bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Haplotype rather than single causal variants effects contribute to regulatory gene expression associations in human myeloid cells
Authors: Greenwood Emily , Cao Mingming , Lee Ciaran M. , Liu Aidi , Moyo Buhle , Bao Gang , Gibson Greg
Published: January 2025

Genome-wide association studies typically identify hundreds to thousands of loci, many of which harbor multiple independent peaks, each parsimoniously assumed to be due to the activity of a single causal variant. Fine-mapping of such variants has become a priority and since most associations are located within regulatory regions, it is also assumed that they colocalize with regulatory variants that influence the expression of nearby genes. Here we examine these assumptions by using a moderate throughput expression CROPseq protocol in which Cas9 nuclease is used to induce small insertions and deletions across the credible set of SNPs that may account for expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) for genes associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Of the 4,384 SNPs targeted in 88 loci (an average of 50 per locus), 439 were significant and further examined for validation. From these, 98 significantly altered target gene expression in HL-60 myeloid cell line, 74 in induced macrophages from these HL-60 cells, and 78 in induced neutrophils for a total of 201 validated effects (46%), 43 of which were observed in at least two of the cell types. Considering the observed sensitivity and specificity of the controls, we estimate that there are at least 150 true positives per cell type, an average of almost 2.4 for each of the 64 eQTL for which putative causal variants have been fine-mapped. This implies that haplotype effects are likely to explain many of the associations. We also demonstrate that the same approach can be used to investigate the activity of very rare variants in regulatory regions for 89 genes, providing a rapid strategy for establishing clinical relevance of non-coding mutations.
Analytical Ultracentrifugation as a Tool for Exploring COSAN Assemblies
Authors: Fakhouri Hussein , Mas Caroline , Le Roy Aline , Marchal Estelle , Pasquier Coralie , Diat Olivier , Bauduin Pierre , Ebel Christine
Published: January 2025

The self-assembly of the cobalta bis(dicarbollide) (COSAN) anionic boron clusters into micelles above a critical micelle concentration (cmc) of 10 - 20 mM and its behavior as “sticky nano-ions” facilitating controlled protein aggregation have been previously investigated using scattering techniques, particularly small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering. These techniques effectively provide average structural parameters but, when applied to colloidal systems, often rely on models assuming polydispersity or anisotropic shapes. Thus, complementary techniques are required to confirm or infirm the proposed analyses. Here, we employed sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation (SV-AUC), which offers the ability to resolve discrete species. We revisited two key questions: (1) the aggregation behavior of COSAN into micelles, a topic still under debate and due to its unconventional amphiphilic nature, and (2) the nature of the protein assemblies induced by COSAN, specifically their size/shape distribution and aggregation number. Our findings confirm the cmc of COSAN of 16 mM and reveal that COSAN micelles exhibit low aggregation numbers (8 in water and 14 in dilute salt), consistent with recent hypotheses. Furthermore, SV-AUC showed that COSAN promotes myoglobin aggregation into discrete oligomeric species with well-defined aggregation numbers, such as dimers, tetramers, and higher-order assemblies, depending on the COSAN-to-protein ratio. These results provide clarity on the discrete nature of COSAN micelle aggregation and protein assembly. This study highlights the complementary role of SV-AUC in understanding supramolecular assemblies, offering useful insights into the behavior of COSAN nano-ions and their interactions with biomacromolecules.
Multiomics analysis revealed anti-freezing mechanism ofStaphylococcus aureusin its anti-freezing strain
Authors: Youzhi Wu , Linjun Sun , Chunlei Shi , xianghuan Wu , Lingxia Jiao , Fuzhou Ye
Published: January 2025

Frozen food is currently a common food type. However, the presence ofStaphylococcus aureuscontamination caused serious challenge to frozen food safety. In this study, we explored the differences between sensitive strains and anti-freeze strains through multiomics analysis such as proteomics, phosphorylated proteomics, and metabolomics studies to understand the anti-freezing mechanism ofS. aureus. This study compared the proteomics, phosphorylated proteomics and metabolomic differences between anti-freeze strains and sensitive strains before and after freezing. pre- and post-freezing, antifreeze strains mainly responded to low temperatures by enhancing antioxidant capacity, energy metabolism and antibiotic synthesis before freezing, while after freezing, bacteria depended more on biofilm formation, nitrogen metabolism and amino acid metabolism to improve frost resistance and adaptability. Theketgene such assucDandcoaDin the energy metabolism and metabolic pathways,gapA1andtpiAin glucose metabolism and energy balance,asdandgndin the metabolic pathways of amino acid synthesis and protein synthesis,crtNin the context of protective mechanisms and stress response should be explored furthermore. In metabolomic research, the arginine synthesis pathway, biofilm formation pathway, Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporters and other metabolic pathways deserve special attention and research.

IMPORTANCE

This study highlights the importance of understanding the anti-freezing mechanisms of *Staphylococcus aureus* in frozen food safety. By analyzing proteomics, phosphorylated proteomics, and metabolomics, it identifies key pathways like energy metabolism, biofilm formation, and amino acid synthesis that enhance bacterial frost resistance, offering insights for improving food preservation and safety.
An experimental approach to understanding plastic leachate impacts on marine microorganisms
Authors: Maday S. D. M. , Handley K.M. , Northcott G. , Kingsbury J. M. , Smith D. , Pantos O. , Lear G.
Published: January 2025

Plastics in the world’s oceans are exposed to diverse environmental stressors that fragment them, accelerating the leaching of associated additives. The impact of potentially toxic plastic degradation products and additives on marine microorganisms remains poorly understood. We assessed the impact of plastic leachate on marine microbial communitiesin vitroby exposure to one of four plastic leachates (from linear low-density polyethylene [LLPDE], polyamide-6 [or polycaprolactam; PA6], polyethylene terephthalate [PET] and polylactic acid [PLA]), prepared by immersing plastics in artificial seawater salts broth for three months at 80 °C. Microbial communities were then exposed to different leachates, noting that lower concentrations of plastic additives leached from the more inert plastic types (LLDPE and PET), as determined by GC-MS. PLA-leachate exposed communities differed significantly in composition from other plastic-leachate-exposed communities (PERMANOVA,P=0.001) as assessed by 16S rRNA gene and ITS region amplicon sequencing. Communities exposed to PLA-leachate contained a higher proportion of Proteobacteria, specificallyHalomonasspp., previously reported to degrade LDPE and common plasticisers. Greater relative abundances of Psathyrellaceae fungi also distinguished these communities from those exposed to other plastic leachates. However, despite significant differences in the structure of communities exposed to PLA-leachate, we found no difference in the relative abundances of gene transcripts associated with plastic degradation. While biodegradable plastics such as PLA may persist for shorter times in the environment than more inert plastics, our study indicates greater consequences for marine microbial communities.
Knowledge dissemination and employee-based brand equity nexus: an inclusive marketing perspective
Authors: Gulzar Obaid , Malik Muhammad Imran , Nawaz Faisal , Shahid Osama Bin
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the relationship between internal knowledge dissemination and employee-based brand equity (EBBE) through the lens of inclusive marketing among university faculty members. The study also examines the role of employee absorptive capacity and brand knowledge as mediators.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 362 faculty members from Pakistani universities was considered for analysis using a quantitative study design. A questionnaire was used to measure the variables under study, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct and indirect relationships.

Findings

There exists a positive and significant relationship between internal knowledge dissemination and EBBE among faculty members. Moreover, it is noteworthy to highlight that employee absorptive capacity and brand knowledge play pivotal roles as mediators.

Practical implications

The research findings have significant implications for the universities. Universities can strengthen their EBBE by properly disseminating knowledge among faculty members, which in turn fosters a sense of belongingness toward them. By improving the absorptive capacity of faculty members, universities can better prepare them to contribute successfully to the university’s brand and image. Developing brand knowledge among faculty members can help in fostering a unified and coherent brand image that deeply resonates with stakeholders such as colleagues, students and the academic community as a whole. Furthermore, promoting an inclusive culture within the organization will emphasize diversity and equity in internal knowledge dissemination practices, thereby further enhancing EBBE.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the prevailing knowledge-base by exploring the role of internal knowledge dissemination in developing EBBE among university faculty members. The research not only enriches the understanding of brand management in universities but also provides practical guidelines for the expansion of effective branding initiatives. Moreover, this study adds value by examining the association between internal knowledge dissemination and EBBE from the perspective of inclusive marketing strategies. It highlights the significance of encouraging a culture of diversity, inclusion and equity within organizations, leading toward significant outcomes in terms of enhanced brand equity among employees.
Linked data adaptation and practice in libraries: an Indian panorama
Authors: Dutta Biswanath , Khamaru Nabina , JS Harikrishnan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to gauge library and information science (LIS) professionals’ awareness, readiness and preparedness to embrace linked data (LD) technologies, standards, techniques, and methodologies for integrating those within Indian libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey study uses a precisely crafted methodology, comprising three main phases and 10 steps, to delve into core research questions by mapping them to detailed survey questions section-wise.

Findings

The study reveals insights regarding the conception of LD technologies among Indian LIS professionals, their inclination toward its adaptation for enhanced library operations, and their level of preparedness for its successful integration into library services. Despite the lack of technical knowledge and confidence among professionals, they seem interested in this new technological advancement and are ready to train themselves. So, it offers a positive outlook for the future adaptation of LD in Indian libraries. Moreover, it adds value to the understanding of policymakers, government bodies, researchers and practitioners, for further magnifying the quality and reach of library activities within society.

Originality/value

As per the authors’ knowledge, this paper serves as the first research output in understanding LD adaptation in the Indian landscape. Though the National Library of Sweden showcases initiatives in implementing LD techniques in libraries, this study underscores a lack of similar endeavors within the Indian context.
Linguistic difficulties of health educational materials: a sub-national-level assessment and implications for adolescent health literacy in Ghana
Authors: Nkrumah Jacqueline , Abuosi Aaron Asibi , Yarney Lily , Baku Anita Asiowome Adzo
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The study aims to evaluate the readability, comprehensibility, and vocabulary knowledge of SRH educational materials available online and on paper to inform health educational material development for young adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sequential mixed-method design. Thirty-four online and one print adolescent sexual and reproductive health educational materials were assessed for readability. Two hundred and sixty-three adolescents aged 11–15 participated in the comprehension and vocabulary knowledge assessment of the online sexual and reproductive health texts. Comprehensibility was measured using a cloze test, and vocabulary knowledge was assessed based on a vocabulary knowledge passage. Data processing was performed using SPSS, version 26.0 and the online readability consensus calculator, version 1.0. We analyzed the data using readability algorithms, cross-tabulation and bar charts.

Findings

The results show higher readability levels for online SRH materials. Average Flesch reading ease scores range between 37.5% and 69.1%. Other average range indices were the Flesch Reading Grade Level (7–14), Gunning Fog Index (8.8–19), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (6.6–10.6) and Common-Lieu Index (7.5–11.5). Nearly 51% of participants in the comprehension assessment read at the instructional level. The Chi-square test for grade level differences shows a statistically significant (X2 = 11.349; p = 0.003) difference in comprehension between 7th and 8th graders. The participants also identified 29 words from the 1,048-word passage for assessing vocabulary knowledge as unfamiliar and difficult, and 14 as familiar but difficult to understand.

Originality/value

The study’s findings may inform the design of health educational materials and provide a basis for a national decision on the readability threshold of adolescent health information.
Does societal trust affect banking activity? European evidence
Authors: Gama Paulo M. , Sol Murta Fátima , Coelho Arnaldo
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper provides empirical evidence on the impact of societal trust in three dimensions of banking activity: the quantity and quality of credit granted by banks and their economic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a sample of 1,366 European banks from 36 countries between 2014 and 2020. In our estimations, we control for bank-specific and country-specific determinants of banking activity. Moreover, we perform several robustness tests, including estimation by instrumental variables and hierarchical linear methods, variable definitions, and subsamples.

Findings

Societal trust increases the weight of credit on the balance sheets of banks and decreases the weight of nonperforming loans and net interest margins. Moreover, the results suggest a smaller (higher) impact of trust on loans and net interest margins (nonperforming loans) in the European Monetary Union (EMU) countries. Also, on the importance of loans and net interest margins, our results suggest a substitution effect between trust and the credit-favorable nature of the legal environment.

Research limitations/implications

The symmetrical sign of the effect of societal trust on the importance of loans – positive – and nonperforming loans and net interest margins – negative – suggests that potential asymmetric information biases may be less severe or better accounted for by the credit risk evaluation in highly trustworthy environments. Also, bank managers should recognize risk factors related to trust levels and benefit from targeted risk mitigation measures and from implementing strategies aimed at enhancing profitability in different societal trust scenarios.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical evidence on the impact of societal trust on banking activity from the perspective of the lending activity, risk and performance of banks. It also analyses the effects of EMU membership and the credit-favorable nature of the legal environment.
An examination of financial vulnerability among the AAPI population in the United States
Authors: Kim Kyoung Tae , Lee Sunwoo Tessa
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study uses data from the National Financial Capability Study to examine the financial vulnerability of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults relative to that of other major racial/ethnic groups in the United States across the past decade and within the AAPI population, examining how vulnerability varied across AAPI adults of East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander heritage.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses four waves (2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021) of the State-by-State National Financial Capability Study (NFCS) and the 2021 NFCS AAPI Oversample dataset. Financial vulnerability was estimated using five binary indicators: (1) An inability to come up with $2,000, (2) An experience of overdraw, (3) A lack of emergency fund savings, (4) Difficulty paying bills and expenses, and (5) Credit card revolving. A financial vulnerability index was also created using the binary indicators. Logistic regression analyses were conducted on binary indicators and an OLS regression was additionally conducted on the aggregated financial vulnerability index.

Findings

Results show that, overall, AAPI respondents reported the lowest levels of financial vulnerability relative to White respondents, Black respondents, Hispanic respondents, and those of another race or ethnicity. However, using the 2021 datasets, we found that within the AAPI population, financial vulnerability varied widely by heritage, with those of East Asian heritage reporting less vulnerability than AAPI adults of other studied heritage groups.

Originality/value

These results provide insights into the financial well-being of AAPI households, particularly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and present initial evidence of the significant disparities that exist within this heterogenous community. This study provides valuable insights for researchers, educators, policymakers, and financial practitioners.
Anthropomorphic generative AI chatbots for enhancing customer engagement, experience and recommendation
Authors: Kumar Aman , Shankar Amit , Behl Abhishek , Chakraborty Debarun , Gundala Raghava R.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This research focuses on developing and testing a conceptual model that explores customer behavioural responses (engagement, experience and recommendation) towards generative artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled chatbots. It highlights the significant influence of anthropomorphic characteristics in enhancing perceptions of competence and warmth, further enhancing perceived authenticity. In addition, this study aims to investigate how the need for social interactions moderates these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a self-administered questionnaire distributed on Prolific Academic to gather data from 282 eligible participants worldwide. This study uses a structural equation modelling approach to answer the research questions.

Findings

The findings reveal that anthropomorphic characteristics of generative AI-enabled chatbots are positively associated with perceived competence. Moreover, the findings show that the perceived competence and warmth of generative AI-enabled chatbots are significantly associated with perceived authenticity. Furthermore, the results highlight that the perceived authenticity of generative AI-enabled chatbots is positively associated with customer engagement, experience and recommendation. Finally, the results illustrate that the impact of anthropomorphic characteristics on perceived warmth is significantly moderated by the need for social interaction.

Originality/value

This study enriches the generative AI literature and guides organizations in understanding consumer interactions for leveraging generative AI-enabled chatbots. Furthermore, this study contributes to the social response theory literature as this study investigates how user behavioural intentions towards generative AI-enabled chatbots are influenced by their perceived level of anthropomorphic characteristics.
Elucidating the role of team-managed social media in influencing sport fans’ purchase intention
Authors: Rai Jaskirat Singh , Cho Heetae , Singh Amanpreet , Itani Maher N.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study examined how the repeated information posted by sports teams on their social media pages influences the purchase intention of sports consumers. More specifically, the mere exposure effect was used to describe how relevant, valuable and credible social media posts affect sports consumers’ brand awareness, brand attitude and brand images as well as how these effects ultimately influence their purchase decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 458 respondents who use social media platforms to access sports team-related information were reached via purposive sampling. Confirmatory factor analysis and covariance-based structural equation modeling were conducted to evaluate measurement and path models. This study also attempted to detect whether there is an indirect effect of sponsor brand awareness on the purchase intention of sports consumers.

Findings

The relevance, value and credibility of social media information significantly and positively affected sponsor brand awareness among the respondents. Such awareness favorably influenced their attitude and perceptions toward sponsor brands. This awareness also indirectly influenced their purchase intention through brand image as a mediator. As well, brand image strongly and directly affected purchase intention.

Originality/value

By identifying the importance of sports team information posted on social media platforms, this study guide sports teams and sponsors in crafting high-quality social media content that enhances brand awareness, brand image and positively shapes consumer attitudes, ultimately driving purchase intention.
Does seasonal variation in the corticosterone response affect the nutritional ecology of a free‐ranging lizard?
Authors: Banerjee Avik , Fahis K. T. , Joshi Mihir , Raubenheimer David , Thaker Maria
Published: January 2025

Challenging events in the environment that are both predictable (e.g. seasonal patterns in breeding activities) and unpredictable (e.g. predator encounter) are known to induce a glucocorticoid response that facilitates metabolic requirements during the challenge.

Given its role in mobilizing energy, glucocorticoid levels can influence the nutritional ecology of an individual by shifting dietary intake or retention patterns, but this relationship has not been tested in free‐ranging vertebrates.

Using a tropical lizard species (Psammophilus dorsalis) as a model system, we tested whether the elemental composition of dietary intake and excretion (faecal samples) varies with stress‐induced corticosterone levels in males and females across different seasons. From free‐ranging lizards in the wild, we measured levels of stress‐induced corticosterone and glucose in blood and determined diet composition from gut‐flushing. Elemental composition of the diet was determined by analysing the carbon and nitrogen content of identified prey Orders caught from the wild. We also collected faecal samples and estimated their elemental composition.

We found that stress‐induced corticosterone levels varied across seasons, with the lowest levels during the breeding season for both males and females. Despite high variation in corticosterone responsiveness, lizards did not shift the elemental composition of their diets and maintained an intake carbon:nitrogen ratio of 4.56. We did, however, find a negative correlation between stress‐induced corticosterone levels and faecal elemental composition, suggesting selective retention of both carbon and nitrogen in individuals that have higher corticosterone responsiveness.

This study highlights the interplay between corticosterone responsiveness and nutritional ecology, challenging the existing links in literature and illustrating how free‐ranging animals, such as lizards, adjust the elemental composition of excretion and not dietary intakes as a potential strategy to modulate natural physiological and ecological challenges.
‘FARE MONEY’ STORIES: Transportation and everyday practices in the peripheries of Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Campos Marcos L.
Published: January 2025

This article contributes to ongoing debates on Southern urbanisms by arguing that taking money seriously—as a practical, moral and material issue and as an integral part of the production of infrastructures—can offer us new insights into the urban experience among the racialized poor in the peripheries of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Using an ethnographic methodology, I explore ‘fare money’ stories shared by poor black poets, revealing the ways they invent new socialities—ways of living and being—and reshape everyday formations of urban collective lives. I argue that the experience of obtaining transportation tickets among the racialized poor is necessarily a collective one. In their case, transportation usages are anything but stable or uniform. They involve transitory negotiations and calculated mobilization of relations, the conversion of money, moralities, timing and knowledge of infrastructural spatialities. Moreover, everyday practices to enact fare money engender values and order, positioning it as a materiality that mediates between the legal, illegal, formal and informal, all of which are intertwined in the production of infrastructures. This analysis reveals the quality of an urban experience that is persistently precarious, multifaceted and unstable.
The Double Erosion of Liberal Citizenship: Economization and Moralization
Authors: Joppke Christian
Published: January 2025

Contemporary liberal state citizenship is hollowed‐out from two sides simultaneously. One is economization: it foregrounds the capacity to “contribute” and to be self‐providing as criterion for naturalization, and it shows the imprint of neoliberalism as political‐ordering and subject‐forming principle. The other is moralization: it asks certain applicants for citizenship not just for observing the law but internalizing and identifying with its underlying values, and it occurs in a context of allegedly failing Muslim immigration, particularly in Western Europe. Both tendencies challenge foundational elements of liberal citizenship: the notion, central to social liberalism since John Stuart Mill, that society is non‐contractual and a community of fate, with respect to economization; and the Kantian distinction between morality and legality, or between belief and conduct, with respect to moralization. I illustrate both trends with recent citizenship reforms in Western Europe, with a focus on Germany, Britain, France, and Switzerland.
Adverse events and paramedic interventions during extended ground transport in a rural pharmaco‐invasive STEMI program
Authors: Faddy Steven C , Edwards Sarah , Luscombe Georgina , Ryan Estelle , Arnold Ruth
Published: January 2025

Objective

Although guidelines recommend angiography and coronary intervention occur within 24 h of thrombolysis when percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not available within 120 min, this target is difficult to achieve in rural and remote areas of New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Methods

In this is secondary analysis we examine the impact of extending the existing 90‐min road transport limit for patients in rural and remote areas of western NSW who have received initial treatment for ST‐elevation myocardial infarction.

Results

The patient cohort consisted of 86 patients who were transported by road ambulance with transport times more than 90 min. Adverse events occurred in 20% of patient transports and rates were similar in patients transported directly from the scene or from a community hospital. The most common adverse events were hypotension and bradycardia. There was one cardiac arrest, four minor bleeding events and no major bleeding events. The main treatments provided were morphine analgesia, nitrates and anti‐emetic medications.

Conclusions

The primary study showed a significant reduction in time from first clinical contact to arrival at the PCI hospital. In this secondary analysis, we demonstrate that the rate of adverse events during long‐distance road transport is low, the adverse events are mostly minor in nature and are within the scope of paramedic practice to manage.
Regulating Grand Challenges: The Evolution of Human Resource Managers' Framing of the UK Gender Pay Gap Regulations
Authors: Walsh Janet
Published: January 2025

It has been argued that the absence of research into how HR practitioners interact with the legal context is an important omission in HRM scholarship. Drawing on longitudinal interview data, this paper addresses this research gap by examining how HR managers frame a new legal mandate, namely the gender pay gap regulations, and how those frames evolve over time. The study finds that HR managers seek to make sense of the regulations through a diagnostic frame of organisational risk composed of three elements, namely uncertainty, ambiguity, and opportunity cost. Two types of prognostic frame are also invoked to understand the regulations, firstly as a risk to be mitigated through normalisation, neutralisation, and disassociation, and secondly, as an opportunity to be leveraged as an impetus for change and an enhancer of HR's influence. The study sheds light on the factors that affect the nature and evolution of frames, including the extent of stakeholder interest and internal engagement.
Extended‐release pharmacotherapies for substance use disorders in incarcerated populations: A systematic review
Authors: Woods Amelia , Foley Catherine , Conigrave Katherine M. , Asare‐Doku Winifred , Shakeshaft Anthony , Settumba‐Stolk Stella , Farrell Michael , Doyle Michael
Published: January 2025

Background and aims

Substance use (SU) is prevalent among individuals in the criminal justice system (CJS). However, there is often poor access to treatment. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of two medications, extended‐release naltrexone (XR‐NTX) and extended‐release buprenorphine (XR‐BUP) for the prison population.

Methods

We searched Scopus, OVID/Embase, PubMed/Medline, ProQuest, EBSCO, Cochrane Library and Australian Criminology Database for original articles published from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2022. Inclusion criteria: 18+, substance use disorder; XR treatment; recent incarceration. We extracted study, participants, treatment characteristics and outcome variables. We conducted risk of bias assessments using the RoB‐2, ROBINS‐I, JBI tools and Evers et al.

Results

We identified 25 papers (16 studies) examining 3403 participants. Sixteen papers (9 studies) focused on XR‐NTX, eight (7 studies) on XR‐BUP and one on both. Eighteen papers (11 studies) were from the US, with the remainder from Norway, Australia, UK, Canada and Germany. There were eight RCTs (10 papers), four secondary observational analyses, four cohort studies, four economic analyses, two case series and one qualitative paper. Most studies had small–moderate samples, with varying retention and follow‐up periods. Among RCTs, two XR‐NTX studies for opioid use found no difference in retention vs treatment as usual and placebo, while one reported improved retention for XR‐NTX implant vs methadone. One RCT showed mixed retention results for XR‐NTX vs placebo in alcohol use. One XR‐BUP study showed improved or equivalent treatment retention (depending on measures) vs sublingual buprenorphine. There was no difference in overdoses. SU for XR‐NTX was challenging to assess due to differing definitions, measures and comparators. XR‐BUP yielded mixed SU results, with one indicating a greater effect and another no difference from comparators.

Conclusions

There is no clear evidence for the effectiveness of extended release naltrexone and buprenorphine among individuals in the criminal justice system compared with shorter acting formulations. But there is growing evidence for the effectiveness of extended release buprenorphine in reducing opioid use and improving treatment retention in that population, with potential cost offsets from initial medication expenses.
Genome‐wide study suggests inheritance of personality traits in Toy Poodles and Miniature Dachshunds
Authors: Zemmoto Chika , Matsumoto Yuki , Arahori Minori , Inoue‐Murayama Miho
Published: January 2025

Domestic dogs exhibit significant diversity in both morphology and personality. Recent studies focusing on large‐breed dogs reported the contribution of genetic factors to personality. However, the genetic influence in small‐breed dogs remains unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the personality of two small‐breed dogs using a questionnaire and genome‐wide single‐nucleotide polymorphism data obtained from 301 Toy Poodles and 183 Miniature Dachshunds using the Illumina CanineHD 230K SNP BeadChip. The factor analysis conducted on a questionnaire consisting of 39 items identified seven factors. Among the seven personality factors, ‘activeness’ in Toy Poodles and ‘human‐directed sociability’ in Miniature Dachshunds had an estimated heritability of 0.425 (SE = 0.311) and 0.514 (SE = 0.355), respectively. In addition, genome‐wide association study suggested that two genomic regions possibly affect personality. The dog breeds focused on in this study are most popular in Japan, thus their information is in high demand.
Visualising an undergraduate geography field class using generative AI: Intent, expectations and surprises about the racial depiction of students
Authors: Day Terence , Esson James
Published: January 2025

This commentary reflects on an attempt to use ChatGPT to generate an image for a geography textbook. We explore why the image that was produced provoked surprise and intrigue and think through how our reactions revealed ingrained assumptions about educational spaces. Our discussion highlights the importance of intentionality in prompt design and offers a reminder of how seemingly neutral prompts can reproduce dominant narratives. We conclude by proposing that as generative AI becomes more prevalent in geography education, this take‐up needs to critically engage with the ethical and societal implications of AI use so we can actively challenge ourselves as well as the technology.
In Vivo Investigation of the Effects of Nonylphenol on the Pituitary–Adrenal Axis and Pineal Gland in Male Rats
Authors: İnkaya E. N. , Tokgöz E. , Barlas N.
Published: January 2025

The pineal gland secretes melatonin, which regulates various physiological processes; damage to this gland disrupts these functions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of nonylphenol on the pineal gland and the pituitary–adrenal axis, which is associated with this system. The study was initiated using Wistar albino male rats on their postnatal 21st day, a critical developmental stage for endocrine regulation. Nonylphenol was administered via oral gavage at doses of 5, 25 and 125 mg/kg/day, while bisphenol‐A was given at 50 mg/kg/day as a positive control. At the end of the treatment period, liver, kidney, pituitary, pineal and adrenal tissues were examined histopathologically. Hormone levels were analysed in serum samples. Significant changes in adrenocorticotropic hormone, melatonin and aldosterone levels were detected in hormone analyses. In contrast, no differences in corticosterone and glucose levels were detected. Histopathological findings showed structural changes in tissues. The effects of nonylphenol on the pituitary–adrenal axis and melatonin vary depending on the experimental protocols employed. However, it is clear that nonylphenol and bisphenol A have negative effects on the pituitary–adrenal axis, pineal gland, liver and kidney. In conclusion, future research should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects and developing environmentally friendly strategies to eliminate nonylphenol and bisphenol‐A contamination.
Neurobiological Mechanisms Link Bipolar Disorder to Cardiovascular Disease: A Retrospective Biobank Study of Adverse Event Risk and Contributory Mechanisms
Authors: Baek Ji Hyun , Grewal Simran S. , Karam Krystel Abi , Hanlon Erin R. , Abohashem Shady , Seligowski Antonia V. , Henry Michael , Osborne Michael T. , Nierenberg Andrew A. , Tawakol Ahmed
Published: January 2025

Objective

Individuals with bipolar disorder are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain poorly understood. This study aimed to (1) determine the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after adjusting for important confounders and (2) evaluate the neural, autonomic, and immune mechanisms underlying the link between bipolar disorder and cardiovascular disease.

Methods

Leveraging the Mass General Brigham Biobank, bipolar disorder and incident MACE were identified using the International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes. Incident MACE events were assessed from enrollment to the date of data lock (December 2020); or to the 10‐year period. Health behavior data were derived from optional surveys. Cox regression hazard models were applied.

Results

Of 118,827 Biobank participants, 6009 were diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Those with bipolar disorder (vs. without) demonstrated a higher risk of MACE after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.29 [1.10–1.51], p = 0.002). The relationship remained significant over 10 years after adjustment for unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (1.29 [1.03, 1.61], p = 0.025). Furthermore, SNA, autonomic nervous system, and inflammatory markers each significantly associated with both bipolar disorder and MACE risk. Each of these measures mediated the association between bipolar disorder and MACE (accounting for 3.8%–17.8% of the relationship).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that bipolar disorder associates with heightened cardiovascular risk, even after accounting for cardiovascular risk. Moreover, the findings suggest that neurobiological pathways and perturbations in autonomic and inflammatory pathways may confer cardiovascular risk in bipolar disorder.
Sustainable Economic Growth in an Economy With Exhaustible Resources and a Declining Population Under the Balance‐of‐Payments Constraint
Authors: Sasaki Hiroaki , Fukatani Noriki , Imai Daisuke , Kamanaka Yusuke
Published: January 2025

This study builds a growth model and investigates the effects of resource depletion and population increases or decreases on the growth rate of per‐capita consumption in an open economy that trades with the rest of the world. We examine the two cases in which the input ratio of exhaustible resources is fixed or is determined endogenously. In both cases, depending on the conditions, the long‐run growth rate of per‐capita consumption can be positive, irrespective of whether the population growth rate is positive or negative.
Osteology of the appendicular skeleton of Bagualia alba (Dinosauria, Eusauropoda) from the Lower Jurassic of Patagonia and the macroevolutionary history of early eusauropods
Authors: Gomez Kevin L. , Pol Diego , Ezcurra Martín D. , Carballido José L.
Published: January 2025

Since their origin, sauropodomorphs have undergone numerous anatomical changes from small and bipedal early sauropodomorphs towards massive‐bodied and quadrupedal sauropods. However, the timing of these changes in the evolution of the group is unclear. Here, we describe the appendicular skeleton of the early diverging eusauropod Bagualia alba from the late Early Jurassic of Patagonia, Argentina, and conduct a morphological disparity analysis based on a phylogenetic dataset of Sauropoda. The results reveal a change in morphospace occupation between the pre‐Toarcian and Toarcian–Middle Jurassic sauropodomorphs and between the latter and Late Jurassic forms. The first shift corresponds with the extinction of non‐sauropodan sauropodomorphs and the diversification of sauropods, while the second corresponds with the diversification of Neosauropoda and closely related eusauropods (mamenchisaurids, turiasaurians) in the Late Jurassic, leading to a substantial shift and increase in morphological disparity. Finally, we found that body mass is significantly correlated with the first principal coordinate axis of the morphospace in two‐thirds of a random sample of optimal trees, which suggests that body size played a role in shaping the evolution of sauropod morphology. In this context, Bagualia provides insights into the evolution of Sauropoda, particularly regarding changes that occurred during the Early to Middle Jurassic.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty – Current status and future perspectives
Authors: Ng Stephen Ka‐Kei , Teoh Anthony Yuen‐Bun
Published: January 2025

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and present significant health‐care burdens for individuals and health‐care systems. Bariatric endoscopy is an evolving field known for benefits including being minimally invasive, reversible, and organ preserving, providing a promising alternative to traditional bariatric surgery. Various endoscopic procedures targeting on the stomach and small bowel have been developed. Amongst all, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is shown to be more effective, durable, and safe. It utilizes endoscopic suturing device to perform full‐thickness plication of gastric wall, thereby restricting stomach volume and altering gastric mobility to induce satiety. Its application was recently addressed by the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases (IFSO) and the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO). This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of ESG and discusses potential future developments.
Small fiber neuropathy in the post‐COVID condition and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical significance and diagnostic challenges
Authors: Azcue Naiara , Teijeira‐Portas Sara , Tijero‐Merino Beatriz , Acera Marian , Fernández‐Valle Tamara , Ayala Unai , Barrenechea Maitane , Murueta‐Goyena Ane , Lafuente Jose Vicente , de Munain Adolfo Lopez , Ruiz‐Irastorza Guillermo , Martín‐Iglesias Daniel , Gabilondo Iñigo , Gómez‐Esteban Juan Carlos , Del Pino Rocio
Published: January 2025

Background

Patients with post‐COVID condition (PCC) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) experience symptoms potentially associated with small fiber neuropathy (SFN).

Methods

A sample of 90 participants, comprising 30 PCC patients, 30 ME/CFS patients, and 30 healthy controls (HC), matched by sex and age, was assessed. Neuropathic, autonomic, and fatigue symptoms were measured with TaskForce Monitor, the Sudoscan, heat and cold evoked potentials, In Vivo Corneal Confocal Microscopy (IVCCM), and specialized questionaries.

Results

PCC and ME/CFS patients demonstrated significantly higher levels of autonomic symptoms (H = 39.89, p < 0.001), neuropathic symptoms (H = 48.94, p < 0.001), and fatigue (H = 49.29, p < 0.001) compared to HC. Quantitative sensory testing revealed significant differences in heat detection thresholds between PCC patients and HC (F = 4.82; p < 0.01). Regarding corneal small fiber tortuosity, there were statistically significant differences between patients and HC (F = 6.80; p < 0.01), indicating pathological responses in patients. Small fiber tortuosity in IVCCM was identified as the main discriminator between patients and HC (AUC = 0.720; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

PCC and ME/CFS patients demonstrated sensory SFN, as evidenced by impaired heat detection and increased tortuosity of small fibers in the central corneal subbasal plexus. The findings underscore the importance of a multimodal approach to comprehensively detect and characterize SFN. This study provides valuable scientific insights into the neuropathic manifestations associated with these conditions.
Early intensive therapy versus escalation strategy in French Caribbean multiple sclerosis cohort
Authors: David Thomas , Lobjois Quentin , Tressières Benoit , Signaté Aissatou , Lannuzel Annie , Cabre Philippe , Chaumont Hugo
Published: January 2025

Background

Data on Escalation Therapy versus Early Intensive Therapy (EIT) Strategy in multiple sclerosis (MS) are lacking, particularly in Afro‐Caribbean cases, known for their severity.

Objectives

To assess efficacy and safety of these strategies in a predominantly Afro‐Caribbean relapsing–remitting MS population.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study of 195 MS patients, including 66 on EIT, with ≥2 years follow‐up. Primary outcome: Kaplan–Meier curves and log‐rank test were used to assess irreversible progression to EDSS scores of 3, 6, and 8. Secondary outcomes: change in EDSS score, risk factors for EDSS progression, and severe adverse effects.

Results

EIT showed slower EDSS 3 progression than Escalation (median survival 13.5 vs. 9.8 years, p = 0.024). After a median follow‐up of 8 years, 89.5% on EIT remained free from EDSS 3 versus 63.8% on Escalation. Univariate analysis linked Escalation (hazard ratio (HR; 95% CI): 2.42 [1.09–5.34]), age at first relapse (HR: 1.04 [1.01–1.06]), incomplete symptom regression (HR: 1.69 [1.02–2.77]), and EDSS 3 progression. EDSS stabilized or decreased with EIT but worsened with Escalation (p < 0.001). Safety profiles were similar.

Conclusions

EIT extends median time to irreversible EDSS 3 in Afro‐Caribbean individuals compared to Escalation, supporting its preference as initial treatment.
Diel modulation of perireceptor activity influences olfactory sensitivity in diurnal and nocturnal mosquitoes
Authors: Das De Tanwee , Pelletier Julien , Gupta Satyajeet , Kona Madhavinadha Prasad , Singh Om P. , Dixit Rajnikant , Ignell Rickard , Karmodiya Krishanpal
Published: January 2025

Olfaction and diel‐circadian rhythm regulate different behaviors, including host‐seeking, feeding, and locomotion, in mosquitoes that are important for their capacity to transmit disease. Diel‐rhythmic changes of the odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) in olfactory organs are primarily accountable for olfactory rhythmicity. To better understand the molecular rhythm regulating nocturnal and diurnal behaviors in mosquitoes, we performed a comparative RNA‐sequencing study of the peripheral olfactory and brain tissues of female Anopheles culicifacies and Aedes aegypti. Data analysis revealed a significant upregulation of genes encoding: OBPs and xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzymes including Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) during photophase in Aedes aegypti and the dusk‐transition phase in Anopheles culicifacies, hypothesizing their possible function in the regulation of perireceptor events and olfactory sensitivity. RNA interference studies and application of CYP450 inhibitors, coupled with electroantennographic recordings with Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti, established that CYP450 plays a role in odorant detection and antennal sensitivity. Furthermore, brain tissue transcriptome and RNAi‐mediated knockdown revealed that daily temporal modulation of neuronal serine proteases may have a crucial function in olfactory signal transmission, thereby affecting olfactory sensitivity. These findings provide a rationale to further explore the species‐specific rhythmic expression pattern of the neuro‐olfactory encoded molecular factors, which could pave the way to develop and implement successful mosquito control methods.