bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The selective drivers of allometry in sharks (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii)
Authors: Gayford Joel H , Whitehead Darren A , Ketchum James T , Field Daniel J
Published: March 2023

In addition to the selective importance of interspecific morphological variation, ontogenetic morphological variation may reflect different selective regimes to which successive developmental stages are subjected. The typical body form of carcharhiniform sharks is considered relatively conserved, yet sharks exhibit a wide range of body sizes and shapes, representing adaptations to distinct ecological niches. Previous investigations of ontogenetic shifts in shark body form have provided evidence for both isometric and allometric changes, depending on the morphological characters and species investigated. These findings have led to suggestions of a relationship between body size and allometric growth in sharks. In this study we present evidence of ontogenetic allometric shifts in two species of carcharhiniform sharks (Sphyrna lewini and Rhizoprionodon longurio) from novel measurements. Our results are generally consistent with previous suggestions of body form conservatism across shark phylogeny, yet also suggest potential selective factors underlying observed instances of ontogenetic allometric shifts, and highlight where additional studies are required. We propose the ‘allometric niche shift’ hypothesis for interspecific differences in scaling trends, suggesting that long-distance movements and ontogenetic trophic niche shifts represent key drivers of allometry in sharks.
Distribution of Bacterial Species and Resistance Patterns in Surgical Site Infection after Prior Administration of Vancomycin and Tobramycin Intrawound Powdered Antibiotic Prophylaxis
Authors: Peterson Danielle F. , McKibben Natasha S. , Lawson Michelle M. , Taylor Linh N. , Yang Qian , Working Selene , Friess Darin M. , Working Zachary M.
Published: March 2023

Objective:

Evaluate the species distribution and resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens causing surgical site infection (SSI) after operative fracture repair, with and without the use of intrawound powdered antibiotic (IPA) prophylaxis during the index surgery.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Academic, level 1 trauma center, 2018–2020.

Patients/Participants:

Fifty-nine deep SSIs were identified in a sample of 734 patients with 846 fractures (IPA [n = 320], control [n = 526]; open [n = 157], closed fractures [n = 689]) who underwent orthopaedic fracture care. Among SSIs, 28 (48%) patients received IPA prophylaxis and 25 (42%) of the fractures were open.

Intervention:

Intrawound powdered vancomycin and tobramycin

Main Outcome Measurements:

Distribution of bacterial species and resistance patterns causing deep surgical site infections requiring operative debridement.

Results:

Zero patients developed infections caused by resistant strains of streptococci, enterococci, gram-negative enterics, Pseudomonas, or Cutibacterium species. The only resistant strains isolated were methicillin resistance (19%) and oxacillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (16%). There was no associated statistical difference in the proportion of bacterial species isolated, their resistance profiles, or rate of polymicrobial infections between the IPA and control group. Most (93%) cases using IPAs included vancomycin and tobramycin powders. There were 59 SSIs; 28 (9%) in the IPA cohort and 31 (6%) in the control cohort (P = 0.13).

Conclusion:

The use of local antibiotic prophylaxis resulted in no measurable increase in the proportion of infections caused by resistant bacterial pathogens after operative treatment of fractures. However, the small sample size and limited time frame of these preliminary data require continued investigation into their role as an adjunct to SSI prophylaxis.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Association Between Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection and Central Line Access*
Authors: Ward Andrew , Chemparathy Augustine , Seneviratne Martin , Gaskari Shabnam , Mathew Roshni , Wood Matthew , Donnelly Lane F. , Lee Grace M. , Scheinker David , Shin Andrew Y.
Published: March 2023

OBJECTIVES:

Identifying modifiable risk factors associated with central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) may lead to modifications to central line (CL) management. We hypothesize that the number of CL accesses per day is associated with an increased risk for CLABSI and that a significant fraction of CL access may be substituted with non-CL routes.

DESIGN:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with at least one CL device day from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019. A multivariate mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between the number of CL accesses in a given CL device day and prevalence of CLABSI within the following 3 days.

SETTING:

A 395-bed pediatric academic medical center.

PATIENTS:

Patients with at least one CL device day from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

There were 138,411 eligible CL device days across 6,543 patients, with 639 device days within 3 days of a CLABSI (a total of 217 CLABSIs). The number of per-day CL accesses was independently associated with risk of CLABSI in the next 3 days (adjusted odds ratio, 1.007; 95% CI, 1.003–1.012; p = 0.002). Of medications administered through CLs, 88% were candidates for delivery through a peripheral line. On average, these accesses contributed a 6.3% increase in daily risk for CLABSI.

CONCLUSIONS:

The number of daily CL accesses is independently associated with risk of CLABSI in the next 3 days. In the pediatric population examined, most medications delivered through CLs could be safely administered peripherally. Efforts to reduce CL access may be an important strategy to include in contemporary CLABSI-prevention bundles.
Real-life use of trametinib after immunotherapy failure in BRAF wild-type advanced melanoma
Authors: Pigné Tristan , Lévy Marie , Ducharme Océane , Dutriaux Caroline , Gerard Emilie , Pham-Ledard Anne , Beylot-Barry Marie , Prey Sorilla
Published: March 2023

BRAFV600
wild-type advanced melanomas quickly reach a therapeutic dead-end, after immunotherapy failure. Even if preclinical studies have suggested sensitivity to MEK inhibitors such as trametinib in NRAS, NF1 or GNA mutated melanoma, therapeutic options are limited for these patients. We present a retrospective monocentric study of 22 patients with advanced melanoma treated by trametinib after immunotherapy resistance. Melanomas harboured NRAS (20), NF1 (1) or GNA11 (1) mutations. For most of them (18), anti-PD1 was associated with trametinib. A disease-control was reported in 36% of patients (8/22), with six stable diseases and two partial responses according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. Median progression-free survival was 2 months (1–14) and median overall survival was 6.5 months (2–24). In patients with progressive disease (14/22), dissociated radiologic responses and clinical benefits such as pain reduction were seen in five patients. High blood level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) seemed associated with trametinib failure, without significance (P = 0.06). Adverse events (grade 1–3) occurred in 91% of patients during the first weeks of treatment, mainly papulo-pustular rashes (77%), leg oedemas (36%), asthenia (18%) and diarrhoea (14%). This real-life study showed that trametinib may benefit some metastatic melanoma that progressed after chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Objective disease control (partial response or stable disease) using RECIST criteria was observed in 36% of patients. Because of frequent side-effects which can alter the quality of life and the short response duration, this off-label option has to be discussed with the patient. Studies with combination therapy with trametinib to improve relapse-free survival and lower side-effects are ongoing.
Ultrasonic Debridement of Fournier Gangrene
Authors: Tanuma Takahiro , Ishikawa Shoichi , Saito Junpei , Kurihara Takeshi , Ichioka Shigeru
Published: March 2023

Ultrasonic debridement devices are minimally invasive and effective for biofilm removal, allowing for debridement of necrotic tissue while minimizing damage to normal tissues, such as the blood vessels and nerves. The use of ultrasonic debridement has been reported for foot ulcers and pressure ulcers but not Fournier gangrene. The perineal area, which is difficult to surgically debride using electrocautery, is a suitable site for the use of an ultrasonic debridement device because of its proximity to vital organs. We report here a case of Fournier gangrene that healed with testicular sparing using an ultrasonic debridement device.
Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mobile Health Application Based on Roy’s Adaptation Model on Postpartum Adaptation
Authors: Özkan Şat Sultan , Yaman Sözbir Şengül
Published: March 2023

Background

Mobile apps are used worldwide in nursing care, including during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

Objectives

To determine the effect of a mobile health application developed for pregnant women according to the Roy Adaptation Model on postpartum adaptation.

Methods

This was a single-center, two-arm parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted from March 2021 to August 2021. A mobile application was developed and offered to women in the experimental group from the 32nd–34th gestational weeks to the sixth week postpartum. The Postpartum Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) was administered to both experimental and control groups on the postpartum 10th day and sixth postpartum week. The generalized linear mixed-effects model and the least significant difference test were used to analyze the data.

Results

The study sample consisted of 62 pregnant women. The mean scores from the total PSEQ and the subscales decreased statistically significantly in the postpartum 10th day and postpartum sixth week in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The mean scores from the confidence in the ability to cope with tasks of motherhood and satisfaction with motherhood and infant care subscales indicated a statistically significant difference in group-time interaction.

Discussion

The results indicated that the mobile health application increased postpartum adaptation in women and effectively maintained adaptation until the sixth week postpartum. Use of mobile health applications may help provide practical, accessible, and quality prenatal and postpartum care.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Listening Visits for Mothers of Hospitalized Newborns
Authors: Segre Lisa S. , McCabe Jennifer E. , Davila Rebecca Chuffo , Carter Cheryl , O’Hara Michael W. , Arndt Stephan
Published: March 2023

Background

Emotional distress is frequently experienced by mothers whose newborns are hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Among these women, there is a critical need for emotional support conveniently delivered at the newborn’s point of care by a trusted and medically knowledgeable professional: a NICU nurse. One promising way to enhance in situ delivery of emotional care is to have a NICU nurse provide Listening Visits (LVs), a brief support intervention developed expressly for delivery by nurses to depressed postpartum women.

Objectives

This trial assessed the feasibility of having NICU nurses deliver LVs to emotionally distressed mothers of hospitalized newborns and compared depression outcomes in a small sample of participants randomized to LVs or usual care (UC).

Methods

In this pilot randomized controlled trial, emotionally distressed mothers of hospitalized newborns were randomized to receive up to six LVs from a NICU nurse or UC from a NICU social worker. To assess change in depression symptoms, women were invited to complete the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms–General Depression Scale at enrollment and 4 and 8 weeks post-enrollment.

Results

Depression symptoms declined over time for both groups, with no difference between the two groups. A post hoc analysis of reliable change found higher rates of improvement at the 4-week assessment among recipients of LVs than UC.

Discussion

NICU nurses successfully implemented LVs during this trial. Depression symptom scores did not significantly differ in the two groups posttreatment or at follow-up. Nevertheless, post hoc analyses indicated comparatively higher rates of clinical improvement immediately after LVs, suggesting the intervention can reduce maternal depression early on when women are most distressed.
Identifying Adverse Events in Patients Hospitalized in Isolation or Quarantine Due to COVID-19
Authors: de Arriba Fernández Alejandro , Sánchez Medina Roberto , Dorta Hung María Elena , Álvarez León Eva Elisa
Published: March 2023

Background

This study evaluated the adverse events of COVID-19 isolation or quarantine in patients with nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study with 30-day follow-up of 126 patients diagnosed with nosocomial COVID-19 through polymerase chain reaction test, between May 1 and June 30, 2022, in a 500-bed university hospital in the island of Gran Canaria.

Results

Between May 1 and July 30, 2022, a total of 2250 patients were admitted to the Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria; 126 of them were diagnosed with nosocomial COVID-19 through a polymerase chain reaction test. The rate of nosocomial COVID-19 infection was 5.6%. From the 126 patients of the study population, 27 experienced an adverse event (21.4%) and 2 experienced 2 adverse events (1.6%) due to COVID-19 isolation or quarantine. Thus, a total of 31 adverse events occurred in 29 patients. These events included the following: delay in transfer to other centers of 11 patients who were pending of receiving a negative COVID-19 test result (35.5%), delay or cancellation of diagnostic tests in 9 patients (29%), delay or cancellation of doctor visit in 7 patients (22.6%), and delay or cancellation of surgical or other interventions in 4 patients (12.9%).

Conclusions

Because of the adverse consequences of nosocomial COVID-19 infection in hospitalized patients, measures should be observed for the prevention and control of nosocomial infection transmission, and adverse events related to patient safety issues in health care in isolated or quarantined COVID-19 patients should be prevented.
Pulmonary Vein Sign on Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography in Proximal and Distal Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension With Hemodynamic Correlation
Authors: Gopalan Deepa , Riley Jan Y.J. , Leong Kai’en , Guo Haiwei Henry , Zamanian Roham T. , Hsi Andrew , Auger William , Lindholm Peter
Published: March 2023

Background:

Pulmonary vein sign (PVS) indicates abnormal pulmonary venous flow on computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is a frequent finding in proximal chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). PVS’s occurrence in distal CTEPH and correlation to disease severity is unknown. Using right heart catheterization data, we evaluated the relationship between PVS and CTEPH disease distribution and severity.

Materials and Method:

A total of 93 consecutive CTEPH cases with both CTPA and right heart catheterization were identified in this retrospective multi-institutional study. After excluding 17 cases with suboptimal CTPA, there were 52 proximal and 24 distal CTEPH cases. Blood flow in the major pulmonary veins was graded qualitatively. Subgroup analysis of PVS was performed in 38 proximal CTEPH cases before and after pulmonary endarterectomy.

Results:

PVS was more frequent in proximal (79%) than distal CTEPH (29%) (P<0.001). No significant difference was noted in invasive mean pulmonary artery pressure (46±11 and 41±12 mm Hg) or pulmonary vascular resistance (9.4±4.5 and 8.4±4.8 WU) between the 2 groups. In the subgroup analysis, PVS was present in 29/38 patients (76%) before surgery. Postoperatively, 33/38 cases (87%, P<0.001) had normal venous flow (mean pulmonary artery pressure 46±11 and 25; pulmonary vascular resistance 9.2±4.3 and 2.6 WU preop and postop, respectively).

Conclusion:

PVS is a common feature in proximal but infrequent findings in distal CTEPH. PVS does not correlate with hemodynamic severity. PVS resolution was seen in the majority of patients following successful endarterectomy.
Psychosocial Burden of Pediatric and Adult Patients With Congenital Versus Traumatic Facial Differences
Authors: Leung Karen L. , Yang Jason J. , Chen Frank R. , Kim Erinn , Gosman Amanda A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Psychiatric distress and its effects on healthcare utilization in pediatric patients with congenital and traumatic facial differences remain poorly understood. This study analyzes the psychosocial burden along with mental health and reconstructive surgery services utilization of this patient population in comparison with adult patients with such facial differences.

Methods

The 2004–2012 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey was queried for all patients with facial differences. Socioeconomic variables, Patient Health Questionnaire 2 and Kessler 6 scores, responses from validated screening surveys, and utilization of mental health and reconstructive surgery (ie, plastic surgery and otolaryngology) services were compared between pediatric and adult patients with congenital and traumatic facial differences.

Results

Children ages 5 to 12 years were more likely to be affected by facial trauma, whereas adolescents aged 13 to 17 years were more affected by congenital facial conditions. Pediatric patients with congenital facial conditions had higher rates of medical care, education, and special therapy utilization (P < 0.0001), although their facial trauma counterparts used mental health services more often (P < 0.0001). In adults, more facial trauma patients reported poorer perceived mental health status (P = 0.01). Among patients with any facial difference, distressed adult patients were less likely to see a reconstructive surgeon even when controlling for socioeconomic variables (0.55 [0.31–0.97], P = 0.04).

Conclusions

In the pediatric population, psychosocial considerations should include both age and etiology of facial differences to best optimize care. Among adults with facial trauma, poor mental health may contribute to lower rates of surgical follow-up, highlighting a potential benefit for provision of mental health services earlier for these patient populations.
A Simple and Effective Intraoperative Technique for Correction of Severe Congenital Breast Asymmetry
Authors: Pu Lee L.Q.
Published: March 2023

Background

One severe type of congenital breast asymmetry, with a hypoplastic breast on one side and a hyperplastic breast on the other side, has been recognized in the author's practice. Although breast augmentation, mastopexy, and breast reduction used separately or in combination are the most common procedures performed to correct congenital asymmetrical breasts, an effective approach for the correction of such a congenital breast asymmetry has not been established in the literature. In this article, a simple and effective intraoperative approach is described for correction of severe congenital breast asymmetry.

Method

Breast augmentation with an implant for the hypoplastic side and mastopexy or small breast reduction for the hyperplastic side were performed. Symmetry was achieved intraoperatively by an implant for breast augmentation on the hypoplastic side and mastopexy or small reduction, determined by a tailor-tacking technique, on the hyperplastic side.

Results

In the past 2 years, a total of 4 patients with severe congenital breast asymmetry was operated on by the author with this established approach. All patients were pleased about their symmetry and cosmetic outcome without any surgical complications. The resulted breast scars are minimal and well tolerated by patients. No revision or subsequent surgery has even been needed during follow-op.

Conclusion

Correction of severe congenital breast asymmetry is not an easy task and can be difficult. This simple and effective intraoperative approach provides a relatively easy and logical way as a 1-stage procedure for this subgroup of patients with symmetrical and cosmetically pleasing outcome.
Incidence of Complications Associated With Lipectomy Techniques and Patient Body Mass Index
Authors: Mansour Ahmed , Steele Andrew , Terrasse Weston , Butte Zara , Kincaid Hope , Wallace Sean , Miller Nathan , Miles Marshall , Wojcik Randolph , Murphy Robert X.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

An evaluation of complication rates in different abdominal lipectomy techniques with relationship to body mass index (BMI) and other risk factors.

Methods

We identified patients who underwent an abdominal lipectomy at our institution from January 2015 to July 2020. Those with concurrent hernia repair were excluded. Patients were classified into 2 groups: (1) horizontal lipectomy with or without umbilical translocation and (2) inverted-T lipectomy with translocation. Demographics, operative details, and postoperative complications were collected for 1 year postoperatively. Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with type of procedure and complications. Crude and stratum-specific (based on BMI) odds ratios for complications were calculated for the inverted T as compared with the horizontal group. A replicate analysis using the national Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS) as a single cohort was performed.

Results

At our institution, 362 patients (group 1 = 196, group 2 = 166) were included. A total of 40.9% of patients experienced at least one complication at 1 year postoperatively with the complication rate decreasing to 28.0% when analyzed at the 30-day postoperative period. Specifically, wound disruption rates were highest in group 2 (39.8%) compared with group 1 (15.6%;P< 0.0001). The odds of experiencing a complication were greater in the inverted-T group overall and within each stratum of BMI. When dividing the cohort based on BMI class (normal weight, overweight, class I, class II, and class III obesity), the incidence of wound disruption increased as did BMI (2.6%, 22.2%, 27.2%, 48.2%, and 56.3%, respectively;P< 0.0001). The TOPS data set included 23,067 patients and showed an overall complication rate of 13.1% at 30-day postop. Overall, wound disruption rate was 4.6%. Compared with normal weight patients, the odds of experiencing a complication trended higher with each stratum of BMI. Other factors associated with complications included BMI, tobacco use, diabetes, American Society of Anesthesiology, prior massive weight loss, and LOS.

Conclusions

The increasing complication rate within each BMI stratum of the large sample size of the TOPS patient cohort, in addition to our similar institutional trends, suggests that a staged procedure may be more appropriate for higher BMI patients. Surgical technique modification with limited flap undermining in patients undergoing inverted-T lipectomy to preserve flap perfusion may also decrease overall complication rates.
Emergent social structure is typically not associated with survival in a facultatively social mammal
Authors: Philson Conner S. , Blumstein Daniel T.
Published: March 2023

For social animals, group social structure has important consequences for disease and information spread. While prior studies showed individual connectedness within a group has fitness consequences, less is known about the fitness consequences of group social structure for the individuals who comprise the group. Using a long-term dataset on a wild population of facultatively social yellow-bellied marmots (
Marmota flaviventer
), we showed social structure had largely no relationship with survival, suggesting consequences of individual social phenotypes may not scale to the group social phenotype. An observed relationship for winter survival suggests a potentially contrasting direction of selection between the group and previous research on the individual level; less social individuals, but individuals in more social groups experience greater winter survival. This work provides valuable insights into evolutionary implications across social phenotypic scales.
Thaddeus Robert Rudolph Mann. 4 December 1908—27 November 1993
Authors: Jones Roy
Published: March 2023

Thaddeus Mann was a Polish biochemist who spent most of his scientific life in Cambridge, where he made important discoveries in male reproductive biology and semen analysis. Funded principally by the Agricultural Research Council, he provided much of the basic knowledge on the composition and origin of semen components in farm animals, relevant to storage of spermatozoa for artificial insemination and assessment of fertility. He made numerous landmark contributions. Contrary to established dogma at the time, he showed that the seminal sugar in all species was fructose, not glucose as had been assumed, and that it was secreted by the prostate and seminal vesicles under androgen control. He identified a copper-binding protein (designated haemocuprein) that was later shown to be superoxide dismutase, which helps to protect cells from the damaging effects of oxygen free radicals. Mammalian spermatozoa are especially sensitive to free radical damage as they are rich in unsaturated lipids and have a limited capacity for repair, being transcriptionally inactive. Two textbooks, published in 1954 and 1964 and outstanding for their scholarship, collated all the information on the biochemistry of mammalian spermatozoa and became the authoritative reference sources worldwide. These books were revised in 1982 with greater emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of infertility in human patients. The science of andrology and use of semen analysis in infertility clinics still depend heavily on this information. Thaddeus was awarded many honours for his research, both nationally and internationally, and leaves an important legacy in the field. Modest and generous to his staff, he is remembered with great respect and affection by colleagues around the world.
Comparative analysis of nutritional components in various parts of
Hovenia dulcis Thunbergii
Authors: Kim Su-Hwan , Lee Jung-Won , Huh Chang-Ki
Published: March 2023

In this study, the nutritional compounds present in various parts of
Hovenia dulcis Thunbergii (H. dulcis) were
compared. Regarding the free sugar content, fruits exhibited the highest
fructose concentration (9.42 g/100 g), whereas branches (2.46 g/100 g) and
leaves (5.82 g/100 g) contained the highest glucose levels. The most common
types of organic acids were citric and tartaric acids in the fruits, citric and
malic acids in the branches, and malic and succinic acids in the leaves. The
leaves exhibited the highest total amino acid content of 12,102.91 mg/100 g,
whereas vitamin C is predominantly found in branches and leaves at 367.85 mg/100
g and 336.21 mg/100 g, respectively. In H. dulcis,
β-carotene was present in high concentration in
leaves (2.41 mg/100 g), whereas the branches (0.15 mg/100 g) and fruits (0.09
mg/100 g) contain smaller amounts of it. Vitamin E,
α-tocopherol, was present in high concentrations in the
fruit (11.01 mg/100 g), branches (6.61 mg/100 g), and leaves (11.01 mg/100
g).
Glycome profiling and immunohistochemistry uncover spaceflight-induced changes in non-cellulosic cell wall components inArabidopsis thalianaseedling roots
Authors: Nakashima Jin , Pattathil Sivakumar , Avci Utku , Chin Sabrina , Sparks J. Alan , Hahn Michael G. , Gilroy Simon , Blancaflor Elison B.
Published: March 2023

A large and diverse library of glycan-directed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was used to determine if plant cell walls are modified by low-gravity conditions encountered during spaceflight. This method called glycome profiling (glycomics) revealed global differences in non-cellulosic cell wall epitopes inArabidopsis thalianaroot extracts recovered from RNA purification columns between seedlings grown on the International Space Station-based Vegetable Production System and paired ground (1-g) controls. Immunohistochemistry on 11-day-old seedling primary root sections showed that ten of twenty-two mAbs that exhibited spaceflight-induced increases in binding through glycomics, labeled space-grown roots more intensely than those from the ground. The ten mAbs recognized xyloglucan, xylan, and arabinogalactan epitopes. Notably, three xylem-enriched unsubstituted xylan backbone epitopes were more intensely labeled in space-grown roots than in ground-grown roots, suggesting that the spaceflight environment accelerated root secondary cell wall formation. This study highlights the feasibility of glycomics for high-throughput evaluation of cell wall glycans using only root high alkaline extracts from RNA purification columns, and subsequent validation of these results by immunohistochemistry. This approach will benefit plant space biological studies because it extends the analyses possible from the limited amounts of samples returned from spaceflight and help uncover microgravity-induced tissue-specific changes in plant cell walls.
Assignment of the somatic A/B compartments to chromatin domains in giant transcriptionally active lampbrush chromosomes
Authors: Krasikova Alla , Kulikova Tatiana , Rodriguez Ramos Juan Sebastian , Maslova Antonina
Published: March 2023

The three-dimensional configuration of the eukaryotic genome is an emerging area of research. Chromosome conformation capture outlined genome segregation into large scale A and B compartments corresponding mainly to transcriptionally active and repressive chromatin. It remains unknown how the compartmentalization of the genome changes in growing oocytes of animals with hypertranscriptional type of oogenesis. In this type of oogenesis, highly elongated chromosomes, called lampbrush chromosomes, acquire a characteristic chromomere-loop appearance, representing one of the classical model systems for studying the structural and functional organization of chromatin domains. Here, we compared the distribution of A/B compartments in chicken somatic cells with chromatin domains in lampbrush chromosomes. We found that in lampbrush chromosomes, the extended chromatin domains, restricted by compartment boundaries in somatic cells, disintegrate into individual chromomeres. Next, we performed FISH-mapping of the genomic loci, which belong to A or B chromatin compartments as well as to A/B compartment transition regions in embryonic fibroblasts on isolated lampbrush chromosomes. We established, that in chicken lampbrush chromosomes, clusters of dense compact chromomeres bearing short lateral loops and enriched with repressive epigenetic modifications generally correspond to constitutive B compartments in somatic cells. These results suggest that gene-poor regions tend to be packed into chromomeres. Clusters of small loose chromomeres with relatively long lateral loops show no obvious correspondence with either A or B compartment identity. Some genes belonging to facultative B (sub-) compartments can be tissue-specifically transcribed during oogenesis, forming distinct lateral loops.
Asynchronous phylogeographic and demographic dynamics of rodent community in the low latitude Asia
Authors: Liu Gaoming , Shi Cheng-Min , Teng Huajing , Zhang Jian-Xu , Liu Quansheng
Published: March 2023

It is increasing evident that demographic history and phylogeographic consequences of past climate changes were unfolded locally and varied from region to region. Despite the high Murinae rodent species richness and endemism in the low latitude Asia, how the past climatic fluctuations shaped the phylogeographic and demographic history in this area remains unknown. Here we trapped 253 field Murine individuals and successfully amplified COI gene sequence for DNA barcoding. The phylogenetic tree showed the Murinae diversification included ten species belong to Rattini and Murini tribes. The divergence dating suggested that the most common ancestor (TMRCA) of each rodent species was estimated in Early or Middle Pleistocene. Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) exhibited the onset of population growth of seven Murinae rodents occurred at penultimate or last glaciation, and whileR. loseaandR. norvegicuskeep effective population size constant through their elapsed time. Additionally, the six rodent species range of refugia area in the LGM projected by ecological niche models (ENMs) exhibited expander than the suitable area on present, meanwhile the remaining four rodent species showed contracted refugia regions. Hence, our results suggested that the rodent community displayed the asynchronous demographic and phylogeographic dynamics in the low latitude Asia.
CellDeathPred: A Deep Learning framework for Ferroptosis and Apoptosis prediction based on cell painting
Authors: Schorpp Kenji , Bessadok Alaa , Biibosunov Aidin , Rothenaigner Ina , Strasser Stefanie , Peng Tingying , Hadian Kamyar
Published: March 2023

Cell death, such as apoptosis and ferroptosis, play essential roles in the process of development, homeostasis, and pathogenesis of acute and chronic diseases. The increasing number of studies investigating cell death types in various diseases, particularly cancer and degenerative diseases, has raised hopes for their modulation in disease therapies. However, identifying the presence of a particular cell death type is not an obvious task, as it requires computationally intensive work and costly experimental assays. To address this challenge, we present CellDeathPred, a novel deep learning framework that uses high-content-imaging based on cell painting to distinguish cells undergoing ferroptosis or apoptosis from healthy cells. In particular, we incorporate a deep neural network that effectively embeds microscopic images into a representative and discriminative latent space, classifies the learned embedding into cell death modalities and optimizes the whole learning using the supervised contrastive loss function. We assessed the efficacy of the proposed framework using cell painting microscopy datasets from human HT-1080 cells, where multiple inducers of ferroptosis and apoptosis were used to trigger cell death. Our model confidently separates ferroptotic and apoptotic cells from healthy controls, with an averaged accuracy of 95% on non-confocal datasets, supporting the capacity of the CellDeathPred framework for cell death discovery.
Age-dependent roles of cardiac remodeling in sepsis defense and pathogenesis
Authors: Sanchez Karina K. , McCarville Justin L. , Stengel Sarah J. , Snyder Jessica M. , Williams April E. , Ayres Janelle S.
Published: March 2023

Disease tolerance is a defense strategy essential for survival of infections, limiting physiological damage without killing the pathogen. The disease course and pathology a pathogen may cause can change over the lifespan of a host due to the structural and functional physiological changes that accumulate with age. Since successful disease tolerance responses require the host to engage mechanisms that are compatible with the disease course and pathology caused by an infection, we predicted that this defense strategy would change with age. Animals infected with a lethal dose 50 (LD50) of a pathogen often display distinct health and sickness trajectories due to differences in disease tolerance, and thus can be used to delineate tolerance mechanisms. Using a polymicrobial sepsis model, we found that despite having the same LD50, old and young susceptible mice exhibited distinct disease courses. Young survivors employed a cardioprotective mechanism via FoxO1-mediated regulation of the ubiquitin-proteosome system that was necessary for survival and protection from cardiomegaly. This same mechanism was a driver of sepsis pathogenesis in aged hosts, causing catabolic remodeling of the heart and death. Our findings have implications for the tailoring of therapy to the age of an infected individual and suggest that disease tolerance alleles may exhibit antagonistic pleiotropy.
Chromatin structure influences rate and spectrum of spontaneous mutations inNeurospora crassa
Authors: Villalba de la Peña Mariana , Summanen Pauliina A.M. , Liukkonen Martta , Kronholm Ilkka
Published: March 2023

Although mutation rates have been extensively studied, variation in mutation rates throughout the genome is poorly understood. To understand patterns of genetic variation, it is important to understand how mutation rates vary. Chromatin modifications may be an important factor in determining variation in mutation rates in eukaryotic genomes. To study variation in mutation rates, we performed a mutation accumulation (MA) experiment in the filamentous fungusNeurospora crassaand sequenced the genomes of the 40 MA lines that had been propagated asexually for approximately 1015[1003,1026]mitoses. We detected 1322 mutations in total and observed that the mutation rate was higher in regions of low GC, in domains of H3K9 trimethylation, in centromeric regions, and in domains of H3K27 trimethylation. The rate of single-nucleotide mutations in euchromatin was2.46[2.19,2.77]×10−10. In contrast, the mutation rate in H3K9me3 domains was 10-fold higher: 2.43[2.25,2.62]×10−9. We also observed that the spectrum of single-nucleotide mutations was different between H3K9me3 and euchromatic domains. Our statistical model of mutation rate variation predicted a moderate amount of extant genetic variation, suggesting that the mutation rate is an important factor in determining levels of natural genetic variation. Furthermore, we characterized mutation rates of structural variants, complex mutations, and the effect of local sequence context on the mutation rate. Our study highlights that chromatin modifications are associated with mutation rates, and accurate evolutionary inferences should take variation in mutation rates across the genome into account.
Neuronal and astrocytic protein degradation are critical for fear memory formation
Authors: Farrell Kayla , McFadden Taylor , Jarome Timothy J.
Published: March 2023

Strong evidence has implicated proteasome-mediated protein degradation in the memory consolidation process. However, due to the use of pharmacological approaches, the cell type specificity of this remains unknown. Here, we used neuron-specific and novel astrocyte-specific CRISPR–dCas9–KRAB–MECP2 plasmids to inhibit protein degradation in a cell type-specific manner in the amygdala of male rats. We found that while inhibition of neuronal, but not astrocytic, protein degradation impaired performance during the training session, both resulted in impaired contextual fear memory retention. Together, these data provide the first evidence of a cell type-specific role for protein degradation in the memory consolidation process.
The effect of hashrate, transaction volume, social media and macroeconomics on Bitcoin before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Sun Yen , Amanda Citra , Centana Berty Caroline
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This research aims to determine the factors that affected Bitcoin price return in the period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The independent variables used in this study are hashrate, transaction volume, social media and some macroeconomics variables. The data are processed using the vector error correction model (VECM) to determine the short-term and long-term relationships between variables.

Findings

The research shows that (1) Twitter and Gold significantly affected Bitcoin in the short term before the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) hashrate, transaction volume, Twitter and the financial stress index had a significant effect on Bitcoin in the long term before the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) the volatility index had a significant effect on Bitcoin in the short term during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (4) hashrate, transaction volume, Twitter and CHF/USD had a significant effect on Bitcoin in the long term during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

This research provides explanation about factors affecting Bitcoin so investors and regulators can pay more attention and prepare for the potential risks as well as to get a good understanding of market conditions for greater crypto adoption in the future.

Originality/value

The novelty in this study is the various factors driving the Bitcoin price were analyzed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic including the social media, as sentiment, interestingly, is being a predictive power for Bitcoin price return.
Green product purchase decision: a conceptual model of factors influencing the decision of Indian consumers
Authors: Mishra Vinayak , Kulshreshtha Kushagra
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Many studies conducted on green consumer behaviour are related to environmental concerns, the motives behind green consumer behaviour and the impact of demographic characteristics on purchase decisions are not studied yet in the Indian context. Hence, this study aims to analyse the green product purchase decision and factors influencing the decision of Indian consumers along with demographic characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Present study utilise survey-based research method. Primary data were collected from 367 consumers in Hyderabad using a snowball sampling method. A structural equation modelling approach was employed to test the hypothesis.

Findings

Findings confirm that supporting environmental protection, drive for environmental responsibility, green product experience, environmental friendliness of companies, social appeal and motives behind green product purchase significantly influence the green product purchase decision. Meanwhile, control variables such as gender, qualification and income also have a significant effect on the green product purchase decision.

Research limitations/implications

Results discussed in this paper will help policymakers to formulate their policies in lieu of variables affecting the purchase decision. Further, the findings of the current study can be utilised by managers to study the buying behaviour of green purchasers. This will help them to remain competitive in the Indian market.

Originality/value

This research presents a novel conceptual framework for the present study influenced by literature. The present study expanded the framework by adding a new independent variable: motives behind green product purchases and a control variable: demographic characteristics of Indian consumers.
Proactive personality and job performance during cross-cultural service encounters: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Köksal Onur , Güler Murat , Çetin Fatih , Şahin Faruk
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Drawing on the person-environment fit theory, in this paper the authors aim to propose and test a moderated mediation model that examines the relationships among proactive personality and job performance, cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected the multisource data from a total of 120 hotel service employees and the employees' immediate supervisors. The authors used the PROCESS, an SPSS macro, to conduct multiple regression analyses to test this moderated mediation model.

Findings

The results suggest that cultural intelligence mediates the relationship between proactive personality and job performance during cross-cultural service encounters. Furthermore, the indirect effect of proactive personality on job performance during cross-cultural service encounters via cultural intelligence is stronger for service employees who are high in emotional intelligence.

Practical implications

This study has several implications for hospitality management in terms of developing effective strategies to foster cultural and emotional intelligence of service employees and improve the employees' performance.

Originality/value

Considering the limited number of studies showing why, how and in which situations personality can enhance performance, this study contributes to the literature by revealing the effect of proactive personality on the performance of service employees through important constructs such as cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence.
Implementing solar photovoltaic systems in buildings: a case of systemic innovation in the construction sector
Authors: Winkler Charlotta
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the process of implementing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in construction to contribute to the understanding of systemic innovation in construction.

Design/methodology/approach

The exploratory research presented is based on qualitative data collected in workshops and interviews with 76 construction- and solar-industry actors experienced in solar PV projects. Actor-specific barriers were identified and analysed using an abductive approach.

Findings

In light of established definitions of systemic innovation, the process of implementing solar PV systems in construction involves challenges regarding technical and material issues, competencies, and informal and formal institutions. The specificities of this case highlight the necessity of paying attention to details in the process and to develop knowledge of systemic innovation in construction since the industry’s involvement in addressing societal challenges related to the energy transition will require implementing such innovations much more in the future.

Practical implications

New knowledge of solar PV systems as an innovation in professional construction is collected, enabling the adaptation of management strategies for its implementation. This knowledge can also be applied generally to other challenges encountered in highly systemic innovation implementation. Solar industry actors can gain an understanding of solar-specific challenges for the construction industry, challenges for which they must adapt their activities.

Originality/value

The exploration of actor-specific experiences of solar PV projects has resulted in a novel understanding of this specific innovation and its implementation. The findings illustrate a case of a high level of systemic innovation and the need to use a finer-grained scale for classification when studying innovation in construction.
An investigation on the influencing factors of elderly people's intention to use financial AI customer service
Authors: Cheng Xusen , Qiao Liyang , Yang Bo , Li Zikang
Published: March 2023

Purpose

With the great changes brought by information technology, there is also a challenge for the elderly's acceptance. This study aimed to determine the antecedents of elderly people's usage intention of financial artificial intelligent customer service (FAICS) and to examine the relationships between various factors and thus to help them better adapt to the digital age.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method, including the qualitative and quantitative study, was utilized to explore answers of the research questions. As the qualitative study, the authors used semi-structured interviews and data coding to uncover the influencing factors. As the quantitative study, the authors collected data through questionnaires and tested hypotheses using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of data analysis from interviews and questionnaires suggested that perceived anthropomorphism and virtual identity of elderly users have a positive impact on their perceived ease of use, and the perceived intelligence of elderly users positively influences their perceived ease of use, satisfaction and perceived usefulness. Additionally, the elderly's cognition age can moderate the effects of perceived usefulness and satisfaction on their usage intention of FAICS.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by taking the elderly group as the research participants and combining those influencing factors with technology acceptance model and information systems success model. The findings provide a basis for accelerating the promotion of FAICS and help address the problem that the elderly have difficulty adapting to a new technology.