bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emerging role of RNA interference in immune cells engineering and its therapeutic synergism in immunotherapy
Authors: Monty Masuma Akter , Islam Md. Ariful , Nan Xu , Tan Jingwen , Tuhin Israth Jahan , Tang Xiaowen , Miao Miao , Wu Depei , Yu Lei
Published: February 2021

RNAi effectors (e.g. siRNA, shRNA and miRNA) can trigger the silencing of specific genes causing alteration of genomic functions becoming a new therapeutic area for the treatment of infectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. In cancer treatment, RNAi effectors showed potential immunomodulatory actions by down‐regulating immuno‐suppressive proteins, such as PD‐1 and CTLA‐4, which restrict immune cell function and present challenges in cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, compared with extracellular targeting by antibodies, RNAi‐mediated cell‐intrinsic disruption of inhibitory pathways in immune cells could promote an increased anti‐tumour immune response. Along with non‐viral vectors, DNA‐based RNAi strategies might be a more promising method for immunomodulation to silence multiple inhibitory pathways in T cells than immune checkpoint blockade antibodies. Thus, in this review, we discuss diverse RNAi implementation strategies, with recent viral and non‐viral mediated RNAi synergism to immunotherapy that augments the anti‐tumour immunity. Finally, we provide the current progress of RNAi in clinical pipeline.
Smartphone and social media addiction: Exploring the perceptions and experiences of Canadian teenagers
Authors: Adorjan Michael , Ricciardelli Rosemary
Published: February 2021

“Addiction” to internet‐connected technology continues to dominate media discourses of young people. Researchers have identified negative outcomes, including decreased mental health, resulting from anxieties related to technology, e.g., a fear of missing out and social connectivity related to online technologies. Not enough is known, however, regarding young people's own responses to these ideas. This paper highlights discussions with teenagers around the idea of internet addiction, exploring their experiences and perceptions regarding the idea that “kids today” are addicted to their devices, especially smartphones and the social network sites they often access from them. Thirty‐five focus group discussions with 115 Canadian teenagers (aged 13–19 years old) center on their use of information communication technologies, especially contemporary social network sites such as Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. Our discussions reveal (1) that teens are actively embracing the label of addiction; (2) their ironic positioning occurs despite a felt sense of debased agency in relation to the power of the algorithms and affordances of the technologies mediating their use; and (3) rather than a stark divide between adults as “digital immigrants” versus young people as “digital natives,” our teens positioned themselves in contrast to both their parents and younger siblings, both of whom are criticized as addicted themselves. A consistent theme is the influence of peer groups who socially compel addictive behaviours, including the fear of missing out, rather than the technologies per se. Wider implications for thinking beyond solely young people as suffering from online addiction are considered.
Relations Among Parenting, Culture, and Prosocial Behaviors in U.S. Mexican Youth: An Integrative Socialization Approach
Authors: Streit Cara , Carlo Gustavo , Knight George P. , White Rebecca M.B. , Maiya Sahitya
Published: February 2021

We examined the longitudinal relations among parental socialization practices—including acceptance or harsh parenting and ethnic socialization—ethnic identity, familism, and prosocial behaviors in a sample of U.S. Mexican youth. Participants included 462 U.S. Mexican adolescents (Mage at Wave 1 = 10.4 years old; 48.1% female), their mothers, and fathers at the 5th, 7th, 10th, and 12th grades. Results showed that maternal and paternal ethnic socialization predicted several forms of prosocial behaviors via ethnic identity and familism. Fathers’, but not mothers’, harsh parenting and acceptance had direct links to specific forms of prosocial behaviors. This study suggests the need for culturally informed theories that examine the reciprocal relations between two distinct domains of cultural socialization.
Food processing and its association with dental caries: Data from NHANES 2011‐2014
Authors: Bidinotto Augusto B. , Martinez‐Steele Eurídice , Cunha‐Cruz Joana , Thomson William M. , Hugo Fernando N. , Hilgert Juliana B.
Published: February 2021

Objective

To assess whether proportional contribution of unprocessed or minimally processed, processed or ultra‐processed foods to daily energy intake is associated with dental caries in US adults.

Methods

This secondary cross‐sectional analysis included adults aged 20 to 59 years old with complete oral examinations, using data gathered from cycles 2011‐2012 and 2013‐2014 of the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Dietary recall data were categorized according to the NOVA classification into four groups: unprocessed or minimally processed foods (Group 1), processed culinary ingredients (Group 2), processed foods (Group 3) and ultra‐processed foods (Group 4). The proportional contribution of each of these groups to mean daily energy intake was calculated and then cut into quartiles (Group 1, Group 3 and Group 4) or tertiles (Group 2). Two separate measures were used to assess dental caries: the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index and, after exclusion of edentulous participants, prevalence of untreated caries. Poisson regression was used to model DMFT, while logistic regression was used to model the prevalence of untreated dental caries. Models were calculated for each NOVA group. All models were controlled for age, gender, race/ethnicity, level of education, income, access to oral health services, body mass index, smoking status and total energy intake. Analyses took into account NHANES sampling weights.

Results

We analysed data from 5720 individuals, of whom 123 (2.2%) were edentulous. Mean DMFT was 9.7 (± 0.2), while the prevalence of untreated dental caries was 26.0%. Mean daily energy intake was 2170 kcal (± 17). Mean contribution to overall daily energy intake was 28.6% (± 0.5) for G1 foods, 4.3% (± 0.1) for G2 foods, 10.1% (± 0.2) for G3 foods and 56.9% (± 0.5) for G4 foods. A higher intake of G3 was associated with lower DMFT at the fourth quartile (0.89; 95%: CI 0.81‐0.96), while a higher intake of G4 was associated with a higher DMFT at the fourth quartile (1.10; 95% CI: 1.04‐1.16). In the adjusted models for untreated dental caries, no statistically significant associations were found with any of the NOVA groups.

Conclusion

Higher proportional intake of NOVA groups is only weakly associated with dental caries. Widespread exposure to a highly ultra‐processed diet may explain these weak associations.
MiR-223-3p inhibits inflammation and pyroptosis in monosodium urate-induced rats and fibroblast-like synoviocytes by targeting NLRP3
Authors: Tian J , Zhou D , Xiang L , Liu X , Zhang H , Wang B , Xie B
Published: February 2021

Down-regulated miR-223-3p was found in rheumatoid arthritis. This study aimed to further explore the level and role of miR-223-3p in gout arthritis (GA). After monosodium urate (MSU)-induced GA rat and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) models were established, the rat paw volume and gait score were documented and the FLSs were transfected with miR-223-3p mimic/inhibitor or NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) over-expression plasmids. The MiR-223-3p target was found through bioinformatics and the dual-luciferase reporter. The rat joint pathological damage was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and articular elastase in rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The viability and pyroptosis of FLSs were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and flow cytometry. The expressions of miR-223-3p, NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (AS) and cleaved N-terminal gasdermin D (GSDMD) in FLSs or rat synovial tissues were detected by reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence, Western blot or immunohistochemistry analysis. MSU increased the paw volume, gait score, inflammation in synovial tissues and increased the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and articular elastase in rats. MSU decreased the viability and increased the pyroptosis of FLSs, up-regulated the expression of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase-1, cleaved N-terminal GSDM, and IL-1β, and down-regulated miR-223-3p expression in synovial tissues of rat joints and FLSs. MiR-223-3p mimic reversed the effect of MSU on lowering cell viability, increasing pyroptosis in FLSs, while miR-223-3p inhibitor further enhanced the effect of MSU on FLSs. NLRP3 was a target of miR-223-3p. Also, NLRP3 over-expression reversed the effects of miR-223-3p on MSU-induced FLSs. MiR-223-3p inhibited pyroptosis in MSU-induced rats and FLSs by targeting NLRP3.
Delphi Project on the trends in Implant Dentistry in the COVID‐19 era: Perspectives from Latin America
Authors: Alarcón Marco Antonio , Sanz‐Sánchez Ignacio , Shibli Jamil Awad , Treviño Santos Alejandro , Caram Santiago , Lanis Alejandro , Jiménez Paola , Dueñas Ricardo , Torres Ronald , Alvarado Jacinto , Avendaño Adrián , Galindo Roberto , Umanzor Vilma , Shedden Mónica , Invernizzi Carlos , Yibrin Caroll , Collins James , León Roberto , Contreras Luis , Bueno Luis , López‐Pacheco Andrea , Málaga‐Figueroa Lilian , Sanz Mariano
Published: February 2021

Aim

To establish trends in Implant Dentistry in Latin America in the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Material and methods

A steering committee and an advisory group of experts in Implant Dentistry were selected among eighteen countries. An open‐ended questionnaire by Delphi methodology was validated including 64 questions, divided in 7 topics, concerning the various trends in dental implantology. The survey was conducted in two rounds, which provided the participants in the second round with the results of the first. The questionnaires were completed on August 2020, and the online meeting conference was held on September 2020. The final prediction was developed through consensus by a selected group of experts.

Results

A total of 197 experts from Latin America answered the first and second questionnaire. In the first round, the established threshold for consensus (65%) was achieved in 30 questions (46.87%). In the second round, performed on average 45 days later, this level was achieved in 47 questions (73.43%). Consensus was completely reached on the item “Diagnostic” (100%), the field with the lowest consensus was “Demand for treatment with dental implants” (37.5%).

Conclusions

The present study in Latin America has provided relevant and useful information on the predictions in the education and practice of Implant Dentistry in the COVID‐19 era. The consensus points toward a great confidence of clinicians in the biosecurity protocols used to minimize the risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission. It is foreseen as an important change in education, with introduction of virtual reality and other simulation technologies in implant training.
Gut microbiota profiles and fecal beta‐glucuronidase activity in kidney transplant recipients with and without post‐transplant diarrhea
Authors: Zhang Lisa T. , Westblade Lars F. , Iqbal Fatima , Taylor Michael R. , Chung Alice , Satlin Michael J. , Magruder Matthew , Edusei Emmanuel , Albakry Shady , Botticelli Brittany , Robertson Amy , Alston Tricia , Dadhania Darshana M. , Lubetzky Michelle , Hirota Simon A. , Greenway Steven C. , Lee John R.
Published: February 2021

Post‐transplant diarrhea is a common complication after solid organ transplantation and is frequently attributed to the widely prescribed immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Given recent work identifying the relationship between MMF toxicity and gut bacterial β‐glucuronidase activity, we evaluated the relationship between gut microbiota composition, fecal β‐glucuronidase activity, and post‐transplant diarrhea. We recruited 97 kidney transplant recipients and profiled the gut microbiota in 273 fecal specimens using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We further characterized fecal β‐glucuronidase activity in a subset of this cohort. Kidney transplant recipients with post‐transplant diarrhea had decreased gut microbial diversity and decreased relative gut abundances of 12 genera when compared to those without post‐transplant diarrhea (adjusted p value < .15, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Among the kidney transplant recipients with post‐transplant diarrhea, those with higher fecal β‐glucuronidase activity had a more prolonged course of diarrhea (≥7 days) compared to patients with lower fecal β‐glucuronidase activity (91% vs 40%, p = .02, Fisher's exact test). Our data reveal post‐transplant diarrhea as a complex phenomenon with decreased gut microbial diversity and commensal gut organisms. This study further links commensal bacterial metabolism with an important clinical outcome measure, suggesting fecal β‐glucuronidase activity could be a novel biomarker for gastrointestinal‐related MMF toxicity.
Pemphigus erythematosus: A case series from a tertiary academic center and literature review
Authors: Hobbs Landon K. , Noland Mary‐Margaret B. , Raghavan Shyam S. , Gru Alejandro A.
Published: February 2021

Background

Pemphigus erythematosus (PE) is a rare autoimmune skin condition with clinical, histopathological, and serological features that show overlap between lupus erythematosus and pemphigus foliaceus. It typically presents with erythematous, scaly plaques and has a female predominance.

Methods

After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, we searched the internal pathology database for “pemphigus erythematosus” in the diagnostic line between 1 January 2000 and 30 July 2020. A comprehensive chart review was performed to collect patient demographics, clinical presentation, and treatment course. We performed a review of the literature and clinical, histopathological, and serological features were collected for comparison to our case series.

Results

Five patients in the case series and 87 patients in the literature were diagnosed with PE. Clinical, histopathological, and serological features were consistent with what has been reported in the literature, although our cohort demonstrated a younger age at presentation, along with a higher proportion (80%) of Black patients. Of the 25 patients in the literature whose race was reported, only five patients (20%) were reported to be Black.

Conclusion

This is the first case series of PE that has shown an increased prevalence among middle‐aged Black patients. No specific trend in regards to race was seen in the review of the literature.
No place to hide: Rare plant detection through remote sensing
Authors: Cerrejón Carlos , Valeria Osvaldo , Marchand Philippe , Caners Richard T. , Fenton Nicole J.
Published: February 2021

Aim

Detection of rare species is limited by their intrinsic nature and by the constraints associated with traditional field surveys. Remote sensing (RS) provides a powerful alternative to traditional detection methods through the increasing availability of RS products. Here, we assess the capacity of RS at high and medium resolution to detect rare plants with direct and indirect approaches, and how the performance of RS can be influenced by the characteristics of species.

Methods

An extensive literature review was conducted to synthesize the use of RS to detect or predict rare plant occurrence at high and medium resolution (<30 m and 30–300 m, respectively). The concept of “rarity” was based on Rabinowitz's rare species classification. The literature review was performed in Scopus for the period 1990–2020.

Results

While direct detection is often limited, it is possible with high and very high spatial resolution data for rare plants with distinctive traits. RS is also able to capture biophysical conditions driving rare plant distributions, which can indirectly provide accurate predictions for them. Both approaches have the potential to discover new populations of rare plants. RS can also feed SAMs of rare plants, which combined with SDMs can provide a valuable approach for rare plant detection. While direct detection is limited by the space occupied by a species within its habitat and its morphological, phenological and physiological characteristics, the predictive performance of RS‐based SDMs (indirect detection) can be influenced by habitat size, habitat specificity and phenological features of rare plants. Similarly, model predictive performance can be influenced by the rarity form of the target species according to the rarity classification criteria.

Main conclusions.

With this synthesis, the strong potential of RS for the purposes of detection and prediction of rare plant has been highlighted, with practical applications for conservation and management.
The impact of Ibero‐American science on global bioethical thinking
Authors: Valderrama‐Zurián Juan Carlos , Aleixandre‐Benavent Rafael , Aznar Justo
Published: February 2021

The bioethics research conducted in Ibero‐American countries has been very much restricted to its own realm.

The aim of this study was to perform a bibliometric evaluation of bioethics papers by authors affiliated with Ibero‐American institutions, and to determine how their work influences global bioethics literature.

We performed a literature search in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS CC) and Scopus.

We identified a total of 5,975 documents, of which 84.3% were articles, 11.6% reviews and 4.1% book chapters. The median number of citations per paper was higher in English‐language journals.

Only 10 articles published between 2010 and 2019 in peer‐reviewed bioethics journals and produced exclusively by authors from Ibero‐American institutions garnered more than 15 citations.

Our study suggests that if researchers from Ibero‐American institutions want to influence global bioethical thinking, they must make the required leap in quality to be able to publish in high‐quality bioethics and mainstream journals.
Changes in left atrial phasic strain and mechanical dispersion: Effects of age and gender
Authors: Stefani Luke D. , Trivedi Siddharth J. , Ferkh Aaisha , Altman Mikhail , Thomas Liza
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Left atrial (LA) function by two‐dimensional (2D) strain is an emerging tool with increasing clinical utility. Age and gender are key modulators of strain parameters; however, the specific time course for LA structural and functional changes is not clearly defined.

Methods

A total of 147 healthy individuals (20‐69 years) underwent transthoracic echocardiography; subjects were evaluated by age (decade) and gender. LA and left ventricular (LV) volumetric and strain measurements were performed.

Results

Left atrial reservoir (ƐR) and conduit strain (ƐCD) with negatively correlated with age (r =−.36; r = −.56; P < .001, respectively) being significantly lower by the 6th and 5th decades, respectively. Contractile strain (ƐCT) positively correlated with age (r = .36; P < .001), being significantly higher by the 6th decade. ƐR and ƐCD were higher in young females (20‐34 years) compared to young males (P = .033 and P < .001, respectively). ƐCT was significantly higher in middle‐aged adult males (35‐50yrs; P = .010), though seen later in females (≥51 years; P = .005). Standard deviation of time to positive strain (SD‐TPS) significantly higher by the 5th decade and correlated with age in both males (r = .44; P <.001) and females (r = .40; P = .001).

Conclusion

We demonstrate that ƐR and ƐCD are lower with age, with differing rates between males and females. As a compensatory mechanism for decline in ƐCD, ƐCT is higher, more notably in males; comparatively, females display a more prominent decline in ƐR and ƐCD with age. Alteration in electromechanical properties occurred in both genders with SD‐TPS becoming higher with age.
Demographic parameters of Trichopria drosophilae in three host species
Authors: Esteban‐Santiago José Mauricio , Rodríguez‐Leyva Esteban , Lomeli‐Flores J. Refugio , González‐Cabrera Jaime
Published: February 2021

Trichopria drosophilae Perkins (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) is a cosmopolitan endoparasitoid of the pupal stages of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and other Drosophila species around the world. It is also considered as a potential biocontrol agent of this pest. Here we describe the effects of three hosts (D. suzukii, Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, and Drosophila immigrans Sturtevant) on the demographic parameters of T. drosophilae. Adult female T. drosophilae that emerged from D. immigrans and D. suzukii were larger than those that emerged from D. melanogaster. Fertility was 18% greater for T. drosophilae that developed on D. immigrans and D. suzukii, compared with those developing on D. melanogaster. The net reproductive rate of T. drosophilae was higher on D. immigrans and D. suzukii (R0 = 25.25 and 26.51) than on D. melanogaster (R0 = 22.53). However, the generation time was longer on D. immigrans and D. suzukii (T = 20.38 and 19.59 days, respectively) than on D. melanogaster (T = 17.20 days), perhaps due to their larger size. This favored the intrinsic rate of natural increase of T. drosophilae reproducing on D. melanogaster (rm = 0.181) compared with those reproducing on D. immigrans and D. suzukii (rm = 0.158 and 0.167, respectively). Parasitism rate of D. suzukii by T. drosophilae was 53% regardless of the host species from which the parasitoid had emerged. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of biological control of D. suzukii.
Leaf morphological and physiological variations in response to canopy dieback of Persian Oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.)
Authors: Tongo Afsaneh , Jalilvand Hamid , Hosseininasr Mohamad , Naji Hamid Reza
Published: February 2021

Since the early 2000s, Persian oak forests in the Zagros in Iran have shown signs of decline. This study was designed to determine the relationships between crown dieback of Persian oak (Quercus brantii) with morphological and physiological leaf traits in two forest sites: Sheshdar (SH) and Gatchan (GA) in Ilam, Western Iran. Trees with increasing severity of crown dieback were selected from healthy to severely defoliated. Foliage samples were taken randomly from the crown on the slope‐aspect of the site. The results suggested that Q. brantii was not sensitive to drought effects during normal growth processes. There were variations in leaf physiological traits, however, in the different dieback classes at both sites. Foliage from declining trees at both sites had higher dry weights in contrast to the decreasing water contents associated with lower leaf areas in trees with severe defoliation from site GH. Chlorophyll pigments (Chl a and b) and carotene (Car.) were significantly lower decreased significantly in trees with moderate to severe defoliations from site GH, while in leakage from the foliage increased. A contrasting pattern occurred at site SH as accumulations of osmotic solutes (soluble sugars, total soluble protein and proline) increased significantly in foliage of severely defoliated trees, while at site GH, the total soluble protein and proline contents showed an upward trend until moderate defoliation. It was concluded that the physiological responses of Persian oak trees with dieback varied under extreme drought. Based on principal component analysis, leaf water status contributed most to the differences between dieback groups. It is concluded that physiological variations in oak foliage contribute to defence mechanisms enabling drought to be tolerated, maintaining essential life processes.
Sleep quality and its relationship to mental health, physical health and health behaviours among young adults with serious mental illness enrolled in a lifestyle intervention trial
Authors: Aschbrenner Kelly A. , Naslund John A. , Salwen‐Deremer Jessica K. , Browne Julia , Bartels Stephen J. , Wolfe Rosemarie S. , Xie Haiyi , Mueser Kim T.
Published: February 2021

Aim

To characterize subjective sleep quality and examine its associations with mental health, physical health and health behaviours in a transdiagnostic sample of young adults with serious mental illness (SMI) enrolled in a lifestyle intervention trial.

Methods

Baseline data from a lifestyle intervention trial with young adults (ages 18–35 years) with SMI included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), mental health, physical health and health behaviour outcomes. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used in analyses.

Results

Of 150 participants, 76% were categorized with poor sleep quality. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with sleep quality (β = .438, p < .001); however, no association was found with physical health and health behaviours.

Conclusions

Young adults with SMI enrolled in lifestyle interventions may benefit from treatment that addresses sleep as part of a comprehensive approach to health promotion with attention to the role of depressive symptoms in sleep quality.
Distinct contributions of alpha and theta rhythms to perceptual and attentional sampling
Authors: Michel René , Dugué Laura , Busch Niko A.
Published: February 2021

Accumulating evidence suggests that visual perception operates in an oscillatory fashion at an alpha frequency (around 10 Hz). Moreover, visual attention also seems to operate rhythmically, albeit at a theta frequency (around 5 Hz). Both rhythms are often associated to "perceptual snapshots" taken at the favorable phases of these rhythms. However, less is known about the unfavorable phases: do they constitute "blind gaps," requiring the observer to guess, or is information sampled with reduced precision insufficient for the task demands? As simple detection or discrimination tasks cannot distinguish these options, we applied a continuous report task by asking for the exact orientation of a Landolt ring's gap to estimate separate model parameters for precision and the amount of guessing. We embedded this task in a well‐established psychophysical protocol by densely sampling such reports across 20 cue‐target stimulus onset asynchronies in a Posner‐like cueing paradigm manipulating involuntary spatial attention. Testing the resulting time courses of the guessing and precision parameters for rhythmicities using a fast Fourier transform, we found an alpha rhythm (9.6 Hz) in precision for invalidly cued trials and a theta rhythm (4.8 Hz) in the guess rate across validity conditions. These results suggest distinct roles of the perceptual alpha and the attentional theta rhythm. We speculate that both rhythms result in environmental sampling characterized by fluctuating spatial resolution, speaking against a strict succession of blind gaps and perceptual snapshots.
Genetic variation reveals individual‐level climate tracking across the annual cycle of a migratory bird
Authors: Bay Rachael A. , Karp Daniel S. , Saracco James F. , Anderegg William R. L. , Frishkoff Luke O. , Wiedenfeld David , Smith Thomas B. , Ruegg Kristen
Published: February 2021

For migratory species, seasonal movements complicate local climate adaptation, as it is unclear whether individuals track climate niches across the annual cycle. In the migratory songbird yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia), we find a correlation between individual‐level wintering and breeding precipitation, but not temperature. Birds wintering in the driest regions of the Neotropics breed in the driest regions of North America. Individuals from drier regions also possess distinct morphologies and population responses to varying rainfall. We find a positive association between bill size and breeding season precipitation which, given documented climate‐associated genomic variation, might reflect adaptation to local precipitation regimes. Relative abundance in the breeding range is linked to interannual fluctuations in precipitation, but the directionality of this response varies across geography. Together, our results suggest that variation in climate optima may exist across the breeding range of yellow warblers and provide a mechanism for selection across the annual cycle.
Institutional Distance and MNE‐subsidiary Initiative Collaboration: The Role of Dual Embeddedness
Authors: Raziq Muhammad Mustafa , Benito Gabriel R.G. , Ahmad Mansoor
Published: February 2021

Entrepreneurial initiatives by subsidiaries are greeted as well as contested. We examine the effect of institutional distance between the host country of a subsidiary and the home country of its parent multinational enterprise (MNE) on the resource support a subsidiary receives from the MNE for its entrepreneurial initiatives. Drawing on social exchange theory, and resource dependence theory, we argue that while informal institutional distance inhibits MNE resource support for initiatives, and formal institutional distance further exacerbates the subsidiaries' options, external embeddedness and reverse knowledge transfers may help subsidiaries bypass the negative effects of institutional distance and encourage MNE involvement in subsidiary initiatives. Using survey data from 429 foreign subsidiaries in New Zealand, and secondary data on formal institutional distance from the Worldwide Governance Indicators, the results from structural equation modeling provide support to our hypotheses. This study extends institutional distance, embeddedness, and subsidiary initiative research. Importantly, it contributes by demonstrating how contingencies such as dual embeddedness and (low) formal institutional distance can counterbalance the negative effects of informal institutional distance on subsidiary initiatives and MNE‐subsidiary initiative collaboration.
Predictors of perfusion computed tomography alterations in stroke mimics attended as stroke code
Authors: Gonzalez‐Martinez Alicia , Trillo Santiago , Benavides‐Bernaldo de Quirós Carmen , Casado‐Fernández Laura , De Toledo María , Barbosa‐Del Olmo Antonio , Vega Piris Lorena , Ramos Carmen , Manzanares‐Soler Rafael , Ximénez‐Carrillo Álvaro , Vivancos José
Published: February 2021

Background and purpose

Stroke mimics (SMs) account for a significant number of patients attended as stroke code (SC) with an increasing number over the years. Recent studies show perfusion computed tomography (PCT) alterations in some SMs, especially in seizures. The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and PCT alterations in SMs attended as SC in order to identify potential predictors of PCT alterations in SMs.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed including all SC activations undergoing a multimodal CT study including non‐enhanced computed tomography (CT), CT angiography and PCT, as part of our SC protocol, over 39 months. Patients with a final diagnosis of SM after complete diagnosis work‐up were therefore selected. Clinical variables, diagnosis, PCT alteration patterns and type of map affected (Tmax or time to peak, cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume) were registered.

Results

Stroke mimics represent up to 16% (284/1761) of SCs with a complete multimodal study according to our series. Amongst SMs, 26% (74/284) showed PCT alterations. PCT abnormalities are more prevalent in seizures and status epilepticus and the main pattern is alteration of the time to peak map, of unilateral hemispheric distribution or of non‐vascular territory. In our series, the independent predictors of alteration in PCT in SMs are aphasia, female sex and older age.

Conclusions

Perfusion computed tomography alterations can be found amongst almost a third of SMs attended as SC, especially older women presenting with aphasia with a final diagnosis of epileptic seizures and status epilepticus.
Seizures and memory impairment induced by patient‐derived anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antibodies in mice are attenuated by anakinra, an interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist
Authors: Taraschenko Olga , Fox Howard S. , Zekeridou Anastasia , Pittock Sean J. , Eldridge Ember , Farukhuddin Fnu , Al‐Saleem Fetweh , Devi Kattala Chandana , Dessain Scott K. , Casale George , Willcockson Gregory , Dingledine Raymond
Published: February 2021

Objective

Neuroinflammation associated with anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis may facilitate seizures. We previously showed that intraventricular administration of cerebrospinal fluid from patients with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis to mice precipitates seizures, thereby confirming that antibodies are directly pathogenic. To determine whether interleukin (IL)‐1‐mediated inflammation exacerbates autoimmune seizures, we asked whether blocking the effects of IL‐1 by anakinra, a selective IL‐1 receptor antagonist, blunts antibody‐induced seizures.

Methods

We infused C57BL/6 mice intraventricularly with purified serum IgG from patients with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis or monoclonal anti‐NMDAR IgG; subdural electroencephalogram was continuously recorded. After a 6‐day interval, mice received anakinra (25 mg/kg sc, twice daily) or vehicle for 5 days. Following a 4‐day washout period, we performed behavioral tests to assess motor function, anxiety, and memory, followed by hippocampus tissue analysis to assess astrocytic (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]) and microglial (ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule [Iba]‐1) activation.

Results

Of 31 mice infused with purified patient NMDAR‐IgG (n = 17) or monoclonal NMDAR‐IgG (n = 14), 81% developed seizures. Median baseline daily seizure count during exposure to antibodies was 3.9; most seizures were electrographic. Median duration of seizures during the baseline was 82.5 s. Anakinra administration attenuated daily seizure frequency by 60% (p = .02). Anakinra reduced seizure duration; however, the effect was delayed and became apparent only after the cessation of treatment (p = .04). Anakinra improved novel object recognition in mice with antibody‐induced seizures (p = .03) but did not alter other behaviors. Anakinra reduced the expression of GFAP and Iba‐1 in the hippocampus of mice with seizures, indicating decreased astrocytic and microglial activation.

Significance

Our evidence supports a role for IL‐1 in the pathogenesis of seizures in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis. These data are consistent with therapeutic effects of anakinra in other severe autoimmune and inflammatory seizure syndromes. Targeting inflammation via blocking IL‐1 receptor‐mediated signaling may be promising for developing novel treatments for refractory autoimmune seizures.
Value of initial C‐reactive protein levels in status epilepticus outcome prediction
Authors: Madžar Dominik , Reindl Caroline , Mrochen Anne , Hamer Hajo M. , Huttner Hagen B.
Published: February 2021

The role of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of seizures is increasingly recognized, and the evaluation of potential biochemical markers of inflammatory processes in seizures and status epilepticus (SE), such as C‐reactive protein (CRP), has gained attention. The present study assessed the first CRP level obtained in an SE episode regarding its value for SE outcome prediction. Among 362 admissions for SE during the study period, 231 episodes satisfied the inclusion criteria. Higher initial CRP concentrations were independently associated with in‐hospital mortality and poor functional outcome at discharge in logistic regression models adjusting for SE severity, severity of SE etiology, and development of treatment refractoriness. Therefore, initial CRP levels may add to the prediction of SE prognosis. The pathomechanisms through which CRP is linked with the prognosis of SE, however, remain to be established.
A late Paleoproterozoic (1.74 Ga) deep‐sea, low‐temperature, iron‐oxidizing microbial hydrothermal vent community from Arizona, USA
Authors: Little Crispin T. S. , Johannessen Karen C. , Bengtson Stefan , Chan Clara S. , Ivarsson Magnus , Slack John F. , Broman Curt , Thorseth Ingunn H. , Grenne Tor , Rouxel Olivier J. , Bekker Andrey
Published: February 2021

Modern marine hydrothermal vents occur in a wide variety of tectonic settings and are characterized by seafloor emission of fluids rich in dissolved chemicals and rapid mineral precipitation. Some hydrothermal systems vent only low‐temperature Fe‐rich fluids, which precipitate deposits dominated by iron oxyhydroxides, in places together with Mn‐oxyhydroxides and amorphous silica. While a proportion of this mineralization is abiogenic, most is the result of the metabolic activities of benthic, Fe‐oxidizing bacteria (FeOB), principally belonging to the Zetaproteobacteria. These micro‐organisms secrete micrometer‐scale stalks, sheaths, and tubes with a variety of morphologies, composed largely of ferrihydrite that act as sacrificial structures, preventing encrustation of the cells that produce them. Cultivated marine FeOB generally require neutral pH and microaerobic conditions to grow. Here, we describe the morphology and mineralogy of filamentous microstructures from a late Paleoproterozoic (1.74 Ga) jasper (Fe‐oxide‐silica) deposit from the Jerome area of the Verde mining district in central Arizona, USA, that resemble the branching tubes formed by some modern marine FeOB. On the basis of this comparison, we interpret the Jerome area filaments as having formed by FeOB on the deep seafloor, at the interface of weakly oxygenated seawater and low‐temperature Fe‐rich hydrothermal fluids. We compare the Jerome area filaments with other purported examples of Precambrian FeOB and discuss the implications of their presence for existing redox models of Paleoproterozoic oceans during the “Boring Billion.”
Close encounters: Creating embodied spaces of resistance to marginalization and disempowering representation of difference in organization
Authors: Kaasila‐Pakanen Anna‐Liisa
Published: February 2021

In this paper I approach questions of representation from a viewpoint that adopts postcolonial feminism as a starting point for theorizing new orientations for the study of corporeal ethics and difference in organizations. Specifically, I draw on the works of Sara Ahmed and Gayatri Spivak to open up a notion of a close encounter to reflect how we could encounter others in a generous way as a basis for ethical engagement with difference in organizations. Embracing an understanding of self–other relations as embodied practices that materialize in concrete worlds but transcend times, places, and spaces, close encounters provide an alternative epistemological position to imagine ethical subjectivities in organizations through which withdrawal from the essentialist representations that guide our understanding of difference is possible and resistance to the dominant gendered and racialized identities can take place. This perspective offers important implications for rethinking the basis of feminist alliances, participative epistemologies and difference in postcoloniality.
Managing Groundwater to Ensure Ecosystem Function
Authors: Saito Laurel , Christian Bill , Diffley Jennifer , Richter Holly , Rohde Melissa M. , Morrison Scott A.
Published: February 2021

Groundwater is a critical resource not only for human communities but also for many terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic ecosystems and species. Yet groundwater planning and management decisions frequently ignore or inadequately address the needs of these natural systems. As a consequence, ecosystems dependent on groundwater have been threatened, degraded, or eliminated, especially in arid regions. There is growing acknowledgment that governmental protections for these ecological resources are necessary, but current legal, regulatory and voluntary provisions are often inadequate. Groundwater management premised on “safe yield,” which aims to balance human withdrawals with natural recharge rates, typically provides little to no consideration for water needed by ecosystems. Alternatively, the “sustainable yield” concept aims to integrate social, economic and environmental needs for groundwater, but the complexity of groundwater systems creates substantial uncertainty about the impact that current or future groundwater withdrawals will have on ecosystems. Regardless of the legal or regulatory framework, guidance is needed to help ensure environmental water needs will be met, especially in the face of pressure to increase human uses of groundwater resources. In this paper, we describe minimum provisions for planning, managing, and monitoring groundwater that collectively can lower the risk of harm to groundwater‐dependent ecosystems and species, with a special emphasis on arid systems, where ecosystems and species may be especially reliant upon and sensitive to groundwater dynamics.
“I would not go to him”: Focus groups exploring community responses to a public health campaign aimed at reducing unnecessary diagnostic imaging of low back pain
Authors: Sharma Sweekriti , Traeger Adrian C. , Tcharkhedian Elise , Harrison Janet , Hersch Jolyn K. , Pickles Kristen , Harris Ian A. , Maher Chris G.
Published: February 2021

Background

Community awareness of the harms of overdiagnosis remains low.

Objective

To evaluate community responses to a public health campaign designed for health service waiting rooms that focuses on the harms of unnecessary diagnostic imaging for low back pain.

Methods

We conducted two focus groups of 19 community members with or without low back pain in Sydney, Australia. This study formed the fourth and final stage of the development process of a public health campaign: (a) initial design, (b) expert review and revision, (c) online experiment and (d) community views & revision. We evaluated reactions to components of the campaign that included digital posters and an information leaflet using strong imagery and messaging about the risk of overdiagnosis. We conducted a qualitative thematic analysis to identify main themes.

Results

Community members reacted with surprise, initial mistrust, and occasionally anger towards imagery and messaging that suggested diagnostic imaging tests could be unnecessary and harmful. With further reflection and discussion, and after reading longer format information about overdiagnosis, the participants found some of the messages informative and useful. Participants appeared to gain a better understanding of the concept of overdiagnosis and the importance of not rushing to imaging.

Conclusions

Public health campaigns including posters and leaflets displayed in waiting rooms could raise awareness about overuse of diagnostic imaging and the harms of overdiagnosis more broadly. However, negative reactions are possible and must be managed carefully.

Patient or Public Contribution

We involved a community participation manager who provided advice on the focus group discussion guide, participant recruitment and manuscript presentation.
Classification of all pharmacological interventions tested in trials relevant to people with schizophrenia: A study‐based analysis
Authors: Shokraneh Farhad , Adams Clive E.
Published: February 2021

Background

Systematic reviewing is a time‐consuming and resource‐intensive process. Information specialists are maintaining study‐based registers to facilitate efficient conduct of systematic reviews. Classification of study‐level meta‐data ‐such as interventions –can result in much more accurate searches, saving time in the early steps of systematic reviewing.

Objective

To classify all pharmacological interventions from all schizophrenia trials.

Methods

We used Cochrane Schizophrenia's Study‐based Register as the source of trials, Emtree and MeSH for synonyms, AdisInsight andCT.govfor research drugs and WHO ATC for marketed drugs.

Results

One third of tested interventions on patients with schizophrenia are pharmacological (816; belonging to 106 clinical classes) with antipsychotic drugs being the most researched (15.1%). Only 528 of these medications are listed in WHO ATC. Around one third of these drug interventions are seen only in research (236; from 21 pharmacological/biochemical classes). Within the pharmacological interventions, we identified 28 ‘qualifiers’ including dose, route and timing of drug delivery.

Conclusion

Identification and classification of pharmacological interventions from trials require use of many sources of information none of which are inclusive of all drugs. Limitations of each source are helpful to understand. Classification of non‐pharmacological interventions is now a priority for clinical and information scientists and professionals.
Effects of salt‐induced changes in protein network structure on the properties of surimi gels: computer simulation and digestion study
Authors: Liu Yujia , Yu Jiamei , Zhu Jie , Peng Weiyu , Chen Yuquan , Luo Xinyi , Chen Canhao , Li Lin
Published: February 2021

Surimi is considered a new base ingredient in special dietary foods because of its excellent gel formation properties and nutritional value. Cross‐linked network structures are the basis for the formation of protein hydrogels. In this work, protein network structure induced by NaCl was investigated to evaluate its effects on texture property and digestibility of surimi gels. Micro‐protein frameworks were investigated by scanning electron microscope combined with computer simulation, which indicated that the network structure became fine and smooth as a result of salt treatment. The digestibility of surimi with NaCl was higher than that of blank samples in simulated gastric juice in first 30 min, whereas the digestibility showed no significant difference (P = 0.257) in intestinal juice after 180 min. This work aids in understanding of the contribution of salt to the mechanism of surimi gels formation, and its effects on digestion, thus supporting potential applications in special dietary food.
Value‐facilitating simplification in marketing: A systematic review and research agenda
Authors: Gruner Richard L. , Soutar Geoffrey
Published: February 2021

Consumers’ pursuit of simplicity is gaining traction as a research topic. However, despite an extensive set of studies investigating various facets of simplicity in marketing and related disciplines, knowledge regarding cognitive simplicity remains fragmented. To address this issue, the authors synthesize research findings from diverse literature streams to provide an understanding of simplicity and its relationship with consumers’ cognitive effort as a non‐monetary but crucial cost in the customer journey. This study also introduces value‐facilitating simplification (VFS) as a marketing doctrine that provides firm‐wide guidance for simplifying consumers’ information environments. The authors provide practical VFS examples as well as critical future research avenues before concluding with a discussion of theoretical and practical contributions.
Computational thermodynamic study of SiC chemical vapor deposition from MTS‐H2*
Authors: Peng Jian , Jolly Brian , Mitchell David J. , Haynes J. Allen , Shin Dongwon
Published: February 2021

This study focuses on the computational thermodynamic analysis of the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of SiC from the methyltrichlorosilane‐hydrogen (MTS‐H2) using up‐to‐date thermodynamic databases. High‐resolution computation has been performed with the fine intervals of temperature and pressure at the various H2/MTS ratios of interest to systematically investigate the deposition condition range (800 to 1600°C, 0 to 26 664 Pa, and H2/MTS ratios of 0.1 to 100) to guide experimental exploration. The influence of deposition parameters on the compositions and phase stabilities of the deposit and gas phase pertinent to vapor processing is elucidated. Low pressure and medium temperatures (1000 to 1400°C) are beneficial to reaching a higher SiC deposition efficiency and provide an optimal window for preparing a high‐purity (>99 wt.% SiC) deposit. This optimal processing window expands significantly with an increasing H2/MTS ratio (<20). These results are supported by a number of previous theoretical and experimental observations. The mass fraction of SiC in deposit is proposed as an additional perspective to understand the discrepancy between thermodynamic calculation and experimental observation of pure CVD SiC at low H2/MTS ratios.