bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Placental cell fates are regulated in vivo by HIF-mediated hypoxia responses
Authors: Adelman David M. , Gertsenstein Marina , Nagy Andras , Simon M. Celeste , Maltepe Emin
Published: November 2021

Placental development is profoundly influenced by oxygen (O2) tension. Human cytotrophoblasts proliferate in vitro under low O2 conditions but differentiate at higher O2 levels, mimicking the developmental transition they undergo as they invade the placental bed to establish the maternal–fetal circulation in vivo. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), consisting of HIF-1α and ARNT subunits, activates many genes involved in the cellular and organismal response to O2deprivation. Analysis of Arnt−/− placentas reveals an aberrant cellular architecture due to altered cell fate determination of Arnt−/− trophoblasts. Specifically, Arnt−/− placentas show greatly reduced labyrinthine and spongiotrophoblast layers, and increased numbers of giant cells. We further show that hypoxia promotes the in vitro differentiation of trophoblast stem cells into spongiotrophoblasts as opposed to giant cells. Our results clearly establish that O2 levels regulate cell fate determination in vivo and that HIF is essential for mammalian placentation. The unique placental phenotype of Arnt−/− animals also provides an important tool for studying the disease of preeclampsia. Interestingly, aggregation of Arnt−/− embryonic stem (ES) cells with tetraploid wild-type embryos rescues their placental defects; however, these embryos still die from yolk sac vascular and cardiac defects.
biniou (FoxF), a central component in a regulatory network controlling visceral mesoderm development and midgut morphogenesis in Drosophila
Authors: Zaffran Stephane , Küchler Axel , Lee Hsiu-Hsiang , Frasch Manfred
Published: November 2021

The subdivision of the lateral mesoderm into a visceral (splanchnic) and a somatic layer is a crucial event during early mesoderm development in both arthropod and vertebrate embryos. InDrosophila, this subdivision leads to the differential development of gut musculature versus body wall musculature. Here we report that biniou, the sole Drosophila representative of the FoxF subfamily of forkhead domain genes, has a key role in the development of the visceral mesoderm and the derived gut musculature.biniou expression is activated in the trunk visceral mesoderm primordia downstream of dpp, tinman, andbagpipe and is maintained in all types of developing gut muscles. We show that biniou activity is essential for maintaining the distinction between splanchnic and somatic mesoderm and for differentiation of the splanchnic mesoderm into midgut musculature.biniou is required not only for the activation of differentiation genes that are expressed ubiquitously in the trunk visceral mesoderm but also for the expression of dpp in parasegment 7, which governs proper midgut morphogenesis. Activation ofdpp is mediated by specific Biniou binding sites in adpp enhancer element, which suggests that Biniou serves as a tissue-specific cofactor of homeotic gene products in visceral mesoderm patterning. Based upon these and other data, we propose that the splanchnic mesoderm layers in Drosophila and vertebrate embryos are homologous structures whose development into gut musculature and other visceral organs is critically dependent on FoxF genes.
Learning through automated processes: negative social influence among coworkers
Authors: Morrell Daniel L. , Moake Timothy R. , Medina-Craven Michele N.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper discusses how minor counterproductive workplace behavior (CWB) scripts can be acquired or learned through automated processes from one employee to another.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on insights from social information processing and automated processing.

Findings

This paper helps explain the automated learning of minor CWBs from one’s coworkers.

Practical implications

While some employees purposefully engage in counterproductive workplace behaviors with the intent to harm their organizations, other less overt and minor behaviors are not always carried out with harmful intent, but remain counterproductive, nonetheless. By understanding how the transfer of minor CWBs occurs, employers can strive to set policies and practices in place to help reduce these occurrences.

Originality/value

This paper discusses how negative workplace learning can occur. We hope to contribute to the workplace learning literature by highlighting how and why the spread of minor CWBs occurs amongst coworkers and spur future research focusing on appropriate interventions.
Understanding “process vs product” in the shelter and settlements sector: a reflection
Authors: George Jennifer Ward
Published: November 2021

Purpose

“Process” vs “product”: this concept was originally introduced by Ian Davis in 1978 in Shelter After Disaster. However, 40 years later, in the halls of universities, it would appear a long way from having settled in the minds of upcoming engineers and architects looking to contribute to the field of disaster management. This key understanding is a major steppingstone to those pursuing careers in the shelter and settlements sector. However, the clarity of the argument and its importance still fails to reach some humanitarians in the early stages of their career. This perspective reflects on the key arguments for and against process over product and reflects on the reasons for the lack of recognition of this concept in early stage academics in the shelter and settlements sector. It also discusses the academic practitioner divide and pathways for learning within the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This perspective reflects on discussions over four years of a progression into the humanitarian shelter and settlements sector from a construction and engineering background. It discusses the author’s personal progression in understanding process over product and observations of other early stage researchers taking similar pathways. It also examines literature in the sector and the key texts which affect this progression. Furthermore, this perspective provides comments from experts in the shelter and settlements sector through a small series of informal interviews. This provides insight into their experience with upcoming architects and engineers, and key messages for early stage researchers.

Findings

This reflection found that upcoming architects and engineering students still undergo a journey of understanding over “process vs product” despite changes in the industry. These students can benefit from the understanding of shelter as a process.

Originality/value

The concept of process vs product is not a new one. It is arguably one of the most central arguments to the shelter and settlements sector. However, there is very little written on the learning of this concept or the effects it has on understanding the broader aspects of the sector. This reflection can provide significant value to early stage researchers who have yet to engage with this concept, and further highlight its importance of learning pathways to the sector.
Linking human resources practices to employee engagement in the hospitality industry: the mediating influences of psychological safety, availability and meaningfulness
Authors: Rabiul Md Karim , Mohamed Ahmad Edwin , Patwary Ataul Karim , Yean Tan Fee , Osman Siti Zaitun
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Drawing on self-concept theory, this study evaluates the mediating effects of employees' psychological states on the relationship between human resources (HR) practices and employee engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Through random sampling, 434 customer-contact frontline employees from five-star hotels in Malaysia participated in the cross-sectional survey.

Findings

The results produced by the Smart-PLS (partial least squares) indicate that HR practices positively and significantly influence employees' psychological states of safety, meaningfulness and availability. All these psychological states also exert positive influences on employee engagement (organisational and work engagement). Safety and availability mediate the links between HR practices and employee engagement, but not meaningfulness.

Practical implications

HR practices and employees' psychological states are necessary in ensuring positive employee outcomes and improving customer service provision.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the further extension of self-concept theory and employee engagement by incorporating the mediating roles of employees' psychological states in the relationships between HR practices and employee engagement.

研究目的

以自我概念理論為依據，本研究擬評估僱員的心理狀態、如何在人力資源做法與員工敬業度之間的聯繫上起著仲介的效應。

研究方法

透過隨機抽樣法，434名在馬來西亞五星級酒店工作、接觸顧客的一線員工被選參與一個橫斷面調查。

研究結果

以SmartPLS (偏最小平方)取得的研究結果顯示、人力資源做法正面地影響著員工的安全感、工作給予的意義和感知的組織支援；而且，這些心理狀態，均會對員工的敬業度(對組織的自豪感及對工作的投入)起著正面的影響。另外，安全感和感知的組織支援在人力資源做法與員工敬業度之間的聯繫上、起著仲介之效應；唯工作給予的意義則沒有這個效應。

研究的原創性

研究結果進一步伸展了自我概念理論及員工敬業度方面的論述，這是由於本研究把員工心理狀態所扮演的中介角色，納入人力資源做法與員工敬業度的聯繫中。

研究給予的啓示

若要確保積極的員工成果及提供更佳的顧客服務，有效的人力資源做法和正面的員工心理狀態是不可或缺的。
Optimization of building envelopes using indigenous materials to achieve thermal comfort and affordable housing in Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Jegede Olumide Ebenezer , Taki Ahmad
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate the optimization of an existing residential building in a tropical climate using indigenous materials as an alternative to conventional building envelopes to achieve thermal comfort and affordable housing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study mainly adopted a quantitative research methodology through a comprehensive simulation study on a selected prototype building. The energy plus simulation tool in DesignBuilder was used to predict the average monthly and annual thermal comfort of a typical residential building in the study area. Also, a cost analysis of the final optimization interventions was conducted to estimate the construction cost savings.

Findings

The comparative analysis of simulation results for the base-case and optimized models indicates potential advantages in replacing conventional building envelope materials with indigenous materials. The base-case simulation results showed that the annual operative temperature is more than the adaptive thermal comfort set points in tropical climates, by 8.26%. This often leads to interventions using mechanical cooling systems, thus triggering overconsumption of energy and increase in CO2 emissions. The building envelope materials for floor, walls and roof were replaced with low U-values indigenous materials until considerable results in terms of thermal comfort and overall building construction cost were achieved. The final simulation results showed that using indigenous materials for the ground floor, external walls and roof could substantially reduce the annual operative temperature by 8%, thereby increasing the predicted three months of thermal comfort in the base-case to nine months annually. Likewise, there was a 32.31%, 35.78% and 41.81% reduction in the annual CO2 emissions, cooling loads and construction costs, respectively.

Originality/value

The knowledge of indigenous materials as an alternative to conventional materials for sustainable buildings is not new. However, most of the available research is focused on achieving affordable housing. There is a dearth of research showing the extent that these indigenous materials can be used to improve indoor thermal comfort in developing countries with tropical climates such as Nigeria.
What helps or hinders the emotional intelligence practice? A study of Vietnamese hotel workers
Authors: Nguyen Quynh , Ladkin Adele , Osman Hanaa
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Drawing from emotional labour (EL) and emotion regulation (ER) theories, this paper aims to identifiy what helps and what hinders the emotional intelligence (EI) practice of Vietnamese hotel workers. Researching EI qualitatively from a novel context highlights the influence of culture on EI.

Design/methodology/approach

The critical incident technique (CIT) was adopted as the qualitative methodological approach using a self-administered form and semi-structured interviews to collect empirical data from a sample of 34 Vietnamese hotel workers in 19 different hotels.

Findings

The findings show that following Joseph and Newman’s (2010) cascading model of EI would help hotel workers in their practice. The research also found different factors hindering the EI practice from the individual and organisational levels. Vietnamese culture was believed to guide deep-acting and meditation. Language barrier and manager support emerged as significant factors that could help or hinder their EI practice.

Research limitations/implications

The research proposes a conceptual framework addressing the factors that could help or hinder the EI practice and provides implications for HR practices and management. Caution could be taken when applying the research implications because of the small sample as a nature of qualitative research.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to appraise the EI practice adopting the CIT as a qualitative methodological approach in an under-research context and add evidence to the theoretical links between EI, EL and ER.
The mediation role of the PMO in the transfer of knowledge between projects – a case study of five PMOs
Authors: Tshuma Brighton , Steyn Herman , van Waveren Cornelis Cristo
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This article describes advances in the study of knowledge transfer (KT) in project-based organizations (PBOs). Project management offices (PMOs) have both a moderation role and a mediation role to play in KT between projects. In order to improve KT between projects, this paper explores the mediation role of the PMO in the transfer of knowledge with different levels of articulability. The aim is to improve the usability of transferred knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study method was used to investigate KT in five-divisional PMOs within a multinational engineering and project management PBO. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted and the results were analysed using ATLAS.Ti (a computer-aided qualitative data analysis software).

Findings

The findings show that it is the way in which the PMO structures knowledge management (KM) infrastructure and processes, which determines the success of its mediation role in the transfer of tacit and explicit knowledge between projects. The articulability of knowledge influences the PMO's mediation role and the PMO's mediation role in turn improves the usability of knowledge, thereby creating a conducive environment for a competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This study offers a framework to assist scholars and practitioners to understand the mediation role of the PMO in the transfer of knowledge with different levels of articulability within the projects environment. Such understanding can improve the usability of transferred knowledge, thereby creating a competitive edge for a PBO. The study shows that the PMO can be used as an instrument for KT between projects, a theme that was not found in literature. The paper thus offers new empirical information.
Do foreign direct investments and bank credits affect employment in Uzbekistan?
Authors: Suyunov Alisher
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The paper investigates the relationship between credit to the economy, foreign direct investment (FDI) and the unemployment rate in Uzbekistan using macroeconomic time series over 2004–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The study estimates the relationship by applying a vector autoregression model, which is considered a “workhorse” model for policy analysis to capture dynamic relationships in economic time series.

Findings

The results suggest both growth in credit to the economy and FDI Granger cause a change in the unemployment rate. The authors found 1% increase in bank credits to the economy growth decreases the unemployment rate by 0.096 pp. over eight years. On the contrary, 1% positive shock to FDI growth increases the unemployment rate by 0.0036% in the context of Uzbekistan.

Practical implications

Uzbekistan should improve FDI absorptive capacity, particularly human capital and financial market development, through growth-enhancing structural reforms in the financial sector to stimulate economic growth and employment. The attracted FDI funds should focus on productive and economic sectors with high labor-absorptive capacity, such as financial and professional services, healthcare and biomedicine, creative industries and media, software sector.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the empirical literature on employment effects of FDIs and credit to the economy of Uzbekistan.
How does leader conscientiousness influence frontline staff under conditions of serious anxiety? An empirical study from integrated resorts (IRs)
Authors: Xue Jin , Mo Ziying , Liu Matthew Tingchi , Gao Ming
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study was to improve understanding of frontline staff's subjective happiness and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic by investigating the roles of employees' busy mindset and leader conscientiousness.

Design/methodology/approach

The link between employee anxiety and subjective happiness was also explored, and the cross-level mediating effect of employee anxiety was tested using a multilevel design. A survey of 373 frontline staffers and 74 team leaders in the integrated resorts (IRs) was conducted in three waves: April (Time 1), May (Time 2) and June (Time 3) in 2020. The data were analysed with SPSS and Mplus using a hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) method.

Findings

The results indicated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, a busy mindset increased frontline staff's anxiety and thus decreased their subjective happiness, and leader conscientiousness remedied the effect of anxiety on subjective happiness.

Practical implications

The findings are relevant to frontline staffers, team leaders in the hospitality industry and corporate service departments. Against the background of COVID-19, conscientious leaders can significantly help employees to overcome their anxiety and insecurity and improve their subjective happiness, answering the urgent call to deal with the challenges of the new work–life environment.

Originality/value

The study differs from previous other studies in two dimensions: First, the authors explored the interactions of the affective events from the cross-level perspectives, i.e. both team level and individual level. Second, the authors conducted this research on the mental issues of the hospitality frontline staffers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which remains a black box to be explored.
First break picking with deep learning – evaluation of network architectures
Authors: Zwartjes Paul , Yoo Jewoo
Published: November 2021

In recent years, various convolutional neural network architectures have been proposed for first break picking. In this paper, we compare the standard auto‐encoder and U‐net architectures as well as versions enhanced with ResNet style skip connections. The U‐net appears to have become the standard network for segmentation, judging from the number of published articles. Still, there is some variety in neural network architectural choices. In this paper, we assess the impact of neural network depth, width and input data size, as well as some small modifications for deep networks offered by the ResNet. In general, results improve as the networks get deeper, but with diminishing returns. The more complex the data, the more benefit the deeper networks bring. We use complete shot gathers, albeit rescaled for efficiency, to train the neural networks. For shot gathers with a simple piecewise linear moveout, this approach yields results with good accuracy when gathers are resampled to 128 × 128 samples. For shot gathers with more complex first break moveout, using our approach it is advised to stay close to the original dimension of each gather for best accuracy, at the expense of increased training times. A good trade‐off between network depth, image size and training times is to use a nine‐stage U‐net with 256 sample images. Despite the advantages in other applications, the basic U‐net outperforms a U‐net with ResNet features. We show that changing the input data dimensions for trained networks does not work, despite the fact the fully convolutional networks are independent of image size. The U‐net based first break picking is not sensitive to picking errors, as in many cases the neural network predictions are better than the training data where the training data have random mispicks. This suggests a practical application; namely, to train or re‐train a pre‐trained network on a single data set after conventional first break picking with the objective of improving conventionally picked first breaks.
Preterm neonatal survival: what is the role of prognostic models?
Authors: McClure EM , Goldenberg RL
Published: November 2021

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on PE van Beek et al., pp. 529–538 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471‐0528.17010
Long‐term indomethacin therapy after laser surgery for TTTS. Worth the effort?
Authors: Ville Y
Published: November 2021

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on HJ Mustafa et al., pp. 597–606 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17017
Efficacy of long‐term indomethacin therapy in prolonging pregnancy after fetoscopic laser surgery for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome: a collaborative cohort study
Authors: Mustafa HJ , Krispin E , Tadbiri H , Espinoza J , Shamshirsaz AA , Nassr AA , Donepudi R , Belfort MA , Cortes MS , Pederson N , Harman C , Turan OM
Published: November 2021

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of long‐term indomethacin therapy (LIT) in prolonging pregnancy and reducing spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) in patients undergoing fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) for the management of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Design

Retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data.

Setting

Collaborative multicentre study.

Population

Five hundred and fifty‐seven consecutive TTTS cases that underwent FLS.

Methods

Long‐term indomethacin therapy was defined as indomethacin use for at least 48 hours. Log‐binomial regression was used to estimate the relative risk of PTB in the LIT group compared with a non‐LIT group. Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between LIT use and FLS‐to‐delivery survival.

Main outcome measures

Gestational age (GA) at delivery.

Results

Among the 411 pregnancies included, a total of 180 patients (43.8%) received LIT after FLS and 231 patients (56.2%) did not. Median GA at fetal intervention did not differ between groups (20.4 weeks). Median GA at delivery was significantly higher in the LIT group (33.6 weeks) compared with the non‐LIT group (31.1 weeks; P < 0.001). FLS‐to‐delivery interval was significantly longer in the LIT group (P < 0.001). The risks of PTB before 34, 32, 28 and 26 weeks of gestation were all significantly lower in the LIT group compared with the non‐LIT group (relative risks 0.69, 0.51, 0.37 and 0.18, respectively). The number needed to treat with LIT to prevent one PTB before 32 weeks of gestation was four, and to prevent one PTB before 34 weeks was five.

Conclusion

Long‐term indomethacin after FLS for TTTS was found to be associated with prolongation of pregnancy and reduced risk for PTB.

Tweetable abstract

Long‐term indomethacin used after fetoscopic laser surgery for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome is effective in prolonging pregnancy and reducing the risk for preterm birth; especially extreme preterm birth.
Body‐worn cameras, lawful police stops, and NYPD officer compliance: A cluster randomized controlled trial*
Authors: Braga Anthony A. , MacDonald John M. , McCabe James
Published: November 2021

The federal court settlement of Floyd, et al. v. City of New York, et al. (2013) mandated that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) implement a series of reforms to address unlawful stop, question, and frisk patterns and practices. Among other changes, the remedial order required the NYPD to implement and evaluate a pilot body‐worn camera program to determine whether outfitting officers with the technology led to more lawful and civil police–citizen encounters. A cluster randomized controlled trial involving 40 police precincts and 3,889 NYPD officers was used to evaluate the effects of body‐worn cameras on a series of police work activity, civility, and lawfulness outcomes. Relative to control officers, citizen complaints against treatment officers outfitted with body‐worn cameras were reduced by 21 percent. Treatment officers, however, also filed nearly 39 percent more stop reports when compared with control officers. Treatment stop reports tended to involve minority subjects, were less likely to involve arrests and summons, and were significantly more likely to be rated as not meeting constitutional justifications for stops, frisks, and searches. These results suggest that body‐worn cameras improved NYPD officer compliance with mandates to document all stops and could be used to address unlawful policing through better detection of problematic police–citizen encounters.
An accurate assignment test for extremely low‐coverage whole‐genome sequence data
Authors: Ferrari Giada , Atmore Lane M. , Jentoft Sissel , Jakobsen Kjetill S. , Makowiecki Daniel , Barrett James H. , Star Bastiaan
Published: November 2021

Genomic assignment tests can provide important diagnostic biological characteristics, such as population of origin or ecotype. Yet, assignment tests often rely on moderate‐ to high‐coverage sequence data that can be difficult to obtain for fields such as molecular ecology and ancient DNA. We have developed a novel approach that efficiently assigns biologically relevant information (i.e., population identity or structural variants such as inversions) in extremely low‐coverage sequence data. First, we generate databases from existing reference data using a subset of diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with a biological characteristic. Low‐coverage alignment files are subsequently compared to these databases to ascertain allelic state, yielding a joint probability for each association. To assess the efficacy of this approach, we assigned haplotypes and population identity in Heliconius butterflies, Atlantic herring, and Atlantic cod using chromosomal inversion sites and whole‐genome data. We scored both modern and ancient specimens, including the first whole‐genome sequence data recovered from ancient Atlantic herring bones. The method accurately assigns biological characteristics, including population membership, using extremely low‐coverage data (as low as 0.0001x) based on genome‐wide SNPs. This approach will therefore increase the number of samples in evolutionary, ecological and archaeological research for which relevant biological information can be obtained.
How Far Will Managers Go to Look Like a Good Steward? An Examination of Preferences for Trustworthiness and Honesty in Managerial Reporting†
Authors: Abdel‐Rahim Heba Y. , Hales Jeffrey , Stevens Douglas E.
Published: November 2021

Growing calls for expanded disclosure on managerial stewardship raise important questions about how finer (i.e., disaggregated) reporting, when paired with discretion over classification, will influence managerial behavior. To study this question, we develop an investment game in which, if the investor chooses to invest, the manager privately observes production costs, chooses their personal pay, and provides a cost report in one of three reporting regimes: aggregated, disaggregated without discretion, or disaggregated with discretion. In Experiment 1, as predicted, managers report lower personal pay under both disaggregated regimes than what they consume under the aggregated regime. Yet, when disaggregated reports allow for discretion, managers misclassify personal pay as production costs to such an extent that their actual consumption is no different than in the aggregated condition. In Experiment 2, we allow managers to choose either an aggregated report or a disaggregated report with discretion. We find that, rather than remaining silent, the vast majority of managers still prefer the opportunity to report on their pay explicitly so that they can use their reporting discretion to appear trustworthy, despite not actually being so. In summary, our evidence suggests a strong weight of preferences for appearing trustworthy in the managers' utility function, a much lower weight for actually being trustworthy, and little evidence that preferences for being honest are strong enough for discretionary disaggregated reporting to curb agency costs. In other words, whether disaggregation can reduce agency costs will depend on managers' reporting discretion. Our findings have important implications for control system designers, financial and sustainability accounting standard setters, and regulators.
Hemodynamic evaluation of a new pulsatile blood pump during low flow cardiopulmonary bypass support
Authors: Miyamoto Takuma , Sunagawa Gengo , Dessoffy Raymond , Karimov Jamshid H. , Grady Patrick , Naber Jeffrey P. , Vincent Douglas , Sale Shiva M. , Kvernebo Knut , Tran Van N. P. , Moazami Nader , Fukamachi Kiyotaka
Published: November 2021

Background

The VentriFlo® True Pulse Pump (VentriFlo, Inc, Pelham, NH, USA) is a new pulsatile blood pump intended for use during short‐term circulatory support. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the VentriFlo and compare it to a conventional centrifugal pump (ROTAFLOW, Getinge, Gothenberg, Sweden) in acute pig experiments.

Methods

Pigs (40–45 kg) were supported by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with the VentriFlo (n = 9) or ROTAFLOW (n = 5) for 6 h. Both VentriFlo and ROTAFLOW circuits utilized standard CPB components. We evaluated hemodynamics, blood chemistry, gas analysis, plasma hemoglobin, and microcirculation at the groin skin with computer‐assisted video microscopy (Optilia, Sollentuna, Sweden).

Results

Pigs were successfully supported by CPB for 6 h without any pump‐related complications in either group. The VentriFlo delivered an average stroke volume of 29.2 ± 4.8 ml. VentriFlo delivered significantly higher pulse pressure (29.1 ± 7.2 mm Hg vs. 4.4 ± 7.0 mm Hg, p < 0.01) as measured in the carotid artery, with mean aortic pressure and pump flow comparable with those in ROTAFLOW. In blood gas analysis, arterial pH was significantly lower after five hours support in the VentriFlo group (7.30 ± 0.07 vs. 7.43 ± 0.03, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in plasma hemoglobin level in both groups after six hours of CPB support. In microcirculatory assessment, VentriFlo tended to keep normal capillary flow, but it was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

VentriFlo‐supported pigs showed comparable hemodynamic parameters with significantly higher pulse pressure compared to ROTAFLOW without hemolysis.
Silencing KLF16 inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis
Authors: Yang Lei , Shi You‐Ling , Ma Yan , Ren Wei‐Wei , Pang Guang‐Ming , Liu Jiao
Published: November 2021

Krüppel‐like factor 16 (KLF16), a member of the Krüppel‐like factor (KLF) family, has been extensively investigated in multiple cancer types. However, the role of KLF16 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. Thus, we conducted this study to investigate its related mechanism. KLF16 expression in OSCC cell lines was quantified by western blotting. Then, OECM1 and OC3 cells were divided into Blank, siCtrl, siKLF16#1 and siKLF16#2 groups. Subsequently, cell proliferation was detected using 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, cell migration and invasion were detected with wound healing and Transwell assays, and cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were detected via flow cytometry. KLF16, p21, CDK4, Cyclin D1 and p‐Rb expression was detected by western blotting. Finally, xenograft models were established in nude mice to observe the in vivo effects of KLF16 on OSCC. KLF16 protein expression was upregulated in OSCC cells. Compared to the cells in the Blank group, the OECM1 and OC3 cells in the siKLF16#1 group and siKLF16#2 group exhibited a sharp decrease in proliferation but a remarkable increase in apoptosis. Moreover, the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase notably increased and that in the S phase decreased, with evident decreases in cell invasion and migration. Moreover, KLF16, cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), Cyclin D1 and p‐Rb protein expression was upregulated, but p21 expression was downregulated. The mice in the siKLF16#1 and siKLF16#2 xenograft model groups exhibited slower tumour growth and smaller tumours with evident downregulation of Ki67 expression compared to the mice in the Blank group. KLF16 expression was upregulated in OSCC cells, and interfering with KLF16 led to cell cycle arrest, inhibited OSCC cell growth and promoted cell apoptosis.
Novel treatments in epilepsy guided by genetic diagnosis
Authors: Marini Carla , Giardino Maria
Published: November 2021

In recent years, precision medicine has emerged as a new paradigm for improved and more individualized patient care. Its key objective is to provide the right treatment, to the right patient at the right time, by basing medical decisions on individual characteristics, including specific genetic biomarkers. In order to realize this objective researchers and physicians must first identify the underlying genetic cause; over the last 10 years, advances in genetics have made this possible for several monogenic epilepsies. Through next generation techniques, a precise genetic aetiology is attainable in 30–50% of genetic epilepsies beginning in the paediatric age. While committed in such search for novel genes carrying disease‐causing variants, progress in the study of experimental models of epilepsy has also provided a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the condition. Such advances are already being translated into improving care, management and treatment of some patients. Identification of a precise genetic aetiology can already direct physicians to prescribe treatments correcting specific metabolic defects, avoid antiseizure medicines that might aggravate functional consequences of the disease‐causing variant or select the drugs that counteract the underlying, genetically determined, functional disturbance. Personalized, tailored treatments should not just focus on how to stop seizures but possibly prevent their onset and cure the disorder, often consisting of seizures and its comorbidities including cognitive, motor and behaviour deficiencies. This review discusses the therapeutic implications following a specific genetic diagnosis and the correlation between genetic findings, pathophysiological mechanisms and tailored seizure treatment, emphasizing the impact on current clinical practice.
Discussion on “distributional independent component analysis for diverse neuroimaging modalities” by Ben Wu, Subhadip Pal, Jian Kang, and Ying Guo
Authors: Moerkerke Beatrijs , Seurinck Ruth
Published: November 2021

We are grateful for the opportunity to provide a discussion on this paper. We will first focus on the general context. Next, we will emphasize the novel key ideas proposed by the authors before formulating some open questions.
Skin adnexal tumours in a tertiary dermatopathology service
Authors: Marušić Z. , Calonje E.
Published: November 2021

Linked Article:  Cook et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 186:167–173.
Computing the real solutions of Fleishman's equations for simulating non‐normal data
Authors: Helwig Nathaniel E.
Published: November 2021

Fleishman's power method is frequently used to simulate non‐normal data with a desired skewness and kurtosis. Fleishman's method requires solving a system of nonlinear equations to find the third‐order polynomial weights that transform a standard normal variable into a non‐normal variable with desired moments. Most users of the power method seem unaware that Fleishman's equations have multiple solutions for typical combinations of skewness and kurtosis. Furthermore, researchers lack a simple method for exploring the multiple solutions of Fleishman's equations, so most applications only consider a single solution. In this paper, we propose novel methods for finding all real‐valued solutions of Fleishman's equations. Additionally, we characterize the solutions in terms of differences in higher order moments. Our theoretical analysis of the power method reveals that there typically exists two solutions of Fleishman's equations that have noteworthy differences in higher order moments. Using simulated examples, we demonstrate that these differences can have remarkable effects on the shape of the non‐normal distribution, as well as the sampling distributions of statistics calculated from the data. Some considerations for choosing a solution are discussed, and some recommendations for improved reporting standards are provided.
Roost site use by Great (Buceros bicornis) and Wreathed (Rhyticeros undulatus) Hornbill and its implications for seed dispersal
Authors: Naniwadekar Rohit , Rathore Akanksha , Shukla Ushma , Datta Aparajita
Published: November 2021

We examined roost selection by hornbills using telemetry data and determined its implication for seed dispersal. Roost selection was not influenced by nest/foraging sites. Wreathed Hornbill roosts were mostly close to the river. Hornbills dispersed only 10% of seeds at roosts, but dispersal distances of those seeds were longer.
Association of Escherichia coli containing polyketide synthase in the gut microbiota with colorectal neoplasia in Japan
Authors: Iwasaki Motoki , Kanehara Rieko , Yamaji Taiki , Katagiri Ryoko , Mutoh Michihiro , Tsunematsu Yuta , Sato Michio , Watanabe Kenji , Hosomi Koji , Kakugawa Yasuo , Ikematsu Hiroaki , Hotta Kinichi , Kunisawa Jun , Wakabayashi Keiji , Matsuda Takahisa
Published: November 2021

Escherichia coli containing polyketide synthase in the gut microbiota (pks+ E coli) produce a polyketide‐peptide genotoxin, colibactin, and are suspected to play a role in the development of colorectal neoplasia. To clarify the role of pks+ E coli in the early stage of tumorigenesis, we investigated whether the pks status of E coli was associated with the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia. This cross‐sectional analysis of data from a prospective cohort in Izu Oshima, Japan included asymptomatic residents aged 40‐79 years who underwent screening colonoscopy and provided a stool sample. We identified 543 participants with colorectal neoplasia (22 colorectal cancer and 521 adenoma) as cases and 425 participants with normal colon as controls. The pks status of E coli was assayed using stool DNA and specific primers that detected pks+ E coli. The proportion of pks+ E coli was 32.6% among cases and 30.8% among controls. Compared with those with pks− E coli, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) for participants with pks+ E coli was 1.04 (0.77‐1.41) after adjusting for potential confounders. No statistically significant associations were observed regardless of tumor site or number of colorectal adenoma lesions. However, stratified analyses revealed increased ORs among participants who consumed cereals over the median intake or vegetables under the median intake. Overall, we found no statistically significant association between pks+ E coli and the prevalence of colorectal adenoma lesions among this Japanese cohort. However, positive associations were suggested under certain intake levels of cereals or vegetables.
The spatial distribution of immune cell subpopulations in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Peng‐Cheng , Hu Zhi‐Qiang , Zhou Shao‐Lai , Yu Song‐Yang , Mao Li , Su Sheng , Li Jia , Ren Ning , Huang Xiao‐Wu
Published: November 2021

Infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) influence tumor progression and patient prognosis, making them attractive therapeutic targets for immunotherapy research. A deeper understanding of immune cell distributions in the TME in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is needed to identify interactions among different immune cell types that might impact the effectiveness of potential immunotherapies. We performed multiplex immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray of samples from 302 patients with HCC to elucidate the spatial distributions of immune cell subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD66b+, and CD68+) in HCC and normal liver tissues. We analyzed the associations between different immune subpopulations using Pearson's correlation. G(r) functions, K(r) functions and Euclidean distance were applied to characterize the bivariate distribution patterns among the immune cell types. Cox regression and Kaplan‐Meier analysis were used to evaluate the associations between tumor infiltration by different immune cells and patient outcomes after curative surgery. We also analyzed the relationship between the spatial distribution of different immune cell subpopulations with HCC patient prognosis. We found that the immune cell spatial distribution in the HCC TME is heterogeneous. Our study provides a theoretical basis for HCC immunotherapy.
The course of problematic social media use in young adolescents: A latent class growth analysis
Authors: Boer Maartje , Stevens Gonneke W. J. M. , Finkenauer Catrin , van den Eijnden Regina J. J. M.
Published: November 2021

Using four waves of longitudinal data collected in 2015–2019 from 1419 Dutch adolescents (Mage = 12.5, 45.9% female, 21.9% immigrant), this study identified trajectories of problematic social media use (SMU) in parallel with trajectories of SMU frequency. Latent class growth analysis identified two subgroups with relatively high levels of problematic SMU over time: One showed high (24.7%) and one showed average SMU frequency (15.8%). Also, two subgroups with persistently low levels of problematic SMU were identified: One reported low (22.4%) and one reported high SMU frequency (37.1%). Although both subgroups with high levels of problematic SMU reported low subjective well‐being, the group with high SMU frequency showed low self‐control, whereas the group with average SMU frequency reported poor social competencies.
The role of thalidomide in dermatology
Authors: Hussain K. , Patel P. , Roberts N.
Published: November 2021

Thalidomide is a medication that has been in existence for over half a century, and has proven to be useful and effective in severe dermatological conditions. For dermatologists, the ability of thalidomide to reduce the levels of the cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α, along with its immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic properties, is of great significance, with the added advantage of being an oral medication. Its use is of course strictly monitored, owing to its potential adverse effects (AEs), particularly teratogenicity, with precautions taken to ensure its safe and correct use by both prescriber and patient. In this review, we look at the background and mechanism of action of thalidomide, provide an overview of conditions it can be used for with case examples, explain the potential AEs and monitoring requirements, and discuss future developments.
Comparison of patient characteristics between East Asian and non‐East Asian patients with insulin autoimmune syndrome
Authors: Oest Lisa , Roden Michael , Müssig Karsten
Published: November 2021

Objective

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is the third most common cause of spontaneous hypoglycaemia in Japan but very rare in the rest of the world. We aimed to identify factors, which are associated with the occurrence of IAS and which may differ between East Asian and non‐East Asian patients.

Design

A PubMed search using the search terms ‘insulin autoimmune syndrome’ and ‘Hirata disease’ revealed a total of 287 reports of IAS cases, including one previously unpublished own case.

Results

Mean age (±standard deviation) was 52 ± 19 years in East Asian and 54 ± 21 years in non‐East Asian patients (p > .05). In both groups, there were more females. Mean body mass index was lower in East Asian than in non‐East Asian patients (23.0 ± 4.3 vs. 27.1 ± 5.6 kg/m2, p < .0001). Postprandial hypoglycaemia was more common in non‐East Asian patients (p < .05). East Asian patients took more frequently antithyroid medications and non‐East Asian patients angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (both p < .0001). Graves' disease and other autoimmune diseases were more frequently observed in East Asian patients (both p < .01). Parameters of glucose metabolism were comparable in both groups, independent of diabetes diagnosis (p > .05), except for insulin that was higher in East Asian compared to non‐East Asian metabolically healthy patients (p < .01). Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1*0406 was the most frequent HLA‐type in East Asian patients (p < .0001), whereas DRB1*0403 and *0404 were more frequent in non‐East Asian patients (both p < .05). Non‐East Asian patients received more secondary treatments, including plasmapheresis and rituximab, whereas medication discontinuation was more common in East Asian patients (all p < .05). Outcome was similar in both groups (p > .05).

Conclusions

Factors associated with IAS markedly differ between East Asian and non‐East Asian patients, with autoimmune disorders, particularly Graves' disease, antithyroid medications, and HLA‐DRB1*0406 more prevalent in East Asian patients and cardiovascular and plasma cell diseases, ACE inhibitors and HLA‐DRB1*0403 more prevalent in non‐East Asian patients.
Fibrin clot properties and fibrinolysis in patients with endocrine hypertension due to aldosterone or catecholamines excess
Authors: Warchoł‐Celińska Ewa , Prejbisz Aleksander , Dobrowolski Piotr , Wypasek Ewa , Kądziela Jacek , Kołodziejczyk‐Kruk Sylwia , Kabat Marek , Undas Anetta , Januszewicz Andrzej
Published: November 2021

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate a new possible background of increased risk of cardiovascular events in two forms of endocrine hypertension: in primary aldosteronism (PA) and pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) in comparison to essential hypertension (EHT).

Context

Prothrombotic properties of the fibrin clot structure, impaired fibrinolysis and enhanced thrombin generation have been reported to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Design

Patients with PA and PPGL were evaluated at baseline and re‐evaluated 3 months after causative treatment. At baseline PA and PPGL patients were compared to matched EHT patients and to healthy controls.

Patients

The study included 35 patients with PA, 16 patients with PPGL and two reference groups of patients with EHT (32 and 22 patients) and healthy controls (35 and 23 subjects).

Measurements

All subjects underwent evaluation according to the study protocol that included plasma fibrin clot permeability (Ks), clot lysis time, endogenous thrombin potential.

Results

There were no differences in clot structure and fibrinolytic activity in PA and PPGL patients as compared to matched patients with EHT, whereas all hypertensive groups were characterized by more compact fibrin clot structure, faster clot formation and enhanced thrombin generation in comparison to healthy controls. Both in PA and PPGL patients, fibrin clot properties and fibrinolytic parameters remained stable after the causative treatment.

Conclusions

Patients with PA and PPGL are at a prothrombic state comparable to patients with EHT. The results suggest the higher risk of cardiovascular events observed in hypertensive PA and PPGL as compared to EHT is not mediated through investigated prothrombic mechanisms.