bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human fetal cerebellar cell atlas informs medulloblastoma origin and oncogenesis
Authors: Luo Zaili , Xia Mingyang , Shi Wei , Zhao Chuntao , Wang Jiajia , Xin Dazhuan , Dong Xinran , Xiong Yu , Zhang Feng , Berry Kalen , Ogurek Sean , Liu Xuezhao , Rao Rohit , Xing Rui , Wu Lai Man Natalie , Cui Siying , Xu Lingli , Lin Yifeng , Ma Wenkun , Tian Shuaiwei , Xie Qi , Zhang Li , Xin Mei , Wang Xiaotao , Yue Feng , Zheng Haizi , Liu Yaping , Stevenson Charles B. , de Blank Peter , Perentesis John P. , Gilbertson Richard J. , Ma Jie , Li Hao , Zhou Wenhao , Taylor Michael D. , Lu Q. Richard
Published: August 2022

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant childhood brain tumor1,2, yet the origin of the most aggressive subgroup-3 form remains elusive, impeding development of effective targeted treatments. Previous analyses of mouse cerebella3,4or human counterparts from frozen tissue nuclei5have not fully defined the compositional heterogeneity of MBs. Here, we undertook an unprecedented single-cell profiling of freshly-isolated human fetal cerebella to establish a reference map delineating hierarchical cellular states in MBs. We identified a unique transitional cerebellar progenitor connecting neural stem cells to neuronal lineages in developing fetal cerebella. Intersectional analysis revealed that the transitional progenitors were enriched in aggressive MB subgroups, including group-3 and metastatic tumors. Single-cell multi-omics revealed underlying regulatory networks in the transitional progenitor populations, including transcriptional determinants HNRNPH1 and SOX11, which are correlated with clinical prognosis in group-3 MBs. Genomic and Hi-C profiling identifiedde novolong-range chromatin-loops juxtaposing HNRNPH1/SOX11-targeted super-enhancers tocis-regulatory elements of MYC, an oncogenic driver for group-3 MBs. Targeting the transitional progenitor regulators inhibited MYC expression and MYC-driven group-3 MB growth. Our integrated single-cell atlases of human fetal cerebella and MBs reveal potential cell populations predisposed to transformation and regulatory circuitries underlying tumor cell states and oncogenesis, highlighting hitherto unrecognized transitional progenitor intermediates predictive of disease prognosis and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.
The C-type lectin domain of CD62P (P-selectin) is an integrin ligand
Authors: Takada Yoko K , Takada Yoshikazu
Published: August 2022

CD62P (P-selectin) is confined to the inside of platelets and endothelial cells, and is translocated to the surface upon activation of platelets or endothelial cells. In current models, CD62P recognizes sialyl-Lewis X on PSGL-1 and mediates rapid rolling of leukocyte over vascular surfaces during the initial steps in inflammation. Docking simulation using integrin αvβ3 as a target predicted that the C-type lectin domain of CD62P is a potential integrin ligand. It has not been tested if CD62P binds to integrins. Here we describe that the lectin domain of CD62P specifically bound to soluble integrins αvβ3, αIIbβ3, α4β1 and α5β1. Known inhibitors of CD62P-PSGL-1 interaction did not suppress the binding of the lectin domain to integrins. We found that the R16E/K17E mutation in the predicted integrin-binding interface of the lectin domain strongly inhibited CD62P binding to αIIbβ3 and αvβ3 in 1 mM Mn2+. R16E/K17E is outside of the glycan binding site. Mutating Glu-88 to Asp (the E88D mutation) in the lectin domain, which is known to strongly disrupt glycan binding, only slightly affected integrin binding, indicating that glycan binding and integrin binding sites are distinct. Also, the lectin domain of CD62P supported cell adhesion in a cation-dependent manner. CD62P-integrin interaction is potentially important since integrins are widely expressed compared to PSGL-1, which is limited to leukocytes. These findings indicate that CD62P-integrin interaction plays potentially important role in a wide variety of cell-cell interaction in addition to CD62P-glycan interaction.
Differential protein expression of GABA A receptor alpha 1 subunit in rat spermatozoa associated with proteomic analysis in testis following methamphetamine administration
Authors: Kaewman Paweena , Nudmamud-Thanoi Sutisa , Thongleart Jitnapar , Charoenlappanit Sawanya , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Thanoi Samur
Published: August 2022

Methamphetamine (METH) can induce spermatogenesis impairment, testicular apoptosis, and abnormal sperm quality. It also promotes changes in the expression of receptors for sex hormones and neurotransmitters, including GABA receptors in the testis. Proteomic assessment focusing on proteins involved in the calcium signalling pathway in the testis can facilitate diagnostic factors contributing to testicular and sperm functions, especially those related to spermatogenesis and fertilisation. In this study, we proposed to determine the localization and differential expression of GABA A receptor alpha 1 subunit (GABA A-α1) in the spermatozoa of METH-administrated rats. The differential proteomic profile of the testis was also observed by focusing on proteins in the KEGG pathways belonging to the calcium signalling pathway. There were 212 differentially expressed proteins in the rat testis, based on the cut-off value of 1.2-fold change. Most of those proteins, 13 proteins, were classified in the calcium signalling pathway, including 4 down-regulated and 9 up-regulated proteins. An immunolocalization study of the GABA A-α1 receptor revealed its localization in the equatorial segment of the acrosome in the rat spermatozoa, a region involved in acrosome reaction. An increase in GABA A-α1 receptor in rat spermatozoa was correlated with an increase in abnormal sperm motility and morphology after methamphetamine exposure. All our findings demonstrate that METH influences intracellular calcium homeostasis by acting through the calcium signalling pathway-associated proteins. Moreover, it might disrupt ion homeostasis in sperm through the GABA A-α1 receptor, triggering a change in intracellular calcium and chloride ions. These changes may cause abnormalities in spermatogenesis, testicular apoptosis, and sperm quality impairment.
Cryo-EM complex structure of active GPR75 with a nanobody
Authors: Lv Zilin , He Yuntong , Xiang Yuning , Li Jing , Zhang Shuhao , Meng Fanhao , Lan Baoliang , Guo Hanbo , He Dong , Wang Yanxia , Zhao Huimin , Zhuo Wei , Liu Yujie , Liu Xiangyu , Ni Xiaodan , Heng Jie
Published: August 2022

Although there has been enormous progress in the last half-century in the drug discovery targeting obesity and associated co-morbidities, the clinical treatment of obesity remains tremendously challenging. GPR75 is an orphan receptor and is suggested to be a potential novel target for the control of obesity and related metabolic disorders. Inhibition of the GPR75 signaling pathway by small molecules, antibodies, or genetic manipulations may provide a therapeutic strategy for obesity. Here, we report the active-like Cryo-EM structure of human GPR75 with an intracellular nanobody, which reveals the receptor activation mechanism. The extensive interaction network required to achieve the active structure helps explain the allosteric coupling between the orthosteric pocket and the G-protein coupling domain. The well-defined orthosteric ligand binding pocket of human GPR75 provides a structural basis for anti-obesity drug discovery.
Modeling the development of cortical responses in primate dorsal (“where”) pathway to optic flow using hierarchical neural field models
Authors: Gundavarapu Anila , Chakravarthy V Srinivasa
Published: August 2022

Although there is a plethora of modelling literature dedicated to the object recognition processes of the ventral (“what”) pathway of primate visual systems, modelling studies on the motion sensitive regions like the Medial superior temporal area (MST) of the dorsal (“where”) pathway are relatively scarce. Neurons in the MST area of the macaque monkey respond selectively to different types of optic flow sequences such as radial and rotational flows. We present three models that are designed to simulate the computation of optic flow performed by the MST neurons in primates. The first two models are each composed of 3 stages: the first stage comprises the Direction Selective Mosaic Network (DSMN), the second stage comprises the Cell Plane Network (CPNW) or the Hebbian Network (HBNW) and the third stage comprises the optic flow network (OF). The three stages roughly correspond to V1-MT-MST areas respectively in the primate motion pathway. Both these models are trained stage by stage using a biologically plausible variation of Hebbian learning. On the other hand, model-3 consists of the Velocity Selective Mosaic Network (VSMN) followed by a convolutional neural network (CNN) which is trained using supervised backpropagation algorithm. We created various dot configurations that can move in translational, radial, and rotational trajectories to make training and test set. The simulation results show that, while neurons in model-1 and model-2 could account for MSTd cell properties found neurobiologically, model-3 neuron responses are consistent with the idea of functional hierarchy in the macaque motion pathway. These results also suggest that the deep learning models could offer a computationally elegant and biologically plausible solution to simulate the development of cortical responses of the primate motion pathway.
A new haplotype-resolved turkey genome to enable turkey genetics and genomics research
Authors: Barros Carolina P. , Derks Martijn F.L. , Mohr Jeff , Wood Benjamin , Crooijmans Richard P.M.A. , Megens Hendrik-Jan , Bink Marco C.A.M. , Groenen Martien A.M.
Published: August 2022

Background

The domesticated turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a species of significant agricultural importance and is the second largest contributor, behind broiler chickens, to world poultry meat production. The previous genome is of draft quality and partly based on the chicken (Gallus gallus) genome. A high-quality reference genome of Meleagris gallopavo is essential for turkey genomics and genetics research and the breeding industry.

Results

By adopting the trio-binning approach, we were able to assemble a high-quality chromosome-level F1 assembly and two parental haplotype assemblies, leveraging long-read technologies and genomewide chromatin interaction data (Hi-C). These assemblies cover 35 chromosomes in a single scaffold and show improved genome completeness and continuity. The three assemblies are of higher quality than the previous draft quality assembly and comparable to the current chicken assemblies (GRCg6a and GRCg7). Comparative analyses reveal a large inversion of around 19 Mbp on the Z chromosome not found in other Galliformes. Structural variation between the parent haplotypes were identified in genes involved in growth providing new target genes for breeding.

Conclusions

Collectively, we present a new high quality chromosome level turkey genome, which will significantly contribute to turkey and avian genomics research and benefit the turkey breeding industry.
The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 4-methylumbelliferone and its glucuronide metabolite in mice
Authors: Nagy Nadine , Kaber Gernot , Haddock Naomi L. , Hargil Aviv , Rajadas Jayakumar , Malhotra Sanjay V. , Unger Marc A. , Frymoyer Adam R. , Bollyky Paul L.
Published: August 2022

Hyaluronan (HA) is an extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan, with important roles in chronic inflammation, cancer and autoimmunity. 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), a small molecule inhibitor of HA synthases, is widely used to study HAs interactions with the surrounding tissues and the immune cells. There is substantial experimental and therapeutic interest in using oral 4-MU to inhibit HA synthesis, but pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data on treatment routes have been lacking. Moreover, it recently became clear that the main metabolite of 4-MU, 4-methlyumbelliferyl glucuronide (4-MUG), is bioactive. We therefore sought to define the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 4-MU and its active metabolite 4-MUG in mice. Single dose mouse studies showed that 4-MU administered intravenously (i.v.) resulted in 100-fold higher 4-MU exposure compared to oral (p.o.) administration. The 4-MU ratio AUC i.v./AUC p.o. was 96/1. 4-MUG exposures were much higher than 4-MU exposures after both 4-MU i.v. and p.o. administration, but only small differences in 4-MUG exposure were seen after 4-MU i.v. versus p.o. administration. The 4-MUG metabolite was also administered as a single dose both i.v. and p.o. and showed a 25.9% bioavailability. Compared to 4-MUG p.o. dosing, 1.14 higher 4-MUG exposures were seen after 4-MU p.o. dosing. 4-MU exposure after 4-MUG p.o. administration was minimal but similar to 4-MU exposure after 4-MU p.o. administration. In mice treated for several weeks with 4-MU in chow, the 4-MU concentration immediately drops after treatment was stopped, whereas the 4-MUG concentration showed a peak 1 hour after treatment stop. In a build-up study, 4-MU and 4-MUG treatment in mice lead to a plateau of 4-MU concentration starting at 4 days post treatment start. These 4-MU and 4-MUG concentration findings in vivo will inform future clinical studies and experimental work with 4-MU.
Examining craniofacial variation among crispant and mutant zebrafish models of human skeletal diseases
Authors: Diamond Kelly M. , Burtner Abigail E. , Siddiqui Daanya , Alvarado Kurtis , Leake Sanford L. , Rolfe Sara , Zhang Chi , Kwon Ronald Y. , Maga A. Murat
Published: August 2022

Genetic diseases affecting the skeletal system present with a wide range of symptoms that make diagnosis and treatment difficult. Genome-wide association and sequencing studies have identified genes linked to human skeletal diseases. Gene editing of zebrafish models allows researchers to further examine the link between genotype and phenotype, with the long-term goal of improving diagnosis and treatment. While current automated tools enable rapid and in-depth phenotyping of the axial skeleton, characterizing the effects of mutations on the craniofacial skeleton has been more challenging. The objective of this study was to evaluate a semi-automated screening tool can be used to quantify craniofacial variations in zebrafish models using four genes that have been associated with human skeletal diseases (meox1, plod2, sost, andwnt16) as test cases. We used traditional landmarks to ground truth our dataset and pseudolandmarks to quantify variation across the 3D cranial skeleton between the groups (somatic crispant, germline mutant, and control fish). The proposed pipeline identified variation between the crispant or mutant fish and control fish for four genes. Variation in phenotypes parallel human craniofacial symptoms for two of the four genes tested. This study demonstrates the potential as well as the limitations of our pipeline as a screening tool to examine multi-dimensional phenotypes associated with the zebrafish craniofacial skeleton.
Evolution of microstructure and crystallographic texture throughout the rolling process of AA3104
Authors: Papadopoulou Sofia , Tsiolis Fotios , Gavalas Evangelos , Papaefthymiou Spyros
Published: August 2022

The metallic components are manufactured through several thermomechanical processes. Each selected procedure has multiple targets. The first target is to obtain the required dimensional criteria and second, to achieve the ideal mechanical response toward the application. This is currently accomplished through years of knowhow combined with an academic background of materials science and engineering. Since metals are polycrystalline materials, the several rotations of the crystals, the preferred orientation also known as texture, and their interactions, are crucial characteristics that are directly correlated to the final response of the material, and one could apprehend its thermomechanical prehistory as well as predict is behavior. Different atomic arrangements act differently texture-wise therefore in the current review article, the evolution of the microstructure and the crystallographic texture through the thermomechanically rolling process especially of Al alloys for packaging applications is analyzed. The crystallographic texture evolution in 3xxx Al alloys in different processing routes is presented and compared to the anisotropic effects occurring during deep drawing. The earing phenomena in Al alloys are correlated to the produced texture and therefore their understanding is crucial in order to highlight the importance of texture control throughout the thermomechanical process.
1-(Hex-5-en-1-yl)-4-{[3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,3-benzothiazol-2-ylidene]methyl}quinolin-1-ium iodide monohydrate
Authors: Shank Nathaniel , Stadler Andrea L. , Barrett Sean P. , Padgett Clifford W.
Published: August 2022

The title thiazole orange derivative, bearing an alkene substituent, crystallized as a monohydrate of its iodide salt, namely, (Z)-1-(hex-5-en-1-yl)-4-{[3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,3-benzothiazol-2-ylidene]methyl}quinolin-1-ium iodide monohydrate, C24H25N2S+·I−·H2O. The packing features aromatic π-stacking and van der Waals interactions. The water molecule of crystallization interacts with the cation and anion via O—H...N and O—H...I hydrogen bonds, respectively.
Predicting turnover intention of indonesian millennials workforce in the manufacturing industry: a PLS-SEM approach
Authors: Ardi Romadhani , Anggraini Niken
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to assess the factors that can affect the turnover intention of millennial talents working in the Indonesian manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This work analyzes 115 responses from millennial talents working in the Indonesian manufacturing industry on the issue of turnover intention. Data were collected through an online questionnaire. The collected data were then tested using partial least square-structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings suggest that competency development, work–life balance and meaningful work have a direct impact on the employee satisfaction of millennials in the Indonesian manufacturing industry. However, compensation and benefits have no significant effect on job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

This study has limitations in data collection, concentrated merely in the Jakarta Greater Area. Hence, it would potentially influence the generalization of the results.

Originality/value

This study reveals the potential lack of awareness within Indonesian manufacturing companies in providing a valuable compensation and benefits program for millennials.
Antecedents of customer mortgage shopping satisfaction: the mediating role of search intensity, evidence from the NSMO survey
Authors: Reddy N Srinivasa , Thanigan Jayanthi
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of customer satisfaction during mortgage purchases. Mortgage demand in the USA has reached an all-time high because of an increase in housing demand after COVID-19. Nonetheless, several customers are dissatisfied with their service providers. Customers who actively search the market gain more information about mortgage providers and use this information to define expectations for lenders. The only way there will be customer satisfaction is if lenders meet these expectations. Therefore, it is economically significant for mortgage lenders to discover the antecedents of mortgage satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the partial least squares approach was used to test the hypothesis that satisfaction was influenced by objective knowledge, familiarity and search intensity among a sample of customers (n = 4,512) from the National Survey of Mortgage Originations who had purchased a mortgage in the USA between 2019 and 2020.

Findings

The results of structural modelling showed that familiarity (β = 0.23 and p = 0.01) with and knowledge (β = 0.16 and p = 0.01) of mortgages significantly affected consumer satisfaction during mortgage purchase. Search intensity (p = 0.01) mediated the relationship between knowledge, familiarity and satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The primary implication is that mortgage service providers should prioritise educating customers about the mortgage buying process on their websites and in person. So managers must actively assist clients in having realistic expectations. Second, mortgage companies should establish a presence on third-party mortgage comparison websites to ensure that customers actively consider alternatives, thereby increasing customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study is unique in being an exploratory study to examine the antecedents of mortgage satisfaction using a public data set. This study uniquely examines the National Survey of Mortgage Originations data set with partial least squares approach to examine underlying customer attitudes.
Making agency theory work for supply chain relationships: a systematic review across four disciplines
Authors: Matinheikki Juri , Kauppi Katri , Brandon–Jones Alistair , van Raaij Erik M.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Contemporary supply chain relationships inherently rely on delegation of work between organizations and, thus, are subject to agency problems for which a wide range of governance mechanisms exist. This review of agency theory (AT), across four distinct fields, explains the connection between governance mechanisms and supply chain relationship types.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a systematic literature review (SLR) of articles using AT in a supply chain context from the operations and supply chain management, general management, marketing, and economics fields.

Findings

The authors categorize the governance mechanisms identified to create a typology of agency relationships in supply chains.

Research limitations/implications

The developed typology provides parsimonious theory on different forms of supply chain agency relationships and takes a step towards a “supply chain-oriented agency theory” explaining and predicting relationship types and governance in supply chains. Furthermore, a future research agenda calls for more accurate measuring of agency costs, to examine residual gains alongside residual losses, to take a dual-sided perspective of agency relations and to adopt AT to examine more complex supply networks.

Practical implications

The review provides a menu of governance mechanisms and describes situations under which these mechanisms could be deployed to guide managers when developing their supply chain relationships.

Originality/value

The first review to combine and elaborate views from four major disciplines using AT as a lens to supply chain relationships. Expanding the traditional set of governance mechanisms provides academics and practitioners with a bigger “menu” of options to consider.
Last-mile logistics of perishable products: a review of effectiveness and efficiency measures used in empirical research
Authors: Lagin Madelen , Håkansson Johan , Nordström Carin , Nyberg Roger G. , Öberg Christina
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Current online business development redistributes last-mile logistics (LML) from consumer to retailer and producer. This paper identifies how empirical LML research has used and defined logistic performance measures for key grocery industry actors. Using a multi-actor perspective on logistic performance, the authors discuss coordination issues important for optimising LML at system level.

Design/methodology/approach

A semi-systematic literature review of 85 publications was conducted to analyse performance measurements used for effectiveness and efficiency, and for which actors.

Findings

Few empirical LML studies exist examining coordination between key actors or on system level. Most studies focus on logistic performance measurements for retailers and/or consumers, not producers. Key goals and resource utilisations lack research, including all key actors and system-level coordination.

Research limitations/implications

Current LML performance research implies a risk for sub-optimisation. Through expanding on efficiency and effectiveness interplay at system level and introducing new research perspectives, the review highlights the need to revaluate single-actor, single-measurement studies.

Practical implications

No established scientific guidelines exist for solving LML optimisation in the grocery industry. For managers, it is important to thoroughly consider efficiency and effectiveness in LML execution, coordination and collaboration among key actors, avoiding sub-optimisations for business and sustainability.

Originality/value

The study contributes to current knowledge by reviewing empirical research on LML performance in the grocery sector, showing how previous research disregards the importance of multiple actors and coordination of actors, efficiency and effectiveness.
Startup accelerator analysis: strategic decision on effort exertion and information disclosure regime
Authors: Charoontham Kittiphod , Amornpetchkul Thunyarat
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate a startup accelerator’s decisions toward exerting effort in an information acquisition process and selecting an information disclosure strategy. In particular, the authors are interested in examining which factors may cause the accelerator to report more or less accurate information, which will subsequently affect the investment decision and the outcome of the ventures. This study examines the impact of the equity share taken by the accelerator on the effort level being exerted in the information acquisition process, as well as the accelerator’s decision on the information disclosure regime.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use mathematical models built upon well-established theoretical and practical concepts to analyze the research problems and derive the findings.

Findings

The authors show that when the accelerator takes a sufficiently large equity share from the entrepreneur in exchange for admitting the entrepreneur’s venture into the acceleration program, the accelerator is motivated to exert a significant level of effort to observe an accurate signal for the quality of the venture, and then disclose the information about the venture’s quality consistently with the observed signal (informative disclosure regime). On the other hand, if the accelerator takes a small equity share, it is optimal for her to exert no effort in the information acquisition process and simply adopt the basic disclosure regime, where the accelerator reports the quality of the venture based solely on the ex ante expected payoff of the venture, regardless of the observed signal.

Practical implications

The results indicate that an equity sharing scheme, which awards a sufficient amount of equity to the accelerator, can be an effective tool to help obtain accurate information about the quality of a startup venture and make a well-informed investment decision.

Originality/value

This research illustrates that the ownership stake of the accelerator can potentially indicate the accuracy of the information about the venture provided by the accelerator to outside investors. That is, when the stake held by the accelerator is large, the investors can conjecture that the information about the venture reported by the accelerator may be highly accurate and reliable. In contrast, if the accelerator holds a small stake, then it is likely that the information provided by the accelerator may not add any value to the publicly available information. These insights can guide investors (e.g. angle investors, venture capitalists, etc.) in making well-informed startup investment decisions.
Single‐stranded RNA adjuvant enhances the efficacy of 10‐valent human papilloma virus‐like particle vaccine
Authors: Kwak Hye Won , Shin Wooseok , Baik Kyunghwa , Kim Minsun , Park YongWook , Hong So‐Hee , Park Hyo‐Jung , Park Hyeong‐Jun , Bang Yoo‐Jin , Kim Jae‐Yong , Lee Yu‐Sun , Kim In‐Beom , Kim Hong‐Lim , Kim Hun , Nam Jae‐Hwan
Published: August 2022

Following the development of various types of vaccines, the use of adjuvants to boost vaccine efficacy has become a focus of research. Aluminum hydroxide (alum), the most commonly used adjuvant, induces a certain immune response and ensures safety in human trials. However, alum mainly induces only a Th2 response; its Th1 response is weak. Thus, we previously developed a single‐stranded ribose nucleic acid (ssRNA) adjuvant that induces a Th1 response through toll‐like receptors. Here, we explored whether 10‐valent human papilloma virus (HPV)‐like particle (VLP) vaccine formulated with ssRNA adjuvant and alum helped to enhance immune response and maintained memory response. The mice were immunized intramuscularly twice at 2 week intervals and were inoculated 4 days after the second boost (after about 1 year). The antibody response and T cell activation were measured by Elispot, ELISA using harvested serum and splenocytes. The 10‐valent HPV VLP vaccine formulated with ssRNA adjuvant and alum increased the antigen‐specific immune response more than alum used alone. It increased each type‐specific IgG1/IgG2a titer, and antigen‐specific IFN‐γ cells. Furthermore, the ssRNA adjuvant with alum induced memory response. In memory response, each type‐specific IgG1/IgG2c, IFN‐γ, and IL‐6 cytokine, and neutralizing antibodies were increased by the ssRNA adjuvant with alum. Overall, the ssRNA adjuvant with alum induced memory responses and balanced Th1/Th2 responses. The ssRNA adjuvant and alum may help to enhance prophylactic vaccine efficacy.
British McCarthyism: The Anti‐Communist Politics of Lord Vansittart and Sir Waldron Smithers
Authors: GERTH MATTHEW
Published: August 2022

Contemporaneously to the American McCarthyite response towards communism during the early cold war there existed a similar reaction in the United Kingdom. Like its counterpart in the United States, British McCarthyism not only attacked internal ‘reds’ but also non‐communist elements within the nation's borders. The phenomenon denounced and accused governmental and societal institutions and individuals for tolerating and even abetting the communist conspiracy then supposedly threatening the survival of the realm. Led by former Foreign Office mandarin Robert Vansittart and championed by the Conservative member of parliament Waldron Smithers, this British McCarthyism targeted the Church of England, the BCC and most notably the governing Labour party. The article explores how this politicised form of British anti‐communism functioned and transpired.
Hospitalizations reduce health care utilization of household members
Authors: Bergquist Savannah , de Vaan Mathijs
Published: August 2022

Objective

To examine whether the financial burden of hospitalizations affects the health care utilization of household members of the admitted patient.

Data Sources

We utilized health care claims data from the Massachusetts All‐Payer Claims Database, 2010–2015, to identify emergency hospitalizations of patients on family insurance plans and the health care utilization of the family members on those plans.

Study Design

We used an event‐study analysis to compare health care spending and utilization of family members of a hospitalized individual and family members of an individual who was hospitalized 1 year later. We examine whether such hospitalizations were associated with changes in medical spending, the frequency of ambulatory office visits, other ambulatory care, and preventive care.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

The analyses include household members of patients with an emergency admission and a length of stay between 5 and 90 days.

Principal Findings

Unexpected hospital admissions reduced household members' health care spending and utilization by more than 6.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −8.2%, −4.5%) on average in the year following the hospitalization. Household members had fewer ambulatory visits with primary care physicians (PCPs), fewer referrals to specialists, and reduced utilization of other ambulatory care, including high‐value preventive services. These changes were observed for both children and adults and were exacerbated if members of the household had previously been on Medicaid. The reduction in utilization was less pronounced when the admitted patient and household member shared the same PCP and when their health insurance plan had a family deductible.

Conclusions

Compared with families without a hospitalized family member, family members of hospitalized individuals reduced their medical spending and utilization, including a substantial reduction in the use of preventive care. This study highlights the challenges of providing continuity in care when families face financial hardship.
Division of the intersegmental demarcation using the “modified hand‐tearing method” is safe and feasible in thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy
Authors: Feng Zhen , Hu Benchuang , Yu Shuliang , Guo Chenran , Peng Zhongmin
Published: August 2022

Background

The accurate and safe division of the intersegmental demarcation (ISD) is critical and challenging during thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy. Here, we provide an improved technique which emphasizes the application of an electric hook and blunt division of ISD. The technique is termed as the “modified hand‐tearing method” (MHT method) with combined application of an electric hook and staplers.

The study aimed to review the outcomes of patients who underwent thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy, with or without the MHT method in our institute and assess its feasibility and safety. In addition, we compared the feasibility between video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) using the MHT method.

Methods

From 2018 July to 2021 June, we retrospectively analyzed 701 patients who underwent segmentectomy. Using propensity score matching, data of two well‐matched pairs of 276 cases in the MHT method and non‐MHT method groups, and two well‐matched pairs of 40 cases in the VATS and RATS subgroups were obtained. The clinical and perioperative characteristics of patients were compared between groups.

Results

Compared with the non‐MHT method group, the MHT method group had shorter operation time and shorter postoperative hospital stay. Period of chest tube drainage and postoperative total drainage and postoperative complications had no between‐group difference. Compared with VATS, the RATS subgroup had less intraoperative bleeding and shorter postoperative hospital stay.

Conclusion

Division of ISD using the MHT method has advantages in precision and ease of operation, so it has the potential to become a feasible and effective method for thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy.
Molecular epidemiology of community‐ and hospital‐associated Clostridioides difficile infections in Jönköping, Sweden, October 2017 – March 2018
Authors: Enkirch Theresa , Mernelius Sara , Magnusson Cecilia , Kühlmann‐Berenzon Sharon , Bengnér Malin , Åkerlund Thomas , Rizzardi Kristina
Published: August 2022

Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs) in Sweden are mostly hospital‐associated (HA) with limited knowledge regarding community‐associated (CA) infections. Here, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of clinical isolates of CA‐CDI and HA‐CDI in a Swedish county. Data and isolates (n = 156) of CDI patients (n = 122) from Jönköping county, October 2017–March 2018, were collected and classified as CA (without previous hospital care or onset ≤2 days after admission or >12 weeks after discharge from hospital) or HA (onset >3 days after hospital admission or within 4 weeks after discharge). Molecular characterization of isolates included PCR ribotyping (n = 156 isolates) and whole genome sequencing with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) analysis (n = 53 isolates). We classified 47 patients (39%) as CA‐CDI and 75 (61%) as HA‐CDI. Between CA‐CDI and HA‐CDI patients, we observed no statistically significant differences regarding gender, age, 30‐day mortality or recurrence. Ribotype 005 (RR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.79–5.24) and 020 (RR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.31–4.63) were significantly associated with CA‐CDI. SNP analysis identified seven clusters (0–2 SNP difference) involving 17/53 isolates of both CA‐CDI and HA‐CDI. Molecular epidemiology differed between CA‐CDI and HA‐CDI and WGS analysis suggests transmission of CDI within and between hospitals and communities.
Evaluation of a pilot forensic dermatology curriculum in the USA
Authors: Jelousi Sami , Montejano Danielle , Jaradeh Katrin , Kivlahan Coleen , Shinkai Kanade , Chang Aileen Y.
Published: August 2022

Physician participation in asylum medicine through forensic medical evaluations increases the likelihood that asylum seekers are granted legal status. Based on a review of existing literature and input from content experts, we designed and implemented a forensic dermatology curriculum for dermatology residents at University of California, San Francisco. Our pilot curriculum led to improvements in learners' attitudes regarding physician participation in asylum medicine and their confidence in describing skin findings of torture or abuse.
Challenges in developing a quantitative method of measuring breast development using 3D imaging: An example of a novel method for use in induced breast development with exogenous oestrogen
Authors: Burt Elizabeth , Ruff Clifford , Yasmin Ephia , Davies Melanie , Cameron‐Pimblett Antoinette , Butler Gary , Conway Gerard
Published: August 2022

Objective

Optimal breast development is an essential part of exogenous oestrogen treatment in females undergoing pubertal induction. We set out to develop a novel technique using three‐dimensional (3D) imaging to determine change in breast volume that is applicable when no pre‐existing breast contours are present.

Design

A prospective observational study.

Patients

The imaging methodology was developed using a single male subject to assess reproducibility and validity. The technique was then applied to 29 participants undergoing pubertal induction with exogenous oestradiol who were recruited from Paediatric Gynaecology and Reproductive Endocrinology clinics at University College London Hospital.

Measurements

Breast images were taken using a 3D photographic system. Two images, taken at different times, were manually superimposed to produce a differential breast volume. The initial step of method development set out to show that volume change was not secondary to positioning artefact or image manipulation. This was established by using images of a male participant taken on different occasions. The technique was then used to assess reproducibility in participants undergoing pubertal induction treatment.

Results

Good intraobserver reproducibility (intraclass correlation (ICC) 0.77) was demonstrated with static image manipulation. Validity of the imaging technique was established as there was no significant difference between the known reference volume produced by computer generated warping and that calculated by manual image manipulation. There was excellent intraobserver reproducibility for breast volume calculation in participants undergoing induced breast development (ICC 0.99).

Conclusions

3D imaging is a promising novel tool to provide quantitative breast volume assessment in individuals undergoing breast induction with exogenous oestradiol treatment.
Open‐source intelligence for conservation biology
Authors: Katzner Todd , Thomason Eve , Huhmann Karrin , Conkling Tara , Concepcion Camille , Slabe Vince , Poessel Sharon
Published: August 2022

Open‐source intelligence (OSINT) evolved in spy agencies but now is rapidly changing many fields of study, from anthropology to zoology. Despite the fact that OSINT occasionally is used in conservation biology, there is little recognition that some tools and frameworks used by conservation professionals are drawn from this well‐established field. In conservation biology, OSINT is sometimes used to evaluate wildlife crime, human–wildlife and human–environment interactions, animal behavior, and questions of distribution and abundance. Recognizing the conceptual foundations of the field would allow expansion of conservation biology, not only in the areas noted above, but also, for example, in study of habitat use, habitat change, and animal behavior. This recognition would also provide frameworks for conceptual advancement, especially in terms of data and privacy management. Failure to recognize the underpinnings of OSINT tools in conservation biology harms the field because it limits how research is framed, thought about, and implemented. Likewise, taking an OSINT perspective to conservation problems, rather than simply thinking in terms of big data, can enrich the field, expand science, and increase knowledge and understanding of biology and biodiversity.
Assessment of cardiac dimensions in children diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bakaya Kaushiki , Paracha Waleed , Schievano Silvia , Bozkurt Selim
Published: August 2022

Background

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited autosomal dominant heart disease, characterized by increased left ventricular wall thickness and abnormal loading conditions. Imaging modalities are the first choice for diagnosis and risk stratification. Although heart dimensions have been characterized widely in HCM adults from cardiac imaging, there is limited information about children affected by HCM. The aim of this study is to evaluate left ventricular function and left heart dimensions in a small population of children diagnosed with HCM.

Methods

A total of 16 (seven male, nine female) pediatric patients with an average age of 14.0 ± 2.5 years diagnosed with HCM at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children were included in this study. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images were used to measure left and right ventricular dimensions, and septal and left ventricular free wall thicknesses in Simpleware ScanIP. The gender groups were compared using student t‐test or non‐parametric Mann‐Whitney U‐test depending on the sample distribution.

Results

Differences in heart rate, left ventricular end‐diastolic volume and end‐diastolic volume index, left ventricular stroke volume and stroke volume index, left ventricular end‐systolic long axis length, left ventricular end‐systolic long axis length index, left ventricular end‐diastolic mid‐cavity diameter, left ventricular end‐diastolic free wall thickness, left ventricular end‐diastolic free wall thickness index, right ventricular end‐diastolic long axis length were statistically significant in males and females.

Conclusion

Left ventricular wall and intraventricular septal thickness increase affecting left ventricle cavity dimensions and there may be differences in anatomical and physiological parameters in males and females affected by HCM.
A common temperature dependence of nutritional demands in ectotherms
Authors: Laspoumaderes Cecilia , Meunier Cedric L. , Magnin Amaru , Berlinghof Johanna , Elser James J. , Balseiro Esteban , Torres Gabriela , Modenutti Beatriz , Tremblay Nelly , Boersma Maarten
Published: August 2022

In light of ongoing climate change, it is increasingly important to know how nutritional requirements of ectotherms are affected by changing temperatures. Here, we analyse the wide thermal response of phosphorus (P) requirements via elemental gross growth efficiencies of Carbon (C) and P, and the Threshold Elemental Ratios in different aquatic invertebrate ectotherms: the freshwater model species Daphnia magna, the marine copepod Acartia tonsa, the marine heterotrophic dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina, and larvae of two populations of the marine crab Carcinus maenas. We show that they all share a non‐linear cubic thermal response of nutrient requirements. Phosphorus requirements decrease from low to intermediate temperatures, increase at higher temperatures and decrease again when temperature is excessive. This common thermal response of nutrient requirements is of great importance if we aim to understand or even predict how ectotherm communities will react to global warming and nutrient‐driven eutrophication.
Attention to verbal morphology in L2 Arabic reading: An eye‐movement study
Authors: Nassif Lama , Huntley Elizabeth , Mohamed Ayman
Published: August 2022

Attention is believed to help facilitate learning. Godfroid and Uggen found that attention to irregular verb morphology motivated the learning of novel second language (L2) German forms. The current study explored the generalizability of these findings to geminate and sound verbs in Arabic, a typologically different language with a novel writing system. Eleven fourth‐semester learners of Arabic participated in the experiment. Participants completed a language learning background survey, took a fill‐in‐the blank pretest, read 20 sentence pairs while an Eyelink 1000 recorded their eye movements, and answered true/false comprehension questions that appeared on‐screen following each sentence. A posttest, identical to the pretest, and a prior vocabulary knowledge scale task were then conducted. Learners' reflections were recorded in a subsequent recall task and a follow‐up semistructured interview. Descriptive analyses of the eye‐tracking metrics reveal generally equivalent reading times between verb types, although participants made more direct visual comparisons between geminate‐ than between sound‐verb conjugations. Participants did not report awareness of geminate verbs, but noticed other aspects of input, and, on average, improved their written productive knowledge by 2% after only one exposure. Pedagogical implications are discussed in terms of input enhancement in a communicative L2 classroom.
SO YOU WANT TO BE A HISTORIAN?
Authors: Dirks Nicholas B.
Published: August 2022

If the directed focus on “scholarly personae” recommended in How to Be a Historian: Scholarly Personae in Historical Studies, 1800–2000 is to be genuinely useful, we would need to attend far more systematically to historiographical differences, debates, and styles as rooted not only in the counterpoint between individuals and institutions but also in the larger contexts that govern how we identify what historical issues matter and the larger purposes and conditions of historical scholarship. We would need to identify more clearly not just how historical work is conducted but the ways prevailing debates over historical meaning and method have come to have specific names attached to them. The current crisis in the academic humanities puts all this in sharp relief, since the interest in scholarly personae also invites discussion about institutional conditions of historical work, from the existence of regular opportunities for careers and employment in the academic historical world to the vastly uneven distribution of institutional resources. What I argue for here is a kind of reflexive institutional historicism—the imperative, in other terms, to conduct historical work with a simultaneous concern for the present meanings and implications of the work itself and for the complexity of the interpretive questions raised by one's historical engagement with sources, questions, traditions, theories, and institutional conditions. Indeed, we need not focus on the theoretical aspects of history in order to appreciate the extent to which theory inflects, and is inflected by, the choices we make (and that are made for us) about everything from how to be a historian and who can be a historian to what kinds of historians we might be and, ultimately, what kind of history we write.