bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lhx2 in germ cells suppresses endothelial cell migration in the developing ovary
Authors: Singh Neha , Singh Domdatt , Bhide Anshul , Sharma Richa , Sahoo Sarthak , Jolly Mohit Kumar , Modi Deepak
Published: March 2022

LIM-homeobox genes play multiple roles in developmental processes, but their roles in gonad development are not completely understood. Herein, we report that Lhx2, Ils2, Lmx1a, and Lmx1b are expressed in a sexually dimorphic manner in mouse, rat, and human gonads during sex determination. Amongst these, Lhx2 has female biased expression in the developing gonads of species with environmental and genetic modes of sex determination. Single-cell RNAseq analysis revealed that Lhx2 is exclusively expressed in the germ cells of the developing mouse ovaries. To elucidate the roles of Lhx2 in the germ cells, we analyzed the phenotypes of Lhx2 knockout XX gonads. While the gonads developed appropriately in Lhx2 knockout mice and the somatic cells were correctly specified in the developing ovaries, transcriptome analysis revealed enrichment of genes in the angiogenesis pathway. There was an elevated expression of several pro-angiogenic factors in the Lhx2 knockout ovaries. The elevated expression of pro-angiogenic factors was associated with an increase in numbers of endothelial cells in the Lhx2-/-ovaries at E13.5. Gonad recombination assays revealed that the increased numbers of endothelial cells in the XX gonads in absence of Lhx2 was due to ectopic migration of endothelial cells in a cell non-autonomous manner. We also found that, there was increased expression of several endothelial cell-enriched male-biased genes in Lhx2 knockout ovaries. Also, in absence of Lhx2, the migrated endothelial cells formed an angiogenic network similar to that of the wild type testis, although the coelomic blood vessel did not form. Together, our results suggest that Lhx2 in the germ cells is required to suppress vascularization in the developing ovary. These results suggest a need to explore the roles of germ cells in the control of vascularization in developing gonads.

Abstract Figure

Highlight

Multiple LIM-HD genes are expressed in developing gonads during the window of sex determination with Lhx2 having female dominating expression in an evolutionarily conserved manner

Lhx2 is expressed in the germ cells of developing mouse ovaries

Loss of Lhx2 in the developing ovaries alters the expression of genes involved in various pathways including angiogenesis

Lhx2 in germ cells suppress endothelial cell migration in the developing ovaries
Promising Antimalarials targeting Apicoplast DNA Polymerase from Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Chheda Pratik R. , Nieto Nicholas , Kaur Supreet , Beck John M. , Beck Josh R. , Honzatko Richard , Kerns Robert J. , Nelson Scott W.
Published: March 2022

Malaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which contains an essential non-photosynthetic plastid called the apicoplast. A single DNA polymerase, apPOL, is targeted to the apicoplast, where it replicates and repairs the genome. apPOL has no direct orthologs in mammals and is considered a promising drug target for the treatment and/or prevention of malaria. We previously reported screening the Malaria Box to identify MMV666123 as an inhibitor of apPOL. Herein we extend our studies and report structure-activity relationships for MMV666123 and identify key structural motifs necessary for inhibition. Although attempts to crystallize apPOL with the inhibitor were not fruitful, kinetic analysis and crystal structure determinations of WT and mutant apo-enzymes, facilitated model building and provided insights into the putative inhibitor binding site. Our results validate apPOL as an antimalarial target and provide an avenue for the design of high potency, specific inhibitors of apPOL and other A-family DNA polymerases.
Canine saliva is a source of interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer
Authors: Tóth Adrienn Gréta , Tóth Imre , Rózsa Bernadett , Kovács Eszter Gabriella , Dubecz Attila , Patai Árpád V. , Németh Tibor , Kaplan Selçuk , Makrai László , Solymosi Norbert
Published: March 2022

While the One Health issues of intensive animal farming are commonly discussed, keeping companion animals is less associated with the interspecies headway of antimicrobial resistance. With the constant advance of veterinary standards, antibiotics are regularly applied in companion animal medicine. Due to the close coexsistance of dogs and humans, dog bites and other casual encounters with dog saliva (e.g. licking the owner) are common. According to our metagenome studies based on 26 new generation sequencing canine saliva datasets from 2020 and 2021 reposited in NCBI SRA by The 10,000 Dog Genome Consortium and the Broad Institute within Darwin’s Ark project, canine saliva is rich in bacteria with predictably transferable antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). In the genom of potentially pathogenic Bacteroides, Capnocytophaga, Corynebacterium, Fusobacterium, Pasteurella, Porphyromonas, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species, that are some of the most relevant bacteria in dog bite infections, ARGs against aminoglycosides, carbapenems, cephalosporins, glycylcyclines, lincosamides, macrolides, oxazolidinone, penams, phenicols, pleuromutilins, streptogramins, sulfonamides and tetracyclines could be identfied. Several ARGs, including ones against amoxicillin-clavulanate, the most commonly applied antibiotic by dog bites, was predicted to be potentially transferable based on their association with mobile genetic elements (e.g. plasmids, phages, integrated mobile genetic elements). According to our findings canine saliva may be a source of transfer of ARG-rich bacteria, that can either colonize the human body or transport ARGs to the host bacteriota and thus can be considered as a risk in the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Heterotrimeric G proteins regulate planarian regeneration and behavior
Authors: Jenkins Jennifer E. , Roberts-Galbraith Rachel H.
Published: March 2022

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play broad roles in development and stem cell biology, but few roles for GPCR signaling in complex tissue regeneration have been uncovered. Planarian flatworms robustly regenerate all tissues and provide a model with which to explore potential functions for GPCR signaling in somatic regeneration and pluripotent stem cell biology. As a first step toward exploring GPCR function in planarians, we investigated downstream signal transducers that work with GPCRs, called heterotrimeric G proteins. Here, we characterized the complete heterotrimeric G protein complement in Schmidtea mediterranea for the first time and found that seven heterotrimeric G protein subunits promote regeneration. We further characterized two subunits critical for regeneration, Gαq1 and Gβ1-4a, finding that they promote the late phase of anterior polarity re-establishment, likely through anterior pole-produced Follistatin. Incidentally, we also found that five heterotrimeric G proteins modulate planarian behavior. We further identified a putative serotonin receptor, gcr052, that we propose works with Gβx2 in planarian locomotion, demonstrating the utility of our strategy for identifying relevant GPCRs. Our work provides foundational insight into roles of heterotrimeric G proteins in planarian biology and serves as a useful springboard towards broadening our understanding of GPCR signaling in adult tissue regeneration.
A hypomorphic mutation in Pold1 disrupts the coordination of embryo size expansion and morphogenesis during gastrulation
Authors: Chen Tingxu , Alcorn Heather , Devbhandari Sujan , Remus Dirk , Lacy Elizabeth , Huangfu Danwei , Anderson Kathryn V.
Published: March 2022

Formation of a properly sized and patterned embryo during gastrulation requires a well-coordinated interplay between cell proliferation, lineage specification and tissue morphogenesis. Following transient physical or pharmacological manipulations, pre-gastrulation stage mouse embryos show remarkable plasticity to recover and resume normal development. However, it remains unclear how mechanisms driving lineage specification and morphogenesis respond to defects in cell proliferation during and after gastrulation. Null mutations in DNA replication or cell-cycle related genes frequently lead to cell cycle arrest and reduced cell proliferation, resulting in developmental arrest before the onset of gastrulation; such early lethality precludes studies aiming to determine the impact of cell proliferation on lineage specification and morphogenesis during gastrulation. From an unbiased ENU mutagenesis screen, we discovered a mouse mutant, tiny siren (tyrn), that carries a hypomorphic mutation producing an aspartate to tyrosine (D939Y) substitution in Pold1, the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase δ. Impaired cell proliferation in the tyrn mutant leaves anterior-posterior patterning unperturbed during gastrulation but results in an overall reduction in embryo size and in severe morphogenetic defects. Our analyses show that the successful execution of morphogenetic events during gastrulation requires that lineage specification and the ordered production of differentiated cell types occur in concordance with embryonic growth.

Summary statement

Pold1 hypomorphic mutation caused reduced size and abnormal morphology of gastrulating mouse embryos, supporting the importance of coordinated embryo size, lineage specification and tissue morphogenesis for normal embryogenesis.
Simultaneous dual recordings from vestibular hair cells and their calyx afferents demonstrate multiple modes of transmission at these specialized endings
Authors: Contini Donatella , Holstein Gay R. , Art Jonathan J.
Published: March 2022

In the vestibular periphery, transmission via conventional synaptic boutons is supplemented by postsynaptic calyceal endings surrounding Type I hair cells. This review focusses on the multiple modes of communication between these receptors and their enveloping calyces as revealed by simultaneous dual-electrode recordings. Classic orthodromic transmission is accompanied by two forms of bidirectional communication enabled by the extensive cleft between the Type I hair cell and its calyx. The slowest cellular communication low-pass filters the transduction current with a time constant 10 — 100 milliseconds: potassium ions accumulate in the synaptic cleft, depolarizing both the hair cell and afferent to potentials greater than necessary for rapid vesicle fusion in the receptor and potentially triggering action potentials in the afferent. On the millisecond timescale, conventional glutamatergic quantal transmission occurs when hair cells are depolarized to potentials sufficient for calcium influx and vesicle fusion. Depolarization also permits a third form of transmission which occurs over tens of microseconds, resulting from the large voltage- and ion-sensitive cleft-facing conductances in both the hair cell and the calyx that are open at their resting potentials. Current flowing out of either the hair cell or the afferent divides into the fraction flowing across the cleft into its cellular partner, and the remainder flowing out of the cleft and into the surrounding fluid compartment. These findings suggest multiple biophysical bases for the extensive repertoire of response dynamics seen in the population of primary vestibular afferent fibers. The results further suggest that evolutionary pressures drive selection for the calyx afferent.
Quality assurance of hematopoietic stem cells by macrophages determines stem cell clonality
Authors: Wattrus Samuel J. , Smith Mackenzie L. , Rodrigues Cecilia Pessoa , Hagedorn Elliott J. , Budnik Bogdan , Zon Leonard I.
Published: March 2022

Tissue-specific stem cells persist for a lifetime and can differentiate to maintain homeostasis or transform to initiate cancer. Despite their importance, there are no described quality assurance mechanisms for newly formed stem cells. We observed intimate and specific interactions between macrophages and nascent blood stem cells in zebrafish embryos. Macrophage interactions led to two outcomes — removal of cytoplasmic material and stem cell division, or complete engulfment and stem cell death. Stressed stem cells were marked by surface Calreticulin, which stimulated macrophage interactions. Using cellular barcoding, we found that calreticulin knock-down or embryonic macrophage depletion reduced the number of stem cell clones that established adult hematopoiesis. Our work supports a model in which embryonic macrophages determine hematopoietic clonality by monitoring stem cell quality.
Synthesis, structural analysis, and docking studies with SARS-CoV-2 of a trinuclear zinc complex withN-phenylanthranilic acid ligands
Authors: Mbani O. Armel L. , Bonnand Evan F. , Paboudam Awawou G. , Brannon Jacob P. , Gardner-Ricossa Kevyn D. , Stieber S. Chantal E. , Agwara Moise O.
Published: March 2022

The structure of a trinuclear zinc complex, hexakis(μ2-2-anilinobenzoato)diaquatrizinc(II), [Zn2(C13H10NO2)6(H2O)2] or (NPA)6Zn3(H2O)2(NPA is 2-anilinobenzoate orN-phenylanthranilate), is reported. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space groupP\overline{1} and the central ZnIIatom is located on an inversion center. The NPA ligand is found to coordinateviathe carboxylate O atoms with unique C—O bond lengths that support an unequal distribution of resonance over the carboxylate fragment. The axial H2O ligands form hydrogen bonds with neighboring molecules that stabilize the supramolecular system in rigid straight chains, with an angle of 180° along thecaxis. π stacking is the primary stabilization along theaandbaxes, resulting in a highly ordered supramolecular structure. Docking studies show that this unique supramolecular structure of a trinuclear zinc complex has potential for binding to the main protease (Mpro) in SARS-CoV-2 in a different location from Remdesivir, but with a similar binding strength.
Cab-sharing services and transformation expectations of consumers: the moderating role of materialism
Authors: Shaikh Ateeque , Mukerjee Kaushik , Banerjee Shubhomoy
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The study examines the role of attitude, perceived relative advantage and perceived risk on intention to participate in the sharing economy–based cab services in India. Further, it investigates the impact of intention to participate in the sharing economy on transformation expectations of consumers. Finally, the study tests the moderating role of materialism in the relationship between intention to participate in the sharing economy and transformation expectations of consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used cross-sectional survey research design to collect data from 408 respondents through online questionnaire in India, an emerging market. The study analysed the data using structural equation modelling technique using IBM AMOS software.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that perceived relative advantage and attitude influences the intention to participate in the sharing economy. Intention to participate in the sharing economy positively influences transformation expectations. Materialism moderates the relationship between intention to participate and transformation expectations of consumers.

Research limitations/implications

In a departure from previous studies, this study establishes that perceived risk may not be an important factor driving the intention to participate in the sharing economy. Further, it is among the first studies to establish the role of intention to participate in the sharing economy as a possible driver of transformation expectations.

Practical implications

The importance of transformation expectations can be communicated as an outcome to encourage participation in the sharing economy. Managers can highlight the relative advantages to promote participation in the sharing economy.

Originality/value

This study is probably the first attempt to understand the transformation expectations of consumers in the sharing economy. Further, the study tests the moderating role of materialism in the relationship between intention to participate and transformation expectation of consumers.
Transformational leadership and service performance for civil servants of public organizations in China: a two-path mediating role of trust
Authors: Fan Lisan , Feng Cailing , Robin Mulyadi , Huang Xiaoyu
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Transformational leadership and service performance of civil servants greatly affect the government’s administrative effectiveness. However, there are few studies on the influence mechanism of transformational leadership on service performance in the context of public organizations. Based on the social exchange theory, this study aims to construct and examine the dual path mediating process of affective trust and cognitive trust for the effects of transformational leadership on service performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from 268 supervisor–subordinate dyads civil servants at the municipal level in China across three waves.

Findings

Both affective trust and cognitive trust partly mediated the relationships between transformational leadership and service performance, which supported the underlying theoretical mechanism of social exchange theory and transformational leadership theory in explaining the dual relationship between leaders and subordinates. This study innovatively and empirically examined the effects of transformational leadership on service performance through dual trust in civil servants in China, thus bridging the gap in this knowledge.

Originality/value

This study innovatively and empirically examined the effects of transformational leadership on service performance through dual trust in civil servants in China, thus bridging the gap in this knowledge.
Vedanta Ltd. – attempts to go private
Authors: Das Arindam , Guha Sumantra
Published: March 2022

Learning outcomes

On completion of analysis of this case, students would be able to: appreciate the context of a typical delisting decision of a public company that is part of a large business group; analyze the complex nature of the relationships among the promoter shareholders, minority shareholders, government-controlled financial institutions, independent directors and executive directors in such a situation of transfer of value; and develop the best possible course of action for the promoters, independent directors and public shareholders, keeping into consideration the principles of corporate governance and the objective of shareholders’ wealth maximization.

Case overview/synopsis

The case presents an opportunity to examine the corporate restructuring and governance issues associated with the delisting attempt of India-based mining company Vedanta Ltd., by its London-based parent company, Vedanta Resources. The case focuses on the conflict of interests between the promoters of a business group and the public shareholders of a subsidiary, and the pivotal roles independent directors and proxy advisory firms play in supporting the public shareholders.

Complexity academic level

The case can be discussed in a graduate-level corporate strategy course that deals with restructuring and governance issues in companies, especially large group companies. It can also be discussed in a course of corporate governance where students have the opportunity to understand the potential conflict between promoters and other shareholders, and the moderating roles the independent directors and institutions may play in resolving such conflicts.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Influence of tax dodging on tax justice in developing countries: some theory and evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Otusanya Olatunde Julius , Liu Jia , Lauwo Sarah George
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The mobilising domestic resources, in particular, taxation, is key to unlocking the resources required for public investment in infrastructure, growth and sustainable finance. This study aims to share the perception that the tax arrangements of states and the transnational corporations (TNCs) of developed states have a critical effect on the development prospects of the less powerful states in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper locates the role of TNCs tax practice within the broader dynamics of globalisation and the pursuit of profits, to argue that the drive of TNCs for higher profits can enrich our understanding of why some TNCs engage in tax dodging. This paper used publicly available evidence to shed light on the role played by TNCs in tax dodging practices in developing countries.

Findings

The evidence shows that tax havens and offshore financial centres, shaped by globalisation, are major structures facilitating the sophisticated tax schemes of highly mobile TNCs. This paper further shows that the corrosive effect of low-tax jurisdictions (“tax havens”) continues to represent a major obstacle to a regulation of global economic relations, which is required for maintaining sustainable social and economic development of poorer states.

Research limitations/implications

This paper used publicly available evidence to illuminate the role played by TNCs in tax dodging practices in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Practical implications

This paper, therefore, advocates a radical reform that could minimise the attendant problems created by the activities of TNCs and the enabling structures that facilitate these practices.

Social implications

Tax dodging has played a major role in causing serious damage to the economic and social landscape in developing countries. This in turn, has undermined social welfare and also investment in the public services, thereby eroding the quality of life and producing a decline in average life expectancy.

Originality/value

This paper is a general review of literature and evidence on contemporary developmental issues.
Evaluating the moderating effect of in-vehicle warning information on mental workload and collision avoidance performance
Authors: Chai Chen , Zhou Ziyao , Yin Weiru , Hurwitz David S. , Zhang Siyang
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The presentation of in-vehicle warnings information at risky driving scenarios is aimed to improve the collision avoidance ability of drivers. Existing studies have found that driver’s collision avoidance performance is affected by both warning information and driver’s workload. However, whether moderation and mediation effects exist among warning information, driver’s cognition, behavior and risky avoidance performance is unclear.

Design/methodology/approach

This purpose of this study is to examine whether the warning information type modifies the relationship between the forward collision risk and collision avoidance behavior. A driving simulator experiment was conducted with waring and command information.

Findings

Results of 30 participants indicated that command information improves collision avoidance behavior more than notification warning under the forward collision risky driving scenario. The primary reason for this is that collision avoidance behavior can be negatively affected by the forward collision risk. At the same time, command information can weaken this negative effect. Moreover, improved collision avoidance behavior can be achieved through increasing drivers’ mental workload.

Practical implications

The proposed model provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing collision avoidance behavior, thus contributing to improved in-vehicle information system design.

Originality/value

The significant moderation effects evoke the fact that information types and mental workloads are critical in improving drivers’ collision avoidance ability. Through further calibration with larger sample size, the proposed structural model can be used to predict the effect of in-vehicle warnings in different risky driving scenarios.
Effect of ring and rotor spun yarns on denim fabric properties
Authors: Hailemariam Abenezer Fikre , Muhammed Nuredin
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanical properties of denim fabrics constructed from ring-spun and open-end rotor spun yarns.

Design/methodology/approach

Yarns of 10s Ne count using cotton fibers were spun using the ring and open-end rotor spinning technologies. The yarns were used to produce a denim fabric on an air-jet loom with a 3/1 twill weave structure. Mechanical tests – tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion resistance and pilling resistance – of denim fabrics were evaluated. The test results were analyzed using analysis of variance with the help of Software Package for Social Sciences.

Findings

Denim fabrics made by using ring-spun yarns exhibited better tensile and tear strength properties than denim fabrics made by using open-end rotor spun yarns. On the contrary, denim produced using open-end rotor yarns have better abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and air permeability than those produced using ring-spun yarns.

Originality/value

Both spinning techniques have a significant influence on the properties of denim fabrics. Whenever better tensile and tear strength is required, it is better to use ring-spun yarns, while if the requirement is better abrasion resistance and pilling resistance with high air permeability, then open-end rotor spun yarns shall be used.
The impact of a blockchain platform on trust in established relationships: a case study of wine supply chains
Authors: Brookbanks Mike , Parry Glenn
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper examines the impact of a blockchain platform on the role and importance of trust in established buyer-supplier relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review provides insight into trust development in supply chains. Research uses a case study of two wine supply chains: the producers, importers, logistics companies and UK Government agencies. Semi-structured interviews determine how trust and trustworthiness develop in buyer-supplier relationships and the impact of a blockchain-based technology proof of concept on supply chain trust.

Findings

A blockchain-based platform introduces common trusted data, reducing data duplication and improving supply chain visibility. The platform supports trust building between parties but does not replace the requirements for organisations to establish a position of trust. Contrary to literature claims for blockchain trustless disintermediation, new intermediaries are introduced who need to be trusted.

Research limitations/implications

The case study presents challenges specific to UK customs borders, and research needs to be repeated in different contexts to establish if findings are generalisable.

Practical implications

A blockchain-based platform can improve supply chain efficiency and trust development but does not remove the need for trust and trust-building processes. Blockchain platform providers need to build a position of trust with all participants.

Originality/value

Case study research shows how blockchain facilitates but does not remove trust, trustworthiness and trust relationships in established supply chains. The reduction in information asymmetry and improved supply chain visibility provided by blockchain does not change the importance of trust in established buyer-supplier relationships or the trust-based policy of the UK Government at the customs border.
Lean in industry 4.0 is accelerating manufacturing excellence – A DEMATEL analysis
Authors: Ojha Ravindra
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to study the digital accelerators in conjunction with lean manufacturing enablers in the technology driven Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and understand their interrelationship dynamics with a goal to accelerate the pace of manufacturing excellence.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review coupled with the focus group approach facilitated to cull the key accelerating enablers to lean in I4.0. Thereafter, application of the multi criteria decision making methodology–DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) was carried out for analysis.

Findings

A total of 18 factors from the integration of lean in I4.0 were identified from the focus group approach. The analysis from DEMATEL approach reflected that big data analytics and technology driven talent were the two most important factors in the manufacturing excellence journey. Leadership standard work and continuous improvement culture were the two key cause category factors, while, just in time the critical effect category factor.

Practical implications

Analysis from DEMATEL approach has provided useful insights to industry leaders with the details of the degree of importance and type of influencing factors. It has given them direction in areas of investment to face the challenges of smart factories of tomorrow for sustainability.

Originality/value

Application of DEMATEL approach for analyzing the dynamics of the 18 factors in the integrated lean systems in I4.0 for manufacturing excellence.
Outcomes of the Tree Theme Method versus regular occupational therapy: A longitudinal follow‐up
Authors: Gunnarsson A. Birgitta , Håkansson Carita , Hedin Katarina , Wagman Petra
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Depression and anxiety disorders affect individuals' everyday lives, and treatments that can help them to perform everyday occupations are needed. Occupational therapy for this group has been evaluated from a short‐term perspective but not from a long‐term perspective; further research is thus warranted. The aim of the study was to investigate the longitudinal outcomes of the Tree Theme Method (TTM) compared with care as usual, provided by occupational therapists, in terms of everyday occupations, psychological symptoms, and health‐related aspects.

Methods

This randomised controlled trial comprised a follow‐up 3 and 12 months after an intervention. A total of 118 participants (19–64 years) with depression or anxiety disorders and problems with everyday occupations completed the base line questionnaires, 100 completed the follow‐up at 3 months, and 84 completed the follow‐up at 12 months. Imputations of missing data were performed using the last observation, and parametric analysis was used.

Results

Both groups showed significant improvements (P value ≤ 0.01) in everyday occupations, psychological symptoms and health‐related aspects after 3 and 12 months. No significant differences were found between the groups.

Conclusion

This study contributes with knowledge about the outcomes of occupational therapy for clients living with depression and anxiety disorders. Both TTM and care as usual lead to significant improvements over time concerning everyday occupations, psychological symptoms, and health‐related aspects. The fact that both occupational therapy methods were associated with improvements for clients with depression and anxiety supports client‐centredness in enabling an occupational therapist to choose the method best suited for the individual.
Building more resilient communities with a wildfire preparedness drill in the U.S.: Individual and community influences and communication practices
Authors: Stephens Keri K. , Powers Courtney J. , Robertson Brett W. , Spearing Lauryn A. , Collier John C. , Tich Kendall P. , Smith William R.
Published: March 2022

When a wildfire strikes, it impacts entire communities. Yet it can be challenging to get communities to take the lead in becoming more prepared, and thus build lasting resilience. Guided by theoretical preparedness models, and using a case study design, this study examines the planning, execution, and subsequent sensemaking around one of the first community‐led wildfire evacuation drills in the United States. Findings illustrate the interplay between individual preparedness, communication, and community involvement as the neighbourhood studied conducted their drill in partnership with multiple emergency response organizations. Our model explains 39% of the variance in individuals' preparedness, finding that people with higher self‐efficacy, more involved with the community, and who felt strong social norms around preparedness had more items prepared for a wildfire. The community's desire to share the preparedness organizing process with external audiences is a unique and important contribution in understanding how communication can be used to sustain community resilience.
Duration of use and outcomes among people with opioid use disorder initiating methadone and buprenorphine in Ontario: a population‐based propensity‐score matched cohort study
Authors: Gomes Tara , McCormack Daniel , Bozinoff Nikki , Tadrous Mina , Antoniou Tony , Munro Charlotte , Campbell Tonya , Paterson J. Michael , Mamdani Muhammad , Sproule Beth
Published: March 2022

Aims

To characterize comparative risks and benefits of methadone versus buprenorphine/naloxone in a contemporary cohort where the unregulated drug supply is dominated by fentanyl.

Design, Setting and Participants

Population‐based propensity‐score matched cohort study conducted in Ontario, Canada among people aged 18+ initiating opioid agonist therapy (OAT) for an opioid use disorder between October 2016 and December 2018 (n = 18 880).

Intervention

Initiation of methadone versus buprenorphine/naloxone.

Measurements

The primary outcome was opioid overdose (fatal and non‐fatal) while on treatment, with secondary outcomes including opioid overdose (first 30 days of treatment), treatment discontinuation, health‐care interactions related to treatment of opioid use disorder, receiving a weekly supply of take‐home doses and opioid overdose within 30 days of treatment discontinuation. Outcomes were assessed over 1 year.

Findings

Overall, 7517 people initiating buprenorphine were matched to an equal number of methadone‐treated individuals. Risk of opioid overdose while on treatment [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.37–0.68] or within the first 30 days of treatment (HR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.31–0.85) was lower among buprenorphine recipients compared to methadone recipients. In secondary analyses, people initiating buprenorphine had a higher risk of treatment discontinuation within the first year (median time to discontinuation 104 versus 265 days, HR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.37–1.49), had lower rates of health‐care interactions for OUD (186.4 versus 254.3 per person‐year; rate ratio = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.72–0.75), and a higher rate of receiving weekly take‐home doses (HR = 2.33; 95% CI = 2.20–2.46). Overdose rates in the period following OAT discontinuation were higher than those observed while on treatment, but did not differ significantly by OAT type.

Conclusions

Although treatment retention is higher among methadone recipients, overdose risk is also elevated compared to buprenorphine recipients. These findings demonstrate the benefits of any OAT on avoidance of overdose, particularly following treatment discontinuation and with the increasingly unpredictable drug supply in North America.
Recurrent testicular torsion post orchidopexy ‐ an occult emergency: a systematic review
Authors: van Welie Mikayla , Qu Liang G. , Adam Ahmed , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Laher Abdullah E.
Published: March 2022

Background

Recurrent Testicular Torsion (RTT) is a rarely reported event after previous testicular torsion (TT) repair. Both conditions have similar signs and symptoms. Various techniques have been attempted to reduce the incidence of retorsion. This review assesses the presentation, diagnosis, risk factors, management and outcomes associated with RTT.

Methods

After PROSPERO Registration (CRD42021258997), a systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Global Index Medicus and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CIANHL) was performed using specific search terms. Study metadata including patient demographics, orchidopexy techniques, RTT rates and RTT timing were extracted.

Results

Twenty‐six articles, comprising 12 case series and 14 case reports, with a total of 46 patients were included. Overall, the median (IQR) age of the pooled cohort was 18 (15–26) years, the median (IQR) time to presentation was 6 (3–36) hours from the onset of testicular pain. The most common presenting features were testicular pain (100%), testicular swelling (60.9%) and a high riding testicle (34.8%). The left testicle was most commonly affected (63.0%), RTT was on the ipsilateral side in relation to the primary episode of TT in 52.2% of cases, the median (IQR) interval between torsion and retorsion events was 4 (1.3–10.0) years, non‐absorbable sutures were the most common suture material used during orchidopexy after RTT (88.9%).

Conclusion

RTT is a rare presentation to the Emergency Department. Even with a prior history of TT, RTT should be considered in patients presenting with classic symptoms.
Recovery and utilization of compost heat from an enclosed vertical‐type composting facility development of warmed water supply system using compost heat
Authors: Kojima Yoichiro , Nakakubo Ryoh , Ishida Mitsuyoshi
Published: March 2022

This paper describes a compost heat utilization system that recovers the exhaust heat generated by an enclosed vertical‐type composting facility (EVCF) installed in a dairy farm with 150 heads of dairy cows. The recovered exhaust heat warms the water supplied to dairy cows. This study determines the temperature of the supplied water and the heat utilization efficiency of the system. During operation, the EVCF generated a compost temperature of 60–70°C and an exhaust temperature of 60°C. The system provided warm (30°C) water throughout the day by raising the water temperature at night when the drinking water requirements were reduced and heat demand used for warming the water was low. Thermal energy generated 356% of the power consumption, and 49.3% of the generated energy was used for warming the water. The compost heat used to warm water was 2017 MJ d−1, which was equivalent to 68.7 L d−1of kerosene when the same amount of water was warmed in a boiler.
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma in a brush‐tailed rock‐wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)
Authors: Doneley RJT , Suen WW
Published: March 2022

Background

Neoplasia is considered to be rare in macropods. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) also known as undifferentiated or giant cell carcinoma, is a rare but aggressive and lethal solid tumour reported to affect humans, dogs, cats, racoons and birds. It is derived from poorly differentiated follicular cells and lacks the characteristic architectural pattern of arrangement of tumour cells. ATC has not previously been reported in macropods.

Case Report

A brush‐tailed rock‐wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) was presented for a mass on the ventral neck. A clinical diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma was suspected based on radiology, ultrasound and cytology. Other than palliative care, treatment was declined. Four months later the wallaby was found dead and submitted for necropsy. Gross examination and histopathology demonstrated a unilateral ATC with vascular neoplastic emboli and distant metastases to the heart, lungs and liver.

Conclusion

The clinical signs associated with thyroid tumours may be the result of localised growth and expansion of the thyroid, metastatic disease or a combination of these effects. Most thyroid tumours are nonfunctional. Based on the lack of typical clinical signs associated with functional thyroid tumours, in this case, we conclude that the thyroid tumour in this wallaby was likely to be nonfunctional. The cause of death in this wallaby was likely due to the heavy tumour burden with compromised cardiorespiratory function exacerbated by dorsoventral compression of the larynx. More study is needed to better understand thyroid neoplasia in macropods.
Clinical response of CARD14-associated papulosquamous eruption to an anti-interleukin-17A antibody
Authors: Klein Benjamin , Treudler Regina , Dumann Konstantin , Boldt Andreas , Schumann Isabell , Simon Jan C. , Kunz Manfred
Published: March 2022

Here we present another family with CARD14-associated papulosquamous eruption, which is characterized by mutations in CARD14 and skin lesions resembling psoriasis and pityriasis rubra pilaris. We show beneficial therapeutic response to anti-IL17A treatment in one patient and performed immunomonitoring of our patient, exhibiting enhanced pSTAT3 levels in T cells before treatment, which normalized after treatment. Together, our data support the pathogenic role of IL-17A in this disease, which might have consequences for future treatment decisions in this rare condition.
Secukinumab demonstrates high and sustained efficacy in nail psoriasis: post hoc analysis from phase III trials in patients with psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Reich Kristian , Baraliakos Xenophon , Coates Laura C. , Elewski Boni , Bao Weibin , Kasparek Torben , Gaillez Corine , Pournara Effie , Aassi Maher , Perella Chiara , Gottlieb Alice B.
Published: March 2022

Secukinumab showed consistent and sustained efficacy in clearing nail psoriasis in patients with psoriatic arthritis, with or without axial manifestations, irrespective of severity of nail involvement. Reduction of nail disease was also associated with response across all musculoskeletal and skin manifestations of psoriatic arthritis.
Retracted: QGMS: A query growth model for personalization and diversification of semantic search based on differential ontology semantics using artificial intelligence
Authors: Deepak Gerard , Santhanavijayan Arumugam
Published: March 2022

The inclusion of collective intelligence through a semantic focused affective computing can incorporate intelligence to web search and ensure its compliance with the Web 3.0. In this article, a query growth model with inclusive and exclusive ontology semantics has been proposed for diversification of query recommendation in semantic search. The ontology semantics include query augmented ontology generation, agent‐driven attractor‐distractor generation to yield a merged ontology, and endowment of merged ontology by using hybridization of a series of knowledge bases. The strategy further includes the formulation of a semantic network and entity leveraging based on description logics (DLs) to improve the quality of query recommendation. A novel hierarchical entropy cognitive similarity covariance model has been proposed for yielding the most appropriate recommendable query words. The strategy also encompasses the user‐click information for capturing the current user intents to improve the quality queries recommended in semantic search, and thereby incorporate personalization. Experimentations are conducted for the CHiC dataset and the Spring 2006 Query Log dataset and an average accuracy of 96.27% and 92.01%, respectively, with a very low false discovery rate of 0.06 and 0.1 for the respective datasets.
The Coalition for Conservation Genetics: Working across organizations to build capacity and achieve change in policy and practice
Authors: Kershaw Francine , Bruford Michael W. , Funk W. Chris , Grueber Catherine E. , Hoban Sean , Hunter Margaret E. , Laikre Linda , MacDonald Anna J. , Meek Mariah H. , Mittan Cinnamon , O'Brien David , Ogden Rob , Shaw Robyn E. , Vernesi Cristiano , Segelbacher Gernot
Published: March 2022

The Coalition for Conservation Genetics (CCG) brings together four eminent organizations with the shared goal of improving the integration of genetic information into conservation policy and practice. We provide a historical context of conservation genetics as a field and reflect on current barriers to conserving genetic diversity, highlighting the need for collaboration across traditional divides, international partnerships, and coordinated advocacy. We then introduce the CCG and illustrate through examples how a coalition approach can leverage complementary expertise and improve the organizational impact at multiple levels. The CCG has proven particularly successful at implementing large synthesis‐type projects, training early‐career scientists, and advising policy makers. Achievements to date highlight the potential for the CCG to make effective contributions to practical conservation policy and management that no one “parent” organization could achieve on its own. Finally, we reflect on the lessons learned through forming the CCG, and our vision for the future.
The specter of empty countrysides and wetlands—Impact of hunting take on birds in Indo‐Burma
Authors: Yong Ding Li , Jain Anuj , Chowdhury Sayam U. , Denstedt Emily , Khammavong Kongsy , Milavong Phonesavanh , Aung Thiri Dae We , Aung Ei Thinzar , Jearwattanakanok Ayuwat , Limparungpatthanakij Wich'yanan , Angkaew Rongrong , Sinhaseni Khwankhao , Le Trong Trai , Nguyen Hoai Bao , Tang Punleu , Taing Porchhay , Jones Victoria R. , Vorsak Bou
Published: March 2022

Hunting for the wild meat trade, medicines and other human uses has decimated Indo‐Burma's vertebrate biota and has led to widespread defaunation. Yet, there is surprisingly little data on how hunting impacts wild bird assemblages in different landscapes here. Based on concurrent snapshot surveys of bird hunting, food markets and hunting attitudes across six Indo‐Burma countries, we found that hunting threatens species not only in forested landscapes but also wetlands and farmlands such as orchards and paddy fields—ecosystems overlooked by past studies, with at least 47 species associated with wetlands and agricultural lands identified from market surveys across the region. High rates of mortality are suffered when hunting tools such as nets are used to exclude perceived bird pests in both aquaculture and agricultural landscapes, with over 300 individual carcasses of at least 29 identifiable species detected in one aquaculture landscape sampled in Thailand. We warn that the potentially unsustainable trapping of species for consumption and trade in Indo‐Burma, coupled with high incidental mortalities, could decimate the populations of erstwhile common and/or legally unprotected species. There is an urgent need for stronger regulatory oversight on the hunting take of wild birds and the use of hunting tools such as nets. Alongside this, conservation practitioners need to better engage with rural communities to address unsustainable hunting practices, especially outside of protected areas.
1010. KLASEA CERINTHIFOLIA: Compositae
Authors: Hind Nicholas , Moore Richard , King Christabel
Published: March 2022

Klasea cerinthifolia (Sm.) Greuter & Wagenitz (Compositae: Cardueae: Centaureinae) is described and illustrated, a full synonymy provided, and its taxonomic position discussed. Cultivation requirements are also outlined and, although apparently unavailable commercially, it may be found in a few botanical gardens. The species exhibits an interesting trimorphic leaf morphology, with the upper cauline leaves or bracts resembling the appearance of Cerinthe in the Boraginaceae. The genus Klasea is discussed, from its inauspicious beginnings to a genus of about 50 species in ten sections; K. cerinthifolia is placed in sect. Schumeria (Iljin) L. Martins, of which it is type. The species' long history in the literature is discussed, and the clear historical confusion with Centaurea behen L. is covered in detail. Literature research, and specimen examination, has shown that the two taxa are sympatric across a large part of their range, but are fairly straightforward to tell apart generically, although looking somewhat similar. The name Centaurea behen has previously been ineffectively neotypified, even though original material was cited in Linnaeus's protologue. It was later lectotypified, based on an ambiguous woodcut illustration but the lectotype illustration does not allow for critical identification. An epitype is designated here so as to avoid this continuing nomenclatural saga.