bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Regulation of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 and Tissue Renin-Angiotensin Systems: Influence of Biologic Sex
Authors: Ensor Charles M. , AlSiraj Yasir , Shoemaker Robin , Sturgill Jamie , Keshavamurthy Suresh , Gordon Elizabeth M. , Dong Brittany E. , Waters Christopher , Cassis Lisa A
Published: September 2021

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an enzyme that limits activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and also serves as a receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein. Binding of S protein to ACE2 causes internalization which activates local RAS. ACE2 is on the X chromosome and its expression is regulated by sex hormones. In this study, we defined ACE2 mRNA abundance and examined effects of S protein on ACE2 activity and/or angiotensin II (AngII) levels in pivotal tissues (lung, adipose) from male and female mice. In lung, ACE2 mRNA abundance was reduced following gonadectomy (GDX) of male and female mice and was higher in XX than XY mice of the Four Core Genotypes (FCG). Reductions in lung ACE2 mRNA abundance by GDX occurred in XX, but not XY FCG female mice. Lung mRNA abundance of ADAM17 and TMPRSS2, enzymes that shed cell surface ACE2 and facilitate viral cell entry, was reduced by GDX in male but not female mice. For comparison, adipose ACE2 mRNA abundance was higher in female than male mice and higher in XX than XY FCG mice. Adipose ADAM17 mRNA abundance was increased by GDX of male and female mice. S protein reduced ACE2 activity in alveolar type II epithelial cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Administration of S protein to male and female mice increased lung AngII levels and decreased adipose ACE2 activity in male but not female mice. These results demonstrate that sex differences in ACE2 expression levels may impact local RAS following S protein exposures.
The creation of a specializedmedical-dental clinic for adults with developmental disabilities in Montreal, Canada
Authors: Ng Melody Blessing , Klag Malvina , Mazoff Carrie , Sacks Samantha , Czerednikow Chantal , Borbridge Kathryn , Broda Terry , Lai Jonathan
Published: September 2021

Purpose

There is inadequate health care for patients with developmental disabilities (DD), due to a number of systemic issues. This case study describes the establishment of a medical-dental clinic in Montréal, Québec for adults with DD. The purpose of this paper is to describe the model of interdisciplinary care based on best practices, as an example to encourage a growing community of trained health professionals to serve this population.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with all the clinic staff and leadership were conducted on-site at the clinic, followed by document review and discussions with an embedded researcher in the organization.

Findings

The clinic was established through a series of events that led to public and government interest to act, the timely emergence of major donors, and bringing together several dedicated individuals and organizations. The core team engaged in consultation with clinics, followed by extensive billing analyses and iterative process mapping as a learning organization. Prior to patient visits, the clinic conducted detailed intake processes to adequately plan for each patient interaction. Desensitization visits were undertaken to improve patient tolerance for examination and treatment. The continual collection of data fed into an evaluation framework to facilitate continuous improvement and articulate a model for replication.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors knowledge, there is not a clinic of this nature serving this population in Canada. This work can serve to inform the efforts of other care providers looking to create a medical – dental home for this population.
Exploring the masculinization of innovation practice within a municipality
Authors: Wigren-Kristoferson Caroline , Aggestam Maria
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to generate an empirically informed theoretical framework which can be used to analyze the relationship between gender and innovation in the context of a municipality. The authors present and analyze three illustrative tales from a feminist perspective. The authors thus offer a more balanced approach to the conceptualization of gendered ascriptions with respect to the possible outcomes of innovation work in a public context.

Design/methodology/approach

An ethnographic account which employed “shadowing” as a method of observation.

Findings

The article presents a debate on how the social construction of gender and innovation can be placed in the context of a municipal reality. Our analysis reveals how the complexities of a gendered work life within a municipality can create paradoxes. A constructionism approach was used in the identification of hidden and unspoken paradoxes that exist in public spheres.

Research limitations/implications

The authors used empirical tales from a very specific context, namely a Swedish municipality. The central implication of this study is the recognition of innovation as being masculine-gendered within the feminine context. This implication thereby deepens our understanding of gender paradoxes in the public sector.

Practical implications

This study provides insights to practitioners who intend to work with innovation in a public organization.

Social implications

The social implications of this study is that when a male-gendered concept like innovation is implemented in a female-gendered context, like a municipality, it is of importance to contextualize the concept.

Originality/value

The empirical value of examples of a gendered work landscape at a Swedish municipality.
Modeling a sequentially inspected system prone to degradation and shocks
Authors: Pant Himani , Singh S.B.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In certain environments, the system may not fail completely, but undergoes degradation, and the system productivity might decrease. Meanwhile, at the same time, the system may be vulnerable to shocks. A single-unit system prone to degradation and shocks is proposed in this study, and emphasis is placed upon determining its availability and cost rate.

Design/methodology/approach

The considered single-unit system is expected to have three states, namely, normal, degraded and failed. As the system enters the degraded state, it is said to be partially failed. The degraded state incurs higher degradation than the normal state and is more prone to shocks. Inspections are used to determine the state and failure type of the system. Inspections are predetermined to be carried out sequentially at time I, I+aI, I+aI+a2I,… where 0 < a ≤ 1, until the detection of degradation/failure. Perfect repairs are conducted instantly on spotting the partial/complete failure. Two cases have been considered of repair taking constant times and random times.

Findings

Explicit results on the reliability, availability (both point and limiting availability) and long-run average cost rate (LRACR) of a sequentially inspected single-unit system prone to degradation and shocks under constant and random repair times are given. Numerical example of an oil pipeline system is taken to clarify the acquired results.

Originality/value

A sequentially inspected single-unit system prone to degradation and shock is studied unlike done previously.
Higher education: the best practices for fostering competences for sustainable development through the use of active learning methodologies
Authors: Martínez Casanovas Matilde , Ruíz-Munzón Noemí , Buil-Fabregá Marian
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse which are the active learning methodologies, which had better contribute to acquiring competences for sustainable development (SD) in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

Cluster analysis is used to define 252 students’ skills patterns and their perception of the different active learning methodologies conducted in class to promote SD.

Findings

The results show how different learning methodologies enhance SD, the quality assessment perception of students regarding the methodologies used in class and present real-world experiences, problem-based learning and case studies as the active learning methodologies that had better promote SD.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the study are that the results obtained are particular for one university and are not generalizable to other institutions and could vary depending on the degree and year of study of the group of student participants.

Practical implications

The research proposes to introduce active learning methodologies in general and real-world experiences, problem-based learning and case studies in particular, in education for sustainable development.

Social implications

These research findings could be used for those interested in applying active learning methodologies to foster the acquisition of SD competences to promote the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development goals.

Originality/value

This research study aims to shed light on the nascent stage of the relationship between pedagogical approaches used in higher education to develop sustainability competences.
Social media influencers, product placement and network engagement: using AI image analysis to empirically test relationships
Authors: Rutter Richard N. , Barnes Stuart J. , Roper Stuart , Nadeau John , Lettice Fiona
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This research tests empirically the level of consumer engagement with a product via a nonbrand-controlled platform. The authors explore how social media influencers and traditional celebrities are using products within their own social media Instagram posts and how well their perceived endorsement of that product engages their network of followers.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 226,881 posts on Instagram were analyzed using the Inception V3 convolutional neural network (CNN) pre-trained on the ImageNet dataset to identify product placement within the Instagram images of 75 of the world's most important social media influencers. The data were used to empirically test the relationships between influencers, product placement and network engagement and efficiency.

Findings

Influencers achieved higher network engagement efficiencies than celebrities; however, celebrity reach was important for engagement overall. Specialty influencers, known for their “subject” expertise, achieved better network engagement efficiency for related product categories. The highest level of engagement efficiency was achieved by beauty influencers advocating and promoting cosmetic and beauty products.

Practical implications

To maximize engagement and return on investment, manufacturers, retailers and brands must ensure a close fit between the product type and category of influencer promoting a product within their social media posts.

Originality/value

Most research to date has focused on brand-controlled social media accounts. This study focused on traditional celebrities and social media influencers and product placement within their own Instagram posts to extend understanding of the perception of endorsement and subsequent engagement with followers. The authors extend the theory of network effects to reflect the complexity inherent in the context of social media influencers.
Interacting with digitised historical newspapers: understanding the use of digital surrogates as primary sources
Authors: Late Elina , Kumpulainen Sanna
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The paper examines academic historians' information interactions with material from digital historical-newspaper collections as the research process unfolds.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed qualitative analysis from in-depth interviews with Finnish history scholars who use digitised historical newspapers as primary sources for their research. A model for task-based information interaction guided the collection and analysis of data.

Findings

The study revealed numerous information interactions within activities related to task-planning, the search process, selecting and working with the items and synthesis and reporting. The information interactions differ with the activities involved, which call for system support mechanisms specific to each activity type. Various activities feature information search, which is an essential research method for those using digital collections in the compilation and analysis of data. Furthermore, application of quantitative methods and multidisciplinary collaboration may be shaping culture in history research toward convergence with the research culture of the natural sciences.

Originality/value

For sustainable digital humanities infrastructure and digital collections, it is of great importance that system designers understand how the collections are accessed, why and their use in the real-world context. The study enriches understanding of the collections' utilisation and advances a theoretical framework for explicating task-based information interaction.
A comparative analysis of the internationalization of sub-national and central state-owned enterprises: shreds of evidence from Latin America
Authors: Finchelstein Diego , Gonzalez-Perez Maria Alejandra , Salvaj Erica Helena
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In this exploratory multiple case study, we aim to compare the internationalization of two state-owned enterprises (SOEs) owned by subnational governments with three owned by central governments in Latin America. This study provides a contextualized answer to the question: What are the differences in the internationalization of subnationally owned SOEs compared to central SOEs? This study finds that the speed and diversification of these two types of SOEs’ internationalization differ because they have a different expansion logic. Subnationally owned SOEs have a gradual and diversified expansion following market rules. Central government’s SOEs are specialized and take more drastic steps in their internationalization, which relates to non-market factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study builds an exploratory qualitative comparative case analysis that uses multiple sources of data and information to develop a comprehensive understanding of SOEs through process tracing.

Findings

The study posits some assumptions that are confirmed in the case analysis. This study finds relevant differences between sub-national (SSOEs) and central authority (CSOEs’) strategies. SSOEs’ fewer resources and needs to increase income push them to follow a gradual market-driven internationalization and to diversify abroad. CSOEs non-gradual growth is justified by non-market factors (i.e. national politics). CSOEs do not diversify abroad due to the broader set of constituencies they have to face.

Research limitations/implications

Given the exploratory comparative case study of this research, the findings are bounded by the particularities of the cases and their region (Latin America). This paper and its findings can be useful for theory building but it does not claim any generalization capacity.

Originality/value

This study adds complexity into the SOEs phenomenon by distinguishing between different types of SOEs. This paper contributes to the study of subnational phenomena and its effect in SOEs’ internationalization process, which is an understudied topic. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is among the first studies that explore subnational SOEs in Latin America.
Flavonoid fraction from chayote (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw) leaves reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in hyperuricemic rats
Authors: Wahyuningtyas Aulia Putri , Putri Diah Pitaloka , Maharani Nani , Al-Baarri Ahmad Ni'matullah
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effect of the flavonoid fraction of chayote (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw) leaves (FFCL) on uric acid (UA) levels, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in hyperuricemia rats.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 30 Sprague–Dawley rats were divided randomly into 5 groups. A healthy control group was established. Hyperuricemia was induced by the administration of block broth and potassium oxonate for three weeks. FFCL at dosages of 50 and 100 mg/200 g BW/d or allopurinol at a dosage of 1.8 mg/200 g BW/d was given orally for 2 weeks. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate differences among groups before and after the intervention.

Findings

Treatment with two different doses FFCL (50 and 100 mg/200 g BW/d) and one dose of allopurinol (1.8 mg/200 g BW/d) for 2 weeks significantly reduced UA from 8.04 ± 0.23 to 3.88 ± 0.10; 8.03 ± 0.18 to 2.87 ± 0.10; 8.23 ± 0.21 to 2.53 ± 0.19 (p < 0.05), respectively. The oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde levels were reduced (p = 0.001) from 9.68 ± 0.28 to 4.06 ± 0.58; 10.01 ± 0.23 to 2.12 ± 0.09; 9.88 ± 0.21 to 2.02 ± 0.17 (p = 0.001). The inflammatory marker tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were also reduced from 26.43 ± 0.87 to 12.20 ± 0.32; 27.38 ± 0.53 to 9.60 ± 0.53; 27.55 ± 0.68 to 8.83 ± 0.21 with p = 0.001. The 100 mg/200 g BW/d FFCL decreased UA levels, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers more extensively compared to 50 mg/200 g BW/d FFCL.

Research limitations/implications

This study includes some limitations that may affect the generalizability of its findings. First, the flavonoid levels of FFCL were not measured. Second, other oxidative stress biomarkers (e.g. superoxide dismutase) and inflammatory biomarkers (e.g. IL-6) were not investigated. Finally, the experiments were conducted on the model animals over a relatively short period of time. Further research is needed to evaluate the effect in humans at chronic use.

Practical implications

Chayote (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw) leaves are rich in flavonoids, especially apigenin and luteolin, which can improve oxidative stress and inflammation conditions caused by hyperuricemia.

Social implications

Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases, mostly caused by oxidative stress and inflammation in the body due to high levels of UA, one of the treatment strategies is through diet modification.

Originality/value

The results of this investigation imply that the administration of the flavonoid fraction of chayote leaves has significant effects on UA and oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Further research is necessary to confirm the results.
COVID-19 pandemic and the consumption behaviour of branded functional beverages in india: a conceptual framework
Authors: Natarajan Thamaraiselvan , G.R. Jayadevan
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This conceptual paper aims to study the Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic’s impact on branded functional beverages consumption in India. There is a sincere effort to critically review the role of some vital determinants of consumer behaviour and to develop an integrated model for branded functional beverages consumption behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic and extensive literature review was performed by searching electronic databases relating to consumer acceptance and purchase behaviour of functional beverages in India from 2000 to 2021. This study also reviewed very recent literature on the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global consumer traits, buying behaviour, marketing trends and psychographic behaviour.

Findings

The extensive review of the literature yielded results that shed light on some crucial factors propelling branded functional beverages’ consumption behaviour in India, especially in the COVID-19 scenario.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based purely on a conceptual understanding of branded functional beverages’ consumption behaviour among Indian consumers. The conceptual framework proposed here results from the review of past literature. Therefore, the scientific world is invigorated to test further the implications presented in this study empirically.

Practical implications

The conceptual framework proposed here concerning consumer behaviour in functional beverages would guide the food marketers to segment and position their functional food offerings, mainly beverage variants, in the post-pandemic scenario. Moreover, the study findings enable policymakers to craft food policies to uphold the noble cause of moulding a healthy generation.

Originality/value

The COVID-19 pandemic has virtually shattered our food system and modified our associations with food in many different ways. The perception of health risks associated with COVID-19 might have influenced people’s food purchase and consumption behaviours. It is proposed that health-conscious people would prefer more health-promoting foods and beverages to strengthen their immunity. Several reports disclose that food consumers in India demand functional foods and beverages more extensively than before to include in their daily food basket. A detailed literature review revealed an evident shortage of research studies regarding consumer behaviour in functional beverages in India. No prior research works could be identified as to why consumers prefer functional beverages to benefit their overall health and immunity and what guides them to purchase or not to purchase such products, especially in the post-pandemic scenario. Therefore, this research work would be a primer that would guide future studies investigating consumers’ attitudes and purchasing behaviour of branded functional beverages.
An explorative study on the potential of green roofs providing thermal comfort conditions for indoor spaces in Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Koranteng Christian , Nyame-Tawiah David , Gyimah Kwabena Abrokwa , Simons Barbara
Published: September 2021

Purpose

As the global population keeps increasing with its associated urbanisation and climate change issues being experienced in various degrees worldwide, there is the need to find mitigating measures to improve thermal conditions within spaces. The study aimed to evaluate green roofs to determine whether they could provide thermal comfort within residential buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

Forty-two-year weather data were retrieved from the Kumasi weather station to establish the pattern of the climatic variables. Furthermore, an experiment was conducted by constructing test cells to determine the potential of vegetation/green roofs on temperature development within spaces. This approach led to a simulation-based exploration of the thermal performance of the test cells to probe variables that could lead to the reduction in temperature after the models in the software (design-builder) had been validated.

Findings

The results on the 42 years (1976–2018) weather data showed a significant (p = 0.05) mean temperature increment of 2.0 °C. The constructed test cell with Setcreasea purpurea (Purple Heart) vegetation showed an annual mean temperature reduction of 0.4 °C (p = 0.05). In addition, the exploration using the simulation application showed combinations of various soil depth (70–500 mm) and leaf area indices (leaf area index of 2–5) having a potential to lower indoor temperature by 1.5 °C and its associated reduction in energy use. The option of green roofs as a valuable alternative to conventional roofs, given their potential in mitigating climate change, must be encouraged. A survey of occupants in six selected neighbourhoods in Kumasi showed varying subjective perceptions of several green issues (24–98%) and increases in temperature values because of the loss of greenery in the city.

Originality/value

Empirical data that point to the significant reduction of indoor temperature values and a subsequent reduction in energy use have been unearthed. Therefore, built environment professionals together with city authorities could invest in these sustainable measures to help humanity.
Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist treatment of high carbohydrate intake‐induced metabolic syndrome provides pleiotropic effects on cardiac dysfunction through alleviations in electrical and intracellular Ca2+ abnormalities and mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Durak Aysegul , Akkus Erman , Canpolat Asena Gokcay , Tuncay Erkan , Corapcioglu Demet , Turan Belma
Published: September 2021

The pleiotropic effects of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor (GLP‐1R) agonists on the heart have been recognised in obese or diabetic patients. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms of these agonists in cardioprotective actions under metabolic disturbances. We evaluated the effects of GLP‐1R agonist liraglutide treatment on left ventricular cardiomyocytes from high‐carbohydrate induced metabolic syndrome rats (MetS rats), characterised with insulin resistance and cardiac dysfunction with a long‐QT. Liraglutide (0.3 mg/kg for 4 weeks) treatment of MetS rats significantly reversed long‐QT, through a shortening the prolonged action potential duration and recovering inhibited K+‐currents. We also determined a significant recovery in the leaky sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and high cytosolic Ca2+‐level, which are confirmed with a full recovery in activated Na+/Ca2+‐exchanger currents (INCX). Moreover, the liraglutide treatment significantly reversed the depolarised mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), increased production of oxidant markers, and cellular acidification together with the depressed ATP production. Our light microscopy analysis of isolated cardiomyocytes showed marked recoveries in the liraglutide‐treated MetS group such as marked reverses in highly dilated T‐tubules and SR‐mitochondria junctions. Moreover, we determined a significant increase in depressed GLUT4 protein level in liraglutide‐treated MetS group, possibly associated with recovery in casein kinase 2α. Overall, the study demonstrated a molecular mechanism of liraglutide‐induced cardioprotection in MetS rats, at most, via its pleiotropic effects, such as alleviation in the electrical abnormalities, Ca2+‐homeostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction in ventricular cardiomyocytes.
Escaping the fate of Sisyphus: assessing resistome hybridization baits for antimicrobial resistance gene capture
Authors: Beaudry Megan S. , Thomas Jesse C. , Baptista Rodrigo P. , Sullivan Amanda H. , Norfolk William , Devault Alison , Enk Jacob , Kieran Troy J. , Rhodes Olin E. , Perry‐Dow K. Allison , Rose Laura J. , Bayona‐Vásquez Natalia J. , Oladeinde Adelumola , Lipp Erin K. , Sanchez Susan , Glenn Travis C.
Published: September 2021

Finding, characterizing and monitoring reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is vital to protecting public health. Hybridization capture baits are an accurate, sensitive and cost‐effective technique used to enrich and characterize DNA sequences of interest, including antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), in complex environmental samples. We demonstrate the continued utility of a set of 19 933 hybridization capture baits designed from the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD)v1.1.2 and Pathogenicity Island Database (PAIDB)v2.0, targeting 3565 unique nucleotide sequences that confer resistance. We demonstrate the efficiency of our bait set on a custom‐made resistance mock community and complex environmental samples to increase the proportion of on‐target reads as much as >200‐fold. However, keeping pace with newly discovered ARGs poses a challenge when studying AMR, because novel ARGs are continually being identified and would not be included in bait sets designed prior to discovery. We provide imperative information on how our bait set performs against CARDv3.3.1, as well as a generalizable approach for deciding when and how to update hybridization capture bait sets. This research encapsulates the full life cycle of baits for hybridization capture of the resistome from design and validation (both in silico and in vitro) to utilization and forecasting updates and retirement.
Alphaproteobacteria facilitate Trichodesmium community trimethylamine utilization
Authors: Conover Asa E. , Morando Michael , Zhao Yiming , Semones Jacob , Hutchins David A. , Webb Eric A.
Published: September 2021

In the surface waters of the warm oligotrophic ocean, filaments and aggregated colonies of the nitrogen (N)‐fixing cyanobacterium Trichodesmium create microscale nutrient‐rich oases. These hotspots fuel primary productivity and harbour a diverse consortium of heterotrophs. Interactions with associated microbiota can affect the physiology of Trichodesmium, often in ways that have been predicted to support its growth. Recently, it was found that trimethylamine (TMA), a globally abundant organic N compound, inhibits N2 fixation in cultures of Trichodesmium without impairing growth rate, suggesting that Trichodesmium can use TMA as an alternate N source. In this study, 15N‐TMA DNA stable isotope probing (SIP) of a Trichodesmium enrichment was employed to further investigate TMA metabolism and determine whether TMA‐N is incorporated directly or secondarily via cross‐feeding facilitated by microbial associates. Herein, we identify two members of the marine Roseobacter clade (MRC) of Alphaproteobacteria as the likely metabolizers of TMA and provide genomic evidence that they converted TMA into a more readily available form of N, e.g., ammonium (NH4+), which was subsequently used by Trichodesmium and the rest of the community. The results implicate microbiome‐mediated carbon (C) and N transformations in modulating N2 fixation and thus highlight the involvement of host‐associated heterotrophs in global biogeochemical cycling.
Emotions and emotion work before, during and after HIV disclosure among Black gay and bisexual men living with HIV
Authors: Campbell Chadwick K.
Published: September 2021

In the United States, Black gay and bisexual men account for a quarter of HIV infections and face intersecting social and structural stigmas along the axes of race, sexuality and class. For those diagnosed with HIV, these inequities shape their lived experiences which include HIV disclosure. Public health has privileged HIV status disclosure as the appropriate moral and responsible choice to protect sex partners, reduce stigma and obtain social support. Though little is known about the emotional aspects of HIV disclosure for Black gay and bisexual men, or how they are shaped by social and structural contexts. Using the frameworks of healthism and emotion work, I explore HIV disclosure among a sample of 30 Black gay and bisexual men living with HIV in the Deep South. Drawing on in‐depth, qualitative interviews, I identify the emotion work that men engaged in to manage their own emotions and protect the emotions of others before, during and after disclosure or nondisclosure. These findings challenge public health research that has explored disclosure as discrete measurable events by illustrating how HIV disclosure is embedded in ongoing social and structural relations and provide insights that can guide new approaches focused on structural inequities that constitute HIV disclosure.
Planning versus the market: The dispute between Hayek and Mannheim and its contemporary relevance
Authors: Hammersley Martyn
Published: September 2021

Parallels have been drawn between the 1930s and today, notably the existence of unstable economic conditions as well as deepening, antagonistic ideological divisions. In the 1940s, two books appeared that presented opposing diagnoses of, and remedies for, the problems that faced Western societies at that time. In Man and Society, Karl Mannheim argued that forms of political organization had not adapted to changing social, economic, and technological conditions, and that this explained the rise of communism and fascism. He insisted that, in order to avoid disorder and political extremism, liberal democracies needed to engage in greater planning of their economic and social affairs, with sociology providing the synthesis of scientific knowledge required for this. Just a few years later, Friedrich Hayek published The Road to Serfdom, in which Mannheim's work was a central target. He insisted that only the preservation of liberal freedoms and competitive markets could prevent the spread of totalitarianism. This paper outlines the arguments of each of these authors and provides an account of some of the historical background against which their disagreement arose. It also explores the relevance of their very different positions today, at a time when the neoliberal ideology that Hayek championed continues to have great influence but is under increasing attack from across the political spectrum.
Metagenomics reveals contrasting energy utilization efficiencies of captive and wild camels (Camelus ferus)
Authors: YAN Liping , TANG Liping , ZHOU Zhichao , LU Wei , WANG Bo , SUN Zhicheng , JIANG Xue , HU Defu , LI Junqing , ZHANG Dong
Published: September 2021

Captive conditions can affect the symbiotic microbiome of animals. In this study, we compared the structural and functional differences of the gastrointestinal microbiomes of wild Bactrian camels (Camelus ferus) between wild and captive populations, as well as their different host energy utilization performances through metagenomics. The results showed that wild‐living camels harbored more microbial taxa related to the production of volatile fatty acids, fewer methanogens, and fewer genes encoding enzymes involved in methanogenesis, leading to higher energy utilization efficiency compared to that of captive‐living camels. These findings suggest that the wild‐living camel fecal microbiome demonstrates a series of adaptive characteristics that enable the host to adjust to a relatively barren field environment. Our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of wildlife adaptations to habitats from the perspective of the microbiome.
Commensal microbiota and host metabolic divergence are associated with the adaptation of Diploderma vela to spatially heterogeneous environments
Authors: ZHU Wei , SHI Xiudong , QI Yin , WANG Xiaoyi , CHANG Liming , ZHAO Chunlin , ZHU Lifeng , JIANG Jianping
Published: September 2021

Heterogeneous environment adaptation is critical to understand the species evolution and response to climate change. However, how narrow‐range species adapt to micro‐geographic heterogeneity has been overlooked, and there is a lack of insights from metabolism and commensal microbiota. Here, we studied the environmental adaptation for 3 geographic populations (>40 km apart) of Diploderma vela, a lizard endemic to dry‐hot valleys of the Hengduan Mountain Region. The climatic boundary caused a cooler, droughtier, and barren environment for northernmost population (RM) than the middle (QZK) and southernmost populations (FS). Correspondingly, significant divergences in liver and muscle metabolism and commensal microbiota were detected between RM and QZK or FS individuals, but not between QZK and FS individuals. Phospholipid composition, coenzyme level (i.e. pyridoxal and NAD+), and cholesterol metabolism (e.g. androgen and estriol synthesis) constituted the major metabolic difference between RM and QZK/FS groups. FS and QZK individuals kept abundant Proteobacteria and antifungal strains, while RM individuals maintained more Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. Strong associations existed between varied host metabolite and gut microbes. How were these interpopulation variations associated to the environment adaptation were discussed. These results provided some novel insights into the environmental adaptation and implicated the consequence of climate change on narrow‐range species.
Effect of infrared radiation on activity and conformation of polyphenol oxidase from Acetes chinensis
Authors: Zhang Jianyou , Zhou Guangcheng , Chen Lifan , Sun Lei , Fei Lifeng , Lyu Fei , Ding Yuting
Published: September 2021

The aim of this paper was to study the effect of infrared radiation (IR) on the activity and conformation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in Acetes chinensis. In this paper, the specific activity of PPO was increased from 21.2 to 643.4 U/mg by a four‐step purification. The results showed that IR treatment had greater effect on the enzyme activity and conformation of PPO than hot air (HA) treatment. After IR treatment at 70°C, the relative enzyme activity of PPO was 9.28%, the surface hydrophobicity index increased by 80.42%, and the content of sulfhydryl group decreased to 96.99% of the control group. The results of circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that the α‐helix of PPO treated by IR decreased and the random coil increased. The intrinsic fluorescence intensity of PPO decreased after IR treatment, indicating that the tertiary structure of PPO was destroyed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the surface microstructure of PPO after IR treatment became clear and compact. In conclusion, IR treatment can completely destroy the secondary structure and tertiary structure of PPO and cause enzyme inactivation. This study provides a treatment for reducing the activity of PPO from A. chinensis during the production and processing.

Practical Application

This study shows that IR treatment has a better inhibitory effect on the activity of PPO than HA treatment. It provides a better treatment method for inactivating the activity of PPO from Acetes chinensis during the production and processing.
REST/NRSF deficiency impairs autophagy and leads to cellular senescence in neurons
Authors: Rocchi Anna , Carminati Emanuele , De Fusco Antonio , Kowalska Jagoda Aleksandra , Floss Thomas , Benfenati Fabio
Published: September 2021

During aging, brain performances decline. Cellular senescence is one of the aging drivers and a key feature of a variety of human age‐related disorders. The transcriptional repressor RE1‐silencing transcription factor (REST) has been associated with aging and higher risk of neurodegenerative disorders. However, how REST contributes to the senescence program and functional impairment remains largely unknown. Here, we report that REST is essential to prevent the senescence phenotype in primary mouse neurons. REST deficiency causes failure of autophagy and loss of proteostasis, increased oxidative stress, and higher rate of cell death. Re‐establishment of autophagy reverses the main hallmarks of senescence. Our data indicate that REST has a protective role in physiological aging by regulating the autophagic flux and the senescence program in neurons, with implications for neurological disorders associated with aging.
Environmental conditions are more effective than nutrient availability and spatial processes on explaining microphytoplankton functional structure in a subtropical hypereutrophic reservoir
Authors: Alves Jonatas , Pinheiro‐Silva Lorena , Schuster Karling Fernanda , Matthiensen Alexandre , Petrucio Mauricio Mello
Published: September 2021

The structure of freshwater phytoplankton communities can be strongly influenced by environmental and spatial processes at different scales. To identify the main forces that drive phytoplankton structure becomes a relevant tool to understand several knowledge gaps in the phytoplankton ecology domain, such as community succession, biological invasions and responses to disturbances. We used the morphological‐based functional groups (MBFG) approach to investigate the influence of environmental conditions (physical and chemical factors), nutrient availability and spatial processes (habitat connection and species dispersal) in structuring microphytoplankton community in a subtropical hypereutrophic reservoir located in southern Brazil. Samples were taken quarterly, between February 2017 and December 2018. We used distance‐based multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) to evaluate potential spatial and seasonal dissimilarities in the MBFG’s biovolume, and variation partitioning approach (pRDA) to evaluate the role of environmental, nutrient availability and spatial components in explain the microphytoplankton community structure. We identified 16 microphytoplankton taxa, which were sorted into five MBFGs. Significant seasonal dissimilarities were observed in the MBFG’s biovolume. Higher relative biovolume of potential harmful cyanobacteria (MBFG III) and alien dinoflagellates (MBFG V) was observed in summer and autumn/winter, respectively. Pure environmental component (composed by physical and chemical predictors insolation, precipitation, total dissolved solids, turbidity, water temperature, water transparency and wind intensity) explained 45% of the variance in the MBFG’s biovolume, whereas pure nutrient availability component explained 7% and spatial component explained only 3% of the biotic variance. The results showed that the environmental factors – especially the seasonal‐influenced ones – are more effective than nutrient availability and spatial processes in explaining the microphytoplankton community structure in this ecosystem. Our findings alert to the need to consider the variability of the environmental conditions (mainly those directly influenced by seasonality) in phytoplankton community structure in disturbed freshwater ecosystems prone to eutrophication events.
Advances and highlights in biomarkers of allergic diseases
Authors: Ogulur Ismail , Pat Yagiz , Ardicli Ozge , Barletta Elena , Cevhertas Lacin , Fernandez‐Santamaria Ruben , Huang Mengting , Bel Imam Manal , Koch Jana , Ma Siyuan , Maurer Debbie J. , Mitamura Yasutaka , Peng Yaqi , Radzikowska Urszula , Rinaldi Arturo O. , Rodriguez‐Coira Juan , Satitsuksanoa Pattraporn , Schneider Stephan R. , Wallimann Alexandra , Zhakparov Damir , Ziadlou Reihane , Brüggen Marie‐Charlotte , van de Veen Willem , Sokolowska Milena , Baerenfaller Katja , Zhang Luo , Akdis Mubeccel , Akdis Cezmi A.
Published: September 2021

During the past years, there has been a global outbreak of allergic diseases, presenting a considerable medical and socioeconomical burden. A large fraction of allergic diseases is characterized by a type 2 immune response involving Th2 cells, type 2 innate lymphoid cells, eosinophils, mast cells, and M2 macrophages. Biomarkers are valuable parameters for precision medicine as they provide information on the disease endotypes, clusters, precision diagnoses, identification of therapeutic targets, and monitoring of treatment efficacies. The availability of powerful omics technologies, together with integrated data analysis and network‐based approaches can help the identification of clinically useful biomarkers. These biomarkers need to be accurately quantified using robust and reproducible methods, such as reliable and point‐of‐care systems. Ideally, samples should be collected using quick, cost‐efficient and noninvasive methods. In recent years, a plethora of research has been directed toward finding novel biomarkers of allergic diseases. Promising biomarkers of type 2 allergic diseases include sputum eosinophils, serum periostin and exhaled nitric oxide. Several other biomarkers, such as pro‐inflammatory mediators, miRNAs, eicosanoid molecules, epithelial barrier integrity, and microbiota changes are useful for diagnosis and monitoring of allergic diseases and can be quantified in serum, body fluids and exhaled air. Herein, we review recent studies on biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, food allergies, anaphylaxis, drug hypersensitivity and allergen immunotherapy. In addition, we discuss COVID‐19 and allergic diseases within the perspective of biomarkers and recommendations on the management of allergic and asthmatic patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
An active approach of pressure waveform matching for stress‐based testing of arteries
Authors: Agrafiotis Emmanouil , Geith Markus A. , Golkani Mohammad A. , Hergesell Vera , Sommer Gerhard , Spiliopoulos Sotirios , Holzapfel Gerhard A.
Published: September 2021

Background

Arterial compliance assists the cardiovascular system with three key roles: (i) storing up to 50% of the stroke volume; (ii) ensuring blood flow during diastole; (iii) dampening pressure oscillations through arterial distension. In mock circulation loops (MCLs), arterial compliance was simulated either with membrane, spring, or Windkessel chambers. Although they have been shown to be suitable for cardiac device testing, their passive behavior can limit stress‐based testing of arteries. Here we present an active compliance chamber with a feedback control of variable compliance as part of an MCL designed for biomechanical evaluation of arteries under physiological waveforms.

Materials and Methods

The chamber encloses a piston that changes the volume via a cascaded controller when there is a difference between the real‐time pressure and the physiological reference pressure with the aim to equilibrate both pressures.

Results

The experimental results showed repeatable physiological waveforms of aortic pressure in health (80–120 mm Hg), systemic hypertension (90–153 mm Hg), and heart failure reduced ejection fraction (78–108 mm Hg). Statistical validation (n = 20) of the function of the chamber is presented against compared raw data.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that the active compliance chamber can track the actual pressure of the MCL and balance it in real time (every millisecond) with the reference values in order to shape the given pressure waveform. The active compliance chamber is an advanced tool for MCL applications for biomechanical examination of stented arteries and for preclinical evaluation of vascular implants.
Schlemm's canal: the outflow ‘vessel’
Authors: Lewczuk Katarzyna , Jabłońska Joanna , Konopińska Joanna , Mariak Zofia , Rękas Marek
Published: September 2021

In a healthy eye, the aqueous humour (AH) flows via the ciliary body and trabecular meshwork into the collector channels, which carry it to the episcleral veins. In glaucoma, a heterogeneous group of eye disorders affecting approximately 60 million individuals worldwide, the juxtacanalicular meshwork offers greater resistance to the outflow of the AH, leading to an increase in outflow resistance that gradually results in elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The present review comprehensively covers the morphology of Schlemm’s canal (SC) and AH pathways. The path of the AH from the anterior chamber through the trabeculum into suprascleral and conjunctival veins via collector channels is described, and the role of SC in the development of glaucoma and outflow resistance is discussed. Finally, channelography is presented as a precise method of assessing the conventional drainage pathway and facilitating localization of an uncollapsed collector and aqueous veins. Attention is also given to the relationship between aqueous and episcleral veins and heartbeat. Possible directions of future research are proposed.
Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) signalling in the brain: From neural circuits and metabolism to therapeutics
Authors: Kabahizi Anita , Wallace Briana , Lieu Linh , Chau Dominic , Dong Yanbin , Hwang Eun‐Sang , Williams Kevin W.
Published: September 2021

Glucagon‐like‐peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) derived from gut enteroendocrine cells and a discrete population of neurons in the caudal medulla acts through humoral and neural pathways to regulate satiety, gastric motility and pancreatic endocrine function. These physiological attributes contribute to GLP‐1 having a potent therapeutic action in glycaemic regulation and chronic weight management. In this review, we provide an overview of the neural circuits targeted by endogenous versus exogenous GLP‐1 and related drugs. We also highlight candidate subpopulations of neurons and cellular mechanisms responsible for the acute and chronic effects of GLP‐1 and GLP‐1 receptor agonists on energy balance and glucose metabolism. Finally, we present potential future directions to translate these findings towards the development of effective therapies for treatment of metabolic disease.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on GLP1 receptor ligands (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.4/issuetoc