bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cytosine-to-uracil change within the programmed -1 ribosomal frameshift signal of SARS-CoV-2 results in structural similarities with the MERS-CoV signal
Authors: Fourmy Dominique , Yoshizawa Satoko
Published: June 2020

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, like many other viruses, uses programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) to enable synthesis of multiple proteins from its compact genome. In independent analyses, we evaluated the PRF regions of all SARS-CoV-2 sequences available in GenBank and from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data for variations. Of the 5,156 and 27,153 sequences analyzed, respectively, the PRF regions were identical in 95.7% and 97.2% of isolates. The most common change from the reference sequence was from C to U at position 13,536, which lies in the three-stemmed pseudoknot known to stimulate frameshifting. With the conversion of the G13493-C13536Watson-Crick pair to G-U, the SARS-CoV-2 PRF closely resembles its counterpart in the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. The occurrence of this change increased from 0.5 to 3% during the period of March to May 2020.
Insights into the successful breeding of Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) from a long-term captive breeding program
Authors: Maggeni Ruth , Feeney William E
Published: June 2020

Sea turtle populations are declining and evidence-based methods for supporting their populations are required. Captive breeding and release programs can be effective, offering the opportunity to supplement nature populations; however, sea turtles require specific conditions to successfully breed. Here, we present insights gained from a 16 year Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) captive breeding program that was conducted at the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Eilat, Israel, between 1982-1997. As the first program of its kind for the Hawksbill sea turtle, insights were gained largely through trial-and-error and word of mouth advice. The key insight gained during this program was the critical importance of pre-breeding separation of the sexes; turtles did not breed prior to pre-breeding separation being implemented, but it became predictably regular once it was. Over the course of the program, 161 two-three years old hatchlings were introduced to the Red Sea, which was enabled largely as a result of pre-breeding separation being implemented.
Conservation of theToxoplasmaconoid complex proteome reveals a cryptic conoid inPlasmodiumthat differentiates between blood- and vector-stage zoites
Authors: Koreny Ludek , Zeeshan Mohammad , Barylyuk Konstantin , Tromer Eelco C. , van Hooff Jolien J. E. , Brady Declan , Ke Huiling , Chelaghma Sara , Ferguson David J. P. , Eme Laura , Tewari Rita , Waller Ross F.
Published: June 2020

The apical complex is the instrument of invasion used by apicomplexan parasites, and the conoid is a conspicuous feature of this apparatus found throughout this phylum. The conoid, however, is believed to be heavily reduced or missing fromPlasmodiumspecies and other members of the class Aconoidasida. Relatively few conoid proteins have previously been identified, making it difficult to address how conserved this feature is throughout the phylum, and whether it is genuinely missing from some major groups. Moreover, parasites such asPlasmodiumspecies cycle through three invasive forms and there is the possibility of differential presence of the conoid between these stages. We have applied spatial proteomics and high-resolution microscopy to develop a more complete molecular inventory and understanding of the organisation of conoid-associated proteins in the model apicomplexanToxoplasma gondii. These data revealed molecular conservation of all conoid substructures throughout Apicomplexa, includingPlasmodium, and even in allied Myzozoa such asChromeraand dinoflagellates. We reporter-tagged and observed the expression and location of several conoid complex proteins in the malaria modelP. bergheiand revealed equivalent structures in all of its zoite forms, as well as evidence of molecular differentiation between blood-stage merozoites and the ookinetes and sporozoites of the mosquito vector. Collectively we show that the conoid is a conserved apicomplexan element at the heart of the invasion mechanisms of these highly successful and often devastating parasites.
The neural architecture of language: Integrative modeling converges on predictive processing
Authors: Schrimpf Martin , Blank Idan , Tuckute Greta , Kauf Carina , Hosseini Eghbal A. , Kanwisher Nancy , Tenenbaum Joshua , Fedorenko Evelina
Published: June 2020

The neuroscience of perception has recently been revolutionized with an integrative modeling approach in which computation, brain function, and behavior are linked across many datasets and many computational models. By revealing trends across models, this approach yields novel insights into cognitive and neural mechanisms in the target domain. We here present a first systematic study taking this approach to higher-level cognition: human language processing, our species’ signature cognitive skill. We find that the most powerful ‘transformer’ models predict nearly 100% of explainable variance in neural responses to sentences and generalize across different datasets and imaging modalities (fMRI, ECoG). Models’ neural fits (‘brain score’) and fits to behavioral responses are both strongly correlated with model accuracy on the next-word prediction task (but not other language tasks). Model architecture appears to substantially contribute to neural fit. These results provide computationally explicit evidence that predictive processing fundamentally shapes the language comprehension mechanisms in the human brain.

Significance

Language is a quintessentially human ability. Research has long probed the functional architecture of language processing in the mind and brain using diverse brain imaging, behavioral, and computational modeling approaches. However, adequate neurally mechanistic accounts of how meaning might be extracted from language are sorely lacking. Here, we report an important first step toward addressing this gap by connecting recent artificial neural networks from machine learning to human recordings during language processing. We find that the most powerful models predict neural and behavioral responses across different datasets up to noise levels. Models that perform better at predicting the next word in a sequence also better predict brain measurements – providing computationally explicit evidence that predictive processing fundamentally shapes the language comprehension mechanisms in the human brain.
Recruitment of MRE-11 to complex DNA damage is modulated by meiosis-specific chromosome organization
Authors: Harrell Kailey , Day Madison , Smolikove Sarit
Published: June 2020

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are one of the most dangerous assaults on the genome, and yet their natural and programmed production are inherent to life. When DSBs arise close together (clustered) they are particularly deleterious, and their repair may require an altered form of the DNA damage response. Our understanding of how clustered DSBs are repaired in the germline is unknown. Using UV laser microirradiation, we examine early events in the repair of clustered DSBs in germ cells within whole, live,Caenorhabditis elegans. We use precise temporal resolution to show how the recruitment of MRE-11 to complex damage is regulated, and that clustered DNA damage can recruit proteins from various repair pathways. Abrogation of non-homologous end joining or COM-1 attenuates the recruitment of MRE-11 through distinct mechanisms. The synaptonemal complex plays both positive and negative regulatory roles in these mutant contexts. These findings together indicate that MRE-11 is regulated by modifying its accessibility to chromosomes.
A conserved role for sleep in supporting spatial learning inDrosophila
Authors: Melnattur Krishna , Kirszenblat Leonie , Morgan Ellen , Militchin Valentin , Sakran Blake , English Denis , Patel Rushi , Chan Dorothy , van Swinderen Bruno , Shaw Paul J.
Published: June 2020

Sleep loss and aging impair hippocampus-dependent spatial learning in mammalian systems. Here we use the flyDrosophila melanogasterto investigate the relationship between sleep and spatial learning in healthy and impaired flies. The spatial learning assay is modeled after the Morris Water Maze. The assay uses a ‘thermal maze’ consisting of a 5×5 grid of Peltier plates maintained at 36-37°C and a visual panorama. The first trial begins when a single tile that is associated with a specific visual cue is cooled to 25°C. For subsequent trials, the cold tile is heated, the visual panorama is rotated and the flies must find the new cold-tile by remembering its association with the visual cue. Significant learning was observed with two different wild-type strains –Csand 2U, validating our design. Sleep deprivation prior to training impaired spatial learning. Learning was also impaired in the classic learning mutantrutabaga(rut); enhancing sleep restored learning torutmutants. Further we found that flies exhibited dramatic age-dependent cognitive decline in spatial learning starting at 20-24 days of age. These impairments could be reversed by enhancing sleep. Finally, we find that spatial learning requires dopaminergic signaling and that enhancing dopaminergic signaling in aged flies restored learning. Our results are consistent with the impairments seen in rodents and humans. These results thus demonstrate a critical conserved role for sleep in supporting spatial learning, and suggest potential avenues for therapeutic intervention during aging.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

We have studied the relationship between sleep and plasticity using a Drosophila learning assay modified after the Morris Water Maze. Using this assay, we find that sleep loss impairs spatial learning. As in mammals, flies exhibited age-dependent spatial learning impairments. Importantly, the age-dependent impairments were reversed by enhancing sleep. Interestingly, our results mirror studies on hippocampus dependent memories in rodents and humans. Thus, our data describe an evolutionarily conserved role for sleep in regulating spatial learning. They also support augmenting sleep as a therapeutic strategy to ameliorate learning impairments.
Intense expression of Neurokinin-1 Receptor is associated with Urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Mehboob Riffat , Hassan Amber , Perveen Shahida , Gilani Syed Amir , Waseem Humera , Ahmad Fridoon Jawad , Akram Javed
Published: June 2020

I+ntroduction

Substance P (SP)/ Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R), induces inflammatory reactions in peripheral tissues but its regulatory effects in target tissues are dependent on receptor signaling. SP has a high affinity for the NK-1 receptor, to which it binds preferentially. SP/NK-1R complex plays a key role in the interaction in the onset of pain and inflammation.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of NK-1R in Urotheilial carcinoma and its association with cancer progression.

Method

The study included ten biopsy samples of Urinary bladder, obtained retrospectively from a tertiary care hospital of Lahore. An Immunohistochemical study was performed using monoclonal antibodies against NK-1R. The presence or absence of staining and the intensity of the immunoreactivity were noted, as well as the number and type of cells. Evaluation of the Immunohistochemical expression was determined by the semi-quantitative method and scored.

Result

NK-1 receptor was intensely expressed in patients with higher grade Urotheilial carcinoma. The cases clinically diagnosed as High Grade Urotheilial Carcinoma showed intense expression of NK-1R. However, the cases clinically diagnosed as low grade Urotheilial carcinoma showed very weak staining with NK-1R. However, the normal margins of the same tissue showed negative expression.

Conclusions

Elevated expression of NK-1R was associated with advanced stage of urothelial carcinoma. It is the first study to our knowledge to report this association. It may serve as a good diagnostic as well as prognostic marker and therapeutic strategy.
Tissue context determines the penetrance of regulatory DNA variation
Authors: Halow Jessica M. , Byron Rachel , Hogan Megan S. , Ordoñez Raquel , Groudine Mark , Bender M. A. , Stamatoyannopoulos John A. , Maurano Matthew T.
Published: June 2020

Assessment of the functional consequences of disease-associated sequence variation at non-coding regulatory elements is complicated by their high degree of context sensitivity to both the local chromatin and nuclear environments. Allelic profiling of DNA accessibility across individuals has shown that only a select minority of sequence variation affects transcription factor (TF) occupancy, yet the low sequence diversity in human populations means that no experimental assessment is available for the majority of disease-associated variants. Here we describe high-resolutionin vivomaps of allelic DNA accessibility in liver, kidney, lung and B cells from 5 increasingly diverged strains of F1 hybrid mice. The high density of heterozygous sites in these hybrids enables precise quantification of the effect size and cell-type specificity of hundreds of thousands of variants throughout the mouse genome. We show that chromatin-altering variants delineate characteristic sensitivity profiles for hundreds of TF motifs. We develop a compendium of TF-specific sensitivity profiles accounting for genomic context effects. Finally, we link these maps of allelic accessibility to allelic transcript levels in the same samples. This work provides a foundation for quantitative prediction of cell-type specific effects of non-coding variation on TF activity, which will dramatically facilitate both fine-mapping and systems-level analyses of common disease-associated variation in human genomes.
Stiffening of the Extracellular Matrix is a Sufficient Condition for Airway Hyperreactivity
Authors: Jamieson Ryan R , Stasiak Suzanne E , Polio Samuel R , Ruberti Jeffrey W , Parameswaran Harikrishnan
Published: June 2020

The current therapeutic approach to asthma focuses exclusively on targeting inflammation and reducing airway smooth muscle force in an effort to prevent the recurrence of symptoms. However, the treatment is not a cure and has little beneficial effect on the progression of asthma. This suggests that there are mechanisms at play that are likelytriggeredby inflammation and eventually become self-sustaining so that even when airway inflammation is brought back under control, these alternative mechanisms continue to drive airway hyperreactivity in asthmatics. In this study, we hypothesized that the stiffening of the airway extracellular matrix is a core pathological changesufficientto support excessive bronchoconstriction in asthmatics even when in the absence of inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we increased the stiffness of airway ECM by photo-crosslinking collagen fibers within the airway wall using riboflavin (vitamin B2) and Ultraviolet-A radiation. In our experiments, collagen crosslinking led to a three-fold increase in stiffness of the airway extracellular matrix. This change was sufficient to cause airways to constrict to a greater degree, at a faster rate when exposed to a low dose of contractile agonist. Our results highlight the need for therapeutic approaches that target matrix remodeling to develop a lasting cure for this disease.
Prolonged deployed hospital care in the management of military eye injuries
Authors: Dhillon Amrit Singh , Ahmad Mohammad Salman Zia , Breeze John , Blanch Richard James
Published: June 2020

Background/Objectives

Prolonged hospital care is described as deployed medical care, applied beyond doctrinal planning timelines and military medical planning envisages that in future conflicts, patients will have to be managed for up to five days without evacuation to their home country. We aimed to investigate the effect of prolonged hospital care on visual outcomes in the management of open and closed globe injures.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the setting of British military operations in Afghanistan. We included consecutive UK military patients with ocular trauma evacuated from Afghanistan between December 2005 and April 2013. We assessed outcome using best corrected visual acuity (VA) 6-12 months after injury.

Results

All patients were male, with a mean age of 25. Outcomes adjusted for ocular trauma score (OTS) at presentation were similar to previous reports of military ocular trauma. The mean time to arrival at a centre with an ophthalmologist was 1.74 days. Both patients with penetrating open globe injuries and patients with hyphaema and an OTS of 3 or less displayed an association between worsening 6-12 month VA and time between injury and repair or assessment by an ophthalmologist.

Conclusion

Time to specialist ophthalmic care contributes to outcome after military open and closed globe injuries, supporting deployment of ophthalmologists on military operations.
An Effector Index to Predict Causal Genes at GWAS Loci
Authors: Forgetta Vincenzo , Jiang Lai , Vulpescu Nicholas A. , Hogan Megan S. , Chen Siyuan , Morris John A. , Grinek Stepan , Benner Christian , Jang Dong-Keun , Hoang Quy , Burtt Noel , Flannick Jason A. , McCarthy Mark I , Fauman Eric , Greenwood Celia MT , Maurano Matthew T. , Richards J. Brent
Published: June 2020

Drug development and biological discovery require effective strategies to map existing genetic associations to causal genes. To approach this problem, we began by identifying a set of positive control genes for 12 common diseases and traits that cause a Mendelian form of the disease or are the target of a medicine used for disease treatment. We then identified a widely-available set of genomic features enriching GWAS-associated single nucleotide variants (SNVs) for these positive control genes. Using these features, we trained and validated the Effector Index (Ei), a causal gene mapping algorithm using the 12 common diseases and traits. The area underEi’sreceiver operator curve to identify positive control genes was 80% and area under the precision recall curve was 29%. Using an enlarged set of independently curated positive control genes for type 2 diabetes which included genes identified by large-scale exome sequencing, these areas increased to 85% and 61%, respectively. The best predictors were coding or transcript altering SNVs, distance to gene and open chromatin-based metrics. We provide theEialgorithm for its widespread use and have created a web-portal to facilitate understanding of results. This work outlines a simple, understandable approach to prioritize genes at GWAS loci for functional follow-up and drug development.

Author summary

In order to derive biological insight, or develop drugs based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data, causal genes at associated loci need to be identified. GWAS usually identify large genome regions containing many genes, but seldomly identifies specific causal genes. We have developed an algorithm to predict which genes in a region of disease association are likely causal and have named this algorithm the Effector Index. The Effector Index was optimized on diseases that have known causal or drug target genes, and further validated to predict these types of genes in independent datasets. The Effector Index formalizes these predictive features into a tool that can be used by researchers, and results from the traits and diseases studied here are available via the Accelerating Medicine Partnership web-portal athttp://hugeamp.org/effectorgenes.html.
Impact of high-fat diet on lifespan, metabolism, fecundity and behavioral senescence inDrosophila
Authors: Liao Sifang , Amcoff Mirjam , Nässel Dick R.
Published: June 2020

Excess consumption of high-fat diet (HFD) is likely to result in obesity and increases the predisposition to associated health disorders.Drosophila melanogasterhas emerged as an important model to study the effects of HFD on metabolism, gut function, behavior, and ageing. In this study, we investigated the effects of HFD on physiology and behavior of female flies at different time-points over several weeks. We found that HFD decreases lifespan, and also with age leads to accelerated decline of climbing ability in both virgins and mated flies. In virgins HFD also increased sleep fragmentation with age. Furthermore, long-term exposure to HFD results in elevated adipokinetic hormone (AKH) transcript levels and an enlarged crop with increased lipid stores. We detected no long-term effects of HFD on body mass, or levels of triacylglycerides (TAG), glycogen or glucose, although fecundity was diminished. However, one week of HFD resulted in decreased body mass and elevated TAG levels in mated flies. Finally, we investigated the role of AKH in regulating effects of HFD during aging. Both with normal diet (ND) and HFD,Akhmutant flies displayed increased longevity compared to control flies. However, both mutants and controls showed shortened lifespan on HFD compared to ND. In flies exposed to ND, fecundity is decreased inAkhmutants compared to controls after one week, but increased after three weeks. However, HFD leads to a similar decrease in fecundity in both genotypes after both exposure times. Thus, long-term exposure to HFD increases AKH signaling, impairs lifespan and fecundity and augments age-related behavioral senescence.
A critical role for trkB signaling in the adult function of parvalbumin interneurons and prefrontal network dynamics
Authors: Guyon Nicolas , Zacharias Leonardo Rakauskas , van Lunteren Josina Anna , Immenschuh Jana , Fuzik Janos , Märtin Antje , Xuan Yang , Zilberter Misha , Kim Hoseok , Meletis Konstantinos , Lopes-Aguiar Cleiton , Carlén Marie
Published: June 2020

Inhibitory interneurons expressing parvalbumin (PV) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are central to excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance, generation of gamma oscillations, and cognition. Dysfunction of PV interneurons disrupts information processing and cognitive behavior. Tyrosine receptor kinase B (trkB) signaling is known to regulate the differentiation and maturation of cortical PV interneurons during development, but is also suggested to be involved in the activity and network functions of PV interneurons in the adult brain. Using a novel viral strategy for cell-type and region-specific expression of a dominant negative trkB in adult mice, we show that reduced trkB signaling in PV interneurons in the PFC leads to pronounced morphological, physiological, and behavioral changes. Our results provide evidence for a critical role of trkB signaling in the function of PV interneurons in the adult brain, local network activities central to prefrontal circuit dynamics, and cognitive behavior.
Molecular basis for substrate specificity of the Phactr1/PP1 phosphatase holoenzyme
Authors: Fedoryshchak Roman O. , Přechová Magdalena , Butler Abbey , Lee Rebecca , O’Reilly Nicola , Flynn Helen , Snijders Ambrosius P. , Eder Noreen , Ultanir Sila , Mouilleron Stéphane , Treisman Richard
Published: June 2020

PPP-family phosphatases such as PP1 have little intrinsic specificity. Cofactors can target PP1 to substrates or subcellular locations, but it remains unclear how they might confer sequence-specificity on PP1. The cytoskeletal regulator Phactr1 is a neuronally-enriched PP1 cofactor that is controlled by G-actin. Structural analysis showed that Phactr1 binding remodels PP1’s hydrophobic groove, creating a new composite surface adjacent to the catalytic site. Using phosphoproteomics, we identified numerous fibroblast and neuronal Phactr1/PP1 substrates, which include cytoskeletal components and regulators. We determined high-resolution structures of Phactr1/PP1 bound to the dephosphorylated forms of its substrates IRSp53 and spectrin αII. Inversion of the phosphate in these holoenzyme-product complexes supports the proposed PPP-family catalytic mechanism. Substrate sequences C-terminal to the dephosphorylation site make intimate contacts with the composite Phactr1/PP1 surface, which are required for efficient dephosphorylation. Sequence specificity explains why Phactr1/PP1 exhibits orders-of-magnitude enhanced reactivity towards its substrates, compared to apo-PP1 or other PP1 holoenzymes.
Excess mortality and potential undercounting of COVID-19 deaths by demographic group in Ohio
Authors: Quast Troy , Andel Ross
Published: June 2020

Background

There are significant gaps in our understanding of the mortality effects of COVID-19 due to evolving diagnosis criteria, shortages of testing supplies, and challenges faced by physicians in treating patients in crisis environments. Accurate information on the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 is vital for policy makers and health care providers.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of weekly data for Ohio. To estimate expected mortality in 2020 we employed data from 2010 through 2019, adjusted for secular trends and seasonality. We estimated excess mortality as the number of observed deaths less the number of expected deaths. We conducted the analysis for the entire population and by age, gender, and county.

Results

We estimated 2,088 (95% CI 1,119-3,119) excess deaths due to natural causes in Ohio from March 15, 2020 through June 6, 2020. While the largest number excess of deaths was observed in the 80+ age group, our estimate of 366 (95% CI 110-655) excess deaths for those between 20 and 49 years of age substantially exceeds the reported number of COVID-19 deaths of 66.

Conclusions

Our methodology addressed some of the challenges of estimating the number of deaths caused by COVID-19. Our finding of excess deaths being considerably greater than the reported number of COVID-19 deaths for those aged 20 to 49 years old suggests that current tracking methods may not capture a significant number of COVID-19 deaths for this group. Further, increases in the infection rates for this cohort may have a greater mortality impact than anticipated.
Multi-level modeling and multiple group analysis of disparities in continuity of care and viral suppression among Nigerian adolescents and youths living with HIV
Authors: Badejo Okikiolu Abimbola , Noestlinger Christiana , Jolayemi Toyin , Adeola Juliet , Okonkwo Prosper , Belle Sara Van , Wouters Edwin , Laga Marie
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Substantial disparities in care outcomes exist between different sub-groups of adolescents and youths living with HIV(ALHIV). Understanding variation in individual and health-facility characteristics could be key to identifying targets for interventions to reduce these disparities. We modeled variation in ALHIV retention in care and viral suppression, and quantified the extent to which individual and facility characteristics account for observed variations.

Methods

We included 1,177 young adolescents (10-14 years), 3,206 older adolescents (15-19 years) and 9,151 young adults (20-24 years) who were initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) between January 2015 and December 2017 across 124 healthcare facilities in Nigeria. For each age-group, we used multilevel modeling to partition observed variation of main outcomes(retention in care and viral suppression at 12 months post ART initiation) by individual (level one) and health facility (level two) characteristics. We used multiple group analysis to compare the effects of individual and facility characteristics across age-groups.

Results

Facility characteristics explained most of the observed variance in retention in care in all the age-groups, with smaller contributions from individual-level characteristics (14-22.22% vs 0 - 3.84%). For viral suppression, facility characteristics accounted for a higher proportion of variance in young adolescents (15.79%), but not in older adolescents (0%) and young adults(3.45%). Males were more likely to not be retained in care(aOR=1.28; p<0.001 young adults) and less likely to achieve viral suppression (aOR=0.69; p<0.05 older adolescent). Increasing facility-level viral load testing reduced the likelihood of non-retention in care, while baseline regimen TDF/3TC/EFV or NVP increased the likelihood of viral suppression.

Conclusions

Differences in characteristics of healthcare facilities accounted for observed disparities in retention in care and, to a lesser extent, disparities in viral suppression. An optimal combination of individual and health-services approaches is, therefore, necessary to reduce disparities in the health and wellbeing of ALHIV.

Key Messages

What is already known?

Adolescents and youths living with HIV have worse care and treatment outcomes compared to other groups

Significant disparity in care and treatment outcomes exist between different adolescent and youth subgroups

What are the new findings?

Differences in characteristics of healthcare facilities delivering services are associated with disparities in outcomes within and across adolescent and youth age-groups.

What do the new findings imply?

An optimal combination of individual and health-services approaches is necessary to reduce disparities in the health and wellbeing of adolescent and youths living with HIV.
Impact of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on Treatment Adherence and Sleep Duration in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Treated with Positive Airway Pressure
Authors: Batool-Anwar Salma , Omobomi Olabimpe S. , Quan Stuart F.
Published: June 2020

Objective

To examine the effect of COVID-19 on treatment adherence and self-reported sleep duration among patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) treated with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.

Methods

Retrospective review of medical records of patients seen in Sleep and Circadian Clinic at Brigham Health during the immediate period of one month after the national lockdown was announced on March 15, 2020. Patients with OSA were included only if PAP adherence data was available in the 12-months prior and in the month after the lockdown. Patients with other sleep disorders and OSA patients without the adherence data were excluded.

Results

Mean age was 63.5± 13.9 years, 55% of the participants were men, and mean BMI was 31.8 ± 7.9 kg/m2. Severe OSA was noted among 59.5% compared to 29.3% moderate, and 11.2% mild OSA. Increased number of patients reported insomnia after the lockdown (41% vs 48%, p= 0.02). Gender stratification noted worsening insomnia only among women. There was no significant difference in PAP adherence as measured by the hours of use, self-reported sleep duration or in the use of sleep medications.

Conclusion

Post COVID-19 lockdown had a negative impact on sleep as evidenced by increased reporting of insomnia particularly among women, but no impact on PAP adherence or self-reported sleep duration.
Comparison of the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized adult COVID-19 and influenza patients – a prospective observational study
Authors: Auvinen Raija , Nohynek Hanna , Syrjänen Ritva , Ollgren Jukka , Kerttula Tuija , Mäntylä Jarkko , Ikonen Niina , Loginov Raisa , Haveri Anu , Kurkela Satu , Skogberg Kirsi
Published: June 2020

Objective

We compared the clinical characteristics, findings and outcomes of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or influenza to detect relevant differences.

Methods

From December 2019 to April 2020, we recruited all eligible hospitalized adults with respiratory infection to a prospective observational study at the HUS Jorvi Hospital, Finland. Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections were confirmed by RT-PCR. Follow-up lasted for at least 30 days from admission.

Results

We included 61 patients, of whom 28 were COVID-19 and 33 influenza patients with median ages of 53 and 56 years. Majority of both COVID-19 and influenza patients were men (61% vs 67%) and had at least one comorbidity (68% vs 85%). Pulmonary diseases and current smoking were less common among COVID-19 than influenza patients (5 [18%] vs 15 [45%], P=0.03 and 1 [4%] vs 10 [30%], P=0.008). In chest x-ray at admission, ground-glass opacities and consolidations were more frequent among COVID-19 than influenza patients (19 [68%] and 7 [21%], P < 0.001). Severe disease and intensive care unit (ICU) admission occurred more often among COVID-19 than influenza patients (26 [93%] vs 19 [58%], P=0.003 and 8 [29%] vs 2 [6%], P=0.034). COVID-19 patients were hospitalized longer than influenza patients (6 days [IQR 4-21] vs 3 [2-4], P<0.001).

Conclusion

Bilateral ground-glass opacities and consolidations in chest X-ray may help to differentiate COVID-19 from influenza. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients had more severe disease, required longer hospitalization and were admitted to ICU more often than influenza patients, which has important implications for public health policies.
Entrepreneurial learning from failure. A systematic review
Authors: Lattacher Wolfgang , Wdowiak Malgorzata Anna
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Failure plays a pivotal role in entrepreneurial learning. Knowledge of the learning process that enables an entrepreneur to re-emerge stronger after a failure, though considerable, is fragmented. This paper systematically collects relevant literature, assigns it to the stages of the experiential learning process (concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, active experimentation; Kolb, 1984), evaluates the research coverage of each stage and identifies promising avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This systematic literature review follows the guidelines articulated by Short (2009) and Tranfieldet al.(2003), using Web of Science and EBSCO as primary data sources. Kolb’s (1984) experiential learning theory provides a basis for organizing the identified material into a framework of entrepreneurial learning from failure.

Findings

The literature provides insights on all stages of the process of entrepreneurial learning from failure. Particularly well elaborated are the nature of failure and its triggering effect for reflection, the factors influencing reflection, the contents of the resulting learning and their application in entrepreneurial re-emergence. Other topics remain under-researched, including alternative modes of recovery, the impact of personal attributes upon reflection, the cognitive processes underlying reflection, the transformation of failure-based observations into logically sound concepts and the application of this learning in non-entrepreneurial contexts.

Originality/value

This review provides the most complete overview of research into the process of entrepreneurial learning from failure. The systematic, theory-based mapping of this literature takes stock of current knowledge and proposes areas for future research.
Making sense of entrepreneurial intent: a look at gender and entrepreneurial personal theory
Authors: Matherne III Curtis F. , Bendickson Joshua S. , Santos Susana C. , Taylor Erik C.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Individuals adopt differing perceptions of entrepreneurial types, including small businesses, scalable businesses and social businesses. This study aims to suggest that individuals' entrepreneurial personal theory (EPT: learning from experiences that informs how an individual conceptualizes entrepreneurship) influences entrepreneurial intent, and that sensemaking facilitates this process such that those with a clearer understanding of different entrepreneurship paths are more likely to pursue opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study theorizes and empirically tests whether EPT affects an individual's intent to start a small business, a scalable business or a social enterprise and how gender moderates the relationship between EPT and entrepreneurial intent. Primary survey data were collected from undergraduate business students and working adults.

Findings

The results indicate that EPTs characterized by small business, scalable business and social entrepreneurship have a positive association with entrepreneurial intentions. However, gender interaction effects showed that for women, an EPT characterized as small business has a weaker relationship with entrepreneurial intent, whereas an EPT characterized as social entrepreneurship has a stronger relationship with entrepreneurial intent. The notions that gender directly affects personal conceptions of entrepreneurship and that women may have not been exposed to all facets of entrepreneurship are addressed.

Research limitations/implications

Other variables not included in this study could also influence the relationship between how the type of entrepreneurship may shape entrepreneurial intent and how such relationship may be influenced by gender. Implications for entrepreneurship education and curriculum development are presented.

Originality/value

Integrating the EPT and sensemaking to uncover gender differences in the development of entrepreneurial intentions is a novel theoretical discussion.
Sources of influences on customers' trust in ride-sharing: why use experience matters?
Authors: Shao Zhen , Guo Yue , Li Xiaotong , Barnes Stuart
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Despite the growing popularity of ride-sharing in China, our understanding regarding users' trust and behavioral intention toward this new type of hailing service is still limited. This study aims to examine the joint influences of institution-based, process-based and characteristic-based antecedents on customers' trust and continuance intention toward ride-sharing. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate if the relative influences of institution-based and process-based antecedents on trust are contingent upon customers' prior experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon trust-building literature and the elaboration-likelihood model, we developed a research model and conducted an online survey to users of Didi, the largest ride-sharing platform in China. We used the structural equation modeling technique to analyze the collected data and examine the proposed research model.

Findings

Ther major research findings of the study suggest that structural assurance, government support, platform reputation and disposition to trust exhibit significant and different degrees of influences on customers' trust beliefs and continuance intention toward ride-sharing. A multi-group analysis further suggests that customers with less use experience focus more on government support and platform reputation, while customers with more use experience are more likely influenced by structural assurance.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the extant literature by identifying the joint influences of institutional-based, process-based and characteristic-based antecedents on users' continuance intention of ride-sharing service and uncovers the mediation mechanism of trust and perceived risk. Moreover, the study refines the boundary condition of the proposed research model by revealing the moderating effect of use experience.
The effectiveness of insider trading disclosure policies: US and EU comparison
Authors: Jardak Maha Khemakhem , Matoussi Hamadi
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of financial market rules in protecting minorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study compares two alternative disclosure rules on insider trading, namely, the market abuse directive (Directive 2004/72/EC), inspired from the United State (US) insider trading regulation enacted by the Sarbanes–Oxley act and the transparency directive enacted by the European (Directive 2004/109/EC) dealing with the crossing of the shareholding threshold. To investigate which one is more effective in signaling reserved information, and thus in reducing information asymmetry, the authors run an event study on the French context, where both regulations are adopted. The data were hand collected from the French stock exchange securities commissions during the two years following the implementation of the two regulations in 2004. The final sample consists of 363 insiders trading and 35 crossing shareholding thresholds for 10 top French firms during the period 2006-2007.

Findings

The results show that the French market reacts significantly to insider trading, but poorly to the crossing shareholding thresholds. Abnormal returns are greater after insider purchases than after crossing up thresholds. These findings support the superiority of the insider disclosure regulation, as it has better information content and provides better protection to minorities.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the corporate governance literature by comparing two disclosure-trading policies. The authors conclude that regulation of disclosure of insider trading along the lines of US disclosure rules is more informative to the market and thus more relevant and important than disclosure of cross-threshold trades.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the corporate governance literature by comparing two disclosure-trading policies. The authors conclude that regulation of disclosure of insider trading along the lines of US disclosure rules is more informative to the market and thus more relevant and important than disclosure of cross-threshold trades. This finding can be helpful for the securities lawmakers and regulators in the process of insider trading law enforcement.

Originality/value

Previous researchers approached the question of insider trading focusing on the identity of insiders. In the research, the authors address the question from another perspective, namely, the crossing of thresholds. Another methodological contribution of the study is the use of a market model that incorporates GARCH (generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic) effect and time-varying systematic risk parameter (β), which is recommended to tackle the classical event study problem of detecting the exact timing of the event.
Risk management in Halal supply chain: an integrated fuzzy Delphi and DEMATEL approach
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Haleem Abid , Khan Mohd Imran
Published: June 2020

Purpose

In a globalised environment, market volatility makes risk management an essential component of the supply chain. Similar to conventional supply chains, a Halal supply chain (HSC) is also affected by several factors making it vulnerable to risks. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the elements of Halal supply chain management (HSCM) and their significant risk dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 72 risk elements of HSCM are identified through a review of contemporary scientific literature along with news items and official websites related to risk management of conventional supply chain management, HSC and sustainable supply chain. Further, 42 risk elements are finalised using fuzzy Delphi and then these risk elements are categorised into 7 dimensions. The interrelationships among the risk dimensions as well as risk elements are developed using fuzzy DEMATEL.

Findings

Results suggest that production, planning, logistic & outsourcing and information technology-related risk are prominent risk dimensions. The causal relationships among the significant risk dimensions and elements related to the HSCM may help managers and policy planners.

Research limitations/implications

This study faces a challenge due to inadequate availability of the literature related to risk management in the area of HSCM. Further, this study has used inputs from experts, which can be biased.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, it is the first comprehensive study towards investigating the interrelationships among the risks in the context of the HSCM.
Does PSM matter among innovative government managers?
Authors: Rosa Ellysson Fernandes , Najberg Estela , Sousa Marcos de Moraes
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The need to improve the efficiency and quality of public services has increased the interest in innovation. This study seeks to understand the relationship between the Public Service Motivation (PSM) index and the profile of strategic-level public servants who are considered innovative.

Design/methodolog/approach

Questionnaires were applied to the group of government managers who registered their projects in an innovation competition. Data were analyzed using t-test, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA).

Findings

This paper concluded that the PSM level of these innovative public servants is significantly greater than public servants overall. In terms of the profile of these innovative government managers, it was found that the majority were female, with a high level of education and a background in Information Technology.

Practical implications

The discovery that innovative government managers have a significantly higher PSM (p < 0.05) than public servants overall may be relevant, because it confirms a statistical tendency that it would be advantageous for policy-makers to invest in actions that increase public servant PSM since these servants with high PSM are more innovative.

Originality/value

This article has sought to fill a gap in studies that associate the level of PSM with the innovation practices in the public sector, as well as verify the profile of public servants with high levels of motivation in public service (PSM).
Impact of Riehl’s melanosis on quality of life in Korean patients: A cross‐sectional comparative study
Authors: Woo Yu Ri , Jung Yujin , Kim Miri , Park Hyun Jeong
Published: June 2020

The prevalence of Riehl’s melanosis in Korea is increasing. However, little is known about the psychosocial burden of patients with Riehl’s melanosis. This study was aimed to examine the level of psychosocial impact of Riehl’s melanosis. A cross‐sectional study recruited 52 patients with Riehl’s melanosis who were asked to complete questionnaires requesting demographic characteristics, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MELASQOL). The mean score of DLQI and MELASQOL was increased in patients with Riehl’s melanosis compared with that of patients with melasma and healthy controls, respectively. Of note, patients with a long duration of illness, of lower educational level and suffering comorbid disease are more associated with impairment in quality of life. Riehl’s melanosis poses serious negative impacts on the quality of life of the patients. Therefore, the psychological burden of patients with Riehl’s melanosis should be carefully considered.
Promoting self‐facilitating feedback processes in coastal ecosystem engineers to increase restoration success: Testing engineering measures
Authors: Schotanus Jildou , Walles Brenda , Capelle Jacob J. , van Belzen Jim , van de Koppel Johan , Bouma Tjeerd J.
Published: June 2020

Coastal ecosystem engineers often depend on self‐facilitating feedbacks to ameliorate environmental stress. This makes the restoration of such coastal ecosystem engineers difficult. We question if we can increase transplantation success in highly dynamic coastal areas by engineering measures that promote the development of self‐facilitating feedback processes.

Intertidal blue mussels Mytilus edulis are a typical example of ecosystem engineers that are difficult to restore. A lack of self‐facilitating feedbacks at low densities limits establishment success when young mussels are transplanted on dynamic mudflats.

In a large field experiment, we investigated the possibility of increasing transplantation success by stimulating the formation of an aggregated spatial configuration in mussels, thereby reducing hydrologically induced dislodgment and the risks of predation. For this, we applied engineering measures in the form of fences that trapped wave dislodged mussels.

Mussel loss rates were significantly lower when mussels were placed between both artificial fences, and in high densities (4.2 kg/m2) compared with mussels placed in areas without fences and in low densities (2.1 kg/m2). The fences induced the formation of a banded pattern with high local mussel densities, which locally reduced predation.

Synthesis and applications. Our results underline the importance of actively promoting the development of self‐facilitating processes, such as aggregation into patterns, in restoration projects of ecosystem engineers. In particular, the current study shows that engineering measures can help to initiate these kinds of self‐facilitating interactions, especially in highly dynamic areas.