bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antigenic mapping of the hemagglutinin of the H9 subtype influenza A viruses using sera from Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica)
Authors: Carnaccini Silvia , Cáceres C. Joaquín , Gay L. Claire , Ferreri Lucas M. , Skepner Eugene , Burke David F. , Brown Ian H. , Geiger Ginger , Obadan Adebimpe , Rajao Daniela S. , Lewis Nicola S. , Perez Daniel R.
Published: May 2023

Influenza A viruses (FLUAV) of the H9N2 subtype are zoonotic pathogens that cause significant economic damage to the poultry industry. Vaccination to prevent and control H9N2 infections in poultry is widely employed in the Middle East and Asia. We used phylogenetics and antigenic analysis to study the antigenic properties of the H9 hemagglutinin (HA) using sera produced in Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica). Consensus HA1 sequences were generated to capture antigenic diversity among isolates. We constructed chimeric H9N2 viruses containing the HA1 of each consensus sequence on a constant isogenic backbone. The resulting viruses were used to generate antisera from quail, a common and significant minor poultry species whose anti-HA response profiles remain poorly defined. Antigenic maps were generated by plotting the cross-hemagglutination inhibition (HI) data from the panel of quail sera against the chimeric constructs and 51 H9 field isolates. The chimeric antigens were divided into four different antigenic profiles (cyan, blue, orange, and red). Site-directed mutagenesis analysis showed 9 amino acid positions of antigenic relevance. Substitutions at amino acid positions 149, 150, and 180 (H9 HA numbering) had relatively significant impact on HI activity using quail sera. Substitutions E180A and R131K/E180A led to the most significant antigenic change transitions. This study provides insights into the antigenic profile of H9 FLUAVs, with important implications for understanding antigenic drift and improving vaccine development for use in minor poultry species.

IMPORTANCE

Determining the relevant amino acids involved in antigenic drift on the surface protein hemagglutinin (HA) is critical to understand influenza virus evolution and efficient assessment of vaccine strains relative to current circulating strains. We used antigenic cartography to generate an antigenic map of the H9 HA using sera produced in one of the most relevant minor poultry species, Japanese quail. Key antigenic positions were identified and tested to confirm their impact on the antigenic profile. This work provides a better understanding of the antigenic diversity of the H9 HA as it relates to reactivity to quail sera and will facilitate a rational approach for selecting more efficacious vaccines against poultry-origin H9 influenza viruses in minor poultry species.
When is an auxotroph not an auxotroph: how budding yeast lackingMET17collectively overcome their metabolic defect
Authors: Sonal  , Yuan Alex E. , Yang Xueqin , Shou Wenying
Published: May 2023

Assimilation of sulfur is vital to all organisms. InS. cerevisiae, inorganic sulfate is first reduced to sulfide, which is then reacted to an organic carbon backbone by the Met17 enzyme. The resulting homocysteine can then be converted to all other essential organosulfurs such as methionine, cysteine, and glutathione. This pathway has been known for nearly half a century, andmet17mutants have long been classified as organosulfur auxotrophs which are unable to grow on sulfate as the sole sulfur source. Surprisingly, we found thatmet17Δ could grow on sulfate, albeit only at sufficiently high cell densities. We show that the accumulation of hydrogen sulfide gas underpins this density-dependent growth ofmet17Δ on sulfate, and that the locusYLL058W(HSU1) enablesmet17Δ cells to assimilate hydrogen sulfide. Hsu1 protein is induced during sulfur starvation and under exposure to high sulfide in wildtype cells, suggesting multiple functions of this gene. In a mathematical model, the low efficiency of sulfide assimilation inmet17Δ can explain the observed density-dependent growth ofmet17Δ on sulfate. Thus, having uncovered and explained the paradoxical growth of a commonly used “auxotroph”, our findings may impact the design of future studies in yeast genetics, metabolism, and volatile-mediated microbial interactions.
The role of Smarcad1 in retroviral repression in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Bren Igor , Strauss Carmit , Schlesinger Sharon
Published: May 2023

Background

Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV) replication is suppressed in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) by the Trim28-SETDB1 complex. The chromatin remodeler Smarcad1 interacts with Trim28 and was suggested to allow the deposition of the histone variant H3.3. However, the role of Trim28, H3.3, and Smarcad1 in MLV repression in ESCs still needs to be fully understood.

Results

In this study, we used MLV to explore the role of Smarcad1 in retroviral silencing in ESCs. We show that Smarcad1 is immediately recruited to the MLV provirus. Based on the repression dynamics of a GFP-reporter MLV, our findings suggest that Smarcad1 plays a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of MLV repression, as well as other Trim28-targeted genomic loci. Furthermore, Smarcad1 is important for stabilizing and strengthening Trim28 binding to the provirus over time, and its presence around the provirus is needed for proper deposition of H3.3 on the provirus. Surprisingly, the combined depletion of Smarcad1 and Trim28 results in enhanced MLV derepression, suggesting that these two proteins may also function independently to maintain repressive chromatin states.

Conclusions

Overall, the results of this study provide evidence for the crucial role of Smarcad1 in the silencing of retroviral elements in embryonic stem cells. Further research is needed to fully understand how Smarcad1 and Trim28 cooperate and their implications for gene expression and genomic stability.

Take home

Depletion of Smarcad1 impairs retroviral repression.

Smarcad1 is necessary for proper recruitment of Trim28 and H3.3 deposition.

Depleting Smarcad1 and Trim28 results in enhanced derepression of the MLV provirus.
Molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of larval green color and camouflage patterns in swallowtail butterfly,Papilio memnon
Authors: Liu Liang , Komata Shinya , Wu Kai , Kojima Tetsuya , Fujiwara Haruhiko
Published: May 2023

Insects have various strategies like mimicry or camouflage to avoid predation. Swallowtail butterfly larvae switch from a black and white pattern mimicking bird droppings to a green camouflage pattern in the fifth (final) instar. This larval pattern switch is regulated during the juvenile hormone (JH)-sensitive period, when JH titer declines rapidly, andclawless(cll),abdominal-A(abd-A), andAbdominal-B(Abd-B) function during this period. However, the molecular mechanism behind the background green color, a crucial aspect of the camouflage pattern, remains poorly understood. Here, we usedPapilio memnon, which switches to the camouflage pattern in the fifth instar but is greenish from the third instar, to investigate the mechanism of camouflage pattern formation, particularly the larval green coloration.

Through RNA sequencing, we found thatBBPs forming a gene cluster are upregulated in the green regions ofP. memnonlarvae during the fourth instar, whereasP. xuthuslarvae, which have not yet turned green, showed minimalBBPs expression. WhenBBP1andBBP2, which were particularly highly expressed, were knocked down by RNAi, there was a phenotypic change in green to yellow in both fourth and fifth instar larvae. Expression analysis and knockdown experiments were conducted also forJHBP, which had been previously reported, and confirmed that it is involved in the synthesis of yellow pigment. Furthermore, knockdown ofUbxresulted in no phenotypic change in fourth instar larvae, but in fifth instar larvae, the eyespots pattern characteristic of the camouflage pattern almost entirely disappeared, suggesting thatUbxis also functional only during JH-sensitive period.

Our results indicate that the switch from mimetic to camouflage patterns resulted from the function ofcll,abd-A,Abd-B, andUbxprepatterning genes during the JH-sensitive period. And the increased expression ofBBPs andJHBPs, independent of the JH-sensitive period, contributed to the development of green coloration.
High Ambient Temperature in Pregnancy and Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Rogne Tormod , Wang Rong , Wang Pin , Deziel Nicole C. , Metayer Catherine , Wiemels Joseph L. , Chen Kai , Warren Joshua L. , Ma Xiaomei
Published: May 2023

Background

High ambient temperature is increasingly common due to climate change and is associated with risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in children, the incidence is increasing, and in the United States it disproportionately affects Latino children. We aimed to investigate the potential association between high ambient temperature in pregnancy and risk of childhood ALL.

Methods

We used data from California birth records (1982-2015) and California Cancer Registry (1988-2015) to identify ALL cases diagnosed <14 years and 50 times as many controls matched by sex, race/ethnicity, and date of last menstrual period. Ambient temperatures were estimated on a 1-km grid. Association between ambient temperature and ALL was evaluated per gestational week, restricted to May-September, adjusting for confounders. Bayesian meta-regression was applied to identify critical exposure windows. For sensitivity analyses, we evaluated a 90-day pre-pregnancy period (assuming no direct effect before pregnancy) and constructed an alternatively matched dataset for exposure contrast by seasonality.

Findings

Our study included 6,258 ALL cases and 307,579 controls. The peak association between ambient temperature and risk of ALL was observed in gestational week 8, where a 5 °C increase was associated with an odds ratio of 1.09 (95% confidence interval 1.04-1.14) and 1.05 (95% confidence interval 1.00-1.11) among Latino and non-Latino White children, respectively. The sensitivity analyses supported this.

Interpretation

Our findings suggest an association between high ambient temperature in early pregnancy and risk of childhood ALL. Further replication and investigation of mechanistic pathways may inform mitigation strategies.
Population fraction of Parkinson’s disease attributable to preventable risk factors
Authors: Payami Haydeh , Cohen Gwendolyn , Murchison Charles F , Sampson Timothy R , Standaert David G , Wallen Zachary D
Published: May 2023

Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurologic disease with seemingly no means for prevention. Intrinsic risk factors (age, sex, genetics) are inescapable, but environmental factors are not. We studied population attributable fraction and estimated fraction of PD that could be reduced if modifiable risk factors were eliminated. Assessing several known risk factors simultaneously in one study, we demonstrate that all were operative and independent, underscoring etiological heterogeneity within a single population. We investigated repeated blows to head in sports or combat as a potential new risk factor, and found it was associated with two-fold increased risk of PD. Considering modifiable risk factors, 23% of PD cases in females were attributable to pesticides/herbicides exposure, and 30% of PD cases in males was attributable to pesticides/herbicides, Agent Orange/chemical warfare, and repeated blows to the head. Thus, one-in-three cases of PD in males, and one-in-four cases in females could have potentially been prevented.
HepG2 cells with knockouts ofCYP51A1,DHCR24orSC5Dfrom cholesterol synthesis accumulate sterols influencing distinct regulatory pathways
Authors: Skubic Cene , Trček Hana , Nassib Petra , Walakira Andrew , Pohar Katka , Petek Sara , Režen Tadeja , Ihan Alojz , Rozman Damjana
Published: May 2023

Sterol intermediates of cholesterol synthesis are largely dedicated to cholesterol. Here we assess how they influence downstream gene regulatory pathways by developing knockouts (KOs) for consecutive enzymes of cholesterol synthesis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. The KO ofCYP51,DHCR24, andSC5Dled to the build-up of specific sterols. The shared differentially expressed genes accounted for only 9% with regards to steroid metabolism and proliferation control, with majority of pathways changed in just one KO. TheCYP51KO cells with highly elevated 24,25-dihydrolanosterol exhibited a significant increase in G2+M phase along with enhanced cancer and cell cycle pathways, likely driven by elevated LEF1 through modulation of WNT/NFKB signalling. In contrast,SC5DandDHCR24KO cells with elevated lathosterol or desmosterol, slowed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis with downregulated E2F, mitosis, cell cycle transition, and enriched HNF1A tumor suppressor. These findings demonstrate that sterols from cholesterol synthesis control distinct gene regulatory pathways, while only early sterols can promote cell proliferation.
Autoreactive B cells in rheumatoid arthritis consist of activated CXCR3+ memory B cells and plasmablasts
Authors: Reijm Sanne , Kwekkeboom Joanneke C. , Blomberg Nienke J. , Suurmond Jolien , van der Woude Diane , Toes Rene E.M. , Scherer Hans U.
Published: May 2023

Many autoimmune diseases (AIDs) are characterized by persistence of autoreactive B cell responses which is often directly implicated in disease pathogenesis. How and why these cells are generated or how they are maintained for years is largely unknown. Rheumatoid arthritis is among the most common AIDs and characterized by autoantibodies recognizing proteins with post-translational modifications (PTMs). This PTM-directed, autoreactive B cell compartment is ill defined. Here, we visualized the B cell response against the three main types of PTM antigens implicated in RA by spectral flow cytometry. Our results show extensive cross-reactivity of autoreactive B cells against all three PTM antigens (citrulline, homocitrulline and acetyllysine). Unsupervised clustering revealed several distinct memory B cell (mBC) populations. Autoreactive cells clustered with the most recently activated, class-switched mBC phenotype, expressing high CD80, low CD24 and low CD21. Notably, patients also harbored large fractions of autoreactive plasmablasts (PB). Both PTM-directed mBC and PB showed high expression of CXCR3, a receptor for chemokines abundantly present in arthritic joints. Together, our data provide novel, detailed insight into the biology of B cell autoreactivity and its remarkable, seemingly exhaustless persistence in a prominent human AID.
Incorporating uncertainty within dynamic interoceptive learning
Authors: Brand Katja , Wise Toby , Hess Alexander J. , Russell Bruce R. , Stephan Klaas E. , Harrison Olivia K.
Published: May 2023

Interoception, the perception of the internal state of the body, has been shown to be closely linked to emotions and mental health. Of particular interest are interoceptive learning processes that capture associations between environmental cues and body signals as a basis for making homeostatically relevant predictions about the future. Here we extended an interoceptive Breathing Learning Task (BLT) to incorporate continuous measures of prediction certainty, and tested its application using a Rescorla Wagner (RW) associative learning model. Sixteen healthy participants completed the continuous version of the BLT, where they were asked to predict the likelihood of breathing resistances. The task was modified from a previous version and required continuous, rather than binary predictions, in order to include a more precise measure of prediction certainty. The RW model was used to fit a learning rate to each participant’s continuous and binarised predictions, and was additionally extended to test whether learning rates differed according to stimuli valence. The empirical task data demonstrated excellent replicability compared to previously collected data using binary predictions, and the continuous model fits closely captured participant behaviour at the group level. The model extension to estimate different learning rates for negative (i.e. breathing resistance) and positive (i.e. no breathing resistance) trials indicated that learning rates did not significantly differ according to stimuli nature. Furthermore, examining the relationship between estimates of prediction certainty and learning rates with interoceptive and mental health questionnaires demonstrated that fatigue severity was related to both prediction certainty and learning rate, and anxiety sensitivity was related to prediction certainty. The updated task and model show promise for future investigations into interoceptive learning and potential links to mental health.
A Hypothalamic Circuit Underlying the Dynamic Control of Social Homeostasis
Authors: Liu Ding , Rahman Mostafizur , Johnson Autumn , Tsutsui-Kimura Iku , Pena Nicolai , Talay Mustafa , Logeman Brandon L. , Finkbeiner Samantha , Choi Seungwon , Capo-Battaglia Athena , Abdus-Saboor Ishmail , Ginty David D. , Uchida Naoshige , Watabe-Uchida Mitsuko , Dulac Catherine
Published: May 2023

Social grouping increases survival in many species, including humans1,2. By contrast, social isolation generates an aversive state (loneliness) that motivates social seeking and heightens social interaction upon reunion3-5. The observed rebound in social interaction triggered by isolation suggests a homeostatic process underlying the control of social drive, similar to that observed for physiological needs such as hunger, thirst or sleep3,6. In this study, we assessed social responses in multiple mouse strains and identified the FVB/NJ line as exquisitely sensitive to social isolation. Using FVB/NJ mice, we uncovered two previously uncharacterized neuronal populations in the hypothalamic preoptic nucleus that are activated during social isolation and social rebound and that orchestrate the behavior display of social need and social satiety, respectively. We identified direct connectivity between these two populations of opposite function and with brain areas associated with social behavior, emotional state, reward, and physiological needs, and showed that animals require touch to assess the presence of others and fulfill their social need, thus revealing a brain-wide neural system underlying social homeostasis. These findings offer mechanistic insight into the nature and function of circuits controlling instinctive social need and for the understanding of healthy and diseased brain states associated with social context.
Restoration of mitochondrial structure and function withinHelicobacter pyloriVacA intoxicated cells
Authors: Holland Robin L. , Bosi Kristopher D. , Seeger Ami , Blanke Steven R.
Published: May 2023

TheHelicobacter pylorivacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) is an intracellular, mitochondrial-targeting exotoxin that rapidly causes mitochondrial dysfunction and fragmentation. Although VacA targeting of mitochondria has been reported to alter overall cellular metabolism, there is little known about the consequences of extended exposure to the toxin. Here, we describe studies to address this gap in knowledge, which have revealed that mitochondrial dysfunction and fragmentation are followed by a time-dependent recovery of mitochondrial structure, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and cellular ATP levels. Cells exposed to VacA also initially demonstrated a reduction in oxidative phosphorylation, as well as increase in compensatory aerobic glycolysis. These metabolic alterations were reversed in cells with limited toxin exposure, congruent with the recovery of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the absence of cytochromecrelease from the mitochondria. Taken together, these results are consistent with a model that mitochondrial structure and function are restored in VacA-intoxicated cells.
Prognostic Gene Signature for lung adenocarcinoma with a Higher Risk for Treatment Failure and Accelerated cell cycle and cell proliferation Pathway Activity
Authors: Li Zhen-Qing , Li Zheng , Meng Yu-Qi , Li Xuan , Zhai Ke-Rong , Wei Shi-Lin , Li Bin
Published: May 2023

Lung cancer is the most common of malignant cancers which represents poor prognosis and high invasive. However, the reliable prognosis genes signature and the differential between the genetic and epigenetic are remain unclear. Here, we confirmed 78 genes of signature A to construct a model to predicted the prognosis and the activity of tumorigenesis-related pathways. The score based on the 78 genes expression is high correlation with the cell cycle and cell proliferation activity. Based on the median of score, the lung adenocarcinoma patients were divided into two cohorts which presents different prognosis, tumorigenesis-related pathways activity. The high score group was enriched in the E2F target, mtorc1 signaling and MYC targets. The low score group can be identified as better prognosis subtype. Also, we used the GDSC data to predicted the PIM inhibitor (AZD1208) as the effective compounds for high score group patients, which is supported by a higher PIM1 and PIM2 expression in the score group. An integrative analysis of multi-omics data identified ECT2 as key nodes in a regulatory network related to the prognostic phenotype. In conclusion, our data identified a molecular classifier for the different score groups patients, and the high score group patients might benefit from treatment with PIM inhibitor.
Functional brain connectivity during social attention predicts individual differences in social skill
Authors: Brindley Samantha R. , Skyberg Amalia M. , Graves Andrew J. , Connelly Jessica J. , Puglia Meghan H. , Morris James P.
Published: May 2023

Social attention involves selectively attending to and encoding socially relevant information. We investigated the neural systems underlying the wide range of variability in both social attention ability and social experience in a neurotypical sample. Participants performed a selective social attention task while undergoing fMRI and completed self-report measures of social functioning. Using connectome-based predictive modeling, we demonstrated that individual differences in whole-brain functional connectivity patterns during selective attention to faces predicted task performance. Individuals with more cerebellar-occipital connectivity performed better on the social attention task, suggesting more efficient social information processing. Then, we estimated latent communities of autistic and socially anxious traits using exploratory graph analysis to decompose heterogeneity in social functioning between individuals. Connectivity strength within the identified social attention network was associated with social skills, such that more temporal-parietal connectivity predicted fewer challenges with social communication and interaction. These findings demonstrate that individual differences in functional connectivity strength during a selective social attention task are related to varying levels of self-reported social skill.
Prime editing of the β1adrenoceptor in the brain reprograms mouse behavior
Authors: Böck Desirée , Tidecks Lisa , Wilhelm Maria , Weber Yanik , Ioannidi Eleonora , Mumenthaler Jonas , Rothgangl Tanja , Schmidheini Lukas , Janjuha Sharan , Patriarchi Tommaso , Schwank Gerald
Published: May 2023

Prime editing is a highly versatile genome editing technology that holds great potential for treating genetic diseases1, 2. Whilein vivoprime editing has recently been conducted in the brain, liver, heart, and retina3–6, application of this technology to modulate neural circuits in the brain has not been reported yet. Here, we employ adeno-associated viral vectors to deliver optimized intein-split prime editors into the brain of mice. Delivery into newborn pups via intracerebroventricular injection resulted in up to 44.0% editing at theDnmt1locus in the cortex (on average 34.8±9.8% after 6 months). In addition, we obtained up to 28.1% editing at theAdrb1locus in the cortex (on average 14.7±11.6% after 6 months). The introducedAdrb1A187Vmutation is a naturally occurring variant of the β1-adrenergic receptor, which has previously been linked to increased activity and natural short sleep7. Similarly, we observed an increase in the activity and exploratory behavior of treated animals. This study demonstrates the potential of prime editing for treating genetic diseases in the central nervous system and for reprogramming molecular pathways that modulate animal behavior.
Molecular archaeology: individual human DNA and infection profiles from 100 year old mosquitoes
Authors: Crombe Florence , Nagi Sanjay C , Tomás Elsa VE , Charlwood J. Derek , Donnelly Martin J , Weetman David
Published: May 2023

Natural history collections represent a vast biological and genetic resource, which has remained largely untapped. We revisit mosquito collections of varying ages; some made by early tropical medicine pioneers over 100 years ago. By applying species-specific primers, a panel of forensic short tandem repeat (STR) markers, andPlasmodiumdiagnostics, we were able to obtain the unique genetic profile andPlasmodiuminfection status of the individual from whom each mosquito obtained their final bloodmeal. We show evidence of long-dead mosquitoes feeding on multiple individuals in the same gonotrophic cycle, and how the human hosts are likely to have been infected with malaria at the time of blood-feeding. This approach may be used to track the host-fidelity of vectors over an evolutionary time scale.
MutantPpbbx24-delgene positively regulates light-induced anthocyanin accumulation in the red pear
Authors: Li Shuran , Ou Chunqing , Wang Fei , Zhang Yanjie , Ismail Omayma , Elaziz Yasser S.G. Abd , Edris Sherif , Jiang Shuling , Li He
Published: May 2023

Anthocyanins are pigments and nutrients in red pears regulated by BBX family genes. Herein, we characterized a 14-nucleotide deletion mutation in the coding region of thePpBBX24gene from ‘Red Zaosu’ pear (Pyrus pyrifoliaWhite Pear Group), namedPpbbx24-del. Genetic and biochemical approaches were used to compare the roles of PpBBX24 and Ppbbx24-del in anthocyanin accumulation.Ppbbx24-delplayed a positive role in anthocyanin biosynthesis of the ‘Red Zaosu’ pear peel by light treatment. Functional analyses based on overexpression in tobacco and transient overexpression in pear fruit peels showed thatPpbbx24-delpromoted anthocyanin accumulation. Cyanidin and peonidin were major differentially expressed anthocyanins, and transcript levels of some structural genes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were significantly increased. Protein interaction assays showed that PpBBX24 was located in the nucleus and interacted with PpHY5, whereas Ppbbx24-del was colocalized in the nucleoplasm and did not interact with PpHY5. PpHY5 and Ppbbx24-del had positive regulatory effects on the expression ofPpCHS,PpCHI, andPpMYB10when acting alone, but had cumulative effects on gene activation when acting simultaneously. Alone, PpBBX24 had no significant effect on the expression ofPpCHS,PpCHI, orPpMYB10, whereas it inhibited the activation effects of PpHY5 on downstream genes when it existed with PpHY5. Our study demonstrated that mutant Ppbbx24-del positively regulates the anthocyanin accumulation in pear. The results of this study clarify the mechanism and enrich the regulatory network of anthocyanin biosynthesis, which lays a theoretical foundation forPpbbx24-deluse to create red pear cultivars.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 5-oxo-7-phenyl-2-(phenylamino)-1H-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-6,8-dicarbonitrile dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate
Authors: Naghiyev Farid N. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Mamedov Huseyn M. , Akkurt Mehmet , Khalilov Ali N. , Bhattarai Ajaya , Mamedov İbrahim G.
Published: May 2023

In the title compound, C20H12N6O·C2H6OS, the [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine ring system is almost planar and makes dihedral angles of 16.33 (7) and 46.80 (7)°, respectively, with the phenylamino and phenyl rings. In the crystal, molecules are linked by intermolecular N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains along the b-axis direction through the dimethyl sulfoxide solvent molecule, forming C(10)R
2
1(6) motifs. These chains are connected via S—O...π interactions, π–π stacking interactions between the pyridine rings [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.6662 (9) Å] and van der Waals interactions. A Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H...H (28.1%), C...H/H...C (27.2%), N...H/H...N (19.4%) and O...H/H...O (9.8%) interactions.
Buyer–supplier collaboration's commitment. An antecedent for procurement performance of large manufacturing entities in Tanzania
Authors: Kimario Honest F. , Mwagike Leonada R.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study was steered to establish how buyer–supplier collaboration's commitment attributes serve as an antecedent for procurement performance in large manufacturing entities in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

A parallel, concurrent, mixed method was used in the study. Quantitatively, 52 firms were surveyed from Temeke Municipality, Tanzania, using questionnaire that specified 1 procurement manager and 1 store manager from those firms, totaling a sample size of 104 respondents. Qualitatively, expressive opinions to supplement the numeric data were gathered from supply chain managers using the saturation principle. Explanatory design analyzed the existing cause–effect relationship, and the null hypotheses were tested using binary logistic regression at p values < 0.05 and ExpB > 1.

Findings

Fidelity and enthusiasm to suggest improvements to suppliers and the duration of the collaboration antecede the procurement performance of the manufacturing firms in Tanzania, while devotion to invest resources and initiatives on joint problem solving have no significant impact.

Research limitations/implications

The causality between buyer–supplier collaboration and procurement performance has been revealed. Since there might be third party logistics in collaborations, future research should center on their moderating effect.

Practical implications

A framework has been developed for liberating procurement performance in the context of large manufacturing firms in Tanzania.

Originality/value

Based on Transaction Cost Economics and Resource Dependency Theories, the study revealed the root cause of procurement performance in the context of Tanzanian manufacturing firms, while also considering commitment to buyer–supplier collaboration as a prerequisit for the commendable target.
The directional spillover effects and time-frequency nexus between stock markets, cryptocurrency, and investor sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Soltani Hayet , Taleb Jamila , Boujelbène Abbes Mouna
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the connectedness between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stock market index and cryptocurrencies. It investigates the relevant impact of RavenPack COVID sentiment on the dynamic of stock market indices and conventional cryptocurrencies as well as their Islamic counterparts during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors rely on the methodology of Diebold and Yilmaz (2012, 2014) to construct network-associated measures. Then, the wavelet coherence model was applied to explore co-movements between GCC stock markets, cryptocurrencies and RavenPack COVID sentiment. As a robustness check, the authors used the time-frequency connectedness developed by Barunik and Krehlik (2018) to verify the direction and scale connectedness among these markets.

Findings

The results illustrate the effect of COVID-19 on all cryptocurrency markets. The time variations of stock returns display stylized fact tails and volatility clustering for all return series. This stressful period increased investor pessimism and fears and generated negative emotions. The findings also highlight a high spillover of shocks between RavenPack COVID sentiment, Islamic and conventional stock return indices and cryptocurrencies. In addition, we find that RavenPack COVID sentiment is the main net transmitter of shocks for all conventional market indices and that most Islamic indices and cryptocurrencies are net receivers.

Practical implications

This study provides two main types of implications: On the one hand, it helps fund managers adjust the risk exposure of their portfolio by including stocks that significantly respond to COVID-19 sentiment and those that do not. On the other hand, the volatility mechanism and investor sentiment can be interesting for investors as it allows them to consider the dynamics of each market and thus optimize the asset portfolio allocation.

Originality/value

This finding suggests that the RavenPack COVID sentiment is a net transmitter of shocks. It is considered a prominent channel of shock spillovers during the health crisis, which confirms the behavioral contagion. This study also identifies the contribution of particular interest to fund managers and investors. In fact, it helps them design their portfolio strategy accordingly.
Genetic algorithm modeling of European Union firms' competitive advantage
Authors: Dias Alexandre Teixeira , Martins Henrique Cordeiro , Santos Valdeci Ferreira , Verga Matos Pedro , Morais Greiciele Macedo
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This research aims to identify the optimal configuration of investment which leads firms to their best competitive positions, considering the degree of concentration in the market.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was quantitative and based on secondary data with samples of 124, 106 and 90 firms from competitive environment classified as perfect competition, monopolistic competition and oligopoly, respectively. Proposed models' parameters were estimated by means of genetic algorithms.

Findings

Adjustments on firm's investment are contingent on the degree of competition they face. Results are in line with existing academic research affirmation that the purpose of investments is to create and exploit opportunities for positive economic rents and that investments allow firms to protect from rivals' competitive actions and reinforce the need for investment decision makers to consider the environment in which the firm is competing, when defining the amount of investment that must be done to achieve and maintain a favorable competitive advantage position.

Originality/value

This research brings two main original contributions. The first one is the identification of the optimal amount of capital and R&D investments which leads firms to their best competitive positions, contingent to the degree of concentration of the competitive environment in which they operate, and the size of the firm. The second one is related to the use of genetic algorithms to estimate optimization models that considers the three competitive environments studied (perfect competition, monopolistic competition and oligopoly) and the investment variables in the linear and quadratic forms.
Pregnancy-related discrimination and expectant workers' psychological well-being and work engagement: understanding the moderating role of job resources
Authors: Hassard Juliet , Wang Weiwei , Delic Lana , Grudyte Ieva , Dale-Hewitt Vanessa , Thomson Louise
Published: May 2023

Purpose

In this paper, the authors apply the Job Demand-Resource Model to investigate the association between pregnancy-related discrimination (conceptualised as a job demand) and expectant workers' psychological well-being and work engagement, and the moderating role of workplace support (co-worker and supervisor social support and perceived organisational family support (POFS); conceptualised as job resources).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducted a cross-sectional online survey of vocationally active British workers in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy using purposive sampling techniques. Participants were recruited through online forums and social media platforms. A sample of 186 was used to conduct multiple regression and moderation analysis (SPSS v28 and STATA v17).

Findings

The authors observed that higher levels of pregnancy-related discrimination were associated with poorer psychological well-being and work engagement among surveyed expectant workers. Perceived co-worker social support moderated both these relationships for psychological well-being (demonstrating a buffering effect) and work engagement (an antagonist effect). POFS and supervisor support did not moderate this association.

Practical implications

This paper highlights the importance of pregnancy-related discrimination at work as a work stressor, necessitating its reduction as part of organisations' strategies to manage and prevent work-related stress above and beyond their legal requirements to do so under national-level equality legislation. It also sheds light on the potential value of resource-based interventions.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate pregnancy-related discrimination and work-related health outcomes within a British sample, and to explore the potential protective health and motivational value of job resources there within.
The impact of head teacher incivility on teacher engagement and safety behavior in secondary schools: the mediating role of perceived insider status
Authors: Mavrommatidou Stavroula , Theriou Georgios , Chatzoudes Dimitrios , Dimitriadis Efstathios
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Incivility constitutes an increasing trend in different workplaces across the world. However, incivility has largely been overlooked in public organizational settings and mainly in the field of secondary education. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the effects of supervisor incivility (SI) on psychological safety and work engagement of teachers of secondary schools, through the schools' level of perceived insider status (PIS).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an online questionnaire that was based on previously validated scales. The final sample included 396 educators who taught different subjects in a Greek region.

Findings

Results revealed a negative correlation between head teacher incivility and teacher attitudes (psychological safety/work engagement) through the mediating role of PIS. However, a direct link between SI and psychological safety was also discovered.

Originality/value

The contribution of the study is in exploring one part of the dark side of leadership behavior, e.g. SI, at school and leadership behavior's effects on teacher attitudes, which remain largely unexplored due to teacher embarrassment or fear in acknowledging supervisor misbehavior. Further, the study does not only examine direct, but also indirect effects of incivility. Finally, the current study is the first study to investigate the phenomenon of SI in the Greek context, therefore, extending the geographical and cultural data base concerning incivility.
Using online English learning resources: utilitarian and hedonic perspectives
Authors: Tseng Fan-Chen , Liu Pei-Hsun Emma , Cheng T.C. Edwin , Teng Ching-I
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study intended to identify and categorize the drivers of using online English learning resources (OELR) and to understand OELR's impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an online survey, obtained complete responses from 157 OELR users and used structural equation modeling (SEM) for hypothesis testing.

Findings

Most utilitarian and hedonic drivers lead to positive perceptions of OELR, which in turn positively contribute to continuance intention (CI). Two counterintuitive findings were obtained. First, functionality was negatively related to the perception of ease of use. Second, perceived ease of use (PEOU) was not related to CI to use OELR.

Practical implications

This study has implications as follows: (1) complexity of the functions of OELR may deter rather than attract users, (2) ease of use of OELR is not directly positively related to CIs and (3) users may seek practical benefits (utilitarian) and experiential learning processes (hedonic) when using OELR.

Originality/value

The authors' study has theoretical significance by being the first to caution that excessive functionality or complexity in assisting learning tools would likely hinder further use of OELR. The practical significance of this finding is that the finding highlights two factors (perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived enjoyment) that could effectively increase OELR use.
Investments and maintenance spending for public facilities: what do we know and what do we want to know
Authors: Hopland Arnt O. , Kvamsdal Sturla
Published: May 2023

Purpose

There is widespread and long-lasting worry related to the condition of public purpose buildings and public investments. Public buildings make up a huge capital stock and proper maintenance and investments are important for public policy. Notwithstanding, the relevant research literature is fragmented and spread across several fields. The authors take stock of earlier and more recent research and suggest some ideas for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors summarize the relevant literature and discuss implications of various theoretical assumptions and empirical findings for maintenance and investment strategies.

Findings

A better understanding of the role of public facilities in public service provision is important. Relevant topics for further research are the impact of technological changes, both in buildings and service provision, economic issues including macroeconomic shocks and trends that influence public funding and demand for public services, and advancing maintenance scheduling models to consider a portfolio of facilities. Further, the empirical literature suffers from a lack of relevant data to gauge both the condition of public facilities and their impact on public services.

Originality/value

There is widespread worry that poor facilities adversely impact public services, but the size and significance of this impact are an open question. This paper contributes by taking stock of the existing research on public facilities, maintenance, and investments, and suggest ideas for further work.
Exploring the use of story completion to understand the perpetration of technology-facilitated abuse in relationships
Authors: Brown Cynthia , Fiolet Renee , McKay Dana , Harris Bridget
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper presents a novel exploration of the story completion (SC) method for investigating perpetration of technology-facilitated abuse in relationships (TAR).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted the infrequently used SC method to explore TAR perpetration. The perpetration of TAR can involve socially undesirable and potentially illegal behaviours such as online stalking, non-consensual sharing of nude images, and other coercive and controlling behaviours. These problematic behaviours present an ideal context for employing the SC method to reveal new data on TAR perpetrator perspectives, motivations and behaviours.

Findings

The SC method elicited new hypotheses regarding TAR perpetration behaviours and motivations. Post-study reflection on the multifaceted nature of perpetration raised questions about the utility of SC as a stand-alone method for investigating TAR perpetration. Challenges encountered included: striking the most effective length, detail and ambiguity in the story stems, difficulty in eliciting important contextual features in participants’ stories, and other issues scholars encounter when investigating perpetration of violence more broadly. The authors close with suggestions for more effective use of SC methodology in TAR and intimate partner violence research.

Originality/value

This paper expands discussion of the SC method’s application and extends scholarship on violence and perpetration research methodologies. The paper demonstrates the importance of story stem design to the attainment of research objectives and the usefulness and limitations of SC in exploring this sensitive topic and hard-to-reach population. It also advocates for the combined application of SC with other methodological approaches for the attainment of research outcomes when investigating multifaceted phenomenon.
Overexpression of heat shock protein 90 through the downregulation of miR‐9‐5p in extramammary Paget's disease
Authors: Ohnuma Takehiro , Mijiddorj Myangat Tselmeg , Kajihara Ikko , Sawamura Soichiro , Sakamoto Ryoko , Maeda‐Otsuka Saki , Yamada‐Kanazawa Saori , Makino Katsunari , Aoi Jun , Masuguchi Shinichi , Fukushima Satoshi
Published: May 2023

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) facilitates diverse cellular processes by interacting process with more than 200 client proteins. Overexpression of HSP90 contributes to the pathogenesis of various malignant tumors, and HSP90 inhibitors attenuate the progression of malignant tumors in vitro/vivo. Numerous clinical trials have used HSP90 inhibitors to treat several cancers, and pimitespib (an HSP90 inhibitor) is covered by insurance for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor in Japan. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of HSP90 and analyzed its clinical significance in extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD). All 77 EMPD tissues investigated were positive for HSP90 expression. The immunoreactivity of HSP90 in fetal cases due to EMPD tended to be highly stained. Although there was no significant difference in HSP90 mRNA levels between 24 paired lesional and nonlesional tissues, microRNA‐inhibiting HSP90 levels in tumor tissues were significantly decreased compared with those in normal tissues. Thus, HSP90 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of EMPD and may be a novel therapeutic target for EMPD.
Predictors of herpes zoster severity and immune responses according to pain trajectories: A community‐based prospective cohort study
Authors: Yamada Keiko , Mori Yasuko , Cui Renzhe , Kubota Yasuhiko , Asada Hideo , Okuno Yoshinobu , Yamanishi Koichi , Iso Hiroyasu
Published: May 2023

The authors aimed to identify determinants of the clinical course of herpes zoster and immunological responses, focusing on pain trajectories. This prospective community‐based cohort study involved the analysis of responses to a valid pain survey provided by 375 patients diagnosed with herpes zoster based on clinical symptoms and virus identification by polymerase chain reaction. The authors analyzed most patients for humoral/cell‐mediated immune response against varicella‐zoster virus at the onset and 3 months post‐onset. Six months post‐initial visit, patients self‐reported pain on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 5 (extremely strong pain) at up to 18 time points. Moreover, the pain trajectories were traced using group‐based trajectory modeling. Subsequently, the authors used analysis of covariance to explore predictors and the humoral/cell‐mediated immune response according to the pain trajectories. In addition, humoral/cell‐mediated immune responses were assessed among each trajectory using paired t tests. Amon the five identified trajectories, two were isolated that particularly developed postherpetic neuralgia, with or without severe acute pain. Cancer therapy and corticosteroid use before herpes zoster onset specifically predicted postherpetic neuralgia without severe acute pain. In contrast, prescription of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs was uniquely associated with postherpetic neuralgia accompanied by severe acute pain. The aforementioned trajectories with postherpetic neuralgia showed increased antibodies and decreased cell‐mediated immunity compared with those without postherpetic neuralgia. The authors could successfully distinguish between postherpetic neuralgia trajectories with and without severe acute pain. The identified key predictors and immunological responses against varicella‐herpes zoster contribute further evidence to our understanding of the clinical features of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.