bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Size-exclusion chromatography–small-angle neutron scattering system optimized for an instrument with medium neutron flux
Authors: Morishima Ken , Inoue Rintaro , Nakagawa Tatsuo , Shimizu Masahiro , Sakamoto Ritsuki , Oda Tatsuro , Mayumi Koichi , Sugiyama Masaaki
Published: February 2025

Biomacromolecular solutions inevitably contain impurities in addition to the target biomacromolecules. This has been a major obstacle to achieving high-precision solution scattering measurements. To overcome this problem, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) coupled with size-exclusion chromatography (SEC-SAXS) has been developed. This method involves injecting the solution eluted by SEC directly into a measurement cell and conducting SAXS measurements during the elution of the target biomacromolecule. This technique has resulted in a paradigm shift in biomacromolecule solution scattering. Currently, the application of the SEC–SAXS system to small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is being advanced. However, since the target biomacromolecules in the sample solution are not only purified but also diluted by SEC and pass through the sample cell in a short time, this method is being implemented in SANS instruments at high neutron flux. Here, we developed a new type of SEC–SANS system that can operate effectively with a SANS instrument at medium neutron flux. Its key innovation is the design and optimization of a dedicated flow path that allows for the storage of only the target biomolecules eluted from SEC in the sample cell. This innovation enables long-duration measurements, termed the `stopping mode', for SEC samples. Consequently, this method allows for acquiring high-precision solution scattering data for target biomacromolecules, enabling SEC–SANS measurements even with SANS instruments at medium neutron flux.
Compensation for the source drift of a free-electron laser beamline by adjusting the fixed-focus constant of the grating monochromator
Authors: Xue Chaofan , Xue Lian , Wang Yong , Tai Renzhong
Published: February 2025

For large-scale free-electron laser facilities based on linear accelerators, the laser saturation point is not frequently fixed in the undulator, which will cause a longitudinal source point drift of the beamline. The longitudinal source point drift will cause an instability in the performance of the beamline, especially affecting the energy-resolving power of variable-line-spacing grating monochromators for soft X-ray beamlines. A method of adjusting the fixed-focus constant to compensate for this longitudinal source point drift is introduced in this work. Simulation results indicate that this method can effectively recover the energy-resolving power of the grating monochromator.
The Ten-Point Treatment Programme: developing and evaluating an easy-read version for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Amiola Ayomipo Jeremiah , Wilson Hollyanna , Patteril Elizabeth , Chester Verity , Alexander Regi
Published: February 2025

Purpose

People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) typically present with co-occurring communication difficulties. Research indicates that cognitive-linguistic impairment is predictive of poor health literacy, which can preclude individuals from developing a comprehensive understanding of their health, care and treatment needs. People accessing forensic intellectual and developmental disability (FIDD) services are more likely to engage meaningfully in treatment and rehabilitation only if they feel empowered to play active roles in their own care. Delivering proposed treatment programmes in an accessible format, which meets their language needs, is likely to promote this.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to describe the development and evaluation of an easy read version of the “Ten point treatment programme” within an inpatient FIDD service. An expert panel comprising speech and language therapists and education professionals utilised a quality improvement method to develop this. Patients and staff evaluated this resource and gave feedback through surveys or meetings. The resource was refined based on responses, and a final version produced.

Findings

The easy-read Ten-Point Treatment programme resource was considered valuable by patients and staff from this service.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should seek to pilot this resource, to explore alternative multi-modal means of accessible information provision coproduced at every level and to examine ways in which this resource could be incorporated within health-care consultations. Another research direction will be to assess the impact of this resource on comprehension, drawing upon objective, previously validated measures.

Practical implications

Provision of an easy-read version of the Ten-Point Treatment Programme may support individuals with communication difficulties to understand health and care information relevant to their inpatient admission and may empower them to take more active roles in their treatment pathway. It is important to acknowledge, however, that easy read is not an accessible means of information provision for all individuals with ID and that the empirical evidence for its impact is limited.

Originality/value

This is the first published attempt to evaluate the acceptability of an easy-read version of the Ten-Point Treatment Programme within an inpatient FIDD service in the UK.
Developing an ontology-based tool for relating risks to the energy performance gap in buildings
Authors: Yılmaz Derya , Tanyer Ali Murat , Dikmen Irem
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Despite extensive research on the underlying reasons for the energy performance gap in buildings, there is a critical need for stakeholders to standardize and facilitate the use of this knowledge and support its broader application by machines. Our research addresses this gap by developing both an ontology and a tool to utilize risk information regarding the performance gap in buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

Research into this topic began with the creation of an energy performance gap-risk ontology for new and existing buildings using the METHONTOLOGY method. This comprised a comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews with ten experts concerning six buildings, in order to develop taxonomies and define risk factor interactions. It was followed by a three-stage validation using a mixed-method research methodology. Steps included comparing the ontology with a similar empirical study, gathering expert opinions via interviews and ratings assessments, and finally, interviewing an experienced professional to ascertain whether there were any concepts not covered by the ontology. The taxonomies were modeled in Protégé 5.5, and using the ontology, a spreadsheet tool was developed using Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications in Excel.

Findings

The ontology identified 36 primary risk factors and a total of 95 when including additional risks linked to certain factors. Factors such as professional liability insurance, stakeholder motivation, effective communication, experience, training, integrated design, simplicity of detailing, building systems or design and project commissioning can help manage the performance gap in buildings. The tool developed serves as a decision-support system, offering features like project risk checklists to assist stakeholders in addressing the performance gap.

Originality/value

This study is the first to develop an energy performance gap-risk ontology and a tool to help project stakeholders collect, store and share building risk information.
Carefree cuteness: the effect of exposure to cuteness on risk seeking
Authors: Yim Alexis , He Stephen X. , Cui Annie Peng , Zhao Lin
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Cuteness has grown to be a global phenomenon fueled by the explosive usage of social media. Cute stimuli are ubiquitous, but few have explored their effects on consumer decision-making; direct evidence is particularly lacking in the area of risky choices. In this research, the authors theorize and demonstrate the unintended effects of cuteness exposure on people’s risk preference.

Design/methodology/approach

Across five experimental studies situated in various risk contexts, including health, financial and safety, the authors demonstrate that exposure to cuteness makes consumers more risk-seeking due to the reduction of situational conscientiousness. Study 1 used an experimental lab study with a real circumstance to test the effect on the risk associated with food consumption. Study 2 used a classical gambling experiment to test the effect on financial risk. Studies 3a and 3b used a mass shooting news article to test the effect on safety risk. Lastly, study 4 tested the mediating role of low conscientiousness with the classical gambling experiment.

Findings

The findings show that exposure to cuteness makes people more likely to take risks in various domains (e.g. food consumption, safety and financial decisions).

Research limitations/implications

This study tested the effect of cuteness on risk-seeking with a limited number of domains of risk. In addition, the authors tested the effect with visual cuteness stimuli, while individuals may perceive cuteness through other senses, such as sound.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for business owners and marketers when deciding whether and how to use cuteness to promote their products and brands, as well as to avoid potential repercussions. For example, a marketer for a new extreme sports company could use videos or images of cute animals participating in sports on the company’s social media channels to expand its market share. In addition, findings from this research would make consumers more attentive when facing cute appeals as they gain a better understanding of how exposure to cuteness could impact their own decision-making.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to demonstrate that exposure to subtle, cute environmental cues has a robust effect on consumers’ risk preferences across various domains, regardless of age and gender.
Investigating the impact of soft TQM practices on employees’ organizational commitment in governmental Sudanese petroleum organizations
Authors: Ahmed Abuaraki Osman , Abdalla Abdelgadir Mohamed , Ali Adam Mohamed
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate and analyze the impact of soft total quality management (TQM) practices on employees’ organizational commitment in Sudanese governmental petroleum organizations and to propose targeted strategies on how to enrich the soft TQM practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used questionnaires to gather data from employees at Sudanese governmental petroleum organizations that adopt quality programs. A stratified random sampling procedure was followed and generated a sample size of 253. Data were analyzed via regression.

Findings

The study examined the relationship between employee’s organizational commitment and five soft TQM practices, namely training and education, top management commitment, employee empowerment, involvement and teamwork. These practices collectively explain most of the variance in the employees’ organizational commitment in Sudanese governmental petroleum organizations with R2 = 75%. All independent variables are positively and statistically significant at a 5% significance level. Training/education was inferred as the most influencing factor, and teamwork was the least important among the five practices.

Practical implications

The positive relationship between soft TQM practices and organizational commitment suggests several actionable strategies for organizations. By fostering a culture that emphasizes continuous learning, empowerment and involvement, organizations can improve not only the quality of their products and services but also overall productivity. High levels of organizational commitment reduce turnover rates, which in turn lowers recruitment and training costs associated with replacing employees. Encouraging teamwork and employee involvement fosters a collaborative environment where innovation can thrive. Finally, policymakers could use these findings to advocate for the adoption of TQM practices in public sector organizations.

Originality/value

The findings from this study underscore the importance of soft TQM practices – specifically training and education, top management commitment, employee empowerment, involvement and teamwork – in enhancing employees’ organizational commitment. This focus on human-centric practices provides an important contribution to existing literature, particularly in contexts that are underrepresented in TQM research, such as developing countries and governmental organizations. It demonstrates how abstract TQM principles translate into practical outcomes like increased employee commitment, which is a crucial factor for organizational success.
Catalysing change: unveiling the impact of livelihood training on entrepreneurial skills of women SHG members in Sikkim
Authors: Prasad Smriti , Choubey Manesh
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Our paper empirically evaluates the impact of livelihood training programmes on entrepreneurial skills of the women Self-Help Group (SHG) members.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on primary data collected from a sample of 416 SHG women of Sikkim, India, using a multi-stage cluster sampling. A multiple linear regression model is used to assess the impact of training participation on entrepreneurial skill. We correct for the potential self-selection bias associated with training participation using Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method and estimate the Average Treatment effect on the Treated (ATT) using 1:1 Nearest neighbour matching without replacement (caliper = 0.06) and full matching algorithm. The robustness of the result is validated using Rosenbaum bounds sensitivity analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest a significant and positive relation between livelihood training programme participation and entrepreneurial skills of the SHG members which relates to Human Capital Theory.

Originality/value

Our paper contributes to the existing literature by empirically evaluating the impact of livelihood training on entrepreneurial skills of the SHG members. Further, our study not only corrects the problem of self-selection bias associated with training participation but also studies the influence of unobserved confounders on the estimated results ensuring generalisability of the findings. Additionally, the study is conducted across all four districts of Sikkim, a north-eastern state of India which has received less academic attention in the context of SHGs and its activities.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2024-0100
Adoption of green inbound logistics practices: the role of internal environmental communication and organizational environmental governance
Authors: Namagembe Sheila , Nantumbwe Shamim , Tusiime Wilson , Kalema Robert , Kalikwani George , Nampijja Rashida
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The study focused on the influence of internal environmental communication on organizational environmental governance and the adoption of green inbound logistics practices and the mediating role of organizational environmental governance on the relationship between internal environmental communication and the adoption of green inbound logistics practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional quantitative survey design was used. The population used consisted of the central procuring and disposing entities. An actual sample size of 105 public sector firms in the central procuring and disposing entities category was used. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), SMART PLS version 4.0.1.8 and AMOS SPSS v26.

Findings

The findings show the relevancy of internal environmental communication in the achievement of organizational environmental governance and adoption of green inbound logistics practices. Further, organizational environmental governance mediates the link between internal environmental communication and the adoption of green inbound logistics practices. However, a partial mediation effect is observed, implying that both internal environmental communication and organizational environmental governance play significant roles in enhancing the adoption of green inbound logistics practices.

Research limitations/implications

The study examined internal environmental communication, organizational environmental governance and the adoption of green inbound logistics practices in a public sector procurement setting. The role of proactive internal environmental communication, proactive external environmental communication, organizational environmental governance and the adoption of green inbound logistics practices in both the public and private sector procurement settings needs to be examined.

Originality/value

Further, the study examines internal environmental communication, organizational environmental governance and the adoption of green inbound logistics practices in a public sector procurement context. Green logistics research is much more pronounced in the third-party logistics firm context. Further, existing research takes a holistic approach when examining the green logistics concept. Whereas the green inbound logistics and green outbound logistics form the green logistics concept, the green inbound logistics concept is much more common in the public procurement settings although no significant attention has been given to it in the existing research.
Prior heat waves improve survival of field but not domesticated populations of tobacco hornworm exposed to repeated bacterial infections
Authors: Malinski Katherine H. , Willett Christopher S. , Kingsolver Joel G.
Published: February 2025

In insects and other invertebrates, prior pathogen exposures can improve immune responses and survival to subsequent infections through immune priming. Alternatively, stress and metabolic costs of multiple infections can impair host immunity and survival. The effects of high‐temperature extremes on host–pathogen interactions are not well understood despite the increasing occurrence of heat waves caused by climate change.

The response of insects to heat waves and pathogens depends on recent evolutionary history with selective pressures. Domestication of insect pests has occurred in lab colonies of model species, reducing selective pressures for immune and heat stress responses. Lab strains are often used in immunological or heat stress experiments to represent wild field strains, but the efficacy of this approach is seldom evaluated.

Using the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta), we tested the impact of a heat wave during initial pathogen exposure on survival of a secondary infection with Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria. We used a domesticated lab population and a naturally occurring field population of M. sexta to evaluate the impacts of recent domestication on immune and thermal responses.

A heat wave during initial infection significantly increased survival of the secondary B. thuringiensis infection in the field, but not the lab population of M. sexta.

In the field population, survival of the repeated infection was temperature dependent: exposure to an initial infection event reduced survival of the secondary infection at the control temperature regime, consistent with a stress effect. However, a heat wave during the initial infection event increased survival of the secondary infection, consistent with immune priming effects.

The results of this study demonstrate that (a) insect response to thermal stress and pathogens can depend on recent domestication and (b) responses of hosts to repeat pathogen exposures can be temperature‐dependent, suggesting that cross‐talk between the heat stress and immune memory pathways may have important consequences for host–pathogen outcomes under heat wave events.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Soil carbon, nitrogen, and potassium regulate herbaceous community stability in the restoration phases of desertification land
Authors: Wang Ruolan , He Li , Chen Juanli , Lou Yuanxin , Deng Dongzhou , Mu Junpeng
Published: February 2025

Soil carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen are crucial components that influence the stability of herbaceous plant communities in desertified land restoration. However, there is a dearth of data on the variables that impact the stability of herbaceous communities at various stages of restoration. This study investigated the variables of soil and plant communities on desertified land with varying recovery periods (recovery time less than 10 years, 10–20 years, and more than 20 years) to examine the alterations in the stability of herbaceous communities and the influence of soil nutrients on these changes. Our results indicated that the stability of herbaceous communities exhibited a positive correlation with recovery time. Further research suggests that total carbon (TC) and available nitrogen (AN) levels of soil significantly influenced the herbaceous community's stability when the recovery period was less than 10 years. Total nitrogen (TN) and TC levels of soil affected the community's stability when the recovery period ranged from 10 to 20 years. When the duration of recovery surpassed 20 years, available potassium (AK) in soil significantly impacted the community's stability. This suggested that soil nutrients influence the stability of the herbaceous community. Our findings suggest that soil nutrition is a crucial factor in the initial phase of ecological restoration on desertified land. These findings offer empirical evidence for comprehending the stabilizing mechanism of herbaceous communities in desertified land and provide theoretical backing for ecological restoration methods.
Mobilizing Underground: The Case of the Cypriot Communist Party AKEL in Colonial Cyprus (1955–59)
Authors: KATSOURIDES YIANNOS , EVAGOROU ELENI
Published: February 2025

This article is the first attempt at recording and analysing the period of illegality of the Cypriot communist party AKEL (Progressive Party of the Working People) and the way it organized its clandestine mechanism during the armed struggle of the National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) against the British (1955–59). This article examines AKEL's organizational adaptation to the new illegal conditions and how this was reflected in the party's ability for political mobilization. At the same time, it looks at AKEL's ability of organizational learning in relation to two factors: (a) its own capacity to adapt and, (b) its communication with other communist parties abroad. Furthermore, the article explores aspects of AKEL's organizational and political culture in this period, which remained with the party in the years that followed. In doing so, it argues first that the type of party is a crucial factor in its ability to mutate into a different organizational structure and mode of operandi; second, it claims that AKEL demonstrated a remarkable ability of organizational learning; third, the article contends that the practices adopted in this period have left a long‐lasting legacy in the organizational culture of the party. This article employs a framework that allows for comparison with other communist parties, particularly those of Greece (KKE) and South Africa (SACP).
Effect of Temperature on Rice Stripe Virus Infection, Transmission Efficiency, and the Development Period in Laodelphax striatellus
Authors: Hwang Seoyul , Kim Donghun
Published: February 2025

The small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus, is a major pest and the primary vector of the rice stripe virus, a harmful pathogen that significantly affects rice production across East Asia. This study aims to investigate the effects of different temperatures (24°C, 27°C, and 30°C) on the developmental period, rice stripe virus infection rates, and virus transmission efficiency of small brown planthopper at various developmental stages. Higher temperatures significantly shortened the developmental period of small brown planthopper. The time from egg to adult was approximately 5 days shorter at 30°C than at 24°C. The rice stripe virus infection rate gradually increased, peaking after the third instar nymph, with no significant differences observed between 24°C and 27°C. However, at 30°C, the infection rates in the second to fifth instar nymphs were lower compared to those at the other temperatures. Tissue‐specific analyses indicated that the thorax, midgut, and ovary serve as primary loci for rice stripe virus proliferation. Temperature significantly affects small brown planthopper development and rice stripe virus epidemiology. Accelerated development rates at higher temperatures may result in increased population turnover, whereas reduced rice stripe virus transmission efficiency under these conditions could alter viral spread dynamics. These findings are vital for developing pest management strategies that consider temperature fluctuations and climate change.
Causal Association Between Chronic Inflammatory Arthropathies and Sarcopenia and the Mediation Role of Inflammatory Factors
Authors: Qian Yanyan , Wang Xiaowei , Zhu Chen , Tong Qiang , Zhang Jianzheng , Zhao Shengjie
Published: February 2025

Background

Although chronic inflammatory arthropathies (CIA) are associated with sarcopenia, sarcopenia plays a role in their pathogenesis remains unknown. This study investigated the causal relationship between sarcopenia and CIA and to identify potential mediating factors.

Methods

We examined data from 458 910 participants in the UK Biobank to analyze the association between sarcopenia‐related traits and CIA. Associations between hand‐grip strength, muscle mass, walking pace, and CIA were analyzed using Cox regression models. Then, we performed a mediation analysis to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Results

Individuals with low hand‐grip strength exhibited a 1.88‐fold (95% CI 1.73–2.05), 2.22‐fold (95% CI 2.02–2.45), and 1.36‐fold (95% CI 1.32–1.41) increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and osteoarthritis (OA), respectively. The HRs for sarcopenia were 1.64 (95% CI 1.15–2.32) for RA, 1.83 (95% CI 1.21–2.77) for SpA, and 1.26 (95% CI 1.09–1.45) for OA. Additionally, individuals with a slow walking pace exhibited a 1.83‐fold (95% CI 1.66–2.02), 3.58‐fold (95% CI 3.25–3.95), and 1.82‐fold (95% CI 1.77–1.88) increased risk of RA, SpA, and OA, respectively. Furthermore, we identified inflammatory markers as possible mediators of the causal effects of low hand‐grip strength on the development of CIA.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that sarcopenia is independently associated with an increased risk of CIA, which is partially mediated by inflammation factors.
One‐month outcomes of a culturally tailored alcohol‐exposed pregnancy prevention mobile app among urban Native young women: A randomized controlled trial of Native WYSE CHOICES
Authors: Kaufman Carol E. , Asdigian Nancy L. , Reed Nicole D. , Shrestha Umit , Bull Sheana , Tuitt Nicole R. , Vossberg Raeann , Mumby Sara , Sarche Michelle
Published: February 2025

Background

The majority of alcohol‐exposed pregnancy (AEP) prevention programs for Native women have focused on at‐risk adult women residing in rural tribal communities; however, over 70% of the Native population resides in urban areas. Moreover, Native young women universally—regardless of risk status—may benefit from culturally tailored resources. We hypothesized that urban Native young women who engaged with Native WYSE CHOICES (NWC), a culturally tailored AEP prevention intervention delivered by mobile phone app, would report reduced risk of AEP at the 1‐month follow‐up compared to those who engaged with a comparison condition.

Methods

From August 2021 to January 2023, we recruited 439 urban Native young women (ages 16–20) nationally to a randomized controlled trial administered fully virtually including most recruitment, data collection and intervention engagement. Participants were randomly assigned to the NWC app or an alternative app. We used linear and logistic regression analyses to predict scores on 1‐month outcome variables by study arm assignment.

Results

Results of regression analyses predicting scores on 1‐month outcomes by study arm showed trending intervention effects on measures of AEP knowledge (p = 0.06), alcohol use with sexual activity (p = 0.10), and an AEP risk index (p = 0.12). At 1‐month follow‐up, intervention group participants reported greater AEP knowledge, lower likelihood of alcohol‐involved sexual activity in the past month, and lower scores on an AEP risk index compared to the comparison group.

Conclusions

The NWC app produced trending changes in key areas of knowledge and behavior that may result in reduced AEP risk among urban Native young women. These findings suggest that the NWC app holds promise for addressing AEP in Native populations. Small changes in these areas may result in lifelong changes in the current generation that impact the health and wellbeing of generations to come.
Mindful bridge: Brief mindfulness practices alter negative emotion transmission and cooperative performance in parent–adolescent dynamics
Authors: Chen Yangdi , Zhao Yanhui , Deng Xinmei
Published: February 2025

Parent–adolescent emotion transmission is crucial for adolescents' psychological development. Parental negative emotions could impair parent–adolescent interaction and relationships. Brief mindfulness practices (BMPs) are effective for improving emotional regulation and reducing negative emotions. However, few studies explored the effects of BMP on parent–adolescent negative emotion transmission. This study used the hyperscanning technique to examine the differences in the change of emotional states, cooperative performance, and interbrain synchrony (IBS) between the BMP group (20 parent–adolescent dyads) and the control rest (CR) group (20 parent–adolescent dyads) under induced parental negative emotions in cooperation interaction tasks. Results showed (1) decreases in negative emotions, hostility, and state anxiety in the BMP group after BMP, but only negative emotions decreased in the CR group after rest; (2) an increase in the success rate in the BMP group after BMP, but no change in the CR group after rest; and (3) decreases in IBS in the delta and theta bands in success feedback and increases in IBS in failure feedback in the BMP group after BMP, but no change in the CR group after rest. These findings suggest that BMP may mitigate parental negative emotion transmission to adolescents and promote their focused attitude toward cooperation.
Alterations in the Tongue Coating Microbiome in Patients With Diarrhea‐Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Li Yitong , Mai Yuhe , Jiao Yao , Yuan Yali , Qu Yingdi , Zhang Ye , Wang Muyuan , Zhang Wenji , Lu Xinyu , Lin Zhengdao , Liang Chengtao , Li Junxiang , Mao Tangyou , Xie Chune
Published: February 2025

The gut microbiota plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of IBS‐D, however, IBS‐D‐associated tongue coating microbiome dysbiosis has not yet been clearly defined. To address this, we analyzed the structure and composition of the tongue coating microbiome in 23 IBS‐D patients and 12 healthy controls using 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing analysis. The 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that the overall observed OTUs of tongue coating microbiome in IBS‐D patients exhibited a significant decrease compared with the healthy controls. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the diversity and community richness were significantly reduced in IBS‐D patients, and PCoA revealed a distinct clustering of tongue coating microbiome between the IBS‐D patients and healthy controls. Microbial comparisons at the genus level showed that the abundance of Veillonella, Prevotella in IBS‐D patients was higher than those in healthy controls, while Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Granulicatella, and Rothia were significantly reduced compared with the healthy volunteers. Functional analysis results showed significant differences in 88 functional metabolic pathways between the IBS‐D patients and the healthy controls, including fatty acid biosynthesis. These findings identified the structure, composition, functionality of tongue coating microbiome in IBS‐D patients, and hold promise the potential for therapeutic targets during IBS‐D management.
Can I tolerate that kind of behaviour? Self‐esteem, expected benefits, risk perceptions and risk tolerance in romantic relationships
Authors: Lamarche Veronica M. , Rolison Jonathan J.
Published: February 2025

Previous research has relied on characteristics of relationship behaviours (e.g., choosing/avoiding intimacy) as evidence of prioritising potential rewards over the perceived risks (i.e., interpersonal risk tolerance). Across four studies (Ntotal = 1422), we drew from psychological risk–reward models of decision‐making to test whether perceived risks, benefits, and/or risk tolerance were associated with relationship goals and behaviours. Self‐esteem was positively associated with expecting greater benefits and perceiving less risk in relationship behaviours but not with differences in risk tolerance (i.e., tolerance of risks perceived; Studies 1 & 2). Furthermore, greater expected benefits were associated with connection goals and engaging in those behaviours, whereas greater perceived risk was associated with self‐protection goals and less engagement (Studies 3 & 4). Our findings suggest that people with high self‐esteem are not necessarily tolerant of interpersonal risk but instead differ in their perceptions of interpersonal risks and benefits, and consequently engage in behaviours they expect to confer benefits and avoid ones they anticipate will be costly.
Involvement of Piezo 1 in inhibition of shear‐induced platelet activation and arterial thrombosis by ginsenoside Rb1
Authors: Wang Yilin , Liu Lu , Li Jia , You Yue , Xiao Shunli , Feng Jiantao , Yin Xiaojie , Liao Fulong , You Yun
Published: February 2025

Background and Purpose

Shear‐induced platelet activation and aggregation (SIPA) play crucial roles in arterial thrombosis. Piezo1 is a mechanosensitive calcium channel that promotes platelet hyperactivation under pathological high‐shear conditions. This study explores the function of platelet Piezo1 in SIPA and arterial thrombosis, and the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of ginsenoside Rb1 on these processes.

Experimental Approach

Transgenic mice with platelet‐specific Piezo1 deficiency (Piezo1ΔPlt) were used to elucidate the role of platelet Piezo1 in SIPA and arterial thrombosis. A microfluidic channel system was employed to assess platelet aggregation, calcium influx, calpain activity, talin cleavage, integrin αIIbβ3 activation and P‐selectin expression under shear flow. Cellular thermal shift assay was used to determine binding between Rb1 and Piezo1. Folts‐like model in mice was used to evaluate antithrombotic effects of Rb1.

Key Results

Piezo1 deficiency in platelets reduced platelet activation and aggregation induced by a high shear rate of 4000 s−1 and attenuated arterial thrombosis induced by Folts‐like mouse model. Rb1 inhibited SIPA with an IC50 of 10.8 μM. Rb1 inhibited shear‐induced Ca2+‐dependent platelet activation and aggregation, as well as thrombus formation in Folts‐like model in Piezo1fl/fl mice. Rb1 significantly improved thermal stability of Piezo1 in platelets by binding to Piezo1. Treatment of Piezo1ΔPlt mice with Rb1 did not exhibit further inhibitory effects on SIPA and thrombosis.

Conclusion and Implications

Platelet Piezo1 is essential for SIPA and arterial thrombosis induced by high shear. Rb1 exerted anti‐platelet and anti‐thrombotic effects at high shear rates via Piezo1 channels, providing a potential candidate as antiplatelet therapeutic agent.
Fatty acid binding protein 3 activates endothelial adhesion of circulating monocytes and impairs endothelial angiogenesis
Authors: Wu Yen‐Wen , Chen Jaw‐Wen , Tsai Hao‐Yuan , Leu Hsin‐Bang , Chang Chia‐Chi , Chang Ting‐Ting
Published: February 2025

Background and Purpose

Vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction cause the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease (CAD). While elevated fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) may be associated with the presence of cardiovascular diseases, its mechanistic effects remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of FABP3 in impaired angiogenesis and the development of atherosclerosis in CAD.

Experimental Approach

In total, 1104 patients were enrolled in a clinical observational study and the correlation between serum FABP3 and cardiovascular events were analysed. Another group of CAD patients and non‐CAD subjects were enrolled, and their plasma FABP3 concentrations were measured. Primary cultured mononuclear cells endothelial progenitor cells and human coronary artery endothelial cells were used in vitro. Matrigel plug neovascularisation assay and the aortic ring assay were used in wild‐type and apolipoprotein E‐knockout mice in vivo.

Key Results

Circulating FABP3 was up‐regulated in the cardiovascular event‐positive group and in the CAD patients. Mononuclear cells from the CAD patients presented increased expression of FABP3. FABP3 enhanced the expression of adhesion molecules, including integrin β2, integrin α4 and PSGL1 in mononuclear cells. FABP3 caused endothelial cell dysfunction through the ERK/p38/STAT1/VEGF signalling pathway. Moreover, oxLDL or TNF‐α stimulations impaired endothelial cell function through FABP3‐dependent signalling pathways. FABP3 also impaired in vivo angiogenesis.

Conclusion and Implications

This study elucidates the clinical and pathological impact of FABP3 on atherosclerotic CAD. Future research may be necessary to evaluate whether FABP3 could be a therapeutic target, especially with regard to stable CAD.
What Factors are Contributing to Increasing Numbers of ‘Care Orders at Home’ in Northwest England?
Authors: Murphy Ciarán , Maguinness Noreen , Stathopoulos Eoanna
Published: February 2025

There is increasing understanding of the challenges associated with rising numbers of children entering England's public care system. Yet, commentators continue to overlook cases where children are ostensibly placed ‘in care’ of the local authority, but then simultaneously remain living at home with their parent(s)—a practice referred to as a ‘Care Order at home’. The purpose of this study was to look for evidence of increasing numbers of ‘Care Orders at home’ within northwest England, and to explore with frontline social workers what they considered to be contributing to this phenomenon. The study adopted an iterative mixed method design comprising of focus groups, online questionnaire, and individual interviews, supplemented by 57 ‘Freedom of Information’ requests. Findings highlighted a substantial increase in ‘Care Orders at home’ in northwest England since 2011 and identified the longstanding national government policy of ‘austerity’ and a ‘malfunctioning’ placement market as key factors contributing to this. Implications are of the importance of reinvestment in preventative services so as to reduce the demand on England's child protection system, and reappraisal, and reform of the children's social care placement market, so that the placement of children can be consistently based on the needs of the individual child.
Quantification of Lateralized Overgrowth and Genotype‐Driven Tissue Composition
Authors: Gazzin Andrea , Reynolds Giuseppe , Allegro Damiano , Rossi Davide , Sciandra Francesca , Afkhami Hirad Akberi , Cardaropoli Simona , Piglionica Marilidia , Resta Nicoletta , Di Stefano Marco , Mussa Alessandro
Published: February 2025

Lateralized overgrowth (LO) is characterized by excessive growth of one side of the body compared to the other. LO can present as isolated (ILO) or within syndromes, like Beckwith‐Wiedemann Spectrum (BWSp) and PIK3CA‐related overgrowth spectrum (PROS). Currently, the diagnosis of LO relies on clinical evaluation and lacks a standardized method. In this study, we evaluated total body dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (TB‐DXA) as a potential tool for standardizing LO assessment. Patients with LO underwent both clinical evaluation and TB‐DXA. TB‐DXA data, including total mass, mass of the three main tissue components (adipose, muscle, and bone), total mass discrepancy ratio, relative tissue composition, and discrepancy of relative tissue composition were calculated and compared with clinical findings. Differences between affected regions and the contralateral side were assessed. A total of 46 patients (61% PROS, 24% BWSp, 15% ILO) were included in this study. TB‐DXA detected overgrowth regions aligned with clinical evaluation in 91% of cases and was able to identify localized overgrowth even when clinically overlooked. Additionally, TB‐DXA revealed differences in tissue composition between affected and unaffected regions for symmetrical body areas, with these differences varying by diagnostic subgroup. Different patterns of tissue composition overgrowth were observed among different conditions, with PROS predominantly showing adipose tissue overgrowth, while BWSp/ILO mainly osteo‐muscular overgrowth. TB‐DXA is an accurate, safe, and reproducible tool in the clinical setting providing an objective method for identifying and quantifying LO. It offers valuable guidance for clinicians in the diagnosis and management of LO.
‘How Does Living in Institution Impact Young Lives?’—Insights From Young People in Ci'aiyuan
Authors: Yin Shian
Published: February 2025

Institutional care often carries a negative reputation due to its perceived adverse effects on children and young people. However, it remains a significant form of alternative care in China. In Xiangxi, childcare institutions, known as ci'aiyuan, have been further expanding by involving wider populations in recent years. However, little knowledge is known about this new practice. This study sought to explore lived experiences in one such institution by involving 14 young people who were 15–18 years old and lived in ci'aiyuan at the time of data collection. Through face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews, the findings revealed three overarching themes. Living in ci'aiyuan has impacted young lives through (i) providing more supportive relationships in their social networks, (ii) increasing their self‐perceived social support and (iii) facilitating positive life trajectory shifts for certain individuals. The findings present a softer and more compassionate aspect of institutional reality, even though this represents a minority experience, challenging the dominant criticisms typically directed at institutional care. However, this study maintains that continued efforts are needed to address the complexities and challenges associated with such care settings.
Patient‐Reported Outcome Measures Following Implant Placement With Simultaneous Horizontal Bone Augmentation
Authors: Braun Dorian , Chappuis Vivianne , Raabe Clemens , Suter Valerie G. A. , Fonseca Manrique , Couso‐Queiruga Emilio
Published: February 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of implant placement with simultaneous bone augmentation on patients' willingness to repeat the procedure. Secondary outcomes included assessing patient‐reported outcome measures, clinical‐ and surgical‐related factors affecting treatment outcomes.

Methods

Subjects who were currently undergoing or have undergone implant placement with simultaneous bone augmentation in the esthetic region (maxillary second premolar to second premolar) were assigned to three groups: Group A (short‐term), Group B (1–5 years post‐surgery), and Group C (> 5 years post‐surgery). Clinical assessments, dichotomous questions, and visual analogue scales were used to evaluate therapeutic outcomes according to the group of interest.

Results

One hundred and fifty patients completed the study (n = 50 per group). In Group A, 16% experienced wound dehiscence (membrane exposure < 3 mm), and 2% had postoperative bleeding, infection, swelling, or abscess. Flaps extending beyond three teeth significantly increased early membrane exposure (p = 0.04). Patient‐reported postoperative discomfort (p < 0.001) and wound healing scores (p < 0.04) decreased over time. Willingness to repeat the procedure was 100%, 88%, and 98% in Groups A, B, and C, respectively, with satisfaction rates of 98.2 ± 7.5, 91.2 ± 10.6, and 95.2 ± 10.9. No significant differences were found between Groups B and C for functional or esthetic satisfaction. However, Group C reported higher satisfaction and comfort (p < 0.001). Younger adults and women reported greater postoperative discomfort than older adults and men.

Conclusions

Implant placement with simultaneous horizontal bone augmentation in esthetic areas shows a high willingness of patients to repeat the procedure in the short‐, mid‐, and long‐term. Additionally, this therapeutic approach yields low rates of postoperative complications and discomfort, along with high patient satisfaction related to functional performance, esthetics, and overall comfort.
Anorectal prolapse after anorectal reconstruction: Incidence and risk factors according to the ARM‐Net Consortium
Authors: Stenström Pernilla , Maestri Francesca , Aminoff Dalia , de Blaauw Ivo , Ludwiczek Johanna , Midrio Paola , Prato Alessio Pini , Vilanova‐Sanchez Alejandra , Morandi Anna , van Rooij Iris ,   The ARM‐Net Consortium
Published: February 2025

Aim

There is a knowledge gap regarding which patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs) are at highest risk of anorectal prolapse (AP), and which risk factors predispose to AP in ARM. The aims of the study were to define the frequency of AP after ARM reconstruction, and explore risk factors.

Method

Data from the ARM‐Net registry inserted between 2007 and 2023 were used. Inclusion criteria were the reconstruction performed, no stoma at 1‐year follow‐up and all data available at 1‐year follow‐up. The statistics used were univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

After exclusions the incidence of AP was 163 in 1117 patients (14.6%) in data inserted by 31 centres from 12 countries. The AP incidence was unevenly distributed between the centres (interquartile range 6.3%–21.7%). AP was more frequent in boys than girls (20.9% vs. 8.1%; P < 0.001). In both sexes the incidence of AP was higher in complex ARM subtypes (P < 0.001). AP was most frequent after laparotomy‐ and laparoscopic‐assisted reconstructions (50.0% and 37.5%, respectively). Spinal and sacral anomalies constituted risk factors for AP in univariable analyses, while tethered cord did not. Adjusted risk factors for AP were severity of ARM subtype (40% in long‐channel cloaca and bladder neck fistula, OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.0–10.2), laparotomy‐assisted posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (50%, OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.6–8.4) and larger neo‐anus at 1‐year follow‐up (Hegar 13.6 vs. 13.1; OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.4). Constipation was not a risk factor for AP.

Conclusion

Anorectal prolapse is a frequent postoperative sequela. Adjusted analyses indicate that severity of ARM, abdominal open access during reconstruction and larger size of anus are risk factors.