bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct nano-structures support a multifunctional role of actin at presynapses
Authors: Bingham Dominic , Wernert Florian , Costa Moura Julie Da , Boroni-Rueda Fanny , van Bommel Nikki , Caillol Ghislaine , Papandréou Marie-Jeanne , Leterrier Christophe
Published: May 2022

Synapses are the nexus of signal transmission in the nervous system. Despite decades of work, the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton that concentrates at presynapses remain poorly known, hindering our comprehensive understanding of its roles in presynaptic physiology. In this work, we take advantage of a validated model of bead-induced presynapses to measure and visualize isolated presynaptic actin by diffraction-limited and super-resolution microscopy. We first identify a major population of actin-enriched presynapses that concentrates more presynaptic components, and shows higher synaptic vesicle cycling than their non-enriched counterparts. Using pharmacological perturbations, we determine that an optimal amount of actin is necessary for this effect of actin enrichment. Modulation of this effect by actin nucleation inhibitors indicates its dependance on distinct presynaptic actin assemblies. Using Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM), we directly visualize these nano-structures in isolated presynapses, defining an actin mesh at the active zone, actin rails between the active zone and deeper reserve pools, and actin corrals around the whole presynaptic compartment. We finally show that these three types of presynaptic actin nano-structures are differentially affected by actin nucleation inhibitors, consistent with their effect on presynaptic component concentration and on synaptic vesicle cycling.
Modeling clonal evolution and oncogenic dependency in vivo in the context of hematopoietic transformation
Authors: Bowman Robert L. , Dunbar Andrew , Mishra Tanmay , Xiao Wenbin , Waarts Michael R. , Maestre Inés Fernández , Eisman Shira E. , Cai Louise , Cai Sheng F. , Vela Pablo Sanchez , Mowla Shoron , Martinez Benitez Anthony R. , Park Young , Csete Isabelle S. , Krishnan Aishwarya , Lee Darren , Boorady Nayla , Potts Chad R. , Jenkins Matthew T. , Carroll Martin P. , Meyer Sara E. , Miles Linde A. , Ferrell P. Brent , Trowbridge Jennifer J. , Levine Ross L.
Published: May 2022

Cancer evolution is a multifaceted process involving the acquisition of somatic mutations and progressive epigenetic dysregulation of cellular fate. Both cell-intrinsic mechanisms and environmental interactions provide selective pressures capable of promoting clonal evolution and expansion, with single-cell and bulk DNA sequencing offering increased resolution into this process1-4. Advances in genome editing, single-cell biology and expressed lentiviral barcoding have enabled new insights into how transcriptional/epigenetic states change with clonal evolution5,6. Despite the extensive catalog of genomic alterations revealed by resequencing studies7,8, there remain limited means to functionally model and perturb this evolutionary process in experimental systems9. Here we integrated multi-recombinase (Cre, Flp, and Dre) tools for modeling reversible, sequential mutagenesis from premalignant clonal hematopoiesis to acute myeloid leukemia. We demonstrate that somatic acquisition of Flt3 activating mutations elicits distinct phases of acute and chronic activation resulting in differential cooperativity with Npm1 and Dnmt3a disease alleles. We next developed a generalizable allelic framework allowing for the reversible expression of oncogenic mutations at their endogenous loci. We found that reversal of mutant Flt3 resulted in rapid leukemic regression with distinct alterations in cellular compartments depending upon co-occurring mutations. These studies provide a path to model sequential mutagenesis and deterministically investigate mechanisms of transformation and oncogenic dependency in the context of clonal evolution.
Solvent media as the driving force in the formation of one-dimensional silver(I) coordination polymers with 2-methylidene-1,3-bis(nicotinoyloxy)propane
Authors: Jo Seong Min , Noh Tae Hwan
Published: May 2022

Two kinds of silver(I) coordination polymers consisting of the same chemical composition, [Ag(CF3SO3)(L)] [L is 2-methylidene-1,3-bis(nicotinoyloxy)propane], were synthesized and characterized by infrared (IR) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, elemental and thermal analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry; these are catena-poly[[(trifluoromethanesulfonato-κO)silver(I)]-μ-2-methylenepropane-1,3-diyl dinicotinate-κ2
N:N′], [Ag(CF3SO3)(C16H14N2O4)]
n
, and its chloroform monosolvate, {[Ag(CF3SO3)(C16H14N2O4)]·CHCl3}
n
. The X-ray crystallographic measurements revealed that the silver(I) compounds exhibit one-dimensional sinusoidal or helical molecular structures depending on the solvent used for crystallization. Self-assembly in a methanol/chloroform mixture produces the sinusoidal molecular strand, whereas recrystallization from acetonitrile medium affords a racemic mixture of the helical strands. These compounds display a fluorescence emission arising from both the ligand-centred transition and the ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) in the solid state under ambient conditions.
Assessing the value relevance of fair value measurements: a South African perspective
Authors: Matsane Ayanda , Nakpodia Franklin , Areneke Geofry
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore whether fair value Levels 1 and 2 measurements are more value relevant than Level 3 fair value measurements in a less-active market. Specifically, this research addresses two objectives. Firstly, it examines the value relevance of fair value measures for each disclosure level of fair value. Secondly, it assesses the impact of corporate governance on the value relevance of less observable fair value disclosures (Levels 2 and 3).

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing insights from agency theorising, this research adopts a quantitative approach (regression analysis) that investigates data from a less active financial market (South Africa).

Findings

Contrary to agency theory suppositions, the results show that investors in a less active market value management inputs more than market (more transparent) information. The authors also observe that investors pay limited interest to corporate governance structures when pricing fair value measurement, implying that they rely on factors beyond corporate governance mechanisms.

Originality/value

The authors’ findings offer useful evidence to standard setters and preparers of financial information. While the International Accounting Standard Board suggests that investors value transparent financial information, the data shows that investors in less-active markets value management’s inputs more than those of the market.
A framework to evaluate sustainable construction principles in government building projects: the case of Jordan
Authors: Ayoub Heba , Sweis Ghaleb , Abu-Khader Waleed , Sweis Rateb
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to provide a framework that includes the principles of sustainable construction to evaluate their application in the construction of government building projects in various environmental, economic, and social aspects distributed over the project phases throughout its life cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methods from literature review and analysis of sustainability assessment tools were used to design the framework. The designed framework included six main categories, comprising 19 indicators that include sustainable building principles to assess application levels in government construction projects. It was used to evaluate applying sustainability practices in Jordanian government construction projects. 133 questionnaires were distributed to a convenience sample of three government institutions concerned with the design, implementation, and management of government buildings in Jordan.

Findings

After collecting the quantitative data, the results showed that there is an application of six sustainability principles during the initial planning, analysis, and design stages of Jordanian government construction projects. The results focused on the application levels in social sustainability principles versus environmental and economical, especially in the operating stages during the project life cycle.

Originality/value

This study contributes by providing a tool to evaluate the sustainability of government construction projects and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of these types of buildings in both the short and long term by making them more sustainable. Subsequently, recommendations are made on reorienting government construction projects toward a sustainable building approach.
Does stakeholder pressure matter in Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibility and financial performance?
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Khan Sadia Mehfooz , Puah Chin-Hong , Mubarik Muhammad Shujaat , Ashfaq Muhammad
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of stakeholder pressure on Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A close-ended questionnaire was collected from 282 Islamic bank’s branch managers. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model. Both measurement and structural models were found to be fit for this research.

Findings

Results indicate that all components of stakeholder pressure (management, client, competitor, Sharia advisory board and community) have a significant positive impact on Islamic CSR. The findings of this study further revealed that Islamic CSR is a significant predictor of bank’s financial performance. Based on the present empirical results, this study suggests that Islamic bank managers should develop the best CSR practices to gain a competitive advantage and sustainable financial performance.

Originality/value

Overall, this study contributes significantly to the Islamic bank CSR literature. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, few studies have been conducted to establish a link between firm performance and CSR in Islamic banks using a comprehensive model of stakeholder pressure.
The impact of value conflict on academic adjustment among first-year students at Kuwait University: a quantitative study
Authors: Alrumaidhi Khaled
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Considering the crucial role which academic adjustment plays in student success at university, gaining insight into how several factors affect this key metric is important. This empirical study investigated the impact of value conflict upon the academic adjustment of first-year students at Kuwait University.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study were collected using the survey method from a random sample of 627 first-year university students. The data were analyzed using descriptive and regression statistical methods.

Findings

The findings showed that (1) student perceptions regarding the level of value conflict were moderate, with the highest level found in the political domain; (2) student perceptions about the level of academic adjustment were also moderate, with the highest level found in the goal domain; (3) value conflicts are a significant predictor of student academic adjustment, with political value conflicts influencing academic adjustment the most, and (4) value conflict explained 46.5% of the student academic adjustment variation.

Practical implications

These findings imply that college administrations should integrate activities designed to improve student adjustment into co-curricular activities meant for youth development. Relevant recommendations are included.

Originality/value

While significant attention has been given to student academic adjustment in higher education over the last few decades, little attention has been paid to how different factors predict adjustment especially in non-Western cultures such as higher education in Kuwait.
Thirty years of product and brand management research: a retrospective review of the Journal of Product and Brand Management using bibliometric analysis
Authors: Donthu Naveen , Kumar Satish , Sahoo Saumyaranjan , Lim Weng Marc , Joshi Yatish
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The Journal of Product and Brand Management (JPBM) has a 30-year long history. To commemorate the journal’s 30th anniversary, this research paper aims to present a retrospective overview of JPBM.

Design/methodology/approach

This research examines the performance of the research constituents, social structure and intellectual structure of scholarly publications produced by JPBM between 1992 and 2021 using bibliometric analysis.

Findings

This research sheds light on the growing influence of JPBM through four major knowledge clusters (themes): strategic brand management; consumer behavior; product development and innovation management; and brand engagement. A temporal analysis of decade-by-decade cataloguing of the JPBM corpus revealed another set of three distinct knowledge clusters (themes): retailing and pricing strategies; marketing communications; and relationship marketing.

Research limitations/implications

Though the state-of-the-art overview herein offers seminal and useful insights about product and brand management research curated by JPBM, which can be used by the editorial board and prospective authors to curate and position the novelty of future contributions, it remains limited to the accuracy and availability of bibliographic records acquired from Scopus.

Originality/value

This research advances the internal review and subjective evaluation of the evolution of brand management thinking in JPBM by Veloutsou and Guzmán (2017) with an objective retrospection on the performance and scientific evolution of product and brand management research in JPBM.
When Investors Speak, Do Firms Listen? The Role of Investors' Dividend‐related Complaints from Online Earnings Communication Conferences
Authors: Lin Le , Liao Ke , Xie Deren
Published: May 2022

We study whether investor voice affects firm policy. Using a novel dataset of the transcripts of online earnings communication conferences (OECC) of Chinese listed firms during 2006 and 2015, we show that firms do respond to investor complaints about dividend policy with increased future dividends. We find that the number of dividend‐related questions raised by investors, the number of complaints (questions with negative attitudes), firm executive responsiveness, and CEO attendance in the OECC are positively associated with future dividend payouts. Moreover, positive responses are concentrated in firms facing greater pressure from peers, the market, and the regulator. Our additional analysis shows that the increase in payouts in response to investors' voice is not at the expense of cutting value‐increasing investment. Overall, our results suggest that the online interactive platform empowers shareholders' voice and helps them to conduct a successful dialogue with firm managers in a cost‐effective way.
Top‐down effects on aquatic communities in subtropical lentic microhabitats
Authors: Kroth Nádia , de Souza Rezende Renan , Dal Magro Jacir , Albeny‐Simões Daniel
Published: May 2022

Natural lentic microhabitats are important for aquatic invertebrate communities in subtropical aquatic systems, which are usually dominated by mosquitoes, predators and zooplankton. Subtropical lentic microhabitats might be strongly affected by top‐down effects of predators. We evaluated the predator effects on aquatic macroinvertebrate and zooplankton communities by using black plastic buckets (10 L) to simulate lentic microhabitats, which were divided into four treatments: predator absence and presence, and initial (on experiment start) and final (on experiment end) community controls. Large top predators (Odonata) had a stronger effect on community structure by their sit‐and‐wait predatory behaviour. The richness of total macroinvertebrates, Culex genus (most abundant organism), and zooplankton was highest in predators' absence. On the other hand, the sit‐and‐wait behaviour increased the density of organisms by selective predation on macroinvertebrates that feed in the bottom of the system. Also, the sit‐and‐wait behaviour increased the density of gathering and filtering collectors (top swimmers) by differences in space preference. We observed a positive species‐specific relationship between Culex and predators. We concluded that predators' presence contributes to the balance of lentic microhabitat in subtropical lentic microhabitats by top‐down control.
A missing link? Network analysis as an empirical approach for critical physical geography
Authors: Chignell Stephen M.
Published: May 2022

Critical physical geography (CPG) calls for integrative research on material landscapes and the socio‐political dynamics of scientific knowledge production. Network analysis, a rich tradition of tools and approaches for analyzing relational information, has seen little use in the CPG literature to date. This represents a fruitful opportunity, as many of CPG's core interests—knowledge politics, histories of scientific concepts, and ecosocial relations—can be effectively analyzed using network techniques. In this article, I argue for adapting network approaches to CPG. First, I provide an overview of various network concepts, approaches, and their origins. I then discuss bibliometric network techniques for “science mapping” including co‐word, co‐authorship, and citation analyses. Next, I describe discourse network analysis, a recent mixed‐method approach from political science. Finally, I discuss overlaps with emerging approaches from qualitative and visual network analysis. In each section, I provide existing and hypothetical examples, as well as software and visualization techniques, that demonstrate how network approaches could add new insights to CPG and related scholarship. Linking CPG with the diverse traditions of network analysis has the potential to produce new empirical understandings and bring the field into conversation with a growing body of research that spans the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.
Family functioning under COVID‐19: An ecological perspective of family resilience of Hong Kong Chinese families
Authors: Wong Daniel Fu Keung , Lau Yin Yim , Chan Hiu Sze , Zhuang Xiaoyu
Published: May 2022

This study tested an ecological model of resilience that illustrated the influence of COVID‐19‐related stressors (i.e., social and health stressors) and various socio‐ecological factors at microsystem (i.e., parent–child conflicts and couple relationship) and exo‐system levels (i.e., the utilization of community resources) on family functioning among Chinese families during COVID‐19. An anonymous telephone survey was conducted using random sampling method. The sample contained 322 respondents who were co‐habiting with their child(ren) and their partner. Hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modelling were used to examine the differential impacts of various levels of factors and the model that were proposed. Results showed that 13.2% of the households were categorized as at‐risk of poorer family functioning. Couple relationship and stressors significantly accounted for much of the variance in family functioning. While stressors had a significant direct effect on family functioning, couple relationship, but not parent–child conflicts or utilization of community resources, significantly mediated and moderated the impact of stressors on family functioning. The findings highlighted the impacts of both individual and ecological factors on family functioning under COVID‐19. Importantly, cultural and contextual factors should be considered when adopting ecological model of resilience to examine family functioning in diverse cultural groups.
Verb Metaphoric Extension Under Semantic Strain
Authors: King Daniel , Gentner Dedre
Published: May 2022

This paper explores the processes underlying verb metaphoric extension. Work on metaphor processing has largely focused on noun metaphor, despite evidence that verb metaphor is more common. Across three experiments, we collected paraphrases of simple intransitive sentences varying in semantic strain—for example,The motor complained → The engine made strange noises—and assessed the degree of meaning change for the noun and the verb. We developed a novel methodology for this assessment using word2vec. In Experiments 1 and 2, we found that (a) under semantic strain, verb meanings were more likely to be adjusted than noun meanings; (b) the degree of verb meaning adjustment—but not noun meaning adjustment—increased with semantic strain; and (c) verb meaning extension is primarily driven by online adjustment, although sense selection also plays a role. In Experiment 3, we replicated the word2vec results with an assessment using human subjects. The results further showed that nouns and verbs change meaning in qualitatively different ways, with verbs more likely to change meaning metaphorically and nouns more likely to change meaning taxonomically or metonymically. These findings bear on the origin and processing of verb metaphors and provide a link between online sentence processing and diachronic change over language evolution.
A permeability‐ and perfusion‐based PBPK model for improved prediction of concentration‐time profiles
Authors: Korzekwa Ken , Radice Casey , Nagar Swati
Published: May 2022

To improve predictions of concentration‐time (C‐t) profiles of drugs, a new physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling framework (termed ‘PermQ’) has been developed. This model includes permeability into and out of capillaries, cell membranes, and intracellular lipids. New modeling components include (i) lumping of tissues into compartments based on both blood flow and capillary permeability, and (ii) parameterizing clearances in and out of membranes with apparent permeability and membrane partitioning values. Novel observations include the need for a shallow distribution compartment particularly for bases. C‐t profiles were modeled for 24 drugs (7 acidic, 5 neutral, and 12 basic) using the same experimental inputs for three different models: Rodgers and Rowland (RR), a perfusion‐limited membrane‐based model (Kp,mem), and PermQ. Kp,mem and PermQ can be directly compared since both models have identical tissue partition coefficient parameters. For the 24 molecules used for model development, errors in Vss and t1/2 were reduced by 37% and 43%, respectively, with the PermQ model. Errors in C‐t profiles were reduced (increased EOC) by 43%. The improvement was generally greater for bases than for acids and neutrals. Predictions were improved for all 3 models with the use of parameters optimized for the PermQ model. For five drugs in a test set, similar results were observed. These results suggest that prediction of C‐t profiles can be improved by including capillary and cellular permeability components for all tissues.
The domestic struggle for traditional medical knowledge rights
Authors: Xia Nan
Published: May 2022

In China, the local communities and various ethnic minorities still hold, sustain and develop traditional medicial knowledge (TMK), innovations, and practices within the original communities. TMK also has pharmaceutical option value, which has attracted interests in commercial use of TMK for pharmaceutical innovation in China. However, the increased use of TMK for non‐traditional purposes might lead to a change in the customary treatment of TMK as common goods of relevant communities and peoples, and may lead to significant tension faced by both providers and users of TMK in China. We find there is a significant gap in literature analysing the phenonmenon of domestic biopolitics concerning TMK in China. Closely connected problem is the contradictory relationship between providers and users of TMK, especially between the indigenous and local communities, and corporate and industrial actors. Therefore, urgent research is needed to fill this literature gap.
Ethical obligation and legal requirements: On informed consent practices in Bangladesh
Authors: Mannan Sonia , Alam Jobair , Bari K. M. Ashbarul , Mamun S. M. A. A. , Orin Rehnuma Mehzabin
Published: May 2022

Informed consent to medical intervention is fundamental in both ethics and law. But in practice it is often not taken seriously in developing countries. This paper provides an appraisal of informed consent practices in Bangladesh. Following a review of the ethical and legal principles of informed consent, it assesses the degree to which doctors adhere to it in Bangladesh. Based on findings of non‐compliance, it then investigates the reasons for such non‐compliance through an appraisal of informed consent practices in Bangladesh and provides recommendations aimed at improving such practices. The significance of this paper lies in unveiling the interdependence between the ethical and legal traits of informed consent and their ramifications on strengthening the patient‐oriented approach of duty to care.
Some benefit, some are left behind: NAFTA and educational attainment in the United States
Authors: Gómez‐Ramírez Leopoldo , Padilla‐Romo María
Published: May 2022

This paper examines the persistent effects of eliminating tariffs on Mexican imports, following the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), on Americans' human capital investment. We leverage quasi‐experimental changes in tariffs on Mexican imports across birth cohorts and within states. We show that NAFTA increases the probability of ever attending college and earning a degree. These results, however, mask important heterogeneous effects within the sample. We find white Americans drive these positive effects. In contrast, the educational attainment of racial and ethnic minorities, especially men, shrank under NAFTA, decreasing their probability of graduating from high school.
Old yellow enzyme of a novel fungi‐specific class
Authors: Yamasaki Kazuhiko
Published: May 2022

Old yellow enzymes (OYEs) are flavoproteins that catalyze stereoselective reduction of a wide variety of small molecules including xenobiotic toxins, and are considered as synthetic tools in industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Despite their broad specificity, differences in the enzyme structures influence the yield and stereochemistry of the products. Singh et al. present the three‐dimensional structure and biochemical properties of an OYE of a necrotrophic fungus, Ascochyta rabiei, which belongs to a recently identified fungi‐specific class. Observations of distinct structural features and arrangements of the catalytic‐site residues should contribute to understanding the catalytic mechanism of OYEs of this class.

Comment on: https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16445
Amelioration on energy storage performance of KNN‐based transparent ceramics by optimizing the polarization and breakdown strength
Authors: Li Changxiao , Huan Yu , Wang Xiaozhi , Wang Xinjian , Wang Ting , Wei Tao
Published: May 2022

Transparent ceramic capacitors have broad application prospects in electronic devices due to their excellent optical transparency and energy storage properties. However, the low polarizability and high remnant polarization of the existing transparent dielectric ceramics limit the promotion of energy storage performance. Here, Bi(Li0.5Nb0.5)O3 (BLN) was chosen to modify the (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN)‐based ceramics to optimize the optical transmittance and energy storage characteristics simultaneously. On the one hand, the grain growth is inhibited, contributing to the improved breakdown strength and transmittance. On the other hand, the doping BLN could reduce the polar nanoregions size, which makes them respond more quickly to the external electric field and, thus, improves the energy storage efficiency. As a consequence, 0.95KNN–0.05BLN ceramic possesses the excellent Wrec of 4.39 J/cm3, η of 81.4%, and transparency of 77.9% with an average grain size of ∼109 nm. This work opens up a paradigm to develop a transparent pulse capacitor.
Minerals solubilizing and mobilizing microbiomes: A sustainable approach for managing minerals’ deficiency in agricultural soil
Authors: Devi Rubee , Kaur Tanvir , Kour Divjot , Yadav Ashok , Yadav Ajar Nath , Suman Archna , Ahluwalia Amrik Singh , Saxena Anil Kumar
Published: May 2022

Agriculture faces challenges to fulfil the rising food demand due to shortage of arable land and various environmental stressors. Traditional farming technologies help in fulfilling food demand but they are harmful to humans and environmental sustainability. The food production along with agro-environmental sustainability could be achieved by encouraging farmers to use agro-environmental sustainable products such as biofertilizers and biopesticides consisting of live microbes or plant extract instead of chemical-based inputs. The eco-friendly formulations play a significant role in plant growth promotion, crop yield and repairing degraded soil texture and fertility sustainably. Mineral solubilizing microbes that provide vital nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, zinc and selenium are essential for plant growth and development and could be developed as biofertilizers. These microbes could be plant associated (rhizospheric, endophytic and phyllospheric) or inhabit the bulk soil and diverse extreme habitats. Mineral solubilizing microbes from soil, extreme environments, surface and internal parts of the plant belong to diverse phyla such as Ascomycota, Actinobacteria, Basidiomycota, Bacteroidetes, Chlorobi, Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, Euryarchaeota, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Mucoromycota, Proteobacteria and Tenericutes. Mineral solubilizing microbes (MSMs) directly or indirectly stimulate plant growth and development either by releasing plant growth regulators; solubilizing phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium and silicon; biological nitrogen fixation and production of siderophores, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, hydrolytic enzymes and bioactive compound/secondary metabolites. Biofertilizer developed using mineral solubilizing microbes is an eco-friendly solution to the sustainable food production system in many countries worldwide. The present review deals with the biodiversity of mineral solubilizing microbes, and potential roles in crop improvement and soil well-being for agricultural sustainability.
Cloaca‐ and feather‐associated bacteria communities in common waxbills Estrilda astrild
Authors: Silva Sofia Marques , Trigo Sandra , Cardoso Gonçalo C. , Xavier Raquel
Published: May 2022

Host‐associated microbial communities are essential for host homeostasis and health. Most research on microbiotas is restricted to model host species and, since microbe–host dynamics can be species‐specific, we still lack a good taxonomic, ecological and evolutionary understanding of microbiotas in wild hosts, including birds. Given the diversity of avian host species, their habitat specializations, ecological requirements and life‐history traits, we need to characterize the dynamics of microbiotas from taxonomically diverse bird species. Here we describe cloaca and feather microbiotas of a population of common waxbills Estrilda astrild living in a large open‐air mesocosm, and compare it to microbiotas sampled one year later for a subset of this population, and to the microbiotas of free‐ranging waxbills from the same region. We found clear differences between microbiota from the cloaca, which contained some taxa that may be found in seeds, and from feathers, which contained some taxa that have been previously found in plants and soil. We found limited evidence for sexual differences in both cloaca and feather microbiotas, likely due to the gregariousness, similar behaviour and habitat use of both male and female waxbills. Microbial diversities of waxbills from the mesocosm were representative of those found in free‐ranging individuals. Also, structural differences between microbiota from mesocosm and free‐ranging waxbills seemed to be small and comparable to differences found in microbiota from the mesocosm in consecutive years. These results indicate that this mesocosm population could be used as a model in future studies investigating microbiota–host dynamics.
Association between diabetes and adjuvant chemotherapy implementation in patients with stage III colorectal cancer
Authors: Kanehara Rieko , Goto Atsushi , Watanabe Tomone , Inoue Kosuke , Taguri Masataka , Kobayashi Satoshi , Imai Kenjiro , Saito Eiko , Katanoda Kota , Iwasaki Motoki , Ohashi Ken , Noda Mitsuhiko , Higashi Takahiro
Published: May 2022

Aims/Introduction

Among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, pre‐existing diabetes is suggested to influence poor prognosis, but the impact on adjuvant chemotherapy implementation is largely unknown. We aimed to compare the implementation rate of adjuvant chemotherapy between CRC patients with and without pre‐existing diabetes in a retrospective cohort study.

Materials and Methods

Colorectal cancer diagnosis information was obtained from the hospital‐based cancer registry of patients with stage III CRC who underwent curative surgery in 2013 in Japan (n = 6,344). Health claims data were used to identify diabetes and chemotherapy. We examined the association between diabetes and the implementation rate of adjuvant chemotherapy using a generalized linear model adjusted for age, sex, updated Charlson Comorbidity Index, hospital type and prefecture. Furthermore, we applied a mediation analysis to examine the extent to which postoperative complications mediated the association.

Results

Of the 6,344 patients, 1,266 (20.0%) had diabetes. The mean ages were 68.2 and 71.3 years for patients without and with diabetes, respectively. Compared with those without diabetes, patients with diabetes were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy (crude rate 58.9 and 49.8%; adjusted percentage point difference 4.6; 95% confidence interval 1.7–7.5). The difference was evident for patients aged <80 years, and larger for platinum‐containing regimens than others. Mediation analysis showed that postoperative complications explained 9.1% of the inverse association between diabetes and adjuvant chemotherapy implementation.

Conclusions

We observed that patients with stage III CRC and diabetes are less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy than those without diabetes, and postoperative complications might partially account for the association.
The preimplantation genetic testing clinical outcomes of biopsy on vitrification‐warming embryos: A retrospective study
Authors: Ding Min , Diao Zhenyu , Zhou Jianjun
Published: May 2022

Aim

The objective of this study was to assess whether PGT conducted with previously untested vitrified embryos affect the clinical outcomes.

Methods

A total of 49 patients who underwent biopsy on vitrification‐warming embryos for PGT were enrolled from January 2016 to January 2019. The cleavage‐stage embryos were thawed and cultured into the blastocyst stage for biopsy. During this period, 195 patients underwent routine PGT and FET, whose embryos were biopsied before frozen were used as the control group. The clinical outcomes were further compared between the two groups after a 1:2 PSM.

Results

There were 47 transferable blastocysts in 30 patients, while 19 patients without transferable embryos, who performed biopsy on vitrification‐warming embryos for PGT. During this study period, 27 patients have already underwent FET with the clinical pregnancy rate was 66.7% (18/27). After 1:2 PSM, 24 patients in the biopsy on vitrification‐warming embryo group and 48 patients in the control group were compared, the clinical pregnancy rate (68.8% vs. 70.8%, p = 0.86), miscarriage rate (18.2% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.86), or live birth rate (52.1% vs. 62.5%, p = 0.40) had no significant difference. And the transferable blastocyst rate or the clinical pregnancy rate in the vitrification‐warming cleavage‐stage embryo group was not significantly different from those in the vitrification‐warming blastocyst group. In addition, the PGT clinical outcomes of biopsy on vitrification‐warming embryos had no significant difference between IVF‐fertilized embryos and ICSI‐fertilized embryos.

Conclusion

Biopsy on the vitrification‐warming embryos with a dual vitrified cryopreservation does not affect the embryo quality or the PGT clinical outcomes.
Lessons from 20 years with COX‐2 inhibitors: Importance of dose–response considerations and fair play in comparative trials
Authors: Stiller Carl‐Olav , Hjemdahl Paul
Published: May 2022

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which forms prostaglandins involved in pain and inflammation. COX inhibitors have analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects, but also increase risks for gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding, and renal and cardiovascular adverse events. Identification of two isoforms of COX, COX‐1 and COX‐2, led to the development of selective COX‐2 inhibitors, which were launched as having fewer gastrointestinal side effects since gastroprotective prostaglandins produced via COX‐1 are spared. The balance between COX‐1 mediated prothrombotic thromboxane and COX‐2 mediated antithrombotic prostacyclin is important for thrombotic risk. An increased risk of suffering myocardial infarction and death with COX‐2 inhibitor treatment is well established from clinical trials and observational research. Rofecoxib (Vioxx) was withdrawn from the market for this reason, but the equally COX‐2 selective etoricoxib has replaced it in Europe but not in the United States. The “traditional” NSAID diclofenac is as COX‐2 selective as celecoxib and increases cardiovascular risk dose dependently. COX inhibitor dosages should be lower in osteoarthritis than in rheumatoid arthritis. Randomized trials comparing COX‐2 inhibitors with NSAIDs have exaggerated their gastrointestinal benefits by using maximal NSAID doses regardless of indication, and/or hidden the cardiovascular risk by comparing with COX‐2 selective diclofenac instead of low‐dose ibuprofen or naproxen. Observational studies show increased cardiovascular risks within weeks of treatment with COX‐2 inhibitors and high doses of NSAIDs other than naproxen, which is the safest alternative. COX inhibitors are symptomatic drugs that should be used intermittently at the lowest effective dosage, especially among individuals with an increased cardiovascular risk.
Using vibrational molecular spectroscopy to reveal carbohydrate molecular structure properties of faba bean partitions and faba bean silage before and after rumen incubation in relation to nutrient availability and supply to dairy cattle
Authors: Yan Ming , Deng Ganqi , Yu Peiqiang
Published: May 2022

To our knowledge, there is limited study on the relationship between the molecular structure of feed and nutrient availability in the ruminant system. The objective of this study is to use advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy (attenuated total reflection [ATR]–Fourier transform infrared [FT/IR]) to reveal carbohydrate molecular structure properties of faba bean partitions (stem, leaf, whole pods [WP], and whole plant) and faba bean silage before and after rumen incubation in relation to nutrient availability and supply to dairy cattle. The study included the correlation between carbohydrate‐related spectral profiles and chemical profiles, feed energy values, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System carbohydrate fractions, and rumen degradation parameters of faba bean samples (whole crop, stem, leaf, WP, and silage) before and after rumen incubation. FTIR spectra of faba bean sample before and after 12 and 24 h rumen incubations were collected with JASCO FT/IR‐4200 with ATR at mid‐IR range (ca. 4000–700 cm−1) with 128 scans and at 4 cm−1 resolution. The univariate molecular spectral analysis was carried out using OMNIC software. The results show that ATR–FT/IR spectroscopic technique could detect the change of microbial digestion to carbohydrate‐related molecular structure. The spectral parameters of feed rumen incubation residues had a stronger correlation with less degradable carbohydrate fractions (neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose) while spectral profiles of original faba samples had a stronger correlation with easily degradable carbohydrate fractions (starch). In conclusion, rumen degradation of carbohydrate contents can be reflected in the change of its molecular spectral profiles. The study shows that vibrational molecular spectroscopy (ATR–FT/IR) shows high potential as a fast analytical tool to evaluate and predict nutrient supply in the ruminant system.
In vitro and in vivo detection of microbial gene expression in bioactivated scaffolds seeded with cyanobacteria
Authors: Leibrock L.B. , Hofmann D.M. , Fuchs B. , Birt A. , Reinholz M. , Guertler A. , Frank K. , Giunta R.E. , Egaña J.T. , Nickelsen J. , Schenck T.L. , Moellhoff N.
Published: May 2022

Dermal replacement materials bioactivated with cyanobacteria have shown promising potential for wound regeneration. To date, extraction of cyanobacteria RNA from seeded scaffolds has not been described. The aim of this study was to develop a method to isolate total RNA from bioactivated scaffolds and to propose a new approach in determining living bacteria based on real-time PCR. Transgenic Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 (tSyn7002) were seeded in liquid cultures or scaffolds for dermal regeneration in vitro and in vivo for 7 days. RNA was extracted with a 260/280 ratio of ≥2. The small subunit of the 30S ribosome in prokaryotes (16S) and RNAse P protein (rnpA) were validated as reference transcripts for PCR analysis. Gene expression patterns differed in vitro and in vivo. Expression of 16S was significantly upregulated in scaffolds in vitro, as compared to liquid cultures, whilst rnpA expression was comparable. In vivo, both 16S and rnpA showed reduced expression compared to in vitro (16S: in vivo Ct value 13.21 ± 0.32, in vitro 12.44 ± 0.42; rnpA in vivo Ct value 19.87 ± 0.41, in vitro 17.75 ± 1.41). Overall, the results demonstrate rnpA and 16S expression after 7 days of implantation in vitro and in vivo, proving the presence of living bacteria embedded in scaffolds using qPCR.
The focal concerns of jurors evaluating mitigation: Evidence from federal capital jury forms
Authors: Rose Mary R. , Rountree Meredith Martin
Published: May 2022

Mitigating evidence in capital trials provides reasons for a life, rather than death, sentence. Research suggests that mitigation challenges jurors. We contribute to this area by analyzing federal verdict forms in capital cases, which allow jurors to write in their own mitigating factors, providing a direct, rare window onto their mitigation considerations. We use 205 forms from 171 juries to examine the frequency and content of these “write-ins,” using a sentencing theory typically applied to judges, Focal Concerns Theory. We find that four of every 10 juries prompted to offer their own mitigation do so, producing 149 unique write-ins, the majority of which introduces mitigation topics that differ from those listed on the verdict form. Surprisingly, jurors are less likely to offer write-in mitigators in cases involving White defendants than others, even after controlling for support for other mitigating factors and for aggravating factors, which also predict write-ins. Jurors' write-ins reflect a traditional sentencing concern for blameworthiness, and consistent with Focal Concerns Theory, attention to the practical consequences of punishment. Jurors also offered concerns we term “procedural fairness.” Results indicate that juries' views are patterned in ways that are similar, but not identical, to judges' sentencing concerns.
Relief or removal: State logics of deservingness and masculinity for immigrant men in removal proceedings
Authors: Farrell-Bryan Dylan
Published: May 2022

In recent years, there has been an unprecedented rise in the number of immigrants facing removal from the United States, many of whom make a case for their right to be granted relief from removal and stay in the country. While immigrant men of color are disproportionately represented in both removal proceedings and contemporary sociopolitical constructions of immigrant criminalization, existing literature has largely overlooked the state's cultural logics involved in decision-making about immigrant relief or removal. Drawing on theories of racialized masculinity and state gendering, I analyze how judges in immigration court utilize a politicized discourse of masculinity to justify legalization for immigrant men through their relational ties to US citizens. Using ethnographic observations of hearings for the Cancellation of Removal and the judicial decisions that support immigrant removal or relief, I develop a conceptual framework of “relational masculinity,” in which judges evaluate men as emotionally involved parents and partners in traditional family arrangements, raising culturally integrated Americans, and as economic providers of upward social mobility, to determine their deservingness for relief. These findings suggest that, alongside widespread gendered and racialized criminalization, the state also engages in an evaluation process to assess the masculinity of immigrant men who may be formally admitted into the United States. I argue that adherence to these gendered and racialized norms plays a key role in determining migrants' deservingness and membership, with important implications for how the state actively manages immigrant masculinity and bolsters caregiving support for US citizens, alongside heightened criminalization.
Race, gender, and place: How judicial identity and local context shape anti-discrimination decisions
Authors: Kleps Christopher
Published: May 2022

While federal anti-employment discrimination laws have helped diminish inequality at work, discrimination persists, in part perhaps due to unequal handling of equal employment lawsuits. Prior research demonstrates that the definition of discrimination can vary based on local normative ideas, while another line shows that a judge's race or gender can shape how related lawsuits are handled. In this article, I draw on a set of EEOC workplace discrimination cases prosecuted in Federal Court and combine it with locality data, to analyze: (1) the impact of local context, specifically rurality, local political context, and southerness and; (2) how judges' race and gender interact with the local cultural-milieu. Findings reveal that plaintiffs of colour in race discrimination cases fair worse in rural courts or before white judges. Meanwhile, white judges in conservative areas are more defendant friendly than those outside the in more liberal areas. Black judges, in comparison, are more plaintiff friendly in conservative areas when compared to black judges in more liberal areas. While female judges are generally more plaintiff friendly than male judges in sex cases, location has no discernible effect.
Structural insights into the assembly and the function of the plant oxidative phosphorylation system
Authors: Meyer Etienne H. , Letts James A. , Maldonado Maria
Published: May 2022

One of the key functions of mitochondria is the production of ATP to support cellular metabolism and growth. The last step of mitochondrial ATP synthesis is performed by the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system, an ensemble of protein complexes embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. In the last 25 yr, many structures of OXPHOS complexes and supercomplexes have been resolved in yeast, mammals, and bacteria. However, structures of plant OXPHOS enzymes only became available very recently. In this review, we highlight the plant‐specific features revealed by the recent structures and discuss how they advance our understanding of the function and assembly of plant OXPHOS complexes. We also propose new hypotheses to be tested and discuss older findings to be re‐evaluated. Further biochemical and structural work on the plant OXPHOS system will lead to a deeper understanding of plant respiration and its regulation, with significant agricultural, environmental, and societal implications.