bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing access to missionary archives: the role of digital libraries and online repositories
Authors: Kalarikkal Subhash Abel , Thamilvanan G. , Kaluvilla Bincy Baburaj
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore how digital libraries and online repositories enhance access to missionary archives. It investigates how the digitalization of missionary archives fosters the access, searchability, interactivity, dissemination and preservation of the historical and cultural knowledge of missionary documents and legacies. The selected topic stems from a genuine and deeply ingrained desire and interest to explore the digital archiving landscape, majorly in the context of missionary archives.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relied heavily on the literature review of the most current scholarly articles. Additionally, the study relied on case studies on missionary institutions and churches that rely on technology to digitize missionary archives and online repositories to make them accessible. Generally, reliance on scholarly articles relevant to the topic was an avenue for examining the existing studies and projects affiliated with digitizing and using missionary archives.

Findings

Missionary archives and records provide a distinct perspective regarding the realities faced by missionaries and indigenous populations. Digital libraries and online repositories are invaluable and instrumental in improving access to missionary archives. They help users overcome physical barriers while supporting the preservation of fragile materials. Additionally, the digitization efforts of various institutions foster the broader dissemination of missionary records. Digital platforms and online repositories foster collaborative research globally in remote settings. Online repositories are instrumental in enhancing access to missionary archives. They achieve this by providing centralized access points to digitalized collections of historical documents, photographs, manuscripts and artifact. Major challenges include substantial costs affiliated with digitization, environmental factors heightening degradation of the original materials and intellectual property dictations and copyright.

Originality/value

By using scholarly and authoritative sources of information and evidence, the study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the instrumentalism of digital libraries and online repositories to enhance access to missionary archives. There should be comprehensive digitization, adherence to preservation standards, commitment to stakeholder engagement and collaborative decision-making.
Recovering the dormant values of accounting to navigate the challenges of the 2030 agenda and beyond
Authors: Castaldo Francesca , Porretta Pasqualina , Zanda Stefania
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper presents a critical examination of the contemporary state of the accounting discipline and poses the question of its future trajectory. The aim of the study is to show that the path to be followed is the one traced by the masters of the discipline, which lies in the wake of the rediscovery of social and moral values and shared value.

Design/methodology/approach

Study of the conceptual nature of research topic, that is, the discipline of accounting, in an intertemporal exploration through some selected theoretical constructs.

Findings

There is no need for a new accounting science with new paradigms, but only for a recovery of the social and moral values of accounting that have lain dormant during the dusty centuries of human history.

Research limitations/implications

The study does not provide an extensive analysis of the evolution of accounting history.

Practical implications

The recovery of the social and ethical dimension will not only make accounting more attractive to young students but will also have a medium-term impact on the profession, freeing it from the stereotypes of an unexciting and aseptic discipline. This broadening of scope and momentum inspires the engagement of academics, practitioners, experts and policymakers in confronting and proactively addressing the complex challenges that the world faces today, toward the United Nations 2030 Agenda and beyond.

Originality/value

This historical paper’s originality lies in its intertemporal perspective.
Emily’s voices: a memoir
Authors: Austin Rosalind
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge some of the stigma that surrounds voice-hearing. This excerpt of creative writing comes from a self-published memoir, that tells a young woman's story of her struggle with hearing voices, and her journey through the mental health system.

Design/methodology/approach

Writing provides a useful filter for Emily to reflect on what it was like to receive various diagnoses, treatments and therapies when she was hearing voices.

Findings

Emily learns to accept that she hears voices. This is a journey that takes all of her new-found strength and resolve.

Originality/value

This memoir describes voices (auditory verbal hallucinations) that need to be more widely understood.
True choice and taking ownership of life: a qualitative study into self-determination in Sudbury model schools
Authors: Hartkamp-Bakker Christel , Martens Rob
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to present the experiences with self-determination and taking ownership of life in Sudbury model schools that allow students true choice.

Design/methodology/approach

For this qualitative study we used a thematic analysis (TA) methodology. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with 14 adult participants from eight different Sudbury model and comparable schools in the Netherlands, Israel and the US. These schools offered students real choice in the curriculum program. Transcripts were analyzed and corresponding meanings thematized. Self-determination theory (SDT) is used as a lens to interpret the findings.

Findings

The findings suggest that an organizational structure that supports own responsibility in an absence of an imposed program and a culture of no-interference creates conditions for taking ownership of life and choices (self-determination) and encompasses taking ownership of learning, education and one’s future. Taking ownership of one’s life seems to be related to strongly internally oriented processes with an internal locus of causality, to find their own motivation and taking responsibility for choices, behavior and consequences in a SDT need supportive social context.

Research limitations/implications

This study is part of a larger research that addressed multiple facets of their experiences with their schools to understand the longer-term effects these schools had on the adult lives of participants. This limits the scope of this paper to only explore the conditions that led to the mental state of “taking ownership of one’s life.”

Originality/value

Conditions that can lead to long-term self-determination of one's life and future in a school setting is an unexplored area of research.
Prototyping of portable medicine containers with embossed braille using an affordable desktop 3D printer
Authors: Cho Hyunah , Kang Simon , Zhao Kimberly , Sugandhi Vrashabh , Melissinos George
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Prototyping with affordable 3D printers empowers small businesses to create prototypes within a day and carry out multiple iterations of design, size, shape or assembly based on analytical results, bringing better products to market faster. This paper aims to turn the ideas into proofs of concept, advance these concepts to realistic prototypes and investigate the quality of printed prototypes prior to large-scale production.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental approach focuses on the prototyping of portable medicine containers by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), modifying the prototypes by adding auxiliary braille flags that indicate patient initials and dosing information, and performing the moisture permeation study as well as the stability study for model drug products (i.e. ibuprofen tablets, guaifenesin tablets, dextromethorphan HBr soft gel capsules).

Findings

The study shows that an affordable 3D printer helps to create functional and visual prototypes that give a realistic depiction of the design and offer physical objects that could be investigated for product quality and feasibility.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study was the first attempt to use a desktop FDM-based 3D printer to prototype portable medicine containers in a blister packet appearance with auxiliary braille flags that help validate early concepts and facilitate the conversation on refining product features in a rapid and affordable manner.
Social media stars: how influencers shape consumer’s behavior on Instagram
Authors: Wahab Hamza Kaka Abdul , Alam Faizan , Lahuerta-Otero Eva
Published: June 2024

Purpose

In today’s global and competitive e-commerce market spaces, social media influencers (SMIs) exert substantial influence on consumer behavior. This study aims to examine how electronic word of mouth (e-WOM), Instagram usage and the credibility of SMIs shape the dynamics of consumer purchase behavior (PB).

Design/methodology/approach

Information was gathered from 498 users in Ghana through judgmental sampling using SmartPLS 4.

Findings

The findings revealed that influencers’ credibility has a substantial impact on their followers’ parasocial interactions. As a promotional tool, Instagram plays a significant role in how followers perceive the credibility of influencers by modifying the associations between parasocial connections, e-WOM and consumer PB.

Research limitations/implications

The findings offer valuable information for marketing professionals looking to improve their advertising efforts by collaborating with influencers, along with unique perspectives on influencer dynamics in a diverse socioeconomic context, extending beyond conventional boundaries.

Originality/value

Through an examination of the complex mechanisms underlying social media influencer advertisements on an e-commerce platform, namely, Instagram, this research uncovered the essence of customer behavior in the digital era, including the human need for connection, authenticity and trust, thus contributing to the literature empirical data from Africa, a region often overlooked in academic studies.
Exploring the drivers of pro-environmental behavioral intentions in an emerging nation
Authors: Konalingam Kajenthiran , Thivaakaran Tharmartnam , Kengatharan Navaneethakrishnan , Sivapalan Achchuthan , Hensman Grace Hyacinth , Harishangar Archchutha
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Drawing on the theory of planned behavior and value-belief norms theory, this study aims to explore the causes of pro-environmental behavioral intentions in the context of Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were garnered from 503 subjects with the aid of self-reported questionnaires. The formulated hypotheses were examined using a variance-based statistical approach (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that personal values, particularly altruistic and biosphere values, significantly strengthen the psychological drivers of pro-environmental behavioral intentions. The study further found that religiosity enhances the association between personal norms and pro-environmental behavioral intentions and the place attachment augments the relationship between attitude and pro-environmental behavioral intentions.

Practical implications

This study suggests that instilling altruistic and biosphere values in individuals can boost pro-environmental behavioral intentions. Campaigns and educational programs could focus on instilling these values to foster responsibility and empathy. Recognizing the influence of religiosity on pro-environmental behaviors and attitudes, this study suggests collaborative efforts between organizations and religious institutions. Religious leaders can integrate environmental stewardship into teachings, emphasizing ethical responsibilities.

Originality/value

The study pushes back the frontiers of environmental consciousness literature by highlighting the importance of personal values, psychological factors and contextual variables such as religiosity and place attachment in fostering pro-environmental behavior within the specific context of an emerging country – Sri Lanka.
Does Digital Status Unlawfully Penalise EU Citizens Accessing the UK's Private Rented Sector?
Authors: Meers Jed , Tomlinson Joe , Welsh Alice , O'Brien Charlotte
Published: June 2024

In the past few years, more than six million EU citizens living in the UK have transitioned to a new immigration status. The only evidence they have of this new status is in digital form. This group is now navigating the UK's ‘compliant environment’, designed to deter unauthorised migration, with this new form of status. This has created an unpredictable new dynamic with serious risks of discrimination in everyday interactions, such as when people are trying to rent a property. In this article, we explore the impact of this digital‐only status by drawing on a large‐scale discrete choice experiment with private rented sector landlords, which shows that people with digital‐only immigration status are substantially penalised on the private rental market due to the form of their ID. We argue that this discrimination is not only troubling in substance but also arguably amounts to a breach of non‐discrimination and equal treatment provisions under the Withdrawal Agreement (Article 12 and Article 23 respectively). The apparent lack of effective enforcement points to the potential limits of such protections after Brexit.
Effect of yeast protein on reduced‐fat ice cream: Sensory quality, rheological behaviour, thermal properties and fat destabilisation
Authors: Guo Ruotong , Xiong Jian , Li Pei , Ma Chunlei , Huang Qilin
Published: June 2024

This study prepared six different ice creams to investigate the effect of yeast protein (YP) on their sensory, rheological, thermal properties and fat destabilisation. Results indicated that YP could improve sensory quality, flow and viscoelastic properties. The thermal property was also positively influenced by YP with a significant decrease in frozen water percentage and an increase in glass transition temperature (P < 0.05). Additionally, the particle size and confocal laser scanning microscopy results illustrated that YP could moderately promote the fat aggregate percentage and size. Overall, YP could serve as a fat replacer to produce reduced‐fat ice cream.
Chemically modified seaweed polysaccharides: Improved functional and biological properties and prospective in food applications
Authors: Zhou Tao , Li Xinyue
Published: June 2024

Seaweed polysaccharides are natural biomacromolecules with unique physicochemical properties (e.g., good gelling, emulsifying, and film‐forming properties) and diverse biological activities (e.g., anticoagulant, antioxidant, immunoregulatory, and antitumor effects). Furthermore, they are nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable, and abundant in resources. Therefore, they have been widely utilized in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. However, their properties and bioactivities sometimes are not satisfactory for some purposes. Modification of polysaccharides can impart the amphiphilicity and new functions to the biopolymers and change the structure and conformation, thus effectively improving their functional properties and biological activities so as to meet the requirement for targeted applications. This review outlined the modification methods of representative red algae polysaccharides (carrageenan and agar), brown algae polysaccharides (fucoidan, alginate, and laminaran), and green algae polysaccharides (ulvan) that have potential food applications, including etherification, esterification, degradation, sulfation, phosphorylation, selenylation, and so on. The improved functional properties and bioactivities of the modified seaweed polysaccharides and their potential food applications are also summarized.
Revisiting the current and emerging concepts of postharvest fresh fruit and vegetable pathology for next‐generation antifungal technologies
Authors: Ngolong Ngea Guillaume Legrand , Yang Qiya , Xu Meiqiu , Ianiri Giuseppe , Dhanasekaran Solairaj , Zhang Xiaoyun , Bi Yang , Zhang Hongyin
Published: June 2024

Fungal infections of fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) can lead to safety problems, including consumer poisoning by mycotoxins. Various strategies exist to control fungal infections of FFVs, but their effectiveness and sustainability are limited. Recently, new concepts based on the microbiome and pathobiome have emerged and offer a more holistic perspective for advancing postharvest pathogen control techniques. Understanding the role of the microbiome in FFV infections is essential for developing sustainable control strategies. This review examines current and emerging approaches to postharvest pathology. It reviews what is known about the initiation and development of infections in FFVs. As a promising concept, the pathobiome offers new insights into the basic mechanisms of microbial infections in FFVs. The underlying mechanisms uncovered by the pathobiome are being used to develop more relevant global antifungal strategies. This review will also focus on new technologies developed to target the microbiome and members of the pathobiome to control infections in FFVs and improve safety by limiting mycotoxin contamination. Specifically, this review stresses emerging technologies related to FFVs that are relevant for modifying the interaction between FFVs and the microbiome and include the use of microbial consortia, the use of genomic technology to manipulate host and microbial community genes, and the use of databases, deep learning, and artificial intelligence to identify pathobiome markers. Other approaches include programming the behavior of FFVs using synthetic biology, modifying the microbiome using sRNA technology, phages, quorum sensing, and quorum quenching strategies. Rapid adoption and commercialization of these technologies are recommended to further improve the overall safety of FFVs.
Assessment of the perceptions of health‐related quality of life in Greek patients undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis with remote monitoring: A qualitative study
Authors: Kiourtidis Kyriakos , Nikolaidou Sofia , Rouka Erasmia , Lange Jacek , Griva Konstantina , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Zarogiannis Sotirios G.
Published: June 2024

Background

This study aimed to explore in depth the lived experience and quality of life outcomes in patients receiving automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) treatment.

Methods

The study adhered to the standards of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. A total of 19 APD patients were recruited and assessed using in‐depth semi‐structured interviews on various aspects of life with respect to APD modality. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.

Results

Study findings generated five superordinate themes: (a) treatment–free daily routine, (b) sleep disturbances, (c) remote care, (d) limitations of peritoneal dialysis, and (e) the dimension of chronic disease. Further analysis of the material revealed the relationship of these themes with individual patient characteristics.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings suggest that APD characteristics contribute to the perceptions of quality of life in patients under dialysis considerably.
An investigation into the sensory properties of luffa [Luffa cylindrica(L.)] sap
Authors: Gorman Mackenzie , Baxter Laura , Frampton Kaitlyn , Dabas Tanvi , Moss Rachael , McSweeney Matthew B.
Published: June 2024

The seeds and sap of luffa [Luffa cylindrica(L.)] are usually discarded as waste. As such, this study aimed to identify the sensory properties of luffa sap (aqueous solution) and if it can be incorporated into a food item (orange juice) for added nutritional benefits and as an alternative sweetener. A sensory trial (n = 94) asked participants to evaluate a luffa sap sample and five different orange juice samples with increasing amounts of luffa sap (control [0%], 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%). The participants evaluated the samples using 9‐point hedonic scales, check‐all‐that‐apply, and an open‐ended comment question. The luffa sap was described as having a mild flavor as well as woody, earthy, and floral attributes and an aftertaste. The liking scores for the orange juice with the 5% luffa sap did not significantly differ from the control. However, as the amount of luffa sap increased above 5%, the liking scores decreased and were significantly different from the control. The orange juice with luffa sap samples (7.5% and above) was associated with off‐flavors, while the orange juice with 5% luffa sap and the control were associated with the attributes (sweet, fruity, orange, tropical, citrus) that increased the participants liking. Future studies should continue to investigate the sensory properties of luffa sap and its incorporation into different food products.

Practical Application

This is one of the first studies to investigate the sensory properties of luffa sap with participants residing in the Western world. The luffa sap was found to be woody, earthy, bitter, and floral. It was acceptable to add luffa sap to orange juice up to 5% by volume. However, it did not increase the sweetness perception of the orange juice. At a 7.5% luffa sap addition and higher levels, off‐flavors were observed in the orange juice.
Inactivation of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 pyruvate dehydrogenase relieves catabolite repression and improves the usefulness of this strain for degrading aromatic compounds
Authors: Moreno Renata , Yuste Luis , Morales Gracia , Rojo Fernando
Published: June 2024

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) catalyses the irreversible decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl‐CoA, which feeds the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We investigated how the loss of PDH affects metabolism in Pseudomonas putida. PDH inactivation resulted in a strain unable to utilize compounds whose assimilation converges at pyruvate, including sugars and several amino acids, whereas compounds that generate acetyl‐CoA supported growth. PDH inactivation also resulted in the loss of carbon catabolite repression (CCR), which inhibits the assimilation of non‐preferred compounds in the presence of other preferred compounds. Pseudomonas putida can degrade many aromatic compounds, most of which produce acetyl‐CoA, making it useful for biotransformation and bioremediation. However, the genes involved in these metabolic pathways are often inhibited by CCR when glucose or amino acids are also present. Our results demonstrate that the PDH‐null strain can efficiently degrade aromatic compounds even in the presence of other preferred substrates, which the wild‐type strain does inefficiently, or not at all. As the loss of PDH limits the assimilation of many sugars and amino acids and relieves the CCR, the PDH‐null strain could be useful in biotransformation or bioremediation processes that require growth with mixtures of preferred substrates and aromatic compounds.
Pharmaceutical removal from wastewater by introducing cytochrome P450s into microalgae
Authors: Kariyawasam Thamali , Helvig Christian , Petkovich Martin , Vriens Bas
Published: June 2024

Pharmaceuticals are of increasing environmental concern as they emerge and accumulate in surface‐ and groundwater systems around the world, endangering the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. Municipal wastewater discharge is a significant vector for pharmaceuticals and their metabolites to enter surface waters as humans incompletely absorb prescription drugs and excrete up to 50% into wastewater, which are subsequently incompletely removed during wastewater treatment. Microalgae present a promising target for improving wastewater treatment due to their ability to remove some pollutants efficiently. However, their inherent metabolic pathways limit their capacity to degrade more recalcitrant organic compounds such as pharmaceuticals. The human liver employs enzymes to break down and absorb drugs, and these enzymes are extensively researched during drug development, meaning the cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for metabolizing each approved drug are well studied. Thus, unlocking or increasing cytochrome P450 expression in endogenous wastewater microalgae could be a cost‐effective strategy to reduce pharmaceutical loads in effluents. Here, we discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with introducing cytochrome P450 enzymes into microalgae. We anticipate that cytochrome P450‐engineered microalgae can serve as a new drug removal method and a sustainable solution that can upgrade wastewater treatment facilities to function as “mega livers”.
Post‐traumatic lipid inclusion cyst
Authors: Rothe Christopher J , Sivakumar Brahman S , Graham David , Buchan Craig A
Published: June 2024

Post‐traumatic lipid inclusion cysts are a rare entity seen following fractures in paediatric patients. They often occur in the distal radius, developing 1–3 months following an extra‐articular fracture. Although benign and self‐limiting in nature, adequate awareness and accurate radiographic interpretation is key in avoiding further unnecessary non‐invasive or invasive investigations. We report on a case of post‐traumatic lipid inclusion cyst and review the literature.
Geochemical and Isotopic Techniques Constraints on the Origin, Evolution, and Residence Time of Low‐enthalpy Geothermal Water in Western Wugongshan, SE China
Authors: WANG Luyao , LIU Kai , MA Yan , ZHANG Yaoyao , TONG Jue , JIA Wuhui , ZHANG Shouchuan , SUN Junliang
Published: June 2024

Geothermal resources are increasingly gaining attention as a competitive, clean energy source to address the energy crisis and mitigate climate change. The Wugongshan area, situated in the southeast coast geothermal belt of China, is a typical geothermal anomaly and contains abundant medium‐ and low‐temperature geothermal resources. This study employed hydrogeochemical and isotopic techniques to explore the cyclic evolution of geothermal water in the western Wugongshan region, encompassing the recharge origin, water–rock interaction mechanisms, and residence time. The results show that the geothermal water in the western region of Wugongshan is weakly alkaline, with low enthalpy and mineralization levels. The hydrochemistry of geothermal waters is dominated by Na‐HCO3 and Na‐SO4, while the hydrochemistry types of cold springs are all Na‐HCO3. The hydrochemistry types of surface waters and rain waters are Na‐HCO3 or Ca‐HCO3. The δD and δ18O values reveal that the geothermal waters are recharged by atmospheric precipitation at an altitude between 550.0 and 1218.6 m. Molar ratios of major solutes and isotopic compositions of 87Sr/86Sr underscore the significant role of silicate weathering, dissolution, and cation exchange in controlling geothermal water chemistry. Additionally, geothermal waters experienced varying degrees of mixing with cold water during their ascent. The δ13C values suggest that the primary sources of carbon in the geothermal waters were biogenic and organic. The δ34S value suggests that the sulfates in geothermal water originate from sulfide minerals in the surrounding rock. Age dating using 3H and 14C isotopes suggests that geothermal waters have a residence time exceeding 1 kaBP and undergo a long‐distance cycling process.
Flat‐footed Females and Missing Males: A New Genus and Species of Pleciofungivoridae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) Represents the First Record of the Family from Mid‐Cretaceous Kachin Amber
Authors: ZHANG Qingqing , KRZEMIŃSKI Wiesław , ŠEVČÍK Jan , BLAGODEROV Vladimir , SOSZYŃSKA Agnieszka , SKIBIŃSKA Kornelia
Published: June 2024

A new genus and species, Cretopleciofungivora simpsoni gen. et sp. nov., from the extinct family Pleciofungivoridae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha), is discovered in mid‐Cretaceous Kachin amber. Previously, this family was known only from imprints in sedimentary rocks of the Jurassic and the Lower Cretaceous. Discovery of a representative of Pleciofungivoridae in Kachin amber confirms the presence of the family in the Upper Cretaceous. The new species has a unique structure of fore tarsus, with lobed and extended tarsal segments II to IV, a feature hitherto known only in a few species of extant Sciaroidea. Although not particularly rare, the new species is currently known only from female specimens. Possible reasons for this phenomenon, very unusual in Sciaroidea, are briefly discussed, including parthenogenesis as a potentially plausible hypothesis.
Exploring plastic biofilm formation and Escherichia coli colonisation in marine environments
Authors: Ballesté Elisenda , Liang Hongxia , Migliorato Laura , Sala‐Comorera Laura , Méndez Javier , Garcia‐Aljaro Cristina
Published: June 2024

Microorganisms, including potential pathogens, can colonise plastic surfaces in aquatic environments. This study investigates the colonisation of plastic pellets by Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a proxy for faecal pathogens in aquatic environments. Plastic pellets from a polluted beach were placed in seawater aquaria spiked with E. coli. Diverse bacteria, primarily from the Proteobacteria phylum, rapidly colonised the pellets within 24 h, with notable species known for plastic or hydrocarbon degradation. Over 26 days, biofilms formed on the plastic surfaces, reaching bacterial populations of up to 6.8·105 gene copies (gc) of the 16S rRNA mm−2. E. coli, was detected in the pellets for up to 7 days using culture methods, exhibiting varying attachment densities regardless of source or environmental factors. The study highlights plastic biofilms as reservoirs for E. coli, contributing to the survival and persistence of faecal bacteria in aquatic systems. These findings deepen our understanding of the risks associated with plastic pollution in marine settings, offering insights into the behaviour of faecal indicators and their implications for water quality assessments, while providing valuable information on potential pathogen dissemination within plastic‐associated microbial communities.
Single‐neuron analysis of aging‐associated changes in learning reveals impairments in transcriptional plasticity
Authors: Badal Kerriann K. , Sadhu Abhishek , Raveendra Bindu L. , McCracken Carrie , Lozano‐Villada Sebastian , Shetty Amol C. , Gillette Phillip , Zhao Yibo , Stommes Dustin , Fieber Lynne A. , Schmale Michael C. , Mahurkar Anup , Hawkins Robert D. , Puthanveettil Sathyanarayanan V.
Published: June 2024

The molecular mechanisms underlying age‐related declines in learning and long‐term memory are still not fully understood. To address this gap, our study focused on investigating the transcriptional landscape of a singularly identified motor neuron L7 in Aplysia, which is pivotal in a specific type of nonassociative learning known as sensitization of the siphon‐withdraw reflex. Employing total RNAseq analysis on a single isolated L7 motor neuron after short‐term or long‐term sensitization (LTS) training of Aplysia at 8, 10, and 12 months (representing mature, late mature, and senescent stages), we uncovered aberrant changes in transcriptional plasticity during the aging process. Our findings specifically highlight changes in the expression of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode transcription factors, translation regulators, RNA methylation participants, and contributors to cytoskeletal rearrangements during learning and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Furthermore, our comparative gene expression analysis identified distinct transcriptional alterations in two other neurons, namely the motor neuron L11 and the giant cholinergic neuron R2, whose roles in LTS are not yet fully elucidated. Taken together, our analyses underscore cell type‐specific impairments in the expression of key components related to learning and memory within the transcriptome as organisms age, shedding light on the complex molecular mechanisms driving cognitive decline during aging.
Refusals of noncitizenship
Authors: Nyers Peter
Published: June 2024

This commentary explores the politics of refusal as it plays out in struggles for citizenship. Refusals of noncitizenship involve a dialectic of negation and affirmation. They are at once acts of protest against an injustice or wrong, while also generative of new forms of political subjectivity and community. The refusals of noncitizenship found in the articles of this special forum involve acts of world building that involve new rights, responsibilities, and communities in the making.
In utero fetal organ transplantation
Authors: Shah Aakash M.
Published: June 2024

Transplantation has generally been focused on end‐stage organ disease in adults. Scientists from Japan are now focusing on in utero transplantation in fetuses with congenital anomalies.
Exploring the Chinese public's affective attitudes towards digital transformation in agriculture: A social media‐based analysis
Authors: Wu Jinghua , Qiu Peng
Published: June 2024

This study utilizes natural language processing techniques and panel vector autoregression methodology, to delve into the perceived attitudes of social media users towards the digital transformation of agriculture, and to assess its impact on total agricultural output and agricultural science and technology inputs. Data related to agricultural digital transformation were collected from Sina Weibo using web crawlers. The SnowNLP model was employed to infer users' attitudes, encompassing both positive and negative aspects. Furthermore, the study delves into the specific themes capturing users' positive attitudes and explores regional variations in focus. The findings reveal a sustained increase in users' interest in agricultural digital transformation since 2013. Positive attitudes primarily center around green development, agricultural intelligence, and global cooperation and innovation. Moreover, the study establishes a significant positive impact of users' positive attitudes on both total agricultural output value and agricultural science and technology investment, highlighting the constructive influence of user support on the agricultural industry's development.
Recent infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 in donors was associated with a higher incidence of acute graft‐versus‐host disease in recipients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Lin Fan , Xu Lanping , Han Tingting , Xu Zhengli , Liu Jing , He Yun , Chen Yao , Chen Huan , Han Wei , Chen Yuhong , Fu Haixia , Zhang Yuanyuan , Mo Xiaodong , Wang Fengrong , Wang Jingzhi , Cheng Yifei , Yan Chenhua , Sun Hui , Wang Yu , Zhang Xiaohui , Huang Xiaojun
Published: June 2024

The global pandemic has resulted in the common occurrence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the population. In the post‐pandemic era, it is imperative to understand the influence of donor SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on outcomes after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). We retrospectively analysed allo‐HSCTs from donors with mild SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or early recovery stage (ERS) (group 1, n = 65) and late recovery stage (group 2, n = 120). Additionally, we included allo‐HSCT from donors without prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection as group 0 (n = 194). Transplants from donors with different SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status had comparable primary engraftment and survival rates. However, group 1 had higher incidences of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGvHD), grade II–IV (41.5% vs. 28.1% in group 0 [p = 0.014] and 30.6% in group 2 [p = 0.067]) and grade III–IV (22.2% vs. 9.6% [p = 0.004] in group 0 and 12.2% in group 2 [p = 0.049]). Conversely, the risk of aGvHD in group 2 was similar to that in group 0 (p > 0.5). Multivariable analysis identified group 1 associated with grade II–IV (hazard ratio [HR] 2.307, p = 0.010) and grade III–IV (HR 2.962, p = 0.001) aGvHD, which yielded no significant risk factors for survival. In conclusion, we preliminarily demonstrated donors in the active infection state or ERS of mild SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were associated with higher incidences of aGvHD in transplants from related donors.
Severe steroid‐related neuropsychiatric symptoms during paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia therapy—An observational Ponte di Legno Toxicity Working Group Study
Authors: Anastasopoulou Stavroula , Swann Gemma , Andres‐Jensen Liv , Attarbaschi Andishe , Barzilai‐Birenboim Shlomit , Erdelyi Daniel J. , Escherich Gabriele , Hamadeh Lina , Harila Arja , Lopez‐Lopez Elixabet , McGowan Sheena , Möricke Anja , Putti Caterina , Sagi Judit C. , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Ullrich Nicole J. , van der Sluis Inge M. , Wahid Qurat‐ul‐Ain , Winick Naomi , Sramkova Lucie , Zalcberg Yair , Zapotocka Ester , Bhojwani Deepa , Halsey Christina ,   the Ponte Di Legno Neurotoxicity Working Group
Published: June 2024

Steroids are a mainstay in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children and adolescents; however, their use can cause clinically significant steroid‐related neuropsychiatric symptoms (SRNS). As current knowledge on SRNS during ALL treatment is limited, we mapped the phenotypes, occurrence and treatment strategies using a database created by the international Ponte di Legno Neurotoxicity Working Group including data on toxicity in the central nervous system (CNS) in patients treated with frontline ALL protocols between 2000 and 2017. Ninety‐four of 1813 patients in the CNS toxicity database (5.2%) experienced clinically significant SRNS with two peaks: one during induction and one during intensification phase. Dexamethasone was implicated in 86% of SRNS episodes. The most common symptoms were psychosis (52%), agitation (44%) and aggression (31%). Pharmacological treatment, mainly antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, was given to 87% of patients while 38% were hospitalised due to their symptoms. Recurrence of symptoms was reported in 29% of patients and two previously healthy patients required ongoing pharmacological treatment at the last follow up. Awareness of SRNS during ALL treatment and recommendation on treatment strategies merit further studies and consensus.
Real‐world performance of Uromonitor® in urothelial bladder cancer detection: a multicentric trial
Authors: Wolff Ingmar , Kravchuk Anton P. , Wirtz Ralph M. , Schlomm Thorsten , Rabien Anja , Rong Dezhi , Hofbauer Sebastian L. , Labonté Flora K. , Barski Dimitri , Otto Thomas , Gössl Andreas , Brookman‐May Sabine D. , Gilfrich Christian P. , Ecke Thorsten H. , May Matthias
Published: June 2024

Objectives

To compare Uromonitor® (U‐Monitor Lda, Porto, Portugal), a multitarget DNA assay that detects mutated proto‐oncogenes (telomerase reverse transcriptase [TERT], fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 [FGFR‐3], Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue [KRAS]), with urine cytology in the urine‐based diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) within a multicentre real‐world setting.

Patients and Methods

This multicentre, prospective, double‐blind study was conducted across four German urological centres from 2019 to 2024. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of Uromonitor compared to urine cytology in a cohort of patients with UCB and in healthy controls within a real‐world setting. Sensitivity, specificity, positive‐predictive value (PPV), negative‐predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of the tests were measured, in addition to multivariate analyses to assess the ability of individual proto‐oncogene mutations in detecting UCB. The biometric sample size was designed to achieve a 10% difference in sensitivity.

Results

Patients with UCB comprised 63.7% (339/532) of the study group. Uromonitor showed a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, and an area‐under‐the‐curve of 49.3%, 93.3%, 92.8%, 51.1%, 65.2%, and 0.713%, respectively. These metrics did not demonstrate statistical superiority over urine cytology in terms of sensitivity (44.6%; P = 0.316). Moreover, the comparison of additional test parameters, as well as the comparison within various sensitivity analyses, yielded no significant disparity between the two urinary tests. Multivariate logistic regression underscored the significant predictive value of a positive Uromonitor for detecting UCB (odds ratio [OR] 9.03; P < 0.001). Furthermore, mutations in TERT and FGFR‐3 were independently associated with high odds of UCB detection (OR 13.30 and 7.04, respectively), while KRAS mutations did not exhibit predictive capability.

Conclusion

Despite its innovative approach, Uromonitor fell short of confirming the superior results anticipated from previous studies in this real‐world setting. The search for an optimal urine‐based biomarker for detecting and monitoring UCB remains ongoing. Results from this study highlight the complexity of developing non‐invasive diagnostic tools and emphasise the importance of continued research efforts to refine these technologies.
The contribution of NaV1.6 to the efficacy of voltage‐gated sodium channel inhibitors in wild type and NaV1.6 gain‐of‐function (GOF) mouse seizure control
Authors: Johnson James P. , Focken Thilo , Karimi Tari Parisa , Dube Celine , Goodchild Samuel J. , Andrez Jean‐Christophe , Bankar Girish , Burford Kristen , Chang Elaine , Chowdhury Sultan , Christabel Jessica , Dean Richard , de Boer Gina , Dehnhardt Christoph , Gong Wei , Grimwood Michael , Hussainkhel Angela , Jia Qi , Khakh Kuldip , Lee Stephanie , Li Jenny , Lin Sophia , Lindgren Andrea , Lofstrand Verner , Mezeyova Janette , Nelkenbrecher Karen , Shuart Noah Gregory , Sojo Luis , Sun Shaoyi , Waldbrook Matthew , Wesolowski Steven , Wilson Michael , Xie Zhiwei , Zenova Alla , Zhang Wei , Scott Fiona L. , Cutts Alison J. , Sherrington Robin P. , Winquist Raymond , Cohen Charles J. , Empfield James R.
Published: June 2024

Background and Purpose

Inhibitors of voltage‐gated sodium channels (NaVs) are important anti‐epileptic drugs, but the contribution of specific channel isoforms is unknown since available inhibitors are non‐selective. We aimed to create novel, isoform selective inhibitors of Nav channels as a means of informing the development of improved antiseizure drugs.

Experimental Approach

We created a series of compounds with diverse selectivity profiles enabling block of NaV1.6 alone or together with NaV1.2. These novel NaV inhibitors were evaluated for their ability to inhibit electrically evoked seizures in mice with a heterozygous gain‐of‐function mutation (N1768D/+) in Scn8a (encoding NaV1.6) and in wild‐type mice.

Key Results

Pharmacologic inhibition of NaV1.6 in Scn8aN1768D/+ mice prevented seizures evoked by a 6‐Hz shock. Inhibitors were also effective in a direct current maximal electroshock seizure assay in wild‐type mice. NaV1.6 inhibition correlated with efficacy in both models, even without inhibition of other CNS NaV isoforms.

Conclusions and Implications

Our data suggest NaV1.6 inhibition is a driver of efficacy for NaV inhibitor anti‐seizure medicines. Sparing the NaV1.1 channels of inhibitory interneurons did not compromise efficacy. Selective NaV1.6 inhibitors may provide targeted therapies for human Scn8a developmental and epileptic encephalopathies and improved treatments for idiopathic epilepsies.
Infratentorial hypoperfusion in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Nakamura Masakazu , Murata Akihiro , Ogata Akihiko
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Long‐term disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) results from axonal degeneration in the central nervous system, which might follow hypoperfusion in neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to clarify the distribution and clinical significance of brain hypoperfusion in patients with MS.

Methods

We measured brain hypoperfusion in eight patients with relapsing–remitting MS using N‐isopropyl‐p‐iodine‐123‐iodoamphetamine single‐photon emission computed tomography with three‐dimensional stereotactic surface projection and stereotactic extraction estimation; moreover, we examined its clinical relevance.

Results

We detected marked hypoperfusion in the brainstem and cerebellum relative to that in the cerebrum. Each infratentorial segment, the midbrain, pons, and cerebellar anterior and posterior lobes, showed more severe hypoperfusion than the frontal and parietal lobes (n = 8). This was attributed mainly to oligoclonal band (OCB)‐negative patients (n = 3), even when OCB‐positive patients (n = 5) showed a similar trend. Consistently, OCB‐negative patients had lower blood flow at the pons, and cerebellar anterior and posterior lobes than OCB‐positive patients; however, both groups showed comparable hypoperfusion in the cerebral lobes. Hypoperfusion at the posterior cerebellar lobe and pons was correlated with poor performance in the Trail Making Test Part B (n = 6), indicating cognitive cerebellar dysfunction and cerebrocerebellar conductive disturbances.

Conclusions

Patients with relapsing–remitting MS had lower infratentorial perfusion, which strongly links to OCB‐negativity. The distribution of brain hypoperfusion detected by N‐isopropyl‐p‐iodine‐123‐iodoamphetamine single‐photon emission computed tomography indicated pathological heterogeneity in relapsing–remitting MS. The infratentorial hypoperfusion is possibly associated with neurodegeneration.
Prediction of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease based on MRI radiomics and clinical features: A multicenter study
Authors: Jian Yongjie , Peng Jiaxuan , Wang Wei , Hu Tao , Wang Jing , Shi Hui , Li Xiaoyong , Chen Jingfang , Xu Yuyun , Shao Yuan , Song Qiaowei , Shu Zhenyu
Published: June 2024

Objective

To develop and validate a multimodal combinatorial model based on whole‐brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomic features for predicting cognitive decline in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

This study included a total of 222 PD patients with normal baseline cognition, of whom 68 had cognitive impairment during a 4‐year follow‐up period. All patients underwent MRI scans, and radiomic features were extracted from the whole‐brain MRI images of the training set, and dimensionality reduction was performed to construct a radiomics model. Subsequently, Screening predictive factors for cognitive decline from clinical features and then combining those with a radiomics model to construct a multimodal combinatorial model for predicting cognitive decline in PD patients. Evaluate the performance of the comprehensive model using the receiver‐operating characteristic curve, confusion matrix, F1 score, and survival curve. In addition, the quantitative characteristics of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) from corpus callosum were selected from 52 PD patients to further validate the clinical efficacy of the model.

Results

The multimodal combinatorial model has good classification performance, with areas under the curve of 0.842, 0.829, and 0.860 in the training, test, and validation sets, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the number of cognitive decline PD patients and corpus callosum‐related DTI parameters between the low‐risk and high‐risk groups distinguished by the model (p < 0.05). The survival curve analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the progression time of mild cognitive impairment between the low‐risk and the high‐risk groups.

Conclusions

The building of a multimodal combinatorial model based on radiomic features from MRI can predict cognitive decline in PD patients, thus providing adaptive strategies for clinical practice.