bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vaping in a Time of Pandemics: Risk Perception and Motivations for Electronic Cigarette Use
Authors: Yang Xiaozhao Yousef , Kelly Brian C , Pawson Mark , Vuolo Michael
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Prior studies on the association between the intensity of and motives for vaping e-cigarettes have highlighted the psychological dynamics of motivational changes, but less about how vaping motives may shift as a function of risk perceptions exacerbated by unanticipated events. This study frames the COVID-19 pandemic as an exacerbating threat to pulmonary health, and tests how e-cigarette users’ risk perceptions of COVID-19 are related to different motives for vaping and ultimately the intensity of e-cigarette use.

Aims and Methods

An online survey of e-cigarette users in the United States (n = 562) was conducted during April 2020 when much of the United States was under “lockdown” conditions. We distinguished three types of vaping motives (health, socialization, and dependence) and established the classification with confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modeling was conducted for path analyses and mediation tests.

Results

All three vaping motives were significantly associated with greater use intensity. A heightened risk perception of e-cigarette users’ vulnerability to COVID-19 was inversely associated with use intensity (−.18, p < .01) and health motives for vaping (−.27, p < .001), but not associated with socialization and dependence motivations. Health motives for vaping mediated 35% of the association between COVID-19 risk perceptions and use intensity.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that risk perceptions of exacerbated threats may reduce e-cigarette use directly, and also indirectly through shifting certain types of motivations for vaping. Beyond elucidating the relational dynamics between vaping psychology and health risks, these results also indicate health professionals may leverage the pandemic to promote nicotine cessation or reduced use.

Implication

Little is known about how vaping motives shift after unanticipated events such as pandemics. This study contributes to knowledge of how the use of e-cigarettes is motivated by different dimensions of rationales and exogenous risks. Exploiting the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, we found risk perceptions are associated with the intensity of e-cigarette use indirectly specifically through health motivations. Risk perceptions are not associated with socialization and dependence motives for vaping.
Factors That Influence the Clinical Implementation of Aerobic Exercise in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Theory-Informed Qualitative Study
Authors: Inness Elizabeth L , Jagroop David , Andreoli Angie , Bayley Mark , Biasin Louis , Danells Cynthia , Hall Jayne , Mansfield Avril , McDonald Alison , Nishri Diane , Salbach Nancy M , Taylor Denise , Wong Karl , Tang Ada
Published: February 2022

Objective

Best practice guidelines recommend that aerobic exercise (AEx) be implemented as early as possible poststroke, yet the prescription of AEx remains limited in stroke rehabilitation settings. This study used theoretical frameworks to obtain an in-depth understanding of barriers and enablers to AEx implementation in the stroke rehabilitation setting.

Methods

A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted. Participants were recruited from 4 stroke rehabilitation settings in Ontario, Canada, that have participated in an implementation study to provide structured AEx programming as part of standard care. Six clinician focus groups (with 19 physical therapists and 5 rehabilitation assistants) and one-to-one interviews with 7 managers and 1 physician were conducted to explore barriers and enablers to AEx implementation. The Theoretical Domains Framework and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research informed content analysis for clinician and manager perspectives, respectively.

Results

Barriers specific to resource constraints and health care system pressures, combined with patient goals, led to interventions to improve function being prioritized over AEx. Successful implementation was enabled through an interprofessional approach and team engagement in the planning and implementation process. Health care providers described concerns about patient safety, but confidence and capability for implementing AEx were enabled by education, skill development, use of exercise tests, and consultation with individuals with content expertise. Participants described the development of supportive processes that enabled AEx implementation within team workflows and shared resources.

Conclusion

Strategies to support implementation of AEx in stroke rehabilitation should incorporate knowledge and skills, the provision of clinical decision-making tools, access to expert consultation, the roles and social influence of the interprofessional team and formal and informal leaders, and supportive processes adapted to the local context.

Impact

Results from this study will inform the development of a clinical implementation toolkit to support clinical uptake of AEx in the stroke rehabilitation setting.
Hurdles to the Adoption of Gene Therapy as a Curative Option for Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia
Authors: Thuret Isabelle , Ruggeri Annalisa , Angelucci Emanuele , Chabannon Christian
Published: February 2022

Beta-thalassemia is one of the most common monogenic disorders. Standard treatment of the most severe forms, i.e., transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) with long-term transfusion and iron chelation, represents a considerable medical, psychological, and economic burden. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from an HLA-identical donor is a curative treatment with excellent results in children. Recently, several gene therapy approaches were evaluated in academia or industry-sponsored clinical trials as alternative curative options for children and young adults without an HLA-identical donor. Gene therapy by addition of a functional beta-globin gene using self-inactivating lentiviral vectors in autologous stem cells resulted in transfusion independence for a majority of TDT patients across different age groups and genotypes, with a current follow-up of multiple years. More recently, promising results were reported in TDT patients treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cells edited with the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 technology targeting erythroid BCL11A expression, a key regulator of the normal switch from fetal to adult globin production. Patients achieved high levels of fetal hemoglobin allowing for discontinuation of transfusions. Despite remarkable clinical efficacy, 2 major hurdles to gene therapy access for TDT patients materialized in 2021: (1) a risk of secondary hematological malignancies that is complex and multifactorial in origin and not limited to the risk of insertional mutagenesis, (2) the cost—even in high-income countries—is leading to the arrest of commercialization in Europe of the first gene therapy medicinal product indicated for TDT despite conditional approval by the European Medicines Agency.
Surgical rib fixation in traumatic rib fractures: is it warranted?
Authors: Doben Andrew R. , Schubl Sebastian D. , Dudaryk Roman
Published: February 2022

Purpose of review

Traumatic chest wall injuries and rib fractures remain a prevalent injury. Despite many advances, these injuries result in high morbidity and mortality. Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is increasing in utilization with expanding indications. Recent studies have demonstrated that many patients may benefit from surgical intervention.

Recent findings

Over the past 20 years the indications and timing of SSRF has evolved. Once reserved mainly for the most extreme of injuries, expanding indications demonstrate that even minimally injured patients may benefit from intervention regarding pain control, respiratory complications, and overall mortality.

SSRF has become more prevalent with improving outcomes for patients. Understanding the indications will help expand utilization and improve patient outcomes.
Impaired Microvascular Function in Patients With Critical COVID-19
Authors: Gille-Johnson Patrik , Kessler Irene , Tehrani Sara
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVES:

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 is characterized by infected microvascular endothelial cells. The primary aim of this study was to investigate microvascular function in patients with critical coronavirus disease 2019.

DESIGN:

A prospective observational study was conducted in which patients with critical and severe COVID-19 were investigated during acute disease phase and at least 3 months after disease onset.

SETTING:

Single-center study at Danderyd University Hospital.

PATIENTS:

Twenty-three patients with critical coronavirus disease 2019 treated with noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, seven patients with severe COVID-19 with dyspnea or need of oxygen supply up to 8 L/min, and 15 noncoronavirus disease controls.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS:

Skin perfusion was investigated through laser speckle contrast imaging before and after iontophoresis of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside for determination of the endothelial-dependent and the endothelial-independent vasodilation, respectively.

MAIN RESULTS:

Patients with critical COVID-19 had higher basal skin perfusion during both the acute (34 ± 9 perfusion unit; p = 0.0003) and the postinfectious phase (29 ± 8 perfusion unit; p = 0.04), compared with noncoronavirus disease controls (23 ± 7 perfusion unit). In addition, endothelial-dependent and endothelial-independent vasodilation were reduced in patients with critical COVID-19 during the acute disease phase (p < 0.001 for both), whereas no significant differences between patients and controls were found during the postinfectious phase. In patients with severe COVID-19, basal skin perfusion and endothelial-dependent vasodilatation were not significantly changed, whereas endothelial-independent vasodilatation was reduced (p = 0.02) compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS:

Changes in skin microcirculation in patients with critical COVID-19 indicate that the infection induces a systemic microvascular impairment with persisting long-term effects on the microvascular function.
New Psychoactive Substances: Which Biological Matrix Is the Best for Clinical Toxicology Screening?
Authors: Wagmann Lea , Jacobs Cathy M. , Meyer Markus R.
Published: February 2022

Background:

Every year, more new psychoactive substances (NPSs) emerge in the market of the drugs of abuse. NPSs belong to various chemical classes, such as synthetic cannabinoids, phenethylamines, opioids, and benzodiazepines. The detection of NPSs intake using different types of biological matrices is challenging for clinical toxicologists because of their structural diversity and the lack of information on their toxicokinetics, including their metabolic fate.

Methods:

PubMed-listed articles reporting mass spectrometry–based bioanalytical approaches for NPSs detection published during the past 5 years were identified and discussed. Furthermore, the pros and cons of using common biological matrices in clinical toxicology (CT) settings to screen for NPSs are highlighted in this review article.

Results:

Twenty-six articles presenting multianalyte screening methods for use in the field of CT were considered. The advantages and disadvantages of different biological matrices are discussed with a particular view of the different analytical tasks in CT, especially emergency toxicology. Finally, an outlook introduces the emerging trends in biosamples used in CT, such as the exhaled breath.

Conclusions:

Blood and urine represent the most common biological matrices used in a CT setting; however, reports concerning NPSs detection in alternative matrices are also available. Noteworthy, the selection of the biological matrix must depend on the clinician's enquiry because the individual advantages and disadvantages must be considered.
Update on the molecular landscape of thoracic aortic aneurysmal disease
Authors: Luyckx Ilse , Callejon Irene Valdivia , Buccioli Lucia , Loeys Bart
Published: February 2022

Purpose of the review

Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAADs) are a major health problem in the Western population. This review summarises recent discoveries in the genetic landscape of TAAD disease, discusses current challenges in clinical practice, and describes the molecular road ahead in TAAD research. Disorders, in which aneurysmal disease is not observed in the thoracic aorta, are not discussed.

Recent findings

Current gene discovery studies have pinpointed about 40 genes associated with TAAD risk, accounting for about 30% of the patients. Importantly, novel genes, and their subsequent functional characterisation, have expanded the knowledge on disease-related pathways providing crucial information on key elements in this disease, and it pinpoints new therapeutic targets. Moreover, current molecular evidence also suggests the existence of less monogenic nature of TAAD disease, in which the presentation of a diseased patient is most likely influenced by a multitude of genetic and environmental factors.

Summary (clinical practice/relevance)

Ongoing molecular genetic research continues to expand our understanding on the pathomechanisms underlying TAAD disease in order to improve molecular diagnosis, optimise risk stratification, advance therapeutic strategies and facilitate counselling of TAAD patients and their families.
REGIONAL POPULATION MOBILITY AND OUTPATIENT RETINA VISITS IN THE UNITED STATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Soares Rebecca R. , Huang Charles , Boucher Nick , Aggarwal Nitika , Fernando Rusirini , Hinkle John , DeSimone Joseph , Cai Louis , Patel Samir N. , Xu David , Kuriyan Ajay E. , Yonekawa Yoshihiro
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

To characterize how community mobility patterns across the United States correlate with local changes in retina visits during the pandemic.

Methods:

Outpatient retina clinic visits were linked to population mobility by combining multiple public data sets, including the Google Community Mobility Reports and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Infection. Percentage change from baseline in daily-average number of retina visits by county and mobility were measured by county.

Results:

A total of 2,159,689 patient visits were examined across 332 counties. Daily-average retina visits decreased by 7.0%, 19.0%, 5.0%, and 4.0% from Quarter 1 to 4 of 2020. This decrease was negatively correlated with increased incident of COVID-19 deaths for Quarters 1 to 3 (r = −0.13, r = −0.16, and r = −0.15, respectively, P < 0.001) and increased incident cases for Quarters 1 and 2 (r = −0.18, r = −0.13, respectively, P < 0.001). Daily-average retina visits relative to baseline were significantly lower for metropolitan counties in Quarters 1 and 2, compared with urban and rural (P < 0.001). The decline in retina visits had greatest association with decline in workplace visits in Quarters 1 to 3 (r = 0.27, r = 0.09, r = 0.12, respectively, P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusion:

This study provides insight into how regional mobility patterns may help to explain and predict patient behaviors and retina outpatient visit responses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Relationship Between Adaptation to Disease and Self-care Agency Levels in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Bayram Aysun , Yurttaş Afife
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. The patients with MS have some difficulties in physical, social, and psychological functions. This study was carried out to determine the relationship between the adaptation levels of patients with MS to the disease and their self-care agency levels. METHODS: This study used a descriptive design and was carried out in a university hospital's neurology clinic and outpatient clinic between July 2019 and March 2020. The sample size was determined as 258 using the known universe sampling method. Data were collected using the “Adaptation to Chronic Illness Scale,” the “Self-Care Agency Scale,” and a “Patient Identification Form.” Spearmen correlation analysis was used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients participating in the study was 41.36 (0.74) years, 74% of them had MS for more than 3 years, 58% had their last attack more than a year ago, and 27% had balance problems. The adaptation levels of patients to the disease (76.79 [0.57]) and their self-care agency (88.42 [1.34]) were slightly higher than the moderate level. A moderate-level, significant, and positive correlation was found between the adaptation level of the patients to the chronic illness and their self-care agency levels (r = 0.310, P = .000). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that there was a moderate-level, significant, and positive correlation between the patients' level of adaptation to MS disease and the level of their self-care agency. We recommend the provision of supportive professional training to patients with MS on their disease.
COVID-19 Telehealth Fair Partnership for Capacity Building in Primary Care Nursing
Authors: Shirey Maria R. , Bruck Meg , Patton Emily , Bowers Deborah , Watts Penni I.
Published: February 2022

Telehealth in health care delivery grew exponentially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth occurred because of necessity, yet requires capacity building to maximize the technology's use. In this article, we discuss the development, implementation, and evaluation of a telehealth fair to build capacity in the use of telehealth technology within primary care nursing. The telehealth fair consisted of didactic and simulation components. Undergraduate and graduate nursing students completed the telehealth fair supported by a team of 12 nursing faculty and 6 clinical partner sites. Findings suggest statistically significant increases in student self-assessment of knowledge in telehealth, self-confidence in the use of telehealth, and readiness in the use of telehealth technology. Participant satisfaction following completion of the telehealth fair was high, with average scores of 4.2 to 4.58 (out of 5) for the didactic and 4.57 to 4.86 for the simulation components. The telehealth fair provided an invaluable opportunity for participants to enhance their learning relative to telehealth within primary care nursing. The experience also provided an opportunity for students to gain clinical hours during a pandemic when clinical placements in the community were limited. The experience also enhanced telehealth practice readiness of nursing students entering the workforce.
Increased 68Ga-FAPI Uptake in Active Atherosclerotic Plaque
Authors: Hu Zhi , Yang Xiao , You Zhouxiang , Chen Yue , Liu Huipan
Published: February 2022

A 67-year-old man with esophageal cancer was included in a clinical trial of a 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT study on tumors (ChiCTR2100044131). Increased tracer uptake was noted in the esophageal cancer with esophagitis. In addition, active coronary atherosclerotic plaque also revealed increased FAPI activity.
Improving functional recovery after severe spinal cord injury by a noninvasive dual functional approach of neuroprotection and neuromodulation
Authors: Zuo Yanming , Ye Jingjia , Cai Wanxiong , Guo Binjie , Chen Xiangfeng , Lin Lingmin , Jin Shuang , Zheng Hanyu , Fang Ao , Qian Xingran , Abdelrahman Zeinab , Wang Zhiping , Zhang Zhipeng , Yu Bin , Gu Xiaosong , Wang Xuhua
Published: February 2022

Despite tremendous unmet medical needs, there is no effective pharmacological treatment to promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Although multiple pathological events have been implicated in SCI, the development of a noninvasive pharmacological approach to simultaneously target the different mechanisms involved in SCI remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we report the development of a noninvasive nanodrug delivery system that consists of ROS-responsive amphiphilic copolymers and an encapsulated neurotransmitter-conjugated KCC2 agonist. We show that upon intravenous administration, the nanodrugs were able to enter the injured spinal cord due to blood spinal cord barrier disruption and ROS-responsive disassembly. Remarkably, once in the injured spinal cord, these nanodrugs exhibited dual functions: scavenging ROS accumulated in the lesion to protect spared connections and increasing neuronal excitability in the injured spinal cord through targeted delivery of the KCC2 agonist to inhibitory neurons. Thus, the noninvasive treatment led to significant functional recovery in the rats with contusive SCI. Together, these findings provide a much-needed translational pharmacological approach for treating severe SCI.
A Simple and Reproducible In-Vivo Rabbit Phonation Model for Glottic Insufficiency
Authors: Swift William M. , Churnin Ian T. , Hamdi Osama A. , Strumpf Andrew M. , Koehn Heather A. , Cottler Patrick S. , Daniero James J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Glottic insufficiency can result from neurologic injury, surgery, radiation, and the aging larynx. Treatment includes voice therapy, vocal fold injection augmentation, surgical medialization, or laryngeal reinnervation procedures. The objective of this study is to describe an in-vivo rabbit phonation model for glottic insufficiency that is simple and reproducible by means of unilateral cricothyroid muscle stimulation and high-speed video recordings of evoked phonation.

Methods

A non-randomized controlled trial utilizing seven New Zealand white rabbits was performed via a single operation including evoked phonation with bilateral and unilateral cricothyroid muscle stimulation conditions. The effect of stimulation method on glottic cycle, pitch and loudness was compared. Endoscopic recordings using 5,000 frames-per-second image capture technology and audiologic recordings were obtained for all phonation conditions. Primary outcome measures included means of maximum glottal area (MGA)/length pixel ratio, right and left amplitude/length pixel ratios, calculated cycle frequency, auditory recorded frequency, and maximum auditory intensity. Measurements were obtained via pixel counts using imageJ. Paired t-tests compared the average values obtained over five consecutive glottic cycles for each unilateral and bilateral stimulation during evoked phonation.

Results

Mean (median, IQR) MGA/length was significantly greater with unilateral, 20.30 (19.13, 10.97), vs bilateral, 9.62 (8.33, 2.58), stimulation (p=0.043). Mean frequency (median, IQR), 683.46 Hz (658.5, 197.1) vs 479.92 Hz (458.1, 112); (p=0.027) and mean maximum intensity, 83.5 dB (83.5, 1) vs 76.3 dB (74.5, 4); (p=0.013) were significantly reduced from bilateral to unilateral stimulation. There was no significant difference of mean right amplitude/length between bilateral and unilateral.

Conclusion

The described model demonstrates a simple and reproducible means of producing glottic insufficiency and represents a pathway for better understanding the biomechanics and pathophysiology of glottic insufficiency and offers the potential to compare treatment modalities through in-vivo study.
Urinary single-cell sequencing captures intrarenal injury and repair processes in human acute kidney injury
Authors: Klocke Jan , Kim Seung Joon , Skopnik Christopher M. , Hinze Christian , Boltengagen Anastasiya , Metzke Diana , Grothgar Emil , Prskalo Luka , Wagner Leonie , Freund Paul , Görlich Nina , Muench Frédéric , Schmidt-Ott Kai M. , Mashreghi Mir-Farzin , Kocks Christine , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Rajewsky Nikolaus , Enghard Philipp
Published: February 2022

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major health issue, the outcome of which depends primarily on damage and reparative processes of tubular epithelial cells (TEC). Mechanisms underlying AKI remain incompletely understood, specific therapies are lacking and monitoring the course of AKI in clinical routine is confined to measuring urine output and plasma levels of filtration markers.

Here we demonstrate feasibility and potential of a novel approach to assess the cellular and molecular dynamics of AKI by establishing a robust urine-to-single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) pipeline for excreted kidney cells via flow cytometry sorting. We analyzed 42,608 single cell transcriptomes of 40 urine samples from 32 AKI patients and compared our data with reference material from human AKI post-mortem biopsies and published mouse data. We demonstrate that TEC transcriptomes mirror intrarenal pathology and reflect distinct injury and repair processes, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue rearrangement. We also describe an AKI-specific abundant urinary excretion of progenitorlike cells.

In conclusion, single cell transcriptomics of kidney cells excreted in urine provides non-invasive, unprecedented insight into cellular processes underlying AKI, thereby opening novel opportunities for target identification, AKI sub-categorization and monitoring of natural disease course and interventions.

Graphical abstract
Extension of bacterial rDNA sequencing to concurrent epigenetic analysis and its application to 16S meta-epigenetics
Authors: Nishimura Motoi , Tanaka Tomoaki , Murata Syota , Miyabe Akiko , Ishige Takayuki , Kawasaki Kenji , Yokoyama Masataka , Tojo-Nishimura Satomi , Matsushita Kazuyuki
Published: February 2022

Although polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of the 16S rDNA region has been used in a wide range of scientific fields, it does not provide DNA methylation information. We describe a simple add-on method to investigate 5-methylcytosine residues in the bacterial 16S rDNA region from clinical samples or flora. Single-stranded bacterial DNA after bisulfite conversion was preferentially amplified with multiple displacement amplification (MDA) at pH neutral, and the 16S rDNA region was analyzed using nested bisulfite PCR and sequencing. 16S rDNA bisulfite sequencing can provide clinically important bacterial DNA methylation status concurrently with intact 16S rDNA sequence information. We used this approach to identify novel methylation sites and a methyltransferase (M. MmnI) in Morganella morganii. Next, we analyzed bacterial flora from clinical specimens of small amount and identified different methylation motifs among Enterococcus faecalis strains. The method developed here, referred to as "add-on" to the conventional 16S rDNA analysis, is the most clinically used bacterial identification genetic test, which provides additional information that could not be obtained with the conventional method. Since the relationship between drug resistance in bacteria and DNA methylation status has been reported, bacterial epigenetic information would be useful in clinical testing as well. Our analysis suggests that M. MmnI has a promotive effect on erythromycin resistance. 16S rDNA bisulfite PCR and sequencing coupled with MDA at pH neutral is a useful add-on tool for analyzing 16S meta-epigenetics.
Melanosomes degrade lipofuscin and precursors that are derived from photoreceptor membrane turnover in the retinal pigment epithelium—an explanation for the origin of the melanolipofuscin granule
Authors: Lyu Yanan , Tschulakow Alexander V. , Schraermeyer Ulrich
Published: February 2022

The accumulation of the age pigment lipofuscin within the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is one the most remarkable changes observed in association with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt disease. Both aging and pathological processes lead to the accumulation of melanolipofuscin (MLF) granules, which have been reported to reflect the onset of AMD more accurately than lipofuscin. The underlying mechanism by which MLF forms is still not understood. We investigate the potential role that melanin plays in the degradation of lipofuscin and MLF in pigmented Abca4-/- mice following treatment with several NO generating drugs. Abca4-/- mice are generally used as models for lipofuscin-related eye diseases. We also induced melanogenesis in albino Abca4-/- mice via the over-expression of tyrosinase, the key enzyme involved in melanogenesis. We compared the ultrastructure of lipofuscinogensis in the RPE of pigmented and albino Abca4-/- mice. Fluorescence microscopy was employed for the quantification of lipofuscin. We found high amounts of unique thin (3–4 nm) lamellar membranes (TLMs) that were left over from the degradation of photoreceptor disc membranes by high-resolution electron microscopy. Accumulated TLMs were significantly more frequent in the RPE cells of the albinos than the pigmented mice, indicating that melanin plays a role in removing TLMs. The intravitreal injection of several NO generating drugs was found to reduce the amount of autofluorescent lipofuscin in the cytoplasm of RPE cells, particularly the MLF granules of pigmented Abca4-/- mice. No effect was observed in terms of lipofuscin removal in NO-exposed albino Abca4-/- mice. However, transfection with tyrosinase led to a reduction in the lipofuscin levels of artificially pigmented RPE cells in albino Abca4-/- mice following the formation of melanin. The results show for the first time that melanin plays an important, if not a key, role in the degradation of lipofuscin in RPE cells.
“Critique is not a verb”: is peer review stifling the dialogue in disaster scholarship?
Authors: Chmutina Ksenia , Cheek Wesley , von Meding Jason
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In this position piece, the authors will reflect on some of their recent experiences with the peer-review process in disaster studies and show how debate can so easily be stifled. The authors write it as a plea for healthy academic argumentative discussion and intellectual dialogue that would help all of us to refine our ideas, respect others’ ideas and learn from each other.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors provide reflection on our own experiences. All the examples here are based on the anonymous (double-blinded) peer reviews that the authors have received in the past two years in response to papers submitted to disaster-related journals.

Findings

The authors show that the grounds for rejection often have nothing to do with the rigour of the research but are instead based on someone's philosophy, beliefs, values or opinions that differ from that of the authors, and which undermine the peer-review process.

Research limitations/implications

There is so much potential in amicable and productive disagreements, which means that we can talk together – and through this, we can learn. Yet, the debate in its purest academic sense is a rare beast in disaster scholarship – largely because opposing views do not get published.

Originality/value

The authors call for ideological judgement and self-interest to be put aside when peers' work is reviewed – and for intellectual critique to be used in a productive way that would enhance rather than stifle scholarship.
Interpreting sustainability and resilience in the built environment
Authors: Marlow Elisabeth C. , Chmutina Ksenia , Dainty Andrew
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Conceptual interpretations of sustainability and resilience are widening with discursive use and altering the relationship and understanding of both concepts. By using three city case studies in the USA, this paper aims to consider which conceptual interpretations are operational and what is being measured in the context of city policy, municipal planning and built environment practice. With increasing pressures of urbanisation, it is imperative to consider which conceptual interpretations of resilience and sustainability are being measured in frameworks for the built environment if Risk-Informed Sustainable Development across multiple sectors is to be delivered.

Design/methodology/approach

Three case studies with semi-structured interviews have been thematically analysed to explore how sustainability and resilience have been operationalised at policy, planning and practice levels.

Findings

City policies, municipal planning and practitioners are working with different interpretations. Collectively Risk Informed Sustainable Development is not formally recognised. Policies recognise GHG reductions and natural hazard events; planning guidance stipulates Environmental Impact Assessments based on legal requirements; and practitioners consider passive-survivability and systematic thinking. Across the sectors, the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Assessment Method provides a common foundation but is used with varying requirements.

Practical implications

Decision-makers should incorporate risk-informed sustainable development, update codes of practice and legal requirements leading to exemplary practice becoming normalised.

Social implications

Passive-survivability should be affordable and adopt risk-informed sustainable development principles.

Originality/value

Three US city case studies with data collected from interviews have been analysed simultaneously at policy, planning and practice levels. Interrelated implications have been outlined on how to improve decision-making of sustainability and resilience across sectors.
Past, present and future challenges for Australia's indigenous heritage management national policy
Authors: du Cros Hilary
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Australia appears to be encountering a crisis in the protection of certain heritage places, despite its strong reputation in heritage conservation built up since the 1970s. Consequently, this paper examines changes to national cultural heritage management policy over the last few decades to understand more about this crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage) was selected as the key focus. This paper applies a cultural heritage management framework tested first in Hong Kong to measure Australian paradigm change over 45 years.

Findings

It found the 1990s shift away from the provision of independent technical advice on national heritage policy has had a major impact. This shift is based on a change in ethos away from the earlier Whitlam/National Estate broader vision of heritage responsibilities towards a narrower more conservative one at the national level. Also, it found that studies and policymaking should allow for Indigenous voices. More Indigenous input in heritage policy formulation at all levels of government would further decolonise Indigenous heritage governance to deal justly with Indigenous Australians and their heritage.

Research limitations/implications

Resources did not allow for comparative studies of the non-Indigenous (historic) and natural heritage as part of the current study.

Practical implications

The study also included a consultation paper and an online conference presentation that have raised questions about the efficacy of current national policy on Indigenous places, on which a national conversation is urgently needed. The recent review of the National Heritage Strategy by the Australian Commonwealth Government based some of its proposed options on those listed in the consultation paper to initiate this conversation in a limited way.

Social implications

One finding is that attention to heritage policy and protection must be ongoing at all levels of government and inclusive of First People's human rights, particularly those concerning their heritage. In regard to Australia, most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents in this study would like to see targeted funding return for more than just iconic Indigenous places and for the creation of a more independent heritage body that allows them more self-determination in the care of their heritage.

Originality/value

The paper's value is that it investigates the Australian Heritage Commission's impact in the development of Australian cultural heritage management and associated national policy. Also, it provides insights for other postcolonial or New World settler societies dealing with the same issues or any decision-makers considering establishing a national independent body to oversee heritage protection and policymaking.
Facing the era of smartness: constructing a framework of required technology competencies for hospitality practitioners
Authors: Hsu Hsuan , Tseng Kuo-Feng
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Concerning the emergence of Industry 4.0 and the concept of “smartness”, the technology competence of hospitality practitioners that was previously neglected and overlooked should be explored. Therefore, this study aims to explore previous hospitality technology competence through a literature review and then to extend, strengthen and build a new framework of the required technology competencies for hospitality practitioners in terms of facing smartness.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the previous research on the characteristics of the required technology competencies for hospitality practitioners, this study carried out a systematic literature review (SLR) on works published from 2011 to 2020. Then, based on the SLR results, the required technology competencies for hospitality practitioners in terms of facing smartness was explored with 26 experts from the government, industry and academia. The data were analysed through thematic analysis based on the perspectives of task–technology fit, and then, the framework was constructed.

Findings

This study reconfirmed that technology competence has been neglected in the previous hospitality competence literature and that the current methods and ways of thinking cannot succeed in this smart era. Moreover, based on fundamental technology competence, a new framework with ten dimensions of technology competencies required for hospitality practitioners in terms of facing smartness was created.

Originality/value

This study identified the required technology competencies for hospitality practitioners, an area that has rarely been addressed in the previous literature. Moreover, specific competencies, especially those needed to face this smart era, are urgent and novel in the academic hospitality field.
Institutional investors distraction and debt choice
Authors: Asamoah Joseph Maxwell , Dak-Adzaklo Cephas Simon Peter , Ofosu Emmanuel
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of institutional investors distraction on firms' choice between bank debt and public debt.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the measure of institutional investors distraction from Kempf et al. (2017), which captures exogenous attention-grabbing events in other aspects of institutional investors' portfolios holdings to examine this research question. The study uses a sample of 16,047 firm-year observations comprising 2,521 US firms for the period of 2000–2016.

Findings

The result shows a significant positive association between institutional shareholder distraction and firms' bank ratio. Cross-sectional tests show that the positive association between institutional shareholders distraction and firms' bank ratio is stronger for firms in poorer information environments and for firms facing greater competitive threats from rivals.

Originality/value

This study underscores the important governance role played by institutional shareholders and the consequence when such a monitoring role is impaired. In particular, firms with distracted shareholders rely on expensive bank monitoring and scrutiny to supply their additional monitoring capacity.
Can Hong Kong exceptionalism last? Dilemmas of governance and public administration over five decades 1970s-2020
Authors: Cheung Anthony B.L.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this book launch speech is to introduce the book I author, Can Hong Kong exceptionalism last? Dilemmas of governance and public administration over five decades 1970s-2020 (2021). The book critically reviews the governance and public administration from 1970s to 2020, identifying strengths and capabilities as well as constraints and dilemmas.

Design/methodology/approach

The book is based on my decades of academic observations and personal political experience by interpreting and re-interpreting the Hong Kong journey, with reflections on past assumptions and raising new questions.

Findings

This book identifies five exceptional aspects: (a) Under British rule Hong Kong was governed as an atypical colony; (b) It was one of the Four Little Dragons as part of the East Asian Miracle; (c) In the 1990s, it was one of the regional pioneers in public sector reform; (d) The unique constitutional status of post-1997 Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China; (e) After reunification, the SAR government, though only semi-democratic, is checked by balancing and monitoring mechanisms no less vigorous than some developed democracies. It also examines various governance problems faced in the post-1997 period.

Originality/value

Hong Kong is again in times of uncertainty and volatility. The city has entered a ‘second transition’ after 2020, and it is undergoing a bigger test than in 1997. After reviewing the past, I opine in the book that Hong Kong has to identify its niche areas, not only in economics. It needs a paradigm shift in how it relates to the Mainland within ‘One Country’ and how it relates to the world as a global metropolis.
Infectious disease (COVID-19)-related uncertainty and the safe-haven features of bonds markets
Authors: Ali Shoaib , Yousaf Imran , Umar Zaghum
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the hedge, diversifier and safe-haven properties of bonds against infectious disease-related equity market volatility (IDEMV), like COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply wavelet coherence methodology on the daily data of IDEMV and bond market (US, UK, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Sweden, China and Europe) indices from 1 January 2000 to 14 February 2021.

Findings

The results show no significant co-movement between these bond indices and IDEMV, thus confirming that they serve as a hedge against IDEMV. However, during the turbulent period like COVID-19, the authors find that the US, UK, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Sweden, China and European bond markets act as safe-haven against IDEMV, whereas the UK, US, Japan and Canadian bond markets demonstrate an in-phase and positive co-movement with IDEMV during COVID-19, suggesting their role as a diversifier.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings are important for investors and portfolio managers regarding risk management, portfolio diversification and investment strategies.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the fast growing body of work on the financial impacts of COVID-19 as well as to ongoing consideration of whether a bond is a safe-haven investment.
The relationship between basic auditory processing, prosodic sensitivity and reading in German adults
Authors: Obergfell Anja L. , Schabmann Alfred , Schmidt Barbara M.
Published: February 2022

Prosodic sensitivity (PS) and phonological awareness (PA) are reading‐related predictors in children, which themselves might be affected by basic auditory processing (BAP). This study proposes a new model that considers possible relations between all three variables and reading. Skilled adult reading is examined to exclude possible developmental influences and obtain more information about mature reading. One hundred thirty‐eight German‐speaking adults (mean age: 26 years) completed three measures of BAP (frequency, intensity and amplitude rise time discrimination), two sentence‐based PS tasks, a PA task, and three word and nonword reading tasks. Structural equation modelling revealed a significant direct effect of PS on reading, a significant direct effect of BAP on PS and an indirect effect of BAP on reading via PS. The results strengthen the relevance of BAP skills and PS for reading in adults.
Building Confianza: Collective Public History in the Time of Distance – a Joint Reflection from the Boyle Heights Museum Team
Authors: Leal Jorge N. , Navarrete Hunter Yesenia , Vasquez Ruiz Michelle , Flores‐Montaño Cassandra , Delgado Arabella , Noriega‐Rocha Rosa , Galeno Isis , Rodriguez Ivonne , Polt‐Gifford Alexander
Published: February 2022

How do you preserve the history of a neighbourhood undergoing change? How do you honour its residents and their legacy of lucha (struggle)? How do you uplift the voices of community members, students and researchers of colour in the museum world? In this joint reflection, members of the Los Angeles Boyle Heights Museum (BHM) reflect on their collaborative endeavours to research, preserve and celebrate the multi‐ethnic history of this Los Angeles (LA) neighbourhood. As a research, exhibition and educational project led by professors, graduate students, undergraduate students and community members, the BHM team uses a horizontal leadership model to uplift and tell the stories of a neighbourhood. The BHM team members discuss the various approaches they use to build confianza – trust – among themselves and within US Latinx migrant communities. By centring confianza as both a method and a theoretical framework for public history work, the team demonstrates how it builds a more inclusive, family‐centred and intergenerational museum experience. Through building confianza, the team has been able to pivot their work to address and manoeuvre new challenges during the Covid‐19 pandemic.
Engineered EryF hydroxylase improving heterologous polyketide erythronolide B production in Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Zhifeng , Xu Jianlin , Liu Haili , Wang Yong
Published: February 2022

In the last two decades, the production of complex polyketides such as erythromycin and its precursor 6‐deoxyerythronolide B (6‐dEB) was demonstrated feasible in Escherichia coli. Although the heterologous production of polyketide skeleton 6‐dEB has reached 210 mg l−1 in E. coli, the yield of its post‐modification products erythromycins remains to be improved. Cytochrome P450EryF catalyses the C6 hydroxylation of 6‐dEB to form erythronolide B (EB), which is the initial rate‐limiting modification in a multi‐step pathway to convert 6‐dEB into erythromycin. Here, we engineered hydroxylase EryF to improve the production of heterologous polyketide EB in E. coli. By comparative analysis of various versions of P450EryFs, we confirmed the optimal SaEryF for the biosynthesis of EB. Further mutation of SaEryF based on the crystal structure of SaEryF and homology modelling of AcEryF and AeEryF afforded the enhancement of EB production. The designed mutant of SaEryF, I379V, achieved the yield of 131 mg l−1 EB, which was fourfold to that produced by wild‐type SaEryF. Moreover, the combined mutagenesis of multiple residues led to further boost the EB concentration by another 41%, which laid the foundation for efficient heterologous biosynthesis of erythromycin or other complex polyketides.
Identification of the southernmost aggregation of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) in Australia
Authors: López Naima Andrea , McAuley Rory B. , Meeuwig Jessica J.
Published: February 2022

Scalloped hammerheads (Sphyrna lewini) occur in tropical to subtropical waters across all ocean basins and are globally assessed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In Australia, scalloped hammerheads range from Sydney, New South Wales (34° S; 151° E), around northern Australia, down to Geographe Bay, Western Australia (33° S; 115° E). However, in Western Australia, the species has rarely been recorded south of Jurien Bay (30° S; 115° E). We report a recurrent aggregation of scalloped hammerheads within the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park (32° S; 115° E), 240 km south of Jurien Bay, observed from drone footage collected during the 2019 and 2020 Austral summers. These new records challenge previous understanding of the distributional range of this Critically Endangered species and prompt questions about the adequacy of current protection measures.