bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and piloting of a primary school-based salt reduction programme: formative work and a process evaluation in rural and urban Malawi
Authors: Phiri Nozgechi , Cunningham Yvonne , Witek-Mcmanus Stefan , Chabwera McDonald , Munthali Shekinah , Masiye Jones , Saka Albert , Katundulu Miryam , Chiphinga Mwale Caroline , Dembo Kang’ombe Dalitso , Kamangila Joseph , Crampin Amelia C , Mair Frances S
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Excess salt intake is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Promoting salt reduction as part of routine school-health programming may be a pragmatic way to address this risk factor early in the life course but has not been tested in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Here we describe the formative work with stakeholders and process evaluation of pilot work to develop a school-based salt reduction programme for children aged 11-14 years, in preparation for a cluster-randomised trial in rural/urban Malawi.

Materials and methods

Collection of observational data and documentary evidence (meeting minutes/field notes) from the earliest key stakeholder engagement with Malawi Ministries of Health, Education, Local Government and Rural Development and Malawi Institute of Education, and non-governmental stakeholders; and a series of semi-structured interviews and focus groups (with head teachers (n=2); teachers (n=4); parents (n=30); and learners (n=40)). Data analysed thematically and conceptualised through a Normalization Process Theory lens.

Results

Formative work illustrated a range of administrative, technical, and practical issues faced during development of the programme; including allocation of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, harmonisation with pre-existing strategies and competing priorities, resources required for programme development, and design of effective teaching materials. While participants were positive about the programme, the process evaluation identified features to be refined including perceived challenges to participation, recommended adaptations to the content and delivery of lessons, and concerns related to quantity/quality of learning resources provided.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the importance of comprehensive, sustained, and participatory stakeholder engagement in the development of a novel school health programme in SSA; and highlights the factors that were critical to successfully achieving this. We also demonstrate the value of detailed process evaluation in informing development of the programme to ensure that it was feasible and relevant to the context prior to evaluation through a cluster-randomised trial.
Predictors of genomic diversity within North American squamates
Authors: Larkin Ivy E. , Myers Edward A. , Carstens Bryan C. , Barrow Lisa N.
Published: July 2022

Comparisons of intraspecific genetic diversity across species can reveal the roles of geography, ecology, and life history in shaping biodiversity. The wide availability of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences in open-access databases makes this marker practical for conducting analyses across several species in a common framework, but patterns may not be representative of overall species diversity. Here, we gather new and existing mtDNA sequences and genome-wide nuclear data (genotyping-by-sequencing; GBS) for 30 North American squamate species sampled in the Southeastern and Southwestern United States. We estimated mtDNA nucleotide diversity for two mtDNA genes, COI (22 species alignments; average 16 sequences) and cytb (22 species; average 58 sequences), as well as nuclear heterozygosity and nucleotide diversity from GBS data for 118 individuals (30 species; four individuals and 6,820–44,309 loci per species). We showed that nuclear genomic diversity estimates were highly consistent across individuals for some species, while other species showed large differences depending on the locality sampled. Range size was positively correlated with both cytb diversity (Phylogenetically Independent Contrasts: R2= 0.31, p = 0.007) and GBS diversity (R2= 0.21; p = 0.006), while other predictors differed across the top models for each dataset. Mitochondrial and nuclear diversity estimates were not correlated within species, although sampling differences in the data available made these datasets difficult to compare. Further study of mtDNA and nuclear diversity sampled across species’ ranges is needed to evaluate the roles of geography and life history in structuring diversity across a variety of taxonomic groups.
Genome-scale host-pathogen prediction for non-medical microbes
Authors: Ammari Mais , Gresham Cathy , McCarthy Fiona M , Nanduri Bindu
Published: July 2022

Background

Network studies of host-pathogen interactions (HPI) are critical in understanding the mechanisms of pathogenesis. However, accessible HPI data for agriculturally important pathogens are limited. This lack of HPI data impedes network analysis to study agricultural pathogens, for preventing and reducing the severity of diseases of relevance to agriculture.

Results

To rapidly provide HPIs for a broad range of pathogens, we use an interolog-based approach. This approach uses sequence similarity to transfer known HPIs from better studied host-pathogen pairs and predicts 389,878 HPIs for 23 host-pathogen systems of relevance to US agriculture. Each predicted HPI is qualitatively assessed using co-localization, infection related processes, and interacting domains and this information is provided as a confidence indicator for the prediction. Evaluation of predicted HPIs demonstrates that the host proteins predicted to be involved in pathogen interactions include hubs and bottlenecks in the network, as reported in curated host proteins. Moreover, we demonstrate that the use of the predicted HPIs adds value to network analysis and recapitulates known aspects of host-pathogen biology. Access to the predicted HPIs for these agricultural host-pathogen systems is available via the Host Pathogen Interaction Database (HPIDB, hpidb.igbb.msstate.edu), and can be downloaded in standard MITAB file format for subsequent network analysis.

Conclusions

This core set of interolog-based HPIs will enable animal health researchers to incorporate network analysis into their research and help identify host-pathogen interactions that may be tested and experimentally validated. Moreover, the development of a larger set of experimentally validated HPI will inform future predictions. Our approach of transferring biologically relevant HPIs based on interologs is broadly applicable to many host-microbe systems and can be extended to support network modeling of other pathogens, as well as interactions between non-pathogenic microbes.
Characterization of the human fetal rete region by single cell transcriptional analysis of gonads and mesonephros/epididymis
Authors: Taelman Jasin , Czukiewska Sylwia M. , Moustakas Ioannis , Chang Yolanda W. , Hillenius Sanne , van der Helm Talia , Mei Hailiang , Fan Xueying , Chuva de Sousa Lopes Susana M.
Published: July 2022

During development of the male reproductive tract, the human rete functions as a bridging structure between the seminiferous tubes and the efferent ducts of the epididymis. However, despite its significant contribution to human sex-specific gonadogenesis and future male fertility, the rete testis remains poorly understood. To investigate fetal rete testis development, we have performed single-cell transcriptomics on human fetal testes (and ovaries) and mesonephros/epididymis from first and second trimester. By revealing KRT19 and PAX8 as rete markers, we were able to identify the molecular signatures of the rete epithelial cells and mesonephros/epididymis epithelial cells. In the process, we have identified a population of Sertoli cells and germ cells in the rete testis. Moreover, we also revealed a small population of epithelial cells in the rete ovarii, comparable to the epithelial cells in the rete testis. Together, our study provides insights into human fetal sex-specific gonadogenesis and development of the male reproductive tract beyond the gonads.
C-di-GMP signalling links biofilm formation and Mn(II) oxidation in Pseudomonas resinovorans
Authors: Piazza Ainelen , Casalini Lucila Ciancio , Sisti Federico , Fernández Julieta , Malone Jacob G. , Ottado Jorgelina , Serra Diego O. , Gottig Natalia
Published: July 2022

Bioaugmentation of biological sand filters with Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) is used to increase Mn removal efficiencies from groundwater. While the biofilm-forming ability of MOB is important to achieve optimal Mn filtration, the regulatory link between biofilm formation and Mn(II) oxidation remains unclear. Here, the environmental isolate P. resinovorans strain MOB-513 was used as a model to investigate the role of c-di-GMP, a second messenger crucially involved in the regulation of biofilm formation by Pseudomonas, in the oxidation of Mn(II). A novel role for c-di-GMP in the up-regulation of Mn(II) oxidation through induction of the expression of Manganese-Oxidizing Peroxidase (MOP) enzymes was revealed. MOB-513 macrocolony biofilms showed a strikingly stratified pattern of Mn oxides (BMnOx) accumulation in a localized top layer. Remarkably, elevated cellular levels of c-di-GMP correlated not only with increased accumulation of BMnOx in the same top layer, but also with the appearance of a second BMnOx stratum in the bottom region of macrocolony biofilms and the expression of mop genes correlated with this pattern. Proteomic analysis under Mn(II) conditions revealed the up-regulation of a GGDEF/EAL-domain protein and a PilZ-domain protein, providing a molecular link between c-di-GMP signalling and Mn(II) oxidation. Finally, we considered the biotechnological relevance of understanding the role of c-di-GMP in MOB-513 and observed that high c-di-GMP levels are correlated with higher lyophilisation efficiencies and higher groundwater Mn(II) oxidation capacity of lyophiles. Advancing understanding of these mechanisms is essential to improve the biotechnological application of bacterial inocula designed for removing Mn in biological filter systems.

IMPORTANCE

The presence of Mn(II) in groundwater - a common source of drinking water-is a cause of water quality impairment, interfering with its disinfection, causing operation problems and affecting human health. Purification of groundwater containing Mn(II) plays an important role in environmental and social safety. The typical method for Mn(II) removal is based on bacterial oxidation of metals to form insoluble oxides that can be filtered out of the water. Evidence of reducing the start-up periods and enhancing Mn removal efficiencies through bioaugmentation with appropriate biofilm-forming and MOB has emerged. As preliminary data suggest a link between these two phenotypes in Pseudomonas strains, the need to investigate the underlying regulatory mechanisms is apparent. The significance of our research lies in determining the role of c-di-GMP for increased biofilm-formation and Mn(II)-oxidizing capabilities in MOBs, which will allow the generation of super biofilm-elaborating and Mn-oxidizing strains, enabling their implementation in biotechnological applications.
An epidemiological study of migraine headaches among the staff of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, and related factors
Authors: ahadiat Seyed-amir abbas , Hosseinian Zeinab , kouchaki Ebrahim
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Migraine, as one of the most common types of disability, has a high prevalence with significant effects on a person’s living conditions. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and evaluate the clinical characteristics of migraine patients in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan.

Method

This study was performed cross-sectionally. All hospital staff (1125 people) were studied in 2019. Based on a designed questionnaire, the prevalence of migraine headaches and their relationship with occupations, marital status, age, gender, work shift, hours of sleep per day, as well as accompanying symptoms, were analyzed using analytic software.

Results

The prevalence of migraine among hospital staff was 12.3% (n=136), and nurses with 14.5% had the highest majority, and faculty members with 9.7% had the lowest prevalence (15.5% in females and 8.5% in males). 89.7% of people had unilateral headache. The maximum number of migraine attacks per month was five (32.23%), and the most common associated symptoms were anorexia(p-value=0.048), nausea(p-value=0.003), and vomiting(p-value=0.97), respectively. There was a significant relationship between migraine with sleep hours per day(p-value=0.012), age(p-value=0.035), and marital status (p-vaue=0.001).

Conclusion

findings relating to severe headaches and subsequent loss of work are important in realizing the social impact of this condition and the need for prevention and treatment strategies. In other words, primary prevention, diagnosis, and treatment should receive more attention.
InterMob: A 24-month randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of an intervention including behavioural change techniques and free transport versus an intervention including air pollution awareness-raising on car use reduction among regular car users living in Grenoble, France
Authors: Teran-Escobar Claudia , Duché Sarah , Bouscasse Hélène , Isoard-Gatheur Sandrine , Juen Patrick , Lacoste Lilas , Lyon-Caen Sarah , Mathy Sandrine , Ployon Estelle , Risch Anna , Sarrazin Philippe , Slama Rémy , Tabaka Kamila , Treibich Carole , Chardonnel Sonia , Chalabaev Aïna
Published: July 2022

Background

Frequent car use contributes to health and environmental issues such as air pollution, climate change and obesity. Active and sustainable mobility (bike, walk, public transport, car sharing) may address these issues. Different strategies have been implemented in past research, involving hard levers, aimed at modifying the economical or geographical context (e.g., free public transport), and soft levers, aimed at modifying psychological processes (e.g., personalised transport advice). However, few studies have combined both hard and soft levers. In addition, few have used robust methodologies (e.g., randomised controlled trials), followed behavioural changes in the long-term, and been anchored in behaviour change theories. InterMob aims to address these limits by implementing a 24-month randomised controlled trial including hard and soft levers. The objectives of InterMob are to a) evaluate the effectiveness of an experimental arm versus an active controlled arm, and b) identify the processes of mobility change.

Methods

Regular car users living in Grenoble (N = 300) will be recruited and randomised to one of the two arms. The experimental arm consists in a six-month intervention combining hard levers (free access to transport/bikes), and soft levers (e.g., personalised transport advice). The control arm consists in a six-month intervention aimed at raising awareness on air pollution and its health effects. Both arms will include eight evaluation weeks (spread out over 24 months) based on a GPS, an accelerometer, and a pollution sensor. Moreover, participants will complete mobility logbooks and surveys measuring psychological constructs, socio-economical, and socio-spatial characteristics.

Discussion

InterMob will assess the effectiveness of two interventions aimed at reducing car use within regular car users in the short-, mid- and long-term. Moreover, InterMob will allow to better understand the psychological processes of behaviour change, and the socio-economical and geographical conditions under which the intervention is efficient in reducing car use. Finally, the benefits of mobility change in terms of physical activity, quality of life, and exposure to pollution will be quantified.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05096000
Early COVID-19 Pandemic Response in Western Visayas, Philippines
Authors: Zamora Pia Regina Fatima , Rico Jonathan Adam , Bolinas Dominic Karl , Sevilleja Jesus Emmanuel , de Castro Romulo
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has burdened the public health system in the Philippines since January 2020. In Western Visayas (Region 6), Philippines, issues have been raised on the limitations of the government’s response on testing, contact tracing, and augmentation of healthcare facilities. Using data from the Western Visayas - Regional Epidemiologic Surveillance Unit (WV - RESU) from March 20 – June 20, 2020, the following observations were made: 1) Of the 6 provinces, Iloilo had the highest % tests done per capita which may be linked to the presence of the only regional COVID-19 testing facility in the province at that time, 2) There were delays in the overall processing times for specimens from Antique and Negros Occidental which may be linked to transport logistics and/or laboratory processing, 3) Contact tracing and testing were de-linked – tracing was adequate (3,420/3,503, 97.63%), but less than 50% of these (1,668/3,420) were tested, 4) Hospital and quarantine facility capacities were still adequate, but their utilization rates needed to be monitored continuously for further augmentation, if needed. This data shows the challenges of establishing a pandemic response in one of the regions in the Philippines.
The Role of Children in SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concerns Transmission within Households: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Yanshan , Xia Yao , Pickering Janessa , Bowen Asha C. , Short Kirsty R.
Published: July 2022

Background

Meta-analysis and single site studies have established that children are less infectious within a household when positive for ancestral SARS-CoV-2. In addition, children appear less susceptible to infection when exposed to ancestral SARS-CoV-2 within a household. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) has been associated with an increased number of pediatric infections worldwide. However, the role of children in the household transmission of VOCs, relative to the ancestral virus, remains unclear.

Methods

Here, we perform a meta-analysis of the role of children in the household transmission of both ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. Results: Unlike the ancestral virus, children infected with VOCs spread SARS-CoV-2 to an equivalent number of household contacts as infected adults. Similarly, unlike the ancestral virus, children within a household were equally as likely as adults to acquire SARS-CoV-2 from an infected family member. Interestingly, this same observation was noted when unvaccinated children exposed to VOCs were compared to unvaccinated adults exposed to VOCs.

Conclusions

Together, these data suggest that the emergence of VOCs were associated with a fundamental shift in the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2. This is unlikely to solely be the result of age-dependent differences in vaccination during the VOCs period and instead may reflect virus evolution over the course of the pandemic.

summary

The role of children in the household transmission of VOCs, relative to the ancestral virus, remains unclear. Using a meta-analysis we show that the emergence of VOCs were associated with a fundamental shift in the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2
Constitutive production of flagellar proteins is required for proper flagellation in Shewanella putrefaciens
Authors: Schwan Meike , Khaledi Ariane , Willger Sven , Papenfort Kai , Glatter Timo , Häußler Susanne , Thormann Kai M.
Published: July 2022

Flagella are multiprotein complexes whose assembly and positioning requires complex spatiotemporal control. Flagellar assembly is thought to be controlled by several transcriptional tiers, which is mediated through various master regulators. Here, we revisited the regulation of flagellar genes in polarly flagellated gammaproteobacteria by the regulators FlrA, RpoN (σ54) and FliA (σ28) in Shewanella putrefaciens CN-32 at the transcript and protein level. As expected, strict control at both levels occurred for for highly abundant flagellar proteins, including the building blocks for the outer rings, rod, hook and filament. In contrast, a number of regulatory and structural proteins were always present also in the absence of the main regulators. Initiation of flagella assembly and motor activation likely relies on the abundance control of only few structural key components required for formation of the MS- and C-ring and the flagellar type III secrection system. We identified σ70-dependent promoters driving constitutive expression of some flagellar genes including the regulators of flagellar number and positioning, FlhF and FlhG. Reduction of the constitutive expression levels resulted in emergence of hyperflagellation. Thus, basal expression and presence of flagellar proteins is required for proper flagellation, which adds a deeper layer to the regulation of flagellar synthesis and assembly.

Significance

The tier-based transcriptional regulation underlying bacterial flagella synthesis is – with certain variations – well-established in various species. Here we show that initiation and proceeding of flagellar synthesis can be simply based on the control of some key components and highly abundant building blocks. We further identified a ‚tier zero’, a set of constitutively produced flagellar regulators and building blocks, which is required, for example, to maintain the flagellar counter. We expect this not only to apply to our model species Shewanella, but also to other flagella regulation systems in bacteria.
TrEMOLO: Accurate transposable element allele frequency estimation using long-read sequencing data combining assembly and mapping-based approaches
Authors: Mohamed Mourdas , Sabot François , Varoqui Marion , Mugat Bruno , Audouin Katell , Pélisson Alain , Fiston-Lavier Anna-Sophie , Chambeyron Séverine
Published: July 2022

Transposable Element MOnitoring with LOng-reads (TrEMOLO) is a new software that combines assembly- and mapping-based approaches to robustly detect genetic elements called transposable elements (TEs). Using high- or low-quality genome assemblies, TrEMOLO can detect most TE insertions and deletions and estimate their allele frequency in populations. Benchmarking with simulated data revealed that TrEMOLO outperforms other state-of-the-art computational tools. TE detection and frequency estimation by TrEMOLO were validated using simulated and experimental datasets. Therefore, TrEMOLO is a comprehensive and suitable tool to accurately study TE dynamics. TrEMOLO is available under GNU GPL3.0 athttps://github.com/DrosophilaGenomeEvolution/TrEMOLO.
AGC Kinase Inhibitors Regulate STING Signaling Through SGK-Dependent and SGK-Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Cabrera Johnny Castillo , Dang Hong , Zhang Zhigang , Torres-Castillo Jose , Li Kelin , Liu Pengda , Aubé Jeff , Damania Blossom , Hagan Robert S. , Baldwin Albert S.
Published: July 2022

The STING signaling pathway is essential for the innate immune response to DNA viruses and bacteria and is important in tumor immunity. STING binding to cGAMP or to synthetic agonists leads to the activation of the kinase TBK1 which phosphorylates the transcription factor IRF3 which promotes expression of type 1 interferons such as IFNβ to block viral activity. Aberrant type 1 IFN expression is associated with human diseases including autoimmunity, HIV, and cancer. Here we identify N-[4-(1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyrazin-6-yl)-phenyl]-sulfonamide (Sanofi-14h), a compound with preference for inhibition of the AGC family kinase SGK3, as an inhibitor of IFNβ gene expression in response to STING stimulation of macrophages. Sanofi-14h abrogated SGK activity and also impaired activation of the critical TBK1/IRF3 pathway downstream of STING activation, notably blocking the ligand-induced interaction of STING with TBK1. Deletion of SGK1 and SGK3 in macrophages suppressed activation of IFNβ transcription but did not block TBK1/IRF3 activation downstream of STING. Gene and protein expression analysis revealed that deletion of SGK1/3 in a macrophage cell line decreases basal expression of critical transcription factors required for the innate immune response, such as IRF7 and STAT1. Additional studies reveal that other AGC kinase inhibitors block TBK1 and IRF3 activation suggesting common action on a critical regulatory node in the STING pathway. Thus, studies with Sanofi-14h have revealed both SGK-dependent and SGK-independent effects in the STING pathway and suggest a mechanism to alter type 1 IFN transcription through small molecule therapy.
Imputing abundances and inferring direction of associations between histone modifications using neural processes
Authors: Ganesan Ananthakrishnan , Dermadi Denis , Kalesinskas Laurynas , Donato Michele , Sowers Rosalie , Utz Paul J. , Khatri Purvesh
Published: July 2022

Histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs) play a vital role in the regulation of numerous cellular processes. However, systems level understanding of how HPTMs coordinate and interact with each other, and the direction of interactions remain unexplored due to lack of suitable technology. EpiTOF, a high-dimensional mass cytometrybased platform, measures HPTMs and histone variants across multiple immune cell sub-types at a single-cell resolution to enable the system-wide study of HPTMs. Large number of immune cells profiled using EpiTOF present an unprecedented opportunity to learn directional networks of HPTM associations. We developed a two-step computational framework to identify direction of association between two HPTMs. In the first step, we used linear regression (LR)-, k-nearest neighbors-(kNN), or Neural Processes (NP)-based to impute the abundance of HPTMs. In the second step, we developed an interpretation framework to infer direction of association between HPTMs at a system-level using mass cytometry data. We evaluated this framework using EpiTOF profiles of more than 55 million peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 158 healthy human subjects. NP models had consistently higher imputation accuracy than LR and kNN. The inferred networks recapitulated known HPTM associations and identified several novel ones. While almost all associations were conserved across all healthy individuals, in a cohort of healthy subjects, vaccinated with the trivalent inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine (TIV), we identified changes in associations between 6 pairs of HPTMs 30 days following vaccination, many of which have been shown to be functionally involved in innate memory. These results demonstrate utility of our framework in identifying causal interactions between HPTMs that can be further tested experimentally.
Islamic work ethics as a key engine of endogenous economic growth
Authors: Raies Asma
Published: July 2022

Purpose

God promised pious individuals who obey to His commandments, to increase their economic well-being. Although it is difficult to demonstrate with figures in hand this causality relationship, Muslims must believe in its existence and robustness at both the individual and collective levels, as it is argued in Qur'an and the Prophetic Narration. We aim in this paper to model this positive relationship between Islamic work ethics and economic growth and prove theoretically its existence.

Design/methodology/approach

We develop an endogenous growth model very close technically to Lucas–Uzawa model (1988) in which the human capital defined as the individual's skill level acquired through formal education and learning by doing is replaced by ethical capital (piety).

Findings

The model proves theoretically that Islamic ethics are a key engine of endogenous economic growth and that the underdevelopment of Muslim populations is due to their low ethical capital (lack of piety).

Practical implications

The study recommends some policies such as providing formal religious education at all educational levels (elementary, secondary and higher levels) and promoting ethical values such as piety, sincerity, transparency, etc., through media and cultural institutions. Also, managers could provide courses and training to their workers to teach them Islamic work ethics.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to mathematically model Islamic work ethics as endogenous phenomena in socioeconomic systems and study theoretically their contributions to economic growth.
Shaping the social orientation of academic entrepreneurship: an exploratory study
Authors: Roncancio-Marin Jason Jahir , Dentchev Nikolay A. , Guerrero Maribel , Diaz-Gonzalez Abel Alan
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Despite growing scholarly interest in academic entrepreneurship (AE) few studies have examined its non-commercial aspects and how it contributes to meeting grand societal challenges. One explanation for this may be the continuing focus of AE on intellectual property commercialization. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap by uncovering how universities can contribute to promoting non-commercial forms of AE.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the human capital theoretical lens to make its argument and applies it to data obtained from exploratory qualitative research (55 semi-structured interviews and nine focus groups) in the developing countries of Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador.

Findings

Universities can promote different forms of non-commercial AE even in the absence of sophisticated resources for innovation, through the stimulation of the specific human capital of the university community resulting from activities where they help others.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a general framework for advancing theory development in AE and its non-commercial forms, based on data obtained in uncharted territories for AE.
Financial sector development, anti-money laundering regulations and economic growth
Authors: Ofoeda Isaac , Agbloyor Elikplimi , Abor Joshua Yindenaba
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study examines the influence of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations on the financial development-economic growth nexus around the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from 165 countries spanning continents, income levels, and regulatory regimes from 2012 to 2018. The Prais–Winsten (1954) and Hansen (2000) panel threshold estimation approaches were used to assess the study's hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Financial development, according to the research, generally stimulates economic growth. However, the authors find evidence of AML regulations' threshold effect on the finance-growth connection, with the impact of finance on growth being positive below the threshold value. Above the threshold, however, the authors observe a negative influence. Further, the authors find that AML regulations have a considerable detrimental impact on the finance-growth nexus over the threshold for developed countries. However, the authors find a positive but insignificant effect of finance on growth below the AML regulations threshold for African countries, while finance positively impacts growth above the AML regulations threshold.

Practical implications

The findings of the study imply that countries must make conscious efforts to combat the incidence of money laundering by establishing policies to improve financial transparency and standards, promoting public sector transparency and accountability, reducing legal and political risk, and combating bribery and corruption.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature as it is the first attempt to examine the moderating role of AML regulations in the finance-growth nexus. Also, the study examines the threshold effect of how AML regulations impact the finance-growth nexus.
Message framing effects on sustainable consumer behaviour: a systematic review and future research directions for social marketing
Authors: Florence Emma Shaozhen , Fleischman David , Mulcahy Rory , Wynder Monte
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to provide a systematic review of the literature relating to message framing and its effectiveness in persuading consumers to adopt environmentally sustainable behaviour, which is a form of pro-social behaviour. Specifically, this paper focuses on three types of message framing: positive–negative, self–other and abstract–concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on a systematic review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework identifying 108 articles published relating to message framing and environmental sustainability between 2005 and 2020. Descriptive analysis of the data was undertaken in combination with a thematic approach.

Findings

The results demonstrate that single frames do not reliably increase sustainable consumer behaviour. Instead, the use of two message frames is more consistently effective. However, there is some disparity in relation to the combined effects of two message frames. The research also identifies that the use of three combined message frames is underexplored in the existing literature.

Research limitations/implications

Social marketing and consumer psychology researchers have explored many types of message framing. This study focuses on three common types. Also, the review is limited to valence framing. The authors recognise that visual aspects of message frames also determine the effectiveness of messaging. Another limitation is that only empirical studies published between 2005 and 2020 were reviewed.

Originality/value

Past review papers related to the impact of messaging on sustainable consumer behaviour either focus on one type of message framing, such as the positive–negative frame, or did not categorise message framing into different types. The current review focuses on three types of message framing that have been examined separately and in combination in the literature. Based on the findings, this study proposes a synthesised theoretical framework for future research.
When a sector-specific standard for non-financial reporting is not enough: evidence from microfinance institutions in Italy
Authors: Costa Ericka , Pesci Caterina , Andreaus Michele , Taufer Emanuele
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the application of the Italian Banking Association (ABI) industry-specific reporting standard in microfinance institutions by determining whether or not a banking sector reporting standard can enhance non-financial reporting (NFR) quality and volume to meet stakeholders’ information needs in the specific setting investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops an analysis of available ABI documents from 2006 to 2013 to conduct a content analysis of the quality and volume of the NFR of 98 Italian cooperative banks (CBs) during the 2008–2009 ABI implementation year. These data are analysed using two regression models to investigate the quality and volume of NFR disclosures.

Findings

The findings suggest that for CBs in the Italian banking sector, the information provided in the non-financial reports in adherence to the ABI sector reporting standard is relevant in terms of both volume and quality. However, when investigating specific categories of disclosure such as the community, the relevance of the ABI reporting standard is fairly low. The authors question the “one-size-fits-all” approach favouring a more sector-tailored approach to ensure that the NFR covers key sectoral concerns.

Practical implications

The high heterogeneity in the sector could negatively affect the capability of sector-specific standards to truly foster reliable, complete and extensive NFR. Therefore, NFR standard-setters, such as the International Sustainability Standards Board, should consider these heterogeneities.

Social implications

Reporting standardisation should be multi-voiced and include different – even contrasting – perspectives to promote expert and non-expert engagements.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on hybrid organisations and shows how the theoretical approach of dialogic accountability can improve the quality of sector-specific reporting standards.
A machine‐learning framework to estimate saturation changes from 4D seismic data using reservoir models
Authors: Maleki Masoud , Cirne Marcos , Schiozer Denis José , Davolio Alessandra , Rocha Anderson
Published: July 2022

Time‐lapse seismic (four‐dimensional seismic) data play a preeminent role in closed‐loop reservoir management by providing a full‐field image of dynamic reservoir behaviour during production. Nonetheless, the multidisciplinary nature of four‐dimensional closed‐loop approaches demands more quantitative and fast methods to integrate rock physics models, reservoir flow simulation models and four‐dimensional seismic analysis. In this work, we tackle this time‐consuming and expensive process and develop a data‐driven quantitative approach to leverage the inherent physics between four‐dimensional seismic and reservoir property changes. We propose an inversion flow method using machine learning strategies to estimate changes in reservoir properties directly from a fast‐derived four‐dimensional seismic attribute. This study was carried out in a Brazilian deep‐water field where production started in 2013 with 3 years of production and injection history. For this reservoir, the estimation of fluid saturation maps is a critical objective to assist engineers with data assimilation procedures. We also generated millions of training data samples using 200 simulation models from the field mentioned above (before history matching) to highlight the benefits of restricting training samples to proper fluid flow consistent combinations. Results demonstrate high prediction accuracy for the targeted reservoir property changes. Additionally, it provides insights for the detection of sweet spots and positioning of infill wells. We significantly simplify the four‐dimensional seismic integration process, allowing initial engagements of reservoir engineers with decision‐making processes and data assimilation applications.
Pazopanib restricts small cell lung cancer proliferation via reactive oxygen species‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Li Yue , Chen Chen , Liu Hai‐Lin , Li Chen‐Guang , Zhang Zhen‐Fa , Wang Chang‐Li
Published: July 2022

Background

Pazopanib is an approved multitarget anticancer agent for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is also under clinical investigation for other malignancies, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the potential anti‐SCLC mechanisms of pazopanib remain unclear.

Methods

Cell viability was evaluated by CCK‐8, apoptotic cell detection was conducted using annexin V/PI staining followed by flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis was used to detect the apoptotic‐related molecules and ER‐stress pathway effectors. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was determined by DCFH‐HA staining followed by flow cytometry. An NCI‐H446 xenograft model was established to evaluate pazopanib on tumor suppression in vivo. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess the proliferative activity of xenograft in NCI‐H446 cell‐bearing NOD‐SCID mice.

Results

Pazopanib dose‐ and time‐dependently inhibited SCLC cell proliferation induced significant apoptosis in SCLC cell lines, increased cleaved‐caspase3 and Bax, and decreased Bcl‐2. Moreover, the PERK‐related ER‐stress pathway was potently activated by pazopanib treatment, inhibiting ER‐stress by salubrinal significantly reversing pazopanib‐mediated apoptosis in SCLC cell lines. Furthermore, pazopanib‐induced intracellular ROS levels increased, while inhibiting ROS by NAC significantly reversed pazopanib‐induced apoptosis in SCLC cells. In addition, pazopanib significantly suppressed NCI‐H446 xenograft growth and decreased Ki67 positive cells in the tumor.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that pazopanib induces SCLC cell apoptosis through the ER‐stress process via upregulation of ROS levels. Further investigation of relevant biomarkers to accurately select patients for benefit from pazopanib should be further investigated.
A PNPLA8 frameshift variant in Australian shepherd dogs with hereditary ataxia
Authors: Abitbol Marie , Jagannathan Vidhya , Laurent Nelly , Noblet Eglantine , Dutil Guillaume F. , Troupel Thibaut , de Dufaure de Citres Caroline , Gache Vincent , Blot Stéphane , Escriou Catherine , Leeb Tosso
Published: July 2022

Hereditary ataxias are common among canine breeds with various molecular etiology. We identified a hereditary ataxia in young‐adult Australian Shepherd dogs characterized by uncoordinated movements and spasticity, worsening progressively and leading to inability to walk. Pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal recessive transmission. By whole genome sequencing and variant filtering of an affected dog we identified a PNPLA8:c.1169_1170dupTT variant. This variant, located in PNPLA8 (Patatin Like Phospholipase Domain Containing 8), was predicted to induce a PNPLA8:p.(His391PhefsTer394) frameshift, leading to a premature stop codon in the protein. The truncated protein was predicted to lack the functional patatin catalytic domain of PNPLA8, a calcium‐independent phospholipase. PNPLA8 is known to be essential for maintaining mitochondrial energy production through tailoring mitochondrial membrane lipid metabolism and composition. The Australian Shepherd ataxia shares molecular and clinical features with Weaver syndrome in cattle and the mitochondrial‐related neurodegeneration associated with PNPLA8 loss‐of‐function variants in humans. By genotyping a cohort of 85 control Australian Shepherd dogs sampled in France, we found a 4.7% carrier frequency. The PNPLA8:c.[1169_1170dupTT] allele is easily detectable with a genetic test to avoid at‐risk matings.
A striking presentation of pustular Sweet syndrome induced by trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole
Authors: Ryder C. Yoonhee , Matthews Natalie H. , Lowe Lori , Wang Frank
Published: July 2022

We describe a strikingly robust presentation of trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX)‐induced pustular Sweet syndrome and discuss how to distinguish it from iododerma and other neutrophil‐rich conditions. A review of the literature indicates that TMP‐SMX‐induced Sweet syndrome (SS) may have higher rates of neutrophilia and greater ocular, mucosal, and musculoskeletal involvement compared to SS from other drugs. Recognizing these features and identifying the offending agent are critical for correctly diagnosing TMP‐SMX‐induced SS in a timely manner.
Comparison of animal and human blood for in vitro dynamic thrombogenicity testing of biomaterials
Authors: Jamiolkowski Megan A. , Patel Mehulkumar , Golding Madelyn D. , Malinauskas Richard A. , Lu Qijin
Published: July 2022

Background

To determine suitable alternatives to human blood for in vitro dynamic thrombogenicity testing of biomaterials, four different animal blood sources (ovine, bovine, and porcine blood from live donors, and abattoir porcine blood) were compared to fresh human blood.

Methods

To account for blood coagulability differences between individual donors and species, each blood pool was heparinized to a donor‐specific concentration immediately before testing in a dynamic flow loop system. The target heparin level was established using a static thrombosis pre‐test. For dynamic testing, whole blood was recirculated at room temperature for 1 h at 200 ml/min through a flow loop containing a single test material. Four materials with varying thrombotic potentials were investigated: latex (positive control), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (negative control), silicone (intermediate thrombotic potential), and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) (historically thromboresistant). Thrombus weight and surface area coverage on the test materials were quantified, along with platelet count reduction in the blood.

Results

While donor‐specific heparin levels varied substantially from 0.6 U/ml to 7.0 U/ml among the different blood sources, each source was able to differentiate between the thrombogenic latex and the thromboresistant PTFE and HDPE materials (p < 0.05). However, only donor ovine and bovine blood were sensitive enough to differentiate an increased response for the intermediate thrombotic silicone material compared to PTFE and HDPE.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that multiple animal blood sources (particularly donor ovine and bovine blood) may be suitable alternatives to fresh human blood for dynamic thrombogenicity testing when appropriate control materials and donor‐specific anticoagulation levels are used.
Universal HBV vaccination dramatically reduces the prevalence of HBV infection and incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Hui Vicki Wing‐Ki , Yip Terry Cheuk‐Fung , Liang Lilian Yan , Zhang Xinrong , Tse Yee‐Kit , Lai Jimmy Che‐To , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun
Published: July 2022

Background

Universal vaccination of newborns with hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine is the most important strategy to prevent chronic HBV infection and its complications of which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as the deadliest.

Aims

To evaluate the impact of universal HBV vaccination on the prevalence of chronic HBV infection, and the incidences of HCC and hepatic events in young adults born before and after the introduction of the universal HBV vaccination programme in 1988 in Hong Kong

Methods

This was a territory‐wide retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive adult subjects born in 1970–2002 with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) checked. Subjects born during the vaccination era (1988–2002) were included in the vaccinated cohort; subjects born between 1970 and 1987 were included in the unvaccinated cohort.

Results

We included 695,925 subjects for HBV prevalence analysis. Chronic HBV infection dropped from 14.3% in subjects born in 1970, to 6.7% in subjects born in 1988. In total, 53,960 vaccinated and 318,290 unvaccinated subjects who had available clinical data were included for event analysis. HCC and hepatic events occurred in 44 (0.1%) and 75 (0.1%) of the vaccinated subjects and in 1305 (0.4%) and 1806 (0.6%) of the unvaccinated subjects, respectively. All incidence rates remained numerically lower in vaccinated subjects after adjustment for age, gender and antiviral treatment, but failed to reach statistical significance due to very low incidence rates.

Conclusions

Universal HBV vaccination markedly reduces the prevalence of chronic HBV infection and may contribute to the decreased incidences of HCC and hepatic events.
A prospective comparison of ACR‐TIRADS and EU‐TIRADS in thyroid nodule assessment for FNA‐US
Authors: Eidt Laura Berton , Nunes de Oliveira Cáren , Lagos Yago Borges Biz De , Solera Geise Lilian Menezes , Izquierdo Rogério , Meyer Erika Laurini de Souza , Mattevi Vanessa Suñé , Golbert Lenara
Published: July 2022

Objective

Prospective data on the accuracy of ultrasound (US) classification systems in thyroid nodules are still scarce. The aim of this study is to compare the accuracy of the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR‐TIRADS) and European (EU)‐TIRADS classification systems.

Design and Patients

Consecutive patients with one or more thyroid nodule(s) who underwent fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) under ultrasonographic guidance (FNA‐US) were prospectively evaluated.

Measurements

Clinical evaluation and US data were collected. The reference standard used for this study was FNA‐US cytology and histopathological diagnosis.

Results

A total of 186 thyroid nodules in 166 patients were evaluated, resulting in 168 nodules from 149 patients with conclusive benign or malignant results. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and false negative (FN) were 100.0%, 28.7%, 100.0% and 0.0%, respectively, for ACR‐TIRADS; and 90.0%, 19.1%, 96.8% and 9.1% (n = 1), respectively, for EU‐TIRADS. The number of unnecessary FNA‐US indicated by ACR‐TIRADS was lower than EU‐TIRADS (71.3% vs. 80.9%, p = .017), and the number of possibly avoided FNA‐US was higher (26.7% vs. 17.8%). Using the same threshold of ACR‐TIRADS to indicate FNA‐US in EU‐TIRADS 3 nodules (2.5 cm), there was an improvement in specificity (30.6%) and avoided FNA‐US (28.6%). The best performance of both systems was demonstrated when FNA‐US would be indicated only in highly suspicious nodules and/or in the presence of lymphadenopathy, with 85.7% and 89.3% of possibly avoided FNA‐US for ACR‐TIRADS and EU‐TIRADS, respectively, without increasing FN.

Conclusion

Both systems presented high sensitivity, but low specificity in selecting nodules for FNA‐US. The use of nodular size for FNA‐US selection is questioned.