bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Nomogram for Predicting Breast Cancer–specific Survival in Male Patients
Authors: Zhou Qianmei , Zhang Qingxue , Zhao Shuo , Zhang Yingying , Wang Qian , Li Jingruo
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

To compare breast cancer–specific survival (BCSS) of nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer between male (MBC) and female (FBC) patients, define clinicopathologic variables related to BCSS in nonmetastatic invasive MBC patients, and establish a nomogram for individual risk prediction.

Materials and Methods:

On the basis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, 2094 MBC and 48,104 FBC cases underwent propensity score matching (PSM). We compared the prognosis of patients before and after PSM and developed a nomogram for BCSS of nonmetastatic invasive MBC patients. Internal validation was performed using the consistency index, calibration curves, and receiver operating characteristic curves. Simultaneously, data from 49 nonmetastatic invasive MBC patients diagnosed between January 2012 and May 2016 were collected for external validation.

Results:

Before PSM, overall survival and BCSS were significantly shorter in MBC than those in FBC patients. After PSM, MBC patients continued to have a shorter overall survival, but not BCSS, than FBC patients. Marital status, age, histologic grade, estrogen/progesterone receptor status, Tumor Lymph Node stage, and surgery were included in the prediction model.

Conclusions:

The nomogram developed in this study seems to be more accurate than conventional Tumor-nodal-metastasis staging staging to predict BCSS and may serve as an effective tool for assessing the prognosis of nonmetastatic invasive MBC.
Development of a Standardized Simulation: Advance Care Planning Conversations for Nurses
Authors: Parekh de Campos Amisha , Polifroni E. Carol
Published: September 2022

Background

Advance care planning conversations focus on articulating and documenting patients’ health care goals. These conversations should occur early and iteratively but are often not completed. Clinicians, specifically registered nurses, lack the needed training in advance care planning to have effective conversations; hands-on teaching modalities are necessary to enhance these communication skills.

Objectives

Increase knowledge and comfort in communication about advance care planning; therefore, a validated and standardized simulation was developed and tested among registered nurses. We examined the feasibility of an advance care planning simulation called Conversations Had at Trying Times to explore changes in knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy among registered nurses.

Methods

The National League of Nursing Jeffries Simulation Theory and Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory framed the study, which consisted of two stages: a) simulation development and b) simulation testing. Construct and content validity guided simulation development; standardization was achieved through International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning standards. Testing consisted of a pilot one-group pre/posttest.

Results

Conversations Had at Trying Times, a researcher-designed high-fidelity validated simulation, enhanced nurses’ communication skills. Thirty-six registered nurses completed the simulation; knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy increased pre-to posttest. Post-simulation evaluations confirmed the feasibility of the simulation. The greatest variation in results was among registered nurses with less than a year of experience.

Discussion

The study findings support the feasibility and effectiveness of the Conversations Had at Trying Times simulation in its development and outcome measurements of knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy in advance care planning. Simulation is an educational modality underutilized, and Conversations Had at Trying Times is one of the few validated simulations for nurses. Further analysis showed that years of experience was a significant factor. Younger, inexperienced nurses had positive outcomes, but not to the extent of other practicing nurses, which suggests that simulation tailoring is necessary for newer nurses or alternative education modalities need to be explored. In addition, more training in advance care planning communication is needed for newer nurses through nurse residency programs, staff development, and mentorship. Finally, advance care planning communication needs to be addressed in undergraduate education to better prepare new graduate nurses.
Patients' Perceptions of Reasons Contributing to Delay in Seeking Help at the Onset of a Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Authors: Costa Idevania G. , Tregunno Deborah , Camargo-Plazas Pilar
Published: September 2022

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to explore patients' perception of reasons contributing to delay in seeking help and referral to a wound care specialist at the onset of a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).

DESIGN:

Constructivist grounded theory study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

The sample comprised 30 individuals with active DFU attending a wound care clinic in southeastern Ontario, Canada.

METHODS:

Participants were selected through purposive and theoretical sampling. Semistructured interviews were conducted with participants until no new properties of the patterns emerged. All interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using methods informed by constructivist grounded theory.

RESULTS:

The reasons contributing to delay to seek help and referral to a wound care specialist were (1) limited knowledge about foot care, (2) unaware of diabetic foot problems, (3) underestimation of ulcer presentation, (4) I thought I could fix it myself, (5) inaccurate diagnosis, and (6) trial and error approach by a nonspecialized wound care provider.

CONCLUSIONS:

Study findings suggest that patients and primary healthcare providers need additional education regarding the management of diabetic foot disease and DFU.
Changes to the upper gastrointestinal microbiotas of children with reflux oesophagitis and oesophageal metaplasia
Authors: Luu Laurence D. W. , Singh Harveen , Castaño-Rodríguez Natalia , Leach Steven T. , Riordan Stephen M. , Tedla Nicodemus , Krishnan Usha , Kaakoush Nadeem O.
Published: September 2022

Little is known of the relationships among paediatric upper gastrointestinal microbiotas, and the impact of medication use and disease on their diversity. Here, we investigated the diversity of three microbiotas in the upper gastrointestinal tract of paediatric patients in relation to each other and to host factors. Oral, oesophageal and gastric microbiotas from a prospective paediatric cohort (n=54) were profiled using the 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 amplicon sequencing. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of oesophageal biopsies from a retrospective paediatric cohort (n=96) and shotgun metagenomics data from oesophageal brushings (n=88) were employed for genomic signature validation. Bacterial diversity and composition showed substantial differences across oral, oesophageal and gastric fluid samples that were not replicated for fungi, and the presence of reflux led to increased homogeneity in the bacterial component of these three microbiotas. The oral and oesophageal microbiotas were associated with age, sex, history of oesophageal atresia and presence of oesophageal metaplasia, with the latter characterized by

Prevotella

enrichment. Proton pump inhibitor use was associated with increased oral bacterial richness in the gastric fluid, and this correlated with increased levels of gastric pro-inflammatory cytokines. Profiling of oesophageal biopsies from a retrospective paediatric cohort confirmed an increased

Prevotella

prevalence in samples with metaplasia. Analysis of metagenome-derived oesophageal

Prevotella melaninogenica

genomes identified strain-specific features that were significantly increased in prevalence in samples with metaplasia.

Prevotella

enrichment is a signature associated with paediatric oesophageal metaplasia, and proton pump inhibitor use substantially alters the paediatric gastric microenvironment.
Health service improvement using positive patient feedback: systematic review and change model
Authors: Lloyd Rebecca , Munro James , Evans Kerry , Gaskin-Williams Amy , Hui Ada , Pearson Mark , Slade Mike , Kotera Yasuhiro , Day Giskin , Loughlin-Ridley Joanne , Enston Clare , Rennick-Egglestone Stefan
Published: September 2022

Background

Patients, families, and communities regularly provide feedback about care and treatment received from healthcare services, most of which is positive. The aim of this review was to examine how positive feedback creates change within healthcare settings.

Methods

Included documents were empirical studies where the full text is publicly available in English, and where a change has occurred within healthcare services attributed to positive feedback from service users, their families, or the community. They were identified through database searches (ACM Digital Library, AMED, ASSIA, CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO), forwards and backwards citation, and expert consultation. Data was synthesised into a change model describing forms, mediators and moderators of change. A protocol was prospectively registered: https://osf.io/5x46c.

Results

Sixty-eight papers were included, describing research conducted in 32 countries across six continents, with qualitative (n=51), quantitative (n=10), and mixed (n=7) methods. Only two described interventional studies. The most common form of feedback was ‘appreciation’ (n=28). The most common recipients were nurses (n=29). Positive feedback was most commonly given in hospitals (n=27) and community healthcare (n=19). Positive feedback mostly led to positive outcomes categorised as (a) short-term emotional change for healthcare workers (including feeling motivated and improved psychological wellbeing), (b) work-home interactional change for healthcare workers (such as improved home-life relationships), and (c) work-related change for healthcare workers (such as improved performance and staff retention). Undesirable changes included embarrassment when receiving feedback, tension in the patient-professional relationship, and envy when not receiving positive feedback.

Conclusion

Positive feedback can provide the opportunity to create meaningful health service change. Healthcare managers may wish to use positive feedback more regularly, and to identify and address barriers to staff receiving feedback. Further interventional research is required to establish the effectiveness of receiving positive feedback in creating change, and to understand the influence of feedback content.
Direct haplotype-resolved 5-base HiFi sequencing for genome-wide profiling of hypermethylation outliers in a rare disease cohort
Authors: Cheung Warren A , Johnson Adam F , Rowell William J , Farrow Emily , Hall Richard , Cohen Ana SA , Means John C , Zion Tricia , Portik Daniel M , Saunders Christopher T , Koseva Boryana , Bi Chengpeng , Truong Tina , Schwendinger-Schreck Carl , Yoo Byunggil , Johnston Jeffrey J , Gibson Margaret , Evrony Gilad , Rizzo William B , Thiffault Isabelle , Younger Scott T , Curran Tom , Wenger Aaron M , Grundberg Elin , Pastinen Tomi
Published: September 2022

Long-read HiFi genome sequencing (GS) allows for accurate detection and direct phasing of single nucleotide variants (SNV), indels, and structural variants (SV). Recent algorithmic development enables simultaneous detection of CpG methylation (mCpG) for analysis of regulatory element (RE) activity directly in HiFi-GS. We generated a comprehensive haplotype-resolved HiFi-GS dataset from a rare disease cohort of 276 samples in 152 families to identify rare (∼0.5%) hyper-mCpG events. We found that 80% of these events are allele-specific and predicted to cause loss of RE (LRE). We demonstrated heritability of extreme hyper-mCpG including rarecisSNVs and SVs causing short (∼200bp) and large hyper-mCpG events (>1 kb), respectively. We identified novel repeat expansions in proximal promoters predicting allelic gene silencing via hyper-mCpG and demonstrated allelic transcriptional events downstream. On average 30-40 LREs overlapped rare disease genes per patient, providing indications for variation prioritization. LRE led to a previously undiagnosed pathogenic allele inDIP2Bcausing global developmental delay. We propose that use of HiFi-GS in unsolved rare disease cases will allow detection of unconventional diseases alleles due to LRE.
Gene copy number variation in pediatric mental illness in a general population
Authors: Zarrei Mehdi , Burton Christie L. , Engchuan Worrawat , Higginbotham Edward J , Wei John , Shaikh Sabah , Roslin Nicole M. , MacDonald Jeffrey R. , Pellecchia Giovanna , Nalpathamkalam Thomas , Lamoureux Sylvia , Manshaei Roozbeh , Howe Jennifer , Trost Brett , Thiruvahindrapuram Bhooma , Marshall Christian R. , Yuen Ryan K.C. , Wintle Richard F. , Strug Lisa J , Stavropoulos Dimitri J. , Vorstman Jacob A.S. , Arnold Paul , Merico Daniele , Woodbury-Smith Marc , Crosbie Jennifer , Schachar Russell , Scherer Stephen W.
Published: September 2022

We assessed the relationship of gene copy number variation (CNV) in mental health/neurodevelopmental traits and diagnoses, physical health, and cognitive biomarkers in a community sample of 7,100 unrelated European, and East Asian children and youth (Spit for Science). Diagnoses of mental health disorders were found in 17.5% of participants and 27.6% scored in the highest 10% on either or both ADHD and OCD trait measures. Clinically relevant CNVs were present in 3.9% of participants and were associated with elevated scores on a continuous measure of ADHD (p=5.0×10−3), on a cognitive biomarker of mental health (response inhibition (p=1.0×10−2)), and on prevalence of mental disorders (p=1.9×10−6, odds ratio: 3.09). With a rise of mental illness, our data establishes a baseline for delineating genetic contributors in paediatric-onset conditions.

One Sentence Summary

Copy number variation predicts neurodevelopmental and mental health phenotypes in the general population.
CD19/CD20 Bispecific Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) in Naïve/Memory T Cells for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Larson Sarah M. , Walthers Christopher M. , Ji Brenda , Ghafouri Sanaz N. , Naparstek Jacob , Trent Jacqueline , Chen Jia Ming , Roshandell Mobina , Harris Caitlin , Gandhi Mobina Khericha , Schweppe Thomas , Berent-Maoz Beata , Gosliner Stanley B. , Almaktari Amr , Allen-Auerbach Martin , Said Jonathan , Nawaly Karla , Mead Monica , De Vos Sven , Young Patricia , Oliai Caspian , Schiller Gary J. , Timmerman John M. , Ribas Antoni , Chen Yvonne Y.
Published: September 2022

To address antigen escape and loss of T-cell functionality, we report a phase-1 clinical trial (NCT04007029) evaluating autologous naïve and memory T (TN/MEM) cells engineered to express a bispecific anti-CD19/CD20 CAR (CART19/20) for patients with relapsed/refractory NHL, with safety as the primary end point. Ten patients were treated with 36–165 × 106 CART19/20 cells. No patient experienced neurotoxicity of any grade, or over grade-1 cytokine release syndrome. One case of dose-limiting toxicity (persistent cytopenia) was observed. Nine of ten patients achieved objective response (90% ORR), with seven achieving complete remission (70% CR rate). One patient relapsed after 18 months in CR, but returned to CR after receiving a second dose of CART19/20 cells. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were not reached with a 17-month median follow-up. In conclusion, CART19/20 TN/MEM cells are safe and effective in patients with relapsed/refractory NHL, with durable responses achieved at low dosage levels.
Environmental, social and governance impact on financial performance: evidence from the Levant countries
Authors: Al Amosh Hamzeh , Khatib Saleh F.A. , Ananzeh Husam
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether the sustainability disclosure with the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects has an impact on the financial performance represented by Tobin’s Q, return on assets (ROA) and return on equity indices in the Levant countries for the period 2012–2019, which was a period of turmoil and political repercussions that affected the countries of the region.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the content analysis technique, the data was collected from 124 nonfinancial companies from Levant countries (Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon), and 883 observations were collected as panel data for the research analysis.

Findings

The findings indicate that the environmental, social and ESG collective performance maximizes financial performance, while the governance performance influences ROA only. This suggests that companies pay great attention to various stakeholders, mainly external. Maximizing stakeholder value remains an optimal strategy to achieve the company’s financial goals. Thus, improving the disclosure levels of nonfinancial performance in the capital markets will improve the chances of growth of the financial performance indicators of companies.

Originality/value

The study provided insights about the ESG role and its impact on the financial performance of companies in a less explored context by previous literature, namely, the Levant.
Drivers of environmental and social sustainability accounting practices in Nigeria: a corporate governance perspective
Authors: Oyewo Babajide , Tawiah Vincent , Hussain Syed Tanvir
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate corporate governance mechanisms affecting environmental and social sustainability accounting practice (SAP). Four internal (quality of information technology [QIT], market orientation, business strategy and structure of accounting department) and two external (environmental uncertainty and market competition) governance mechanisms were examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The population of the study is comprised of 56 publicly listed manufacturing companies on the Mainboard of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Data were collected using a questionnaire which was completed by senior finance personnel in each company in the sample. Structural equation modelling, logistic regression and quantile regression analysis were used to analyse data.

Findings

The results show that the extent to which Nigerian companies have implemented SAP is moderate. The authors find that the level of SAP implementation is significantly associated with market orientation and business strategy, but not with the QIT and structure of accounting department. The results also show that both external corporate governance mechanisms (i.e. environmental uncertainty and intensity of competition) have no significant effect on SAP.

Practical implications

The insignificant influence of external corporate governance mechanisms on SAP corroborates the contention that external pressure on companies to implement sustainability initiatives in developing countries is weak.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on sustainability in developing countries and incrementally adds to knowledge on the corporate governance mechanisms driving SAP in jurisdictions characterised by lax regulatory framework and weak institutional apparatus on sustainability.
Social distancing causing crises: learning from workforce adaptation by e-tailers
Authors: Halan Deepak
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study explores workforce related adaptation by e-tailers during social distancing causing crises (SDCC) and provides a conceptual framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A grounded theory based approach has been used wherein about 120 news articles were analyzed to understand the real-world measures taken. 50 journal papers were also referred to. A typical qualitative methodology, including open, and axial was used.

Findings

In the early stages, panic buying emerged as the key disrupting factor which necessitated staff shortage management. In the long term, e-tailers can adapt to prevent reverse worker migration and modify their hiring and training processes.

Research limitations/implications

This study synthesizes knowledge on workforce-related adaptation by e-tailers and offers considerable potential for future research as well as the development of case studies and consulting services for the industry. Two research propositions are offered that can guide hypothesis generation and further studies can be conducted in sectors other than retail also.

Practical implications

This study puts forward propositions based on theoretical dimensions for managers adapting to workforce-related problems during SDCC. The pandemic has led to vast unemployment and the shutting down of a number of businesses across the globe due to economic downfall. Hence, this study has economic and social implications.

Originality/value

This study is unique as it is one of the few that delves into e-tailers’ workforce- related adaptation as SDCC evolves and contributes to a body of literature which is scarce.
Understanding the implementation of retail self-service check-out technologies using necessary condition analysis
Authors: Duarte Paulo , Silva Susana C. , Linardi Marcelo Augusto , Novais Beatriz
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Self-service check-out technologies (SSTs) are becoming a trend across different retail settings, allowing companies to gain efficiency and reduce costs. Nevertheless, the success of SSTs implementation is still subject to challenges and uncertainties. This study aims to provide insights for theory and managers on the necessary conditions for the successful implementation of retail SSTs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an online survey, data from 251 participants were collected to understand the factors predicting SSTs adoption and realise what conditions are mandatory for the adoption. partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and necessary condition analysis (NCA) were used to analyse the data.

Findings

According to the NCA analysis results, 12 latent variables were relevant for predicting SSTs adoption, but only seven were necessary conditions for user adoption.

Originality/value

The complementarity of perspectives for understanding the adoption of SSTs based on the two data analysis techniques provides novel insights into theory and support for retailers' decision-making on self-service technologies (STTs) implementation.
Uncertainty shocks, network position, and inventory
Authors: Wu Dazhong , Sepehri Mohamad , Hua Jian , Xu Feng
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct an empirical study to investigate whether an industry’s position affects the transmission of information and economic shocks.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducts an empirical study of inventory performance based on a large panel of 71 industries in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail sectors over a 10-year period (2007–2016).

Findings

It is found that the position of a focal industry in the supply chain network moderates the impacts of macroeconomic uncertainty shocks and shocks from supplier/customer industries on the focal industry’s inventory. On the one hand, more central industries are more sensitive to macroeconomic uncertainty shocks as well as spillover shocks from their supplier and customer industries. On the other hand, uncertainty shocks from more central industries have higher impact on their partner industries than those from less central industries.

Practical implications

A manager needs to take into account the network positions of suppliers/customers in supply network when making inventory decisions. For example, when sharing information with partners, the network position of a partner affects how important its information is.

Originality/value

The key novelty of this paper is the introduction of network structure that represents the supplier–customer relationships in the entire economy, and the modeling of uncertainty shocks transmitted through the supply chain network.
Evolving brand boundaries and expectations: looking back on brand equity, brand loyalty, and brand image research to move forward
Authors: Parris Denise Linda , Guzmán Francisco
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to critically review the most cited literature published from 2000 to 2020 in 24 top-ranked marketing journals on the three most studied branding concepts of the 21st century – brand equity, brand loyalty and brand image – to explore how in these papers they have been defined, measured and examined, and propose how they should move forward in an era where brands are expected to be “socially and socio-politically conscious.”

Design/methodology/approach

For each concept a systematic literature review is conducted. In doing so, the definitions, antecedents, outcomes and measures for each concept were accessed and synthesized.

Findings

The systematic literature reviews provide a “state-of-the-art” snapshot of each concept and collectively demonstrate there is no consensus on the independence and interdependence of these dynamic multidimensional concepts. Based on the recommended process in the measurement literature, an evolved definition of each concept is proposed. In addition to the corresponding research directions presented in the moving forward sections of each systematic literature review, common research avenues emerged.

Originality/value

This paper acknowledges these three branding concepts as dynamic (i.e. evolving over time), systemically reviews and synthesizes the extant literature, and provides a path forward to defining, measuring and exploring brand equity, brand loyalty and brand image in the present era where brands are expected to be socially and socio-politically conscious with responsibilities to the planet, people and profit.
An optimal strategy of advertising and electronic word-of-mouth with considering rebates
Authors: Li Jizi , Yu Yue , Liu Chunling , Deng Xudong
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the optimal promotion strategy of an e-retailer, who may advertise, or launch rebates initiative to encourage consumers' disseminating electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) messages, with an aim to boost product sales.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes the decisions of the e-retailer in a two-period model, using utility function approach and backward induction method, and obtains the optimal solutions in four promotion strategies.

Findings

The study finds that rebate scheme greatly impacts the timing of advertising, and neither lower nor higher consumers' eWOM effort invariably benefits the retailer, rather, a medium level is the best choice for the retailer. When eWOM impact power is at a relatively high level, it can supplement advertising effect to attract more consumers' purchase. Otherwise, eWOM may counteract the role of advertising.

Originality/value

Different from the extant literature focusing on advertising or eWOM without rebates, the paper studies the issue of advertising and eWOM with rebates in two- period model which seldom addresses before the authors examine the optimal timing of advertising and eWOM with/without rebates in four promotion strategies i.e. the A-NE model the NE-A model the A-ER model and the ER-A model.
VIX and major agricultural future markets: dynamic linkage and time-frequency relations around the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Lu Ran , Zeng Hongjun
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the volatility spillover and lead-lag relationship between the Chicago Board Options Exchange volatility index (VIX) and the major agricultural future markets before and during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods used were the vector autoregression-Baba, Engle, Kraft and Kroner-generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity method, the Wald test and wavelet transform method.

Findings

The findings indicate that prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, there was a two-way volatility spillover impact between the majority of the sample markets. In comparison, volatility transmission between the VIX index and the agricultural future market was significantly lower following the COVID-19 outbreak, the authors observed greater coherence at higher frequencies than at lower frequencies, implying that the interdependence between the two VIX indices and the agricultural future market was stronger over a longer time-frequency domain and the VIX’s signalling effect on various agricultural future prices after the COVID-19 outbreak was significantly lower.

Originality/value

The authors conducted the first comprehensive investigation of the VIX’s correlation with major agricultural futures, especially during COVID-19. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the risk transmission mechanism between the VIX and major agricultural commodities futures contracts. And our findings have significant implications for investors and portfolio managers, as well as for policymakers who are concerned about the price of agricultural futures.
Guilty by association: Importers, exporters and MscS‐type mechanosensitive channels encoded in biosynthetic gene clusters for the stress‐protectant ectoine
Authors: Czech Laura , Gertzen Christoph , Smits Sander H. J. , Bremer Erhard
Published: September 2022

Ectoine and its derivative hydroxyectoine are widely synthesized or imported by bacteria to fend off the detrimental effects of high osmolarity on cellular hydration and growth. Genes that are connected to a particular physiological process are often found in the same genomic context. We exploited this feature in a comprehensive bioinformatical analysis of 1103 ectoine biosynthetic gene clusters from Bacteria and Archaea through which we identified 415 ect operons that colocalize with genes encoding potential osmolyte transporters. These belong to various importer families. Focusing on the complex ect gene clusters of the alpha‐proteobacteria Hyphomonas neptunium and Novoshingobium sp. LH128, we analysed several transporters with respect to their substrate specificities through physiological, molecular and modelling approaches. Accordingly, we identified an MFS‐type uptake system specific for ectoines (EctU) and a novel SSS‐type ectoine/hydroxyectoine importer (EctI) with a broader substrate profile for osmostress protectants. Furthermore, some ect gene clusters encode a MscS/YbdG‐type mechanosensitive channel protein, whose functionality was assessed through down‐shock assays. Moreover, our analysis identified the gene for the first putative ectoine/hydroxyectoine‐specific efflux system (EctX), a member of the MFS superfamily. Our findings make substantial contributions to the understanding of the ecophysiology of ectoines, key players in microbial osmostress adjustment systems.
The challenges and coping strategies of single mothers caring for children with special needs: Experiences from Kashmir, India
Authors: Bashir Aadil , Tariq Afnan , Khan Aimon , Ali Isahaque , Azman Azlinda
Published: September 2022

Families play a significant role in the development of their children. Nearly 16% of children in the industrialized world live in single‐parent households, which are mostly comprised of single mothers. Although motherhood is the most beautiful feeling a woman cherishes, this experience can be challenging when the woman has to raise their special‐needs child on her own, without the support of her spouse or partner. This study aims to understand the challenges and coping strategies of single mothers while raising their special‐needs children. To this end, in‐depth case interviews were conducted with three single mothers selected purposively from the Srinagar area in Kashmir, India. The results revealed that multiple roles and responsibilities had an adverse effect on the psychological well‐being of single mothers who had to deal with the financial burden of caring for their child's condition, including expenses for doctor visits, special therapies and medication, among other. In addition, they had to experience the social pressure and stigmatization attached to being a single mother. The most widely employed coping strategies include support from family and friends, religious faith, and self‐coping. The study recommends the creation of welfare packages like free counseling, stipend support, inclusive education, free medical treatment, and therapies for Children with Special Needs (CWSNs) and their mothers.
The multifaceted role of empathy in the transmission of postpartum depressive symptoms between parents
Authors: Zamir Osnat , Szepsenwol Ohad , Shahar Ben , Lassri Dana , Shai Dana
Published: September 2022

Postpartum depression is a common challenge faced by mothers and fathers and can be transmitted between them. Despite the well‐documented adverse effects of postpartum depressive symptoms (PPDS) on parents and children, not much is known about risk factors pertaining to the transmission of PPDS between parents. Guided by The Social Functions of Emotions theory, the current study tested the moderating effects of different forms of empathy, including perspective‐taking, empathic concern, and personal distress on the transmission of PPDS between parents. Pairs of first‐time Israeli parents (N = 105) completed self‐report questionnaires assessing emotional (personal distress and empathic concern) and cognitive (perspective‐taking) empathy during the third trimester and PPDS at three and six months postpartum. The results showed that in both parents, greater PPDS at 6 months were predicted by one's own greater personal distress. Also, lower perspective‐taking and greater empathic concern of fathers predicted their own PPDS. Furthermore, the associations of PPDS at 3 months with PPDS at 6 months between parents occurred when fathers reported lower levels of personal distress and when mothers reported greater perspective‐taking. Also, when mothers were lower in perspective‐taking, greater PPDS at 3 months in fathers predicted lower levels of PPDS in mothers at 6 months. The study reflects the multifaceted role of empathy in the development of PPDS in new parents and highlights the potentially adverse effects of emotional and cognitive empathy on the development of PPDS in parents.
Analysis of fks1 and fks2 gene mutations in invasive Candida glabrata strains from Pakistan
Authors: Memon Saba , Ghanchi Najia Karim , Zafar Urooj , Farooqi Joveria , Zaka Sadaf , Jabeen Kauser
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The gradual increase in caspofungin usage in Pakistan raises a concern of emergence of echinocandin resistance in local Candida glabrata strains. We sequenced and determined mutations in fks1 and fks2 genes in invasive Candida glabrata strains from Pakistan.

Material and Methods

Thirty‐six invasive C. glabrata strains were selected with median (min‐max) minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.06 (0.015–0.25) mg/L for caspofungin, 0.015 (0.008–0.06) mg/L for micafungin and 0.06 (0.015–0.12) mg/L for anidulafungin. fks1 and fks2 gene fragments were sequenced using Sanger methodology. Sequences were analysed with MEGA‐6 software to identify specific single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) against wild‐type sequences of C. glabrata.

Results

In fks1 gene, non‐synonymous mutation D632H was observed in one isolate with caspofungin MIC of 0.25 mg/L. Synonymous mutation at position A742 was observed in 26/36 (72%) of the isolates. 34/36 (94.5%) isolates analysed for fks2 gene were observed as wild type. A novel non‐synonymous mutation at I661T was observed in fks2 gene in one isolate with caspofungin MIC of 0.12 mg/L and anidulafungin and micafungin MIC of 0.06 and 0.015 mg/L, respectively. Novel fks2 synonymous mutations at position T647, K652 and I706 were observed in 16/36 (44%), 25/36 (69%) and 23/36 (63%) isolates, respectively.

Conclusion

Low frequencies of both non‐synonymous and synonymous polymorphisms were observed in invasive C. glabrata strains. Since S663P in fks2 gene is associated with caspofungin resistance, a novel mutation at 661 codon identified in our study needs correlation with treatment outcome data and mandates periodic genomic surveillance.
Legitimate public participation: A Q methodology on the views of politicians
Authors: Nederhand José , Edelenbos Jurian
Published: September 2022

Governments seem to be trapped in a legitimacy paradox. While politicians and public managers, especially on the local level, increasingly initiate public participation to enhance the legitimacy of public decisions, the actual impact of citizens' input on political decision‐making is often low, contributing to a loss of legitimacy. To solve this paradox, this article unravels the views of local politicians in the Netherlands on the democratic legitimacy of public participation via Q‐methodology. Despite the large PA‐scholarship on public participation, empirical research into how politicians view and value public participation remains scarce. The findings reveal politicians either prefer participation that is conditioned by government or participation that empowers citizens to speak up. Taking the views of politicians into account in designing public participation processes improves the chance that politicians will do justice to its outcomes and hence contributes to public participation that is not symbolical but meaningfully informs political decision‐making.
COPD‐related incidence, mortality, and disability: An illustrative summary of the GBD study (1990–2019)
Authors: Perret Jennifer L. , Dharmage Shyamali C.
Published: September 2022

See related article
Parenting is genetically influenced: What does that mean for research into child and adolescent social development?
Authors: Kretschmer Tina
Published: September 2022

Individual differences in child and adolescent social development are due to a combination of variation in genetic propensity and environmental conditions. That is, variation in social domains like bullying‐victimization, loneliness and pro‐ and antisocial behaviour is genetically influenced to a substantial extent. That is not to say that social contexts also do not play an important role in shaping social development. Indeed, parenting and parent–child relationship quality have been associated with various aspects of social development. What complicates matters is that environmental conditions – including parenting – are under genetic influence as well. Genetic influence on parenting has not received sufficient attention in the literature on social development although it likely biases estimates of parental effects on offspring social development. To change this situation, I review recent twin and molecular research on genetic influence on parenting and discuss why genetically‐informed studies improve and enrich contemporary research into social development. The aim of this topic review is to provide an accessible introduction to genetics of parenting and encourage genetically‐informed research into social development.
DNA replication timing directly regulates the frequency of oncogenic chromosomal translocations
Authors: Peycheva Mihaela , Neumann Tobias , Malzl Daniel , Nazarova Mariia , Schoeberl Ursula E. , Pavri Rushad
Published: September 2022

Chromosomal translocations result from the joining of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and frequently cause cancer. However, the steps linking DSB formation to DSB ligation remain undeciphered. We report that DNA replication timing (RT) directly regulates lymphomagenic
Myc
translocations during antibody maturation in B cells downstream of DSBs and independently of DSB frequency. Depletion of minichromosome maintenance complexes alters replication origin activity, decreases translocations, and deregulates global RT. Ablating a single origin at
Myc
causes an early-to-late RT switch, loss of translocations, and reduced proximity with the immunoglobulin heavy chain (
Igh
) gene, its major translocation partner. These phenotypes were reversed by restoring early RT. Disruption of early RT also reduced tumorigenic translocations in human leukemic cells. Thus, RT constitutes a general mechanism in translocation biogenesis linking DSB formation to DSB ligation.
A causal test of the strength of weak ties
Authors: Rajkumar Karthik , Saint-Jacques Guillaume , Bojinov Iavor , Brynjolfsson Erik , Aral Sinan
Published: September 2022

The authors analyzed data from multiple large-scale randomized experiments on LinkedIn’s People You May Know algorithm, which recommends new connections to LinkedIn members, to test the extent to which weak ties increased job mobility in the world’s largest professional social network. The experiments randomly varied the prevalence of weak ties in the networks of over 20 million people over a 5-year period, during which 2 billion new ties and 600,000 new jobs were created. The results provided experimental causal evidence supporting the strength of weak ties and suggested three revisions to the theory. First, the strength of weak ties was nonlinear. Statistical analysis found an inverted U-shaped relationship between tie strength and job transmission such that weaker ties increased job transmission but only to a point, after which there were diminishing marginal returns to tie weakness. Second, weak ties measured by interaction intensity and the number of mutual connections displayed varying effects. Moderately weak ties (measured by mutual connections) and the weakest ties (measured by interaction intensity) created the most job mobility. Third, the strength of weak ties varied by industry. Whereas weak ties increased job mobility in more digital industries, strong ties increased job mobility in less digital industries.
Halogen-atom and group transfer reactivity enabled by hydrogen tunneling
Authors: Constantin Timothée , Górski Bartosz , Tilby Michael J. , Chelli Saloua , Juliá Fabio , Llaveria Josep , Gillen Kevin J. , Zipse Hendrik , Lakhdar Sami , Leonori Daniele
Published: September 2022

The generation of carbon radicals by halogen-atom and group transfer reactions is generally achieved using tin and silicon reagents that maximize the interplay of enthalpic (thermodynamic) and polar (kinetic) effects. In this work, we demonstrate a distinct reactivity mode enabled by quantum mechanical tunneling that uses the cyclohexadiene derivative γ-terpinene as the abstractor under mild photochemical conditions. This protocol activates alkyl and aryl halides as well as several alcohol and thiol derivatives. Experimental and computational studies unveiled a noncanonical pathway whereby a cyclohexadienyl radical undergoes concerted aromatization and halogen-atom or group abstraction through the reactivity of an effective H atom. This activation mechanism is seemingly thermodynamically and kinetically unfavorable but is rendered feasible through quantum tunneling.
Robust deep learning–based protein sequence design using ProteinMPNN
Authors: Dauparas J. , Anishchenko I. , Bennett N. , Bai H. , Ragotte R. J. , Milles L. F. , Wicky B. I. M. , Courbet A. , de Haas R. J. , Bethel N. , Leung P. J. Y. , Huddy T. F. , Pellock S. , Tischer D. , Chan F. , Koepnick B. , Nguyen H. , Kang A. , Sankaran B. , Bera A. K. , King N. P. , Baker D.
Published: September 2022

Although deep learning has revolutionized protein structure prediction, almost all experimentally characterized de novo protein designs have been generated using physically based approaches such as Rosetta. Here, we describe a deep learning–based protein sequence design method, ProteinMPNN, that has outstanding performance in both in silico and experimental tests. On native protein backbones, ProteinMPNN has a sequence recovery of 52.4% compared with 32.9% for Rosetta. The amino acid sequence at different positions can be coupled between single or multiple chains, enabling application to a wide range of current protein design challenges. We demonstrate the broad utility and high accuracy of ProteinMPNN using x-ray crystallography, cryo–electron microscopy, and functional studies by rescuing previously failed designs, which were made using Rosetta or AlphaFold, of protein monomers, cyclic homo-oligomers, tetrahedral nanoparticles, and target-binding proteins.
Private venture tackles Long Covid, aims to test drugs soon
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: September 2022

Initiative to explore whether coronavirus lingers in patients
NASA’s asteroid deflection mission takes aim
Authors: Savitsky Zack
Published: September 2022

Target’s structure will sway outcome of upcoming test collision, simulations show
Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Bedaquiline among Multidrug-Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients from China
Authors: Zou Jin , Chen Shuyan , Rao Weiqiao , Fu Liang , Zhang Jiancong , Liao Yunli , Zhang Ying , Lv Ning , Deng Guofang , Yang Shijin , Lin Liang , Li Lujin , Liu Siqi , Qu Jiuxin
Published: September 2022

Bedaquiline has been widely used as a part of combination dosage regimens for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients with limited options. Although the effectiveness and safety of bedaquiline have been demonstrated in clinical trials, limited studies have investigated the significant pharmacokinetics and the impact of genotype on bedaquiline disposition.
Second-Generation Transfer Mediates Efficient Propagation of ICE
Bs1
in Biofilms
Authors: Bourassa Jean-Sébastien , Jeannotte Gabriel , Lebel-Beaucage Sandrine , Beauregard Pascale B.
Published: September 2022

The transfer of mobile genetic elements between bacteria is the main cause of the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. While biofilms are the predominant bacterial lifestyle both in the environment and in clinical settings, their impact on the propagation of mobile genetic elements is still poorly understood.
High-Quality Genome Sequence of Cystobasidium tubakii JCM 31526
T
, Isolated from East Ongul Island, Antarctica
Authors: Tsuji Masaharu , Ishihara Jun-ichi , Toyoda Atsushi , Takahashi Hiroki
Published: September 2022

Cystobasidium tubakii
has been reported as a new basidiomycetous yeast species from East Ongul Island, East Antarctica. This species does not require amino acids and vitamins for growth and can grow at subzero temperatures. Here, we report a high-quality genome sequence of
Cystobasidium tubakii
strain JCM 31526
T
, which was isolated from East Antarctica.