities of both US-trade-intensive and non-US-trade-intensive firms.

Practical implications

Information provided by this study helps the regulatory authorities to formulate measures to enhance investor confidence and better optimize resource allocation.

Originality/value

This study investigates the asymmetric effect of media tone on US-trade-intensive firms vs non-US-trade-intensive firms, which has not been examined, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, in the existing literature.
Analysis and mapping of scientific literature on virtual and augmented reality technologies used in the context of mental health disorders (1980 – 2021)
Authors: Sweileh Waleed
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide a bibliometric analysis of global research publications on virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

The SciVerse Scopus database was used to retrieve relevant documents using a validated search strategy for the study period from 1980 to 2021.

Findings

In total, 1,233 research articles were found. Research in this field has experienced steep growth since 2017; was disseminated by journals in the fields of clinical psychology, neuroscience, psychiatry and computer sciences; was mainly carried out by scholars in high-income countries with advanced digital technology; has a relatively high number of authors per article but with a relatively poor cross-country research collaboration; was led by researchers and institutions mainly from the USA, Spain and Italy; and has received the highest number of citations for articles on anxiety and phobias.

Research limitations/implications

Bibliometric methodology is a useful tool for identifying evolution growth patterns and research hot topics in the use of emerging technologies in clinical practice. Research on implementing AR/VR technologies in medicine will be enhanced by strengthening international research collaboration. More research attention should be paid to new emerging technologies in the mental health field.

Practical implications

The use of VR/AR technologies became popular as an alternative to or adjunct to traditional therapy in mental health practice. The rapid increase in research publications in recent years suggested that AR and VR technologies were both acceptable and simple to use. A wide range of mental health disorders could be managed by AR/VR technologies. Training medical and nursing students on various new technologies is important to cope with the digital revolution.

Originality/value

Based on the volume and growth patterns of research publications, there is a promising future for the use of VR/AR technologies in the field of mental health. Teaching and training health-care professionals on the proper use of VR/AR are needed to support their potential future use.
Nurse leaders’ experiences of remote leadership in health care
Authors: Hurmekoski Minna , Häggman-Laitila Arja , Lammintakanen Johanna , Terkamo-Moisio Anja
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to describe nurse leaders’ experiences of remote leadership in health care sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Semistructured interviews were conducted among nurse leaders (N = 12) between January and March 2022. All of the interviewees had experiences of remote leadership and worked as immediate – (n = 5) or middle-level (n = 7) leaders in health care organizations across four provinces in Finland. The collected data were analyzed by inductive content analysis.

Findings

The leaders had experienced a rapid transition to remote leadership and highlighted the need for guidelines and joint discussions with different stakeholders. The interviewees felt that working life has changed in the last two years and that remote leadership will now be a key part of leadership in health care. The leaders’ experiences highlighted how important trust is in remote leadership. Furthermore, the interviewees pointed out a need for face-to-face contact and described other good practices for remote leadership. Overseeing work-related well-being was also stressed as important in the remote context; however, the interviewees expressed a need for instructions and tools concerning the management of employee well-being. The sudden change to remote leadership was not only described as interesting but also challenging, which has affected the leaders’ work-related well-being. Support – both from the organization and other employees – was found to be crucial to health care leaders’ work-related well-being.

Originality/value

The current study complements the little-researched topic of remote leadership in the health care sector. The results provide insights that can be used to develop remote leadership and/or guide future research.
How innovation tournaments promote makers' product innovation: economic or social incentives?
Authors: Xiao Ting , Yang Cai , Yang Zhi , Wang Xuan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Research on makers and innovation has been equivocal regarding whether maker innovation is driven by internal motivation or external incentives. The motivation view favors the intrinsic motives of makers, whereas the incentive view supports external economic incentives. The authors combine both views to explore how innovation tournaments promote the product innovation outcomes of different creative and entrepreneurial makers, using economic incentives (money) or social incentives (love).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed 42 makers and collected a panel dataset of 29,823 makers from the largest digital maker community in China using a Python crawling program. The authors analyzed the data using multiple methods, including cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, factor analysis and negative binomial regression.

Findings

Compared with entrepreneurial makers, the product productivity of creative makers is inferior, but their product popularity is greater. The social incentive of innovation tournaments promotes the product productivity and popularity of creative makers compared with that of entrepreneurial makers, but the economic incentive is contradictory. In addition, social and economic incentives interact to generate inconsistent influences.

Originality/value

The study identifies creative and entrepreneurial makers and contributes to user innovation and innovation tournaments by integrating motivation and incentive views.
Latin American agency: The New Development Bank, Uruguay's accession and Brazilian influence
Authors: Mendez Alvaro
Published: May 2023

This study provides insight into the current evolution of the New Development Bank (NDB). It examines the role of the agency of the global South reshaping intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) in the case of Brazil's influence on the NDB to expand its membership. In that process, this article homes in on the admission of Uruguay to the NDB as a prospective member in September 2021, the first case of NDB expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The study shows that the membership negotiations between Montevideo and the Bank were less rigid and formal than the procedural norms of multilateral development banks (MDBs) of the North, thanks to the collaborative agency by the various LAC actors involved. It makes the case that Uruguay's accession to the NDB will produce numerous win‐win benefits for both the country and the Bank. It also argues that the membership will inspire the future accession of other countries in the LAC region to the Bank. The study adds to the scant literature which conceptualizes the mechanics of membership expansion by small or new IGOs. The piece also adds to existing studies investigating how LAC agency has previously shaped and continues to shape MDBs.
Tumor‐derived exosomal miR‐148b‐3p mediates M2 macrophage polarization via TSC2/mTORC1 to promote breast cancer migration and invasion
Authors: Hao Chong , Sheng Zhimei , Wang Wenhao , Feng Ruijun , Zheng Yuanhang , Xiao Qinpei , Zhang Baogang
Published: May 2023

Background

Emerging evidence has revealed that tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) and exosomes play a crucial role in the microenvironment for tumor growth. However, the mechanisms through which exosomal miRNAs modulate TAMs and tumor development in breast cancer are not fully understood.

Methods

We constructed a macrophage model and an indirect coculture system consist of breast cancer cells and macrophages. Exosomes were isolated from BC cells culture supernatant and identified by transmission electron microscopy, Western blot and Nanosight LM10 system. The expression of miR‐148b‐3p in exosomes was determined by qRT‐PCR and the effect of exosomal miR‐148b‐3p on macrophage polarization was measured using qRT‐PCR and ELISA. The proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells were estimated by EdU, wound healing assay and transwell assay. We employed bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assay and Western blot to identify the target gene of miR‐148b‐3p. Western blot was used to clarify the mechanism of exosomal miR‐148b‐3p mediated the crosstalk between BC cells and M2 macrophages.

Results

Cancer‐derived exosomes could induce M2 polarization of macrophages, which promoted the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. We found that exosomal miR‐148b‐3p was overexpressed in breast cancer cell‐derived exosomes and correlated with lymph node metastasis, late tumor stage and worse prognosis. Upregulated miR‐148b‐3p expression in exosomes modulated macrophage polarization by targeting TSC2, which promoted the proliferation and might affect migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Interestingly, we found that exosomal miR‐148b‐3p could induce M2 macrophage polarization via the TSC2/mTORC1 signaling pathway in breast cancer.

Conclusion

Overall, our study elucidated that miR‐148b‐3p could be transported by exosomes from breast cancer cells to surrounding macrophages and induced M2 polarization by targeting TSC2, providing novel insights for breast cancer therapy.
Male infants are at higher risk of neonatal mortality and severe morbidity
Authors: Wong Cynthia , Schreiber Veronika , Crawford Kylie , Kumar Sailesh
Published: May 2023

Background

While a male infant is usually born with a higher birthweight than his female counterpart, he is more at risk of variety of adverse perinatal outcomes. Indeed, throughout life, females exhibit a marked survival advantage compared to males. The aetiology for such pertinent sex disparity remains unclear and is likely multifactorial.

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate obstetric and perinatal outcomes by infant sex from 28 weeks in a contemporary, large Australian birth cohort.

Materials and Methods

A 14‐year retrospective cohort study of 130 133 births over 28 weeks gestation from a single tertiary centre.

Results

Male infants had overall higher rates of neonatal mortality (0.12% vs 0.06%, P < 0.001) and severe neonatal morbidity (12% vs 9.1%, P < 0.001) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.41, 95% CI 1.35–1.47). The odds of overall perinatal mortality (stillbirth and neonatal death) were higher for male infants (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.08–1.56). The difference in severe neonatal morbidity when stratified by gestational age at birth only remained significant from >35 weeks gestation. Regardless of infant sex, rates of neonatal mortality and morbidity were lowest at 39 weeks gestation. Rates of preterm birth and operative birth were also higher for male infants.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates significant disparities in clinical outcomes by infant sex with males at a disadvantage to female infants.
Development, validation, and reliability of a measurement scale for investigating the principle of intercooperation
Authors: de Sousa Pedro Henrique Rodrigues , Reyes Junior Edgar , del Corte Lora Víctor
Published: May 2023

The present study aims to develop and validate a measurement scale for investigating the principle of intercooperation, in order to provide researchers in the field of cooperativism with a valid and reliable measure. To this end, four main steps were followed: conceptual mastery, theoretical validation, semantic validation, and statistical validation. First, a preliminary scale was developed based on a literature review and interviews with 20 representatives of cooperatives and representative organizations. Later, the evaluation was carried out by eight academic judges and analyzed using the Content Validity Coefficient. A pre‐test was then carried out with subjects from the population, and subsequently the scale was applied to a sample of 213 cooperatives. Finally, factor analysis was performed with the aim of evaluating convergent and factorial validity as well as individual and construct reliability. Thus, it is proposed that the principle of intercooperation be measured by two different scales. The first, called “Horizontal Intercooperation”, presented a Composite Reliability equal to 0.81 and Average Variance Extracted equal to 0.68. The second, called “Vertical Intercooperation”, presented a Composite Reliability equal to 0.96 and Average Variance Extracted equal to 0.69. After the analyses, the proposed intercooperation scales showed signs of validity and reliability.
Obinutuzumab‐induced acute thrombocytopenia: Report of two cases and review of literature
Authors: Mechelfekh Yaquine , Pontrucher Audrey , Paillassa Jérôme , Temple Marie , Houot Roch
Published: May 2023

Obinutuzumab (GA101) is a humanized anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of B‐cell malignancies. Under rare occasions, obinutuzumab may induce acute and severe thrombocytopenia. However, little is known about this side effect, referred to as “obinutuzumab‐induced acute thrombocytopenia” (OIAT). Here, we report 2 cases of OIAT and review the literature to inform the management and outcome of this rare but life‐threatening complication. The first case is a 74 year‐ old woman who was treated with obinutuzumab‐Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisone (CVP) for a previously untreated follicular lymphoma. This patient experienced an acute thrombocytopenia with a drop in her platelet count from 376 G/L to 3 G/L the day after treatment. The second case is a 44 year‐ old woman who was treated with obinutuzumab as a pre‐treatment dose (day‐8) before glofitamab infusion as a 4th line therapy for mantle cell lymphoma. This patient experienced an acute thrombocytopenia with a drop in her platelet count from 76 G/L (due to splenomegaly and bone marrow involvement) to 3 G/L the day after treatment. OIAT is a rare but life‐threatening complication. Physicians should be aware of this adverse event to optimally detect and treat this complication.
The clinical and molecular spectrum of ETV6 mutated myeloid neoplasms
Authors: Gurney Mark , Chekkaf Ismahene , Baranwal Anmol , Basmaci Rami , Katamesh Bahga , Greipp Patricia , Foran James M. , Badar Talha , Mangaonkar Abhishek A. , Begna Kebede H. , Gangat Naseema , Patnaik Mrinal M. , Litzow Mark R. , Shah Mithun V. , Viswanatha David S. , He Rong , Alkhateeb Hassan B. , Al‐Kali Aref
Published: May 2023

ETV6 mutations are rare but recurrent somatic events in myeloid neoplasms and are negatively prognostic in myelodysplastic syndrome. We set out to examine the clinical and molecular characteristics of patients undergoing investigation for myeloid neoplasms, found to have deleterious ETV6 mutations. ETV6 mutations occurred in 33 of 5793 (0.6%) cases investigated and predominantly in high‐risk disease entities including MDS with increased blasts, primary myelofibrosis and AML, myelodysplasia‐related. In three cases, isolated iso (17q) karyotype was concurrently detected, an otherwise rare karyotype in myeloid neoplasms. ETV6 mutations were frequently subclonal and never occurred as an isolated abnormality with ASXL1 (n = 22, 75%), SRSF2 (n = 14, 42%) and SETBP1 (n = 11, 33%) the predominant co‐mutations. Restricting to patients with MDS, higher rates of ASXL1, SETBP1, RUNX1 and U2AF1 mutations occurred in ETV6 mutated cases, relative to a consecutive control cohort with wild‐type ETV6. The median OS of the cohort was 17.5 months. This report highlights the clinical and molecular associations of somatic ETV6 mutations in myeloid neoplasms, suggests their occurrence as a later event, and proposes further translational research questions for their role in myeloid neoplasia.
The adiponectin receptor agonist AdipoAI attenuates periodontitis in diabetic rats by inhibiting gingival fibroblast‐induced macrophage migration
Authors: Qiu Wei , Wang Zhaodan , Chen Zehao , Sun Qian , Wu Hongle , Chen Zhao , Luan Kaiqi , Liu Zining , Ding Dian , Tu Qisheng , Chen Jake , Wu Buling , Fang Fuchun
Published: May 2023

Background and Purpose

Low‐grade inflammation, a common feature of both diabetes and periodontitis, partly accounts for the complexity and refractoriness of diabetes‐associated periodontitis. Adiponectin (APN), the most abundant adipokine in human blood, has been widely reported to have anti‐inflammatory functions. Herein, we investigated the ability of an APN receptor agonist, AdipoAI, to alleviate diabetes‐associated periodontitis. Furthermore, we revealed the possible mechanism underlying its anti‐inflammatory effects.

Experimental Approach

The maxillary first molar of Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats was ligated to construct a diabetes‐associated periodontitis model, and rats were administered AdipoAI by gavage. We examined diabetes‐related indexes, pathological changes in insulin target organs, alveolar bone resorption and systemic and local inflammation. In vitro, transwell assays were used to evaluate monocyte/macrophage migration induced by human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) with/without AdipoAI treatment. Additionally, we examined chemokine expression levels in hGFs and hGF‐induced monocyte/macrophage migration upon siRNA knockdown of Adiponectin receptor expression. Expression of Adipo1/Adipo2 receptors and inflammation‐related signalling pathways were examined by IHC and WB, followed by confirmation with an NF‐κB P65 inhibitor (BAY 11‐7082).

Key Results

AdipoAI lowered fasting blood glucose and serum insulin in ZDF rats and alleviated inflammation in insulin target tissues. Locally, AdipoAI reduced alveolar bone absorption and gingival inflammation. Mechanistically, AdipoAI inhibited hGF‐induced monocyte/macrophage migration by reducing CCL2 secretion. In hGFs, AdipoAI attenuated LPS‐induced activation of NF‐κB P65 and CCL2 expression, which was dependent on the Adipo receptor 1.

Conclusion and Implications

AdipoAI, with its ability to alleviate inflammatory damage in tissues, is a candidate for diabetes‐associated periodontitis treatment.
The multiple roles of media use within the family system during lockdown: A thematic analysis of parental reports from the UK
Authors: Galpin Adam , Bidgood Amy , Taylor Gemma
Published: May 2023

Children's media use increased during the COVID‐19 lockdowns. Here, we present a thematic analysis of online survey responses from 69 parents (of children aged 0–11 years) who described their family media use after the first UK lockdown. Data highlight an increased reliance on media use driven by the challenges of managing time, work, leisure and social connection. Parents reported the additional work of regulating family media use amidst concerns about harmful effects. We draw on an ecological systems approach to discuss how the role of media in family functioning is determined by societal institutions and discourses around parenting and screens.
Downregulation of ciRNA‐Kat6b in dorsal spinal horn is required for neuropathic pain by regulating Kcnk1 in miRNA‐26a‐dependent manner
Authors: Xie Ling , Zhang Ming , Liu Qiaoqiao , Wei Runa , Sun Menglan , Zhang Qi , Hao Lingyun , Xue Zhouya , Wang Qihui , Yang Li , Wang Hongjun , Pan Zhiqiang
Published: May 2023

Aims

Nerve injury‐induced maladaptive changes in gene expression in the spinal neurons are essential for neuropathic pain genesis. Circular RNAs (ciRNA) are emerging as key regulators of gene expression. Here, we identified a nervous‐system‐tissues‐specific ciRNA‐Kat6 with conservation in humans and mice. We aimed to investigate whether and how spinal dorsal horn ciRNA‐Kat6b participates in neuropathic pain.

Methods

Unilateral sciatic nerve chronic constrictive injury (CCI) surgery was used to prepare the neuropathic pain model. The differentially expressed ciRNAs were obtained by RNA‐Sequencing. The identification of nervous‐system‐tissues specificity of ciRNA‐Kat6b and the measurement of ciRNA‐Kat6b and microRNA‐26a (miRNA‐26a) expression level were carried out by quantitative RT‐PCR. The ciRNA‐Kat6b that targets miRNA‐26a and miRNA‐26a that targets Kcnk1 were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified by in vitro luciferase reports test and in vivo experiments including Western‐blot, immunofluorescence, and RNA–RNA immunoprecipitation. The correlation between neuropathic pain and ciRNA‐Kat6b, miRNA‐26a, or Kcnk1 was examined by the hypersensitivity response to heat and mechanical stimulus.

Results

Peripheral nerve injury downregulated ciRNA‐Kat6b in the dorsal spinal horn of male mice. Rescuing this downregulation blocked nerve injury‐induced increase of miRNA‐26a, reversed the miRNA‐26a‐triggered decrease of potassium channel Kcnk1, a key neuropathic pain player, in the dorsal horn, and alleviates CCI‐induced pain hypersensitivities. On the contrary, mimicking this downregulation increased the miRNA‐26a level and decreased Kcnk1 in the spinal cord, resulting in neuropathic pain‐like syndrome in naïve mice. Mechanistically, the downregulation of ciRNA‐Kat6b reduced the accounts of miRNA‐26a binding to ciRNA‐Kat6b, and elevated the binding accounts of miRNA‐26a to the 3′ untranslated region of Kcnk1 mRNA and degeneration of Kcnk1 mRNA, triggering in the reduction of KCNK1 protein in the dorsal horn of neuropathic pain mice.

Conclusion

The ciRNA‐Kat6b/miRNA‐26a/Kcnk1 pathway in dorsal horn neurons regulates the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain, ciRNA‐Kat6b may be a potential new target for analgesic and treatment strategies.
Super‐high procoagulant activity of gecko thrombin: A gift from sky dragon
Authors: Liang Hao , Zhang Xingyuan , Hou Yuxuan , Zheng Kang , Hao Huifei , He Bingqiang , Li Hui , Sun Chunshuai , Yang Ting , Song Honghua , Cai Rixin , Wang Yingjie , Jiang Haiyan , Qi Lei , Wang Yongjun
Published: May 2023

Aims

Gecko, the “sky dragon” named by Traditional Chinese Medicine, undergoes rapid coagulation and scarless regeneration following tail amputation in the natural ecology, providing a perfect opportunity to develop the efficient and safe drug for blood clotting. Here, gecko thrombin (gthrombin) was recombinantly prepared and comparatively studied on its procoagulant activity.

Methods

The 3D structure of gthrombin was constructed using the homology modeling method of I‐TASSER. The active gthrombin was prepared by the expression of gecko prethrombin‐2 in 293 T cells, followed by purification with Ni2+‐chelating column chromatography prior to activation by snake venom‐derived Ecarin. The enzymatic activities of gthrombin were assayed by hydrolysis of synthetic substrate S‐2238 and the fibrinogen clotting. The vulnerable nerve cells were used to evaluate the toxicity of gthrombin at molecular and cellular levels.

Results

The active recombinant gthrombin showed super‐high catalytic and fibrinogenolytic efficiency than those of human under different temperatures and pH conditions. In addition, gthrombin made nontoxic effects on the central nerve cells including neurons, contrary to those of mammalian counterparts, which contribute to neuronal damage, astrogliosis, and demyelination.

Conclusions

A super‐high activity but safe procoagulant candidate drug was identified from reptiles, which provided a promising perspective for clinical application in rapid blood clotting.