bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The new ecological paradigm and consideration of future consequences; an integrated approach
Authors: Pachpore Pranjal , Kumar Prashant , Israel D. , Patro Sanjay , Maji Sumit Kumar
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to narrow the research gap by examining the relationship between new ecological paradigm (NEP), consideration of future consequences (CFC), the intention to buy and the intention to pay a premium in the context of electric car (EC) purchase in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a structured questionnaire to measure the variables of the research. The study successfully obtained useable data from a sample of 491 consumers residing in India. The analysis of the variables and their relationships was done using structural equation modelling using SMARTPLS4 software.

Findings

The relationship between the values of NEP and CFC was observed in the context of electric cars that has a significant impact on the intention to buy and pay a premium. It also highlights the role of CFC future and CFC immediate on the intention to buy and between NEP and the intention to pay a premium.

Research limitations/implications

The study only covers electric cars, and therefore further testing of these relationships is required in the context of other forms of environmentally friendly transportation. The results are generalizable across the potential consumers of EC but are even more pertinent to higher-income millennial consumers.

Practical implications

Potential buyers of electric cars, having a positive orientation towards the environment and also consideration for future consequence, were observed to have a stronger intention to buy EC. The study finds a way in increasing the intention to buy an EC by catalyzing environmental concern of consumers through CFC future.

Originality/value

This is the first study that has examined the NEP-CFC relationship, and provides evidence that the intention to buy an electric car is not only NEP (environmental concern)-dependent but also considers CFC's future orientation. This study adds the CFC aspect as another important variable regarding the purchase of EC, and proves that environmental concern is not the only moderating factor to buy an EC.
How social norms and dietary identity affect willingness to try cultured meat
Authors: Lewisch Leonore , Riefler Petra
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Individuals perceive multiple barriers to consuming cultured meat. This study empirically investigates whether different types of social norms enhance behavioural intentions towards this novel food technology. Specifically, it examines the impact of general norms, in-group norms and out-group norms (based on meat-eaters or non-meat eaters, respectively) on consumers' willingness to try cultured meat.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-factorial between-subject online experiment was conducted using a sample of 431 Austrian consumers. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling in AMOS.

Findings

This study finds empirical support that both general norms and dietary in-group norms enhance consumers' behavioural intentions towards cultured meat, whereas dietary out-group norms do not affect the latter. The effect of in-group norms on behavioural intentions is mediated by identification with the respective dietary in-group. In addition, in-group identification and out-group disidentification as well as dietary identity also directly affect willingness to try cultured meat. Overall, meat-eaters report greater behavioural intentions than non-meat-eaters.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that using normative dietary cues in marketing campaigns might assist in efforts to increase consumer acceptance of cultured meat. Such efforts might be particularly relevant when introducing cultured meat to European markets.

Originality/value

This study is the first to experimentally examine the principles of the focus theory of normative conduct and social identity theory in the context of consumer-oriented cultured meat research. It contributes to the current literature by empirically demonstrating the relevance of social (group) norms in this domain.
BotGo: Growing Pains
Authors: Mendonca Valerie , Sharma Supriya , Sud Mukesh
Published: November 2023

BotGo was started in 2007 by Ravi Panchal, an engineer, after he lost motivation to continue at a managerial role at his job. A hands-on technical person, Panchal was inspired to create an underwater tank-cleaning robot. He started BotGo by bootstrapping it with his savings and roped in his friends for key positions in the company. He also started workshops for robotics education in colleges in order to sustain the company; he called this initiative BotLearn. In 2009, BotGo was incubated and Panchal started franchises for BotLearn as part of his growth plans. This led to a crisis within the company, escalating to a point where Panchal was forced to consider options.

This case highlights the importance of a product-to-market fit and examines the decision to franchise in view of the case facts. The case also points towards the mistakes in crisis management, with particular emphasis on channel management.

Towards the end of the case, Panchal is faced with a dilemma on whether to continue with the franchises or close them down. The dilemma is further accentuated since Panchal's decision would ultimately affect the growth of BotGo as well as directly challenge his intention to franchise.
Exploring Information Systems (IS) curricula: a semantic analysis approach
Authors: Shi Hui , Hwang Drew , Chong Dazhi , Yan Gongjun
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Today’s in-demand skills may not be needed tomorrow. As companies are adopting a new group of technologies, they are in huge need of information technology (IT) professionals who can fill various IT positions with a mixture of technical and problem-solving skills. This study aims to adopt a sematic analysis approach to explore how the US Information Systems (IS) programs meet the challenges of emerging IT topics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study considers the application of a hybrid semantic analysis approach to the analysis of IS higher education programs in the USA. It proposes a semantic analysis framework and a semantic analysis algorithm to analyze and evaluate the context of the IS programs. To be more specific, the study uses digital transformation as a case study to examine the readiness of the IS programs in the USA to meet the challenges of digital transformation. First, this study developed a knowledge pool of 15 principles and 98 keywords from an extensive literature review on digital transformation. Second, this study collects 4,093 IS courses from 315 IS programs in the USA and 493,216 scientific publication records from the Web of Science Core Collection.

Findings

Using the knowledge pool and two collected data sets, the semantic analysis algorithm was implemented to compute a semantic similarity score (DxScore) between an IS course’s context and digital transformation. To present the credibility of the research results of this paper, the state ranking using the similarity scores and the state employment ranking were compared. The research results can be used by IS educators in the future in the process of updating the IS curricula. Regarding IT professionals in the industry, the results can provide insights into the training of their current/future employees.

Originality/value

This study explores the status of the IS programs in the USA by proposing a semantic analysis framework, using digital transformation as a case study to illustrate the application of the proposed semantic analysis framework, and developing a knowledge pool, a corpus and a course information collection.
Labour shortages and employer preferences in retaining and recruiting older workers
Authors: Riekhoff Aart-Jan , Järnefelt Noora , Laaksonen Mikko , Liukko Jyri
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This article investigates whether employers are more likely to employ older workers when faced with a shortage of qualified labour. Furthermore, it analyses whether in such cases age stereotypes moderate employers' preferences towards four employment options: (1) supporting workers to continue until the retirement age, (2) encouraging workers to continue beyond the retirement age, (3) recruiting someone older than 55 and (4) (re)hiring someone who has retired.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were drawn from a survey conducted among Finnish employers in 2021 (response rate = 66%, N = 1,442). Applying factor analysis to questions about older workers' qualities compared to those of average workers, a distinction was made between perceptions of experience-related and adaptability-related qualities. Generalised ordered logistic regression models were estimated to analyse the relations of preferences for each employment option with experiencing recruitment problems, workplace age stereotypes and interactions between these.

Findings

Experiencing recruitment problems was positively related to preferences for hiring a retired person. Employers with difficulties in recruitment were more likely to support work until the retirement age and recruit someone over 55, but only if they had above-average positive perceptions of older workers' experience-related qualities. Employers confronted with recruitment difficulties were more likely to encourage workers to continue beyond the retirement age if they had more positive perceptions of older workers' adaptability-related qualities.

Originality/value

This study shows that, even when confronted with labour shortages and population ageing, workplace age stereotypes still pose a potential obstacle for employers to make the best use of an older workforce.
Forcibly displaced refugee women entrepreneurs in Glasgow-Scotland
Authors: Nziku Dina Modestus , Bikorimana Chanel
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Forcibly displaced refugee entrepreneurs face extra challenges that are beyond the barriers that face immigrants and hosts in their journey towards starting up, growing and developing their businesses. This study aims to critically examine the opportunity identification (OI) of forcibly displaced refugee minority women entrepreneurs in Glasgow.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 10 participants were conducted, including 6 forcibly displaced women entrepreneurs and 4 stakeholders. A six-step thematic framework for data analysis with NVivo 11 was used.

Findings

Findings revealed that forcibly displaced refugee women’s entrepreneurial opportunities occur through a dynamic identification, discovery, recognition and exploitation of opportunities. Women-led businesses remain underdeveloped due to restrictions imposed by the Scottish Government, Westminster Government and local council authorities.

Research limitations/implications

This study was only conducted in Glasgow areas, although this is where most of the forcibly displaced groups live. The research team suggests that further studies with a large sample cutting across more local authorities beyond Glasgow should be conducted.

Practical implications

The empirical findings serve practitioners, local authorities business managers, researchers and policymakers. The study reveals a gap and lack of support and specific training and programmes that could positively benefit forcibly displaced refugee women entrepreneurs within the host communities.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in the research topic which is still understudied. This is together with the new empirical findings of entrepreneurial OI and the provision of insights related to challenges facing forcibly displaced refugee women entrepreneurs in Glasgow.
When subordinates respond constructively to abusive supervision: the moderating role of performance goal orientation
Authors: Wang Haizhen , Wei Li-qun , Zhang Ruoyong
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Despite the literature on subordinates' destructive responses to abusive leadership, an emerging body of literature proposes that subordinates may react constructively to abusive supervision under certain conditions. The authors contribute to this line of research by proposing and testing the moderating effects of performance-approach and -avoidance goal orientation on the relationship between abusive supervision and task performance, and by testing work effort as a mechanism underlying this moderating effect.

Design/methodology/approach

The study hypotheses were tested in two studies. In Study 1 (field survey, N = 230), the moderation hypotheses were tested. Study 2 (experiment, N = 116) extended Study 1 and examined the mediated moderation model.

Findings

The study empirical evidence from the two studies showed that (1) abusive supervision was more positively related to an employee's task performance when that employee's performance-approach goal orientation was high (vs low), (2) abusive supervision was not more positively related to task performance when performance-avoidance goal orientation was high (vs low) and (3) the employee's work effort mediated the moderating effect of performance-approach goal orientation.

Practical implications

This research suggests that organizations and subordinates should be aware of the positive contextual role of performance-approach goal orientation, which may shape subordinates' subsequent work behavior in response to supervisors' hostility, and should invest more time and effort in reinforcing subordinates' performance-approach goal orientation.

Originality/value

This study has identified a new condition and offers new evidence of the potential functional effect of abusive supervision. Specifically, the study finding of the positive moderating role of performance-approach goal orientation adds to the literature examining when abused subordinates respond constructively to abusive supervision. The study analysis of the mediating effect of work effort further reveals the mechanism of this effect.
Artificial intelligence-driven bioenergy system: digital green innovation partner selection of bioenergy enterprises based on interval fuzzy field model
Authors: Yin Shi , Gao Zengying , Mahmood Tahir
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to (1) construct a standard framework for assessing the capability of bioenergy enterprises' digital green innovation partners; (2) quantify the choice of partners for digital green innovation by bioenergy enterprises; (3) propose based on a dual combination empowerment niche digital green innovation field model.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy set theory is combined into field theory to investigate resource complementarity. The successful application of the model to a real case illustrates how the model can be used to address the problem of digital green innovation partner selection. Finally, the standard framework and digital green innovation field model can be applied to the practical partner selection of bioenergy enterprises.

Findings

Digital green innovation technology of superposition of complementarity, mutual trust and resources makes the digital green innovation knowledge from partners to biofuels in the enterprise. The index rating system included eight target layers: digital technology innovation level, bioenergy technology innovation level, bioenergy green level, aggregated digital green innovation resource level, bioenergy technology market development ability, co-operation mutual trust and cooperation aggregation degree.

Originality/value

This study helps to (1) construct the evaluation standard framework of digital green innovation capability based on the dual combination empowerment theory; (2) develop a new digital green innovation domain model for bioenergy enterprises to select digital green innovation partners; (3) assist bioenergy enterprises in implementing digital green innovation practices.
Advocacy is contagious: the PDS effect
Authors: Cárdenas Jennifer
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This article, written by a multilingual learner program (MLP) specialist, provides a first-hand account of how a professional development school (PDS) (school–university partnership school) promotes teacher advocacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the subject of the piece, no research methods were necessary.

Findings

Due to the subject of the piece, there are no findings.

Originality/value

The teacher details the teacher's educational journey from intern to doctoral candidate.
Floral interventions enhance flower visitor communities and pollination services in moringa plantations
Authors: Dhandapani Selva , Pakkirisamy Manikandan , Rajaraman Ranjith , Garratt Michael P. D. , Potts Simon G. , Raj Rengalakshmi , Subramanian Malarvannan , Senapathi Deepa
Published: November 2023

Pollination is a crucial ecosystem service contributing to global food security. Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is an economically important tropical crop, mostly cultivated by smallholder farmers.

Well‐established approaches of planting flower‐rich patches used in temperate agroecosystems for pollination enhancement were adapted to tropical moringa systems. Based on existing evidence, we hypothesised that floral interventions would improve flower visitor diversity and abundance in the crop, thereby increasing pollination services and moringa yield and quality.

We used standardised methods to survey flower visitors on moringa and assess economically relevant measures of crop yield quality and quantity. We selected 24 moringa fields in Tamil Nadu, India, to compare fields with and without floral interventions. We planted red gram, Cajanus cajan as a border crop, and marigold, Tagetes erecta as an intercrop on moringa fields to enhance floral resource availability for pollinators. These interventions were co‐designed with local farmers to ensure additional benefits to their community.

We found that flower visitor abundance and species richness were significantly (50% for abundance and 33% for species richness) greater in fields with floral interventions compared with control fields. We also found that the percentage of flowers that resulted in harvestable fruits were significantly (30%) greater in fields with floral intervention. Production benefits in yield and quality were significantly positively correlated with the abundance and species richness of flower visitors.

Synthesis and applications. Our results provide clear evidence that floral interventions in the form of intercropping and border cropping can enhance pollinator communities and services they provide in tropical smallholder systems. These findings underpin a practical management option for farmers to enhance flower visitor communities and pollination services, which can potentially also provide additional co‐benefits to farmers, improving livelihoods and sustainable production.
Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of oil derived from Agrius convolvuli
Authors: Zhang Yuhan , Xue Hanling , Cheng Yuanxia , Wu Shengjun
Published: November 2023

This study aims to determine the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of oil derived from Agrius convolvuli (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in KKAy mice, a cross between diabetic (KK) and lethal yellow (Ay) mice. A group of 12 KKAy mice were fed with AIN‐76 feed containing oil derived from A. convolvuli pupae (ACPO) while another group of 12 KKAy mice were fed with AIN‐76 feed without ACPO, for 6 weeks. Compared with the control group, the KKAy mice fed with the ACPO diet had decreased serum insulin, glycogen, fasting blood glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level, but had increased serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level, linolenic acid content and total polyunsaturated fatty acid content. The results indicate that ACPO has hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties and may be a suitable alternative food supplement for humans.
Evaluating quantum yield and ultraviolet–visible reflectance in baby pumpkins: Implications for oviposition behavior of pumpkin fruit flies
Authors: Kim Seohyun , Kwon Ohseok , Park Ikju
Published: November 2023

Frugivorous insects utilize both olfactory and visual cues to locate their host plants. Although volatiles have been extensively studied for detecting infested fruits, the role of visual cues in oviposition site selection remains mostly unknown among frugivorous insects. To investigate physiological changes in a host plant, we measured the quantum yield and reflectance of three wavelengths of light (350, 450 and 520 nm) after puncturing the surfaces of commercially grown pumpkins using insect pins during two different seasons outdoors. Quantum yields did not show significant differences between undamaged and simulated oviposition sites. Two wavelengths within the visual spectrum were similar between the two treatments. However, photon counts at 350 nm, in the ultraviolet range, were 1.76 fold higher in simulated oviposition sites than in undamaged sites, which was consistently observed across three field seasons. Considering that frugivorous insects and other phytophagous insects recognize the 350 nm wavelength for host identification and oviposition, we conclude that the disparities in ultraviolet reflectance can serve as a baseline for assessing the actual oviposition response of fruit flies. This finding contributes to the role of visual cues in the oviposition behavior of frugivorous insects and the development of a nondestructive detection method for pumpkin fruit flies.
Changes in root metabolites and soil microbial community structures in rhizospheres of sugarcanes under different propagation methods
Authors: Lin Xinru , Yang Da , Zhu Yu , Qin Yonglin , Liang Tian , Yang Shangdong , Tan Hongwei
Published: November 2023

Root metabolites and soil microbial community structure in the rhizosphere play critical roles in crop growth. Here, we assessed the efficiency of conventional and tissue culture propagation methods in modulating the soil health and microbiota in the rhizosphere of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) plants. The seeding canes were obtained using newly planted and two‐year ratooned canes propagated by conventional (CSN and CSR) or tissue culture (TCN and TCR) methods. Changes in soil fertility, root metabolites and soil microbial community structure in the rhizosphere of sugarcane plants obtained using these canes were assessed. The activities of soil β‐glucosidase and aminopeptidase, soil microbial biomass nitrogen, and abundances of soil beneficial microbes, both at phyla and genera levels, were significantly higher in the rhizosphere of sugarcane plants in TCN and TCR treatments than those in that of plants in CSN and CSR treatments. Furthermore, flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism were significantly upregulated in the roots of TCR and TCN plants compared with those in the roots of CSN and CSR plants. These results suggest that the tissue culture propagation method is a sustainable method for sugarcane cultivation to improve soil fertility and health in sugarcane rhizosphere.
Comparative genomics of a vertically transmitted thiotrophic bacterial ectosymbiont and its close free‐living relative
Authors: Espada‐Hinojosa Salvador , Karthäuser Clarissa , Srivastava Abhishek , Schuster Lukas , Winter Teresa , de Oliveira André Luiz , Schulz Frederik , Horn Matthias , Sievert Stefan , Bright Monika
Published: November 2023

Thiotrophic symbioses between sulphur‐oxidizing bacteria and various unicellular and metazoan eukaryotes are widespread in reducing marine environments. The giant colonial ciliate Zoothamnium niveum, however, is the only host of thioautotrophic symbionts that has been cultivated along with its symbiont, the vertically transmitted ectosymbiont Candidatus Thiobius zoothamnicola (short Thiobius). Because theoretical predictions posit a smaller genome in vertically transmitted endosymbionts compared to free‐living relatives, we investigated whether this is true also for an ectosymbiont. We used metagenomics to recover the high‐quality draft genome of this bacterial symbiont. For comparison we have also sequenced a closely related free‐living cultured but not formally described strain Milos ODIII6 (short ODIII6). We then performed comparative genomics to assess the functional capabilities at gene, metabolic pathway and trait level. 16S rRNA gene trees and average amino acid identity confirmed the close phylogenetic relationship of both bacteria. Indeed, Thiobius has about a third smaller genome than its free‐living relative ODIII6, with reduced metabolic capabilities and fewer functional traits. The functional capabilities of Thiobius were a subset of those of the more versatile ODIII6, which possessed additional genes for oxygen, sulphur and hydrogen utilization and for the acquisition of phosphorus illustrating features that may be adaptive for the unstable environmental conditions at hydrothermal vents. In contrast, Thiobius possesses genes potentially enabling it to utilize lactate and acetate heterotrophically, compounds that may be provided as byproducts by the host. The present study illustrates the effect of strict host‐dependence of a bacterial ectosymbiont on genome evolution and host adaptation.
Plant‐derived environmental DNA complements diversity estimates from traditional arthropod monitoring methods but outperforms them detecting plant–arthropod interactions
Authors: Weber Sven , Stothut Manuel , Mahla Lisa , Kripp Alanah , Hirschler Lena , Lenz Nina , Junker Anneke , Künzel Sven , Krehenwinkel Henrik
Published: November 2023

Our limited knowledge about the ecological drivers of global arthropod decline highlights the urgent need for more effective biodiversity monitoring approaches. Monitoring of arthropods is commonly performed using passive trapping devices, which reliably recover diverse communities, but provide little ecological information on the sampled taxa. Especially the manifold interactions of arthropods with plants are barely understood. A promising strategy to overcome this shortfall is environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding from plant material on which arthropods leave DNA traces through direct or indirect interactions. However, the accuracy of this approach has not been sufficiently tested. In four experiments, we exhaustively test the comparative performance of plant‐derived eDNA from surface washes of plants and homogenized plant material against traditional monitoring approaches. We show that the recovered communities of plant‐derived eDNA and traditional approaches only partly overlap, with eDNA recovering various additional taxa. This suggests eDNA as a useful complementary tool to traditional monitoring. Despite the differences in recovered taxa, estimates of community α‐ and β‐diversity between both approaches are well correlated, highlighting the utility of eDNA as a broad scale tool for community monitoring. Last, eDNA outperforms traditional approaches in the recovery of plant‐specific arthropod communities. Unlike traditional monitoring, eDNA revealed fine‐scale community differentiation between individual plants and even within plant compartments. Especially specialized herbivores are better recovered with eDNA. Our results highlight the value of plant‐derived eDNA analysis for large‐scale biodiversity assessments that include information about community‐level interactions.
A rare cause of AA amyloidosis: Glomus tumor and treatment with anakinra—Case report and literature review
Authors: Tastekin Fatih , Kerim Duygu , Sen Sait , Kabasakal Yasemin
Published: November 2023

Systemic AA amyloidosis is associated with poorly controlled chronic inflammatory disorders. Chronic infections and inflammatory arthritis are the most common causes; however, they can also rarely occur as a complication of neoplastic disorders. The development of AA amyloidosis secondary to paraganglioma, which is a rare type of tumor, has rarely been reported in the literature. In this case, an 85‐year‐old female patient with a glomus tumor in the neck, who has been followed up over 50 years, applied with complaints of loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea for 5–6 months. While evaluating the patient, who had high levels of acute phase reactants, amyloidosis was diagnosed by salivary gland biopsy. No other cause was found to explain amyloidosis. The patient, who could not tolerate treatment with colchicine and azathioprine, is successfully treated with the interleukin‐1 inhibitor anakinra. A rare relationship, systemic AA amyloidosis, which is thought to have developed as a result of long‐standing jugular paraganglioma, is presented in this article. In addition, publications showing an association between paragangliomas and amyloidosis were reviewed.
Highlighting the limitations of static microplate biofilm assays for industrial biocide effectiveness compared to dynamic flow conditions
Authors: Klopper Kyle B. , Bester Elanna , van Schalkwyk Martha , Wolfaardt Gideon M.
Published: November 2023

The minimal inhibitory concentration of an antimicrobial required to inhibit the growth of planktonic populations (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]) remains the ‘gold standard’ even though biofilms are acknowledged to be recalcitrant to concentrations that greatly exceed the MIC. As a result, most studies focus on biofilm tolerance to high antimicrobial concentrations, whereas the effect of environmentally relevant sub‐MIC on biofilms is neglected. The effect of the MIC and sub‐MIC of an isothiazolinone biocide on a microbial community isolated from an industrial cooling system was assessed under static and flow conditions. The differential response of planktonic and sessile populations to these biocide concentrations was discerned by modifying the broth microdilution assay. However, the end‐point analysis of biofilms cultivated in static microplates obscured the effect of sub‐MIC and MIC on biofilms. A transition from batch to the continuous flow system revealed a more nuanced response of biofilms to these biocide concentrations, where biofilm‐derived planktonic cell production was maintained despite an increase in the frequency and extent of biofilm sloughing. A holistic, ‘best of both worlds’ approach that combines the use of static and continuous flow systems is useful to investigate the potential for the development of persistent biofilms under conditions where exposure to sub‐MIC and MIC may occur.
The oncogenic role of LGR6 overexpression induced by aberrant Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in lung cancer
Authors: Sunaga Noriaki , Kaira Kyoichi , Shimizu Kimihiro , Tanaka Ichidai , Miura Yosuke , Nakazawa Seshiru , Ohtaki Yoichi , Kawabata‐Iwakawa Reika , Sato Mitsuo , Girard Luc , Minna John D. , Hisada Takeshi
Published: November 2023

Background

Molecular abnormalities in the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway confer malignant phenotypes in lung cancer. Previously, we identified the association of leucine‐rich repeat‐containing G protein‐coupled receptor 6 (LGR6) with oncogenic Wnt signaling, and its downregulation upon β‐catenin knockdown in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells carrying CTNNB1 mutations. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms underlying this association and the accompanying phenotypes.

Methods

LGR6 expression in lung cancer cell lines and surgical specimens was analyzed using quantitative RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. Cell growth was assessed using colony formation assay. Additionally, mRNA sequencing was performed to compare the expression profiles of cells subjected to different treatments.

Results

LGR6 was overexpressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and NSCLC cell lines, including the CTNNB1‐mutated NSCLC cell lines HCC15 and A427. In both cell lines, LGR6 knockdown inhibited cell growth. LGR6 expression was upregulated in spheroids compared to adherent cultures of A427 cells, suggesting that LGR6 participates in the acquisition of cancer stem cell properties. Immunohistochemical analysis of lung cancer specimens revealed that the LGR6 protein was predominantly overexpressed in SCLCs, large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, and lung adenocarcinomas, wherein LGR6 overexpression was associated with vascular invasion, the wild‐type EGFR genotype, and an unfavorable prognosis. Integrated mRNA sequencing analysis of HCC15 and A427 cells with or without LGR6 knockdown revealed LGR6‐related pathways and genes associated with cancer development and stemness properties.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the oncogenic roles of LGR6 overexpression induced by aberrant Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in lung cancer.
Kristen rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) G12F‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer mimicking KRAS G12C positivity: A case report
Authors: Oi Issei , Ito Takanori , Saito Zentaro , Imakita Takuma , Kanai Osamu , Fujita Kohei , Tachibana Hiromasa , Mio Tadashi
Published: November 2023

Searching for driver gene alteration is a prerequisite for chemotherapy of non‐small cell lung cancer. Due to its high sensitivity and concordance rate, the Amoy Dx Pan Lung Cancer PCR panel has been approved and is widely used in Japan. In this report, we describe a case in which a positive result for Kristen rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) exon2 p.G12F, a rare KRAS mutation, may have led to a false‐positive result for KRAS exon2 p.G12C on AMOY. Genetic analysis in this case was performed by LC‐SCRUM‐Asia.
Sphingolipid classes and the interrelationship with pediatric asthma and asthma risk factors
Authors: Chen Yulu , Checa Antonio , Zhang Pei , Huang Mengna , Kelly Rachel S. , Kim Min , Chen Yih‐Chieh S. , Lee‐Sarwar Kathleen A. , Prince Nicole , Mendez Kevin M. , Begum Sofina , Kachroo Priyadarshini , Chu Su H. , Stokholm Jakob , Bønnelykke Klaus , Litonjua Augusto A. , Bisgaard Hans , Weiss Scott T. , Chawes Bo L. , Wheelock Craig E. , Lasky‐Su Jessica A.
Published: November 2023

Background

While dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism has been associated with risk of childhood asthma, the specific sphingolipid classes and/or mechanisms driving this relationship remain unclear. We aimed to understand the multifaceted role between sphingolipids and other established asthma risk factors that complicate this relationship.

Methods

We performed targeted LC–MS/MS‐based quantification of 77 sphingolipids in plasma from 997 children aged 6 years from two independent cohorts (VDAART and COPSAC2010). We examined associations of circulatory sphingolipids with childhood asthma, lung function, and three asthma risk factors: functional SNPs in ORMDL3, low vitamin D levels, and reduced gut microbial maturity. Given racial differences between these cohorts, association analyses were performed separately and then meta‐analyzed together.

Results

We observed elevations in circulatory sphingolipids with asthma phenotypes and risk factors; however, there were differential associations of sphingolipid classes with clinical outcomes and/or risk factors. While elevations from metabolites involved in ceramide recycling and catabolic pathways were associated with asthma and worse lung function [meta p‐value range: 1.863E‐04 to 2.24E‐3], increased ceramide levels were associated with asthma risk factors [meta p‐value range: 7.75E‐5 to .013], but not asthma. Further investigation identified that some ceramides acted as mediators while some interacted with risk factors in the associations with asthma outcomes.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the differential role that sphingolipid subclasses may play in asthma and its risk factors. While overall elevations in sphingolipids appeared to be deleterious overall; elevations in ceramides were uniquely associated with increases in asthma risk factors only; while elevations in asthma phenotypes were associated with recycling sphingolipids. Modification of asthma risk factors may play an important role in regulating sphingolipid homeostasis via ceramides to affect asthma. Further function work may validate the observed associations.
Swedish registry study showed that 50% of paediatric operations were performed in university hospitals and mortality was low
Authors: Pelkonen Ruut‐Maria , Frykholm Peter , Enlund Gunnar , Lilja Helene Engstrand
Published: November 2023

Aim

To investigate the distribution of paediatric surgery in various hospitals and to study postoperative risk factors of mortality.

Methods

Retrospective registry‐based cohort study of children aged 0–14 years undergoing surgery from 2017 to 2021. Data were extracted from the Swedish Perioperative Registry. A mixed logistic regression was applied for the all‐risk mortality analysis.

Results

A total of 126 539 cases were identified, 50% in university, 36% in county and 14% in district hospitals. The dominating operations were appendectomy in 6667, orchidopexy in 5287, inguinal hernia repair in 4200 and gastrostomy in 1152 children. Among children under 1 year of age or American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification (ASA‐PS‐Class) 3–5, the majority underwent surgery in university hospitals. The 30‐day mortality in university hospitals was 0.5% and in county hospitals 0%. The proportion of emergency surgery was similar in university and county hospitals. Independent risk factors of mortality were being under 1 year of age, ASA‐PS‐class 4–5, emergency surgery and surgery at university hospitals.

Conclusion

Half of all operations in children were performed in university hospitals, with low postoperative mortality despite effective centralisation of high risk patients <1 year of age or ASA‐PS‐Class 3–5.
Aversive agents: Think twice. A case report on disulfiram‐induced mania
Authors: González‐Romero María Fernanda , Martínez‐Ávila José María , Moloney Elizabeth , García‐Cabeza Ignacio
Published: November 2023

We present a case of disulfiram‐induced mania in a patient with both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and psychostimulant use disorder (PUD), without a history of psychosis or mania. This acute presentation may be linked to the increased dopamine levels caused by disulfiram metabolism. Our patient developed manic symptoms 10 days after starting disulfiram, prescribed to treat the AUD. It should be noted that the symptoms resolved rapidly after disulfiram cessation during hospitalization. Disulfiram use is an effective treatment for alcohol dependence. However, there are safety concerns associated with it and it requires close monitoring, particularly in patients with a history of mania, psychosis, or psychostimulant use.
Does second‐generation involvement promote family firm environmental investment? The China experience
Authors: Fu Ying , Jiang Lei , Bo Qiushi , Kang Ning
Published: November 2023

Family firms not only play an important role in economic growth but should also be held partly responsible for environmental degradation. Employing normative stakeholder theory and analyzing unique Chinese survey data via stepwise regression models, our findings indicate that second‐generation successors did not significantly impact family firms' environmental investment. However, among second‐generation successors, we find that successors with international experience positively impacted environmental investment. The propensity score matching (PSM) and two‐stage least squares estimation (2SLS) approaches confirm our results. As an interdisciplinary study, our research is of great value to the environmental responsibility and family business literature.
Past, present and future revitalization trends in Canadian mid‐size city downtowns
Authors: Filion Pierre
Published: November 2023

The article is a critical review of the literature investigating the impact suburbanization has had since the mid‐20th century on the downtowns of Canadian mid‐size cities and the strategies deployed to revitalize these districts. It demonstrates that large city downtowns are more likely than their mid‐size city counterparts to enjoy conditions favourable to their success, hence the need to devise revitalization efforts tailored to the reality of mid‐size city downtowns. The article identifies revitalization strategies adopted over the last decades, which mostly failed to reverse the decline affecting these downtowns. It then concentrates on the present, and likely enduring, revitalization model, which emphasizes hospitality, recreation, culture, services, and walkability. The article refines the understanding of the differences between mid‐size and large city downtowns by concentrating on their specific dynamics and explores future revitalization options for mid‐size city downtowns. It discusses the present and likely enduring absence of alternatives to the present revitalization model and highlights its equity downsides as it challenges the downtown low‐income resident living environment.
Fathers with intellectual disabilities raising children with disabilities in Poland: An interpretive phenomenological analysis
Authors: Ćwirynkało Katarzyna , Parchomiuk Monika , Fronek Patricia
Published: November 2023

Research on parents with intellectual disabilities and their children tends to focus on individual risk and those factors associated with child maltreatment. Interviews and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to explore the lived experience of 10 Polish fathers with intellectual disabilities raising children with disabilities. Three main themes emerged: (1) everybody's got something, (2) on being a father, and (3) finding meaning. The findings indicated that participants focused on strengths rather than disability diagnoses. They did recognize that they experienced various challenges associated with managing some behaviours, meeting educational, health and disability needs, and that additional support was helpful. Fathers also faced socioeconomic disadvantage, limited employment opportunities, and communication difficulties with schools, bureaucracies and services, and a lack of understanding by some professionals including teachers. Fathers appreciated the support their children received. All fathers found meaning in their unique experiences of fatherhood through mutual affection and their children's successes. Recommendations for practice and future research are discussed.
The role of parental aggravation in the intergenerational transmission of depression across different family structures
Authors: Park Yangjin , Thor Pa , Yang Sejung
Published: November 2023

This study examined the role of parental aggravation in the pathway from maternal depression to child depression in different family structures. While studies have extensively examined the transmission of maternal depressive symptoms to children, there is still a limited emphasis on potential contributors, such as parental aggravation. Meanwhile, cohabiting and single‐parent families are more vulnerable to multiple risk factors than married families. Using a large national longitudinal dataset, this study examined the indirect effect of parental aggravation on the association between maternal depression and child depression among married, cohabiting and single‐mother families. Secondary data analysis was performed using multigroup mediation analysis on three waves from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Studies (n = 3 117). The study results show that only in cohabiting households did maternal depression have a direct association with child depression. Furthermore, in married, cohabiting and single‐mother families, parental aggravation had indirect effects on the association between maternal depression and child depression. Implications for social work professionals to address the mental health of parents and children from non‐traditional families are discussed.
Peri‐implant health after microvascular head and neck reconstruction—A retrospective analysis
Authors: Hoffmann Korbinian Jochen , Büsch Christopher , Moratin Julius , Ristow Oliver , Hoffmann Jürgen , Mertens Christian
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Prosthodontic rehabilitation after reconstruction with microvascular revascularized free flaps following ablative tumor surgery is challenging due to the altered anatomical and functional conditions. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether the type of graft and the type of peri‐implant tissue have an effect on peri‐implant inflammatory parameters and implant survival.

Materials and Methods

Patients who received a free flap reconstruction with subsequent implant‐prosthetic rehabilitation between 2010 and 2022 were retrospectively included. The primary outcome variable was the probing depth (PPD) at a minimum of 1 year after completion of prosthetic restoration. Predictive variables were type of free flap, emergence profile, and history of radiation.

Results

Seventy‐one patients after free flap reconstruction were included in the analysis. At a minimum of 24 months after implant insertion the primary outcome, PPD showed no clinically relevant differences between the types of free flaps used. The emergence profile through a skin island resulted in an increase in BOP compared to native mucosa in the descriptive analysis (p‐value > .05). The analysis showed a 5‐year implant survival of 96.2% (95% CI: 0.929–0.996) in cases without irradiation and 87.6% (95% CI: 0.810–0.948) with irradiation of the region evaluated (p‐value .034).

Conclusion

Flap and associated soft tissue type had no significant effect on 5‐year implant survival or peri‐implant inflammatory parameters. However, the large heterogeneity of the patient population indicates that further prolonged studies are required for a more differentiated assessment of the long‐term success.
Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate improves the quality of maternally aged oocytes
Authors: Zhang HongHui , Su Wei , Zhao RuSong , Li Mei , Zhao ShiGang , Chen Zi‐Jiang , Zhao Han
Published: November 2023

The decline in female fertility as age advances is intricately linked to the diminished developmental potential of oocytes. Despite this challenge, the strategies available to enhance the quality of aged oocytes remain limited. Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), characterised by its anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and tissue protective properties, holds promise as a candidate for improving the quality of maternally aged oocytes. In this study, we explored the precise impact and underlying mechanisms of EGCG on aged oocytes. EGCG exhibited the capacity to enhance the quality of aged oocytes both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, the application of EGCG in vitro resulted in noteworthy improvements, including an increased rate of first polar body extrusion, enhanced mitochondrial function, refined spindle morphology and a reduction in oxidative stress. These beneficial effects were further validated by the improved fertility observed among aged mice. In addition, our findings propose that EGCG might augment the expression of Arf6. This augmentation, in turn, contributes to the assembly of spindle‐associated F‐actin, which can contribute to mitigate the aneuploidy induced by the disruption of spindle F‐actin within aged oocytes. This work thus contributes not only to understanding the role of EGCG in bolstering oocyte health, but also underscores its potential as a therapeutic intervention to address fertility challenges associated with advanced age.