bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A single wave of monocytes is sufficient to replenish the long-term Langerhans cell network after immune injury
Authors: Ferrer Ivana R. , West Heather C. , Henderson Stephen , Ushakov Dmitry S. , Santos e Sousa Pedro , Strid Jessica , Chakraverty Ronjon , Yates Andrew J. , Bennett Clare L.
Published: December 2021

Embryo-derived Langerhans cells (eLC) are maintained within the sealed epidermis without contribution from circulating cells. When the network is perturbed by transient exposure to ultra-violet light, short-term LC are temporarily reconstituted from an initial wave of monocytes, but thought to be superseded by more permanent repopulation with undefined LC precursors. However, the extent to which this mechanism is relevant to immune-pathological processes that damage LC population integrity is not known. Using a model of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, where allo-reactive T cells directly target eLC, we have asked if and how the original LC network is ultimately restored. We find that donor monocytes, but not dendritic cells, are the precursors of the long-term LC in this context. Destruction of eLC leads to recruitment of a single wave of monocytes which engraft in the epidermis and undergo a sequential pathway of differentiation via transcriptionally distinct EpCAM+precursors. Monocyte-derived LC acquire the capacity of self-renewal, and turn-over in the epidermis was remarkably similar to that of steady state eLC. However, we have identified a bottleneck in the differentiation and survival of epidermal monocytes, which together with the slow turn-over of mature LC limits repair of the network. Furthermore, replenishment of the LC network leads to constitutive entry of cells into the epidermal compartment. Thus, immune injury triggers functional adaptation of mechanisms used to maintain tissue-resident macrophages at other sites, but this process is highly inefficient in the skin.

Highlights

Immune injury leads to recruitment of a single wave of monocytes to replace resident Langerhans cells (LC).

DC lineage cells cannot become long-term replacement LC.

The size of the re-emerging network is controlled by density-dependent division of mature LC.

Immune injury and inefficient repopulation by monocyte-derived cells lead to a permanently altered LC niche.
Single-cell analysis of EphA clustering phenotypes to probe cancer cell
heterogeneity
Authors: Ravasio Andrea , Myaing Myint Zu , Chia Shumei , Arora Aditya , Sathe Aneesh , Cao Elaine Yiqun , Bertocchi Cristina , Sharma Ankur , Arasi Bakya , Chung Vin Yee , Green Adrianne C. , Tan Tuan Zea , Chen Zhongwen , Ong Hui Ting , Iyer N. Gopalakrishna , Huang Ruby YunJu , DasGupta Ramanuj , Groves Jay T. , Viasnoff Virgile
Published: December 2021

Eph receptors, a family of receptor tyrosine kinases, play a crutial role in
the assembly and maintenance of healthy tissues. Dysfunction in Eph signaling
are causally and correlatively associated with cancer progression. In breast
cancer cells, dysregulated Eph signaling has been largely linked to alterations
in receptor clustering abilities. In the present study, we implemented a
single-cell assay and a scoring scheme to systematically probe the spatial
organization of activated EphA receptor in carcinoma cells of different origin.
Using this assay, we found that cancer cells retained EphA clustering phenotype
upon cell division for several generations and degree of clustering reported for
population as well as single-cell migration potential. Finally, using
patient-derived cancer cell lines, we probed the evolution of EphA signalling in
cancer cell populations that underwent metastatic transformation and acquisition
of drug resistance. Taken together, our simple and scalable approach provides a
reliable quantitation of EphA associated gene expression and phenotypes in
multiple carcinomas and can assay the heterogeneity of cancer cell populations
in a cost- and time-effective manner.
Drivers of HIV-1 transmission: the Portuguese case
Authors: Pineda-Peña Andrea-Clemencia , Pingarilho Marta , Li Guangdi , Vrancken Bram , Libin Pieter , Gomes Perpetua , Camacho Ricardo Jorge , Theys Kristof , Abecasis Ana Barroso ,   on behalf of the
                    Portuguese HIV-1 Resistance Study Group
Published: December 2021

Background

Portugal has one of the most severe HIV-1 epidemic in Western Europe.
Two subtypes circulate in parallel since the beginning of the epidemic.
Comparing their transmission patterns and its association with transmitted
drug resistance (TDR) is important to pinpoint transmission hotspots and to
develop evidence-based treatment guidelines.

Methods

3599 HIV-1 naive patients collected between 2001 and 2014 were included
in the study. Sequences obtained from drug resistance testing were used for
subtyping, TDR determination and transmission clusters (TC)
analyses.

Results

Subtype B transmission was significantly associated with young males,
while subtype G was associated with older heterosexuals. Young males
infected with subtype B were more likely to be included in TC. Consistently,
a decreasing trend of prevalence and transmission of subtype G in Portuguese
originated people was observed. Active TCs were associated with subtype
B-infected males residing in Lisbon. TDR was significantly different when
comparing subtypes B (10.8% [9.5-12.2]) and G (7.6% [6.4-9.0])
(p=0.001).

Discussion

TC analyses shows that the subtype B epidemic is active and fueled by
young male patients residing in Lisbon and that transmission of subtype G in
Portugal is decreasing. Despite similar treatment rates for both subtypes in
Portugal, TDR is different between subtypes.
Stable encoding of visual cues in the mouse retrosplenial cortex
Authors: Powell Anna , Connelly William M. , Vasalauskaite Asta , Nelson Andrew , Vann Seralynne D. , Aggleton John , Sengpiel Frank , Ranson Adam
Published: December 2021

The rodent retrosplenial cortex functions as an integrative hub for sensory
and motor signals, serving roles in both navigation and memory. While
retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is reciprocally connected with the sensory cortex,
the form in which sensory information is represented in the retrosplenial cortex
and how it interacts with behavioural state is unclear. Here, we used 2-photon
cellular imaging of neural activity of putative excitatory (CaMKII expressing)
and inhibitory (parvalbumin expressing) neurons to measure visual and running
evoked activity in RSC and compare it to primary visual cortex (V1). We found
that stimulus position and orientation information was preserved between V1 and
RSC, and additionally that positional information was organised topographically.
Stimulus directional preference was biased towards nasal-temporal flow.
Locomotion modulation of activity of single neurons, both in darkness and light,
was also more pronounced in RSC than V1, and strongest in parvalbumin-positive
neurons. Longitudinal measurements of single neurons showed that these response
features were stably maintained over many weeks. These data provide evidence for
stable representations of visual cues in retrosplenial cortex which are highly
spatially selective. These may provide sensory data to contribute to the
formation of memories of spatial information.
The key to superior memory encoding under stress: the relationship between cortisol response and mnemonic discrimination
Authors: Szőllősi Ágnes , Kéri Szabolcs , Racsmány Mihály
Published: December 2021

Some previous studies have shown that increased stress hormone levels have beneficial effects on memory encoding; however, there is no clear consensus on which encoding-related processes are affected by stress hormones. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between interindividual differences in neuroendocrine response to acute stress and interference resolution (i.e., mnemonic discrimination). Participants were healthy young adults who were exposed to physical and psychological stressors (Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test). Then participants completed the modified version of the Mnemonic Similarity Task. Specifically, they were presented with photographs of emotionally arousing (negative and positive) and nonarousing (neutral) scenes followed by a recognition memory test where they saw a mixture of old and new stimuli. Crucially, participants were also presented with critical lure items, that is, visually similar stimuli to ones presented at encoding. We found that participants who had higher cortisol response to the stressors were better in discriminating between the studied items and their visually similar lures. This effect was present for the arousing and nonarousing materials as well. These findings suggest that increased hormonal response to acute stress has a beneficial impact on the formation of distinct, nonoverlapping, unique memory representations, and consequently, on episodic memory encoding processes.
Reactivation-dependent amnesia for object recognition memory is contingent on hippocampal theta–gamma coupling during recall
Authors: Gonzalez Maria Carolina , Radiske Andressa , Conde-Ocazionez Sergio , Rossato Janine I. , Bevilaqua Lia R.M. , Cammarota Martín
Published: December 2021

Hippocampal dopamine D1/D5 receptor-dependent destabilization is necessary for object recognition memory (ORM) updating through reconsolidation. Dopamine also regulates hippocampal theta and gamma oscillations, which are involved in novelty and memory processing. We found that, in adult male rats, ORM recall in the presence of a novel object, but not in the presence of a familiar one, triggers hippocampal theta–gamma coupling. Hippocampal theta–gamma coupling (hPAC) does not happen when ORM destabilization is prevented by blocking D1/D5 receptors, but artificial hPAC generation during recall in the presence of a familiar object enables the amnesic effect of reconsolidation inhibitors. Therefore, hPAC controls ORM destabilization, and its modulation could increase reconsolidation-based psychotherapy efficacy.
Doing and undoing gender: women professionals' persistence in technology occupations
Authors: Saifuddin Samina M. , Dyke Lorraine , Hossain Md. Sajjad
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to identify women professionals' strategies to persist in the male-dominated technology industry situated in the Bangladeshi socio-cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews with women tech professionals were conducted to identify and explore the strategies. Thematic coding was used for data analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that the complex interplay of macro-, meso- and micro-factors pushes women to defy societal and gender norms in their choice and persistence, yet they simultaneously conform to these norms. By simultaneous expressions of doing and undoing gender, these women dealt with hierarchies and inequalities, navigated masculinized industry and empowered themselves within a patriarchal culture. The strategies effectively allowed them to demonstrate agency and persist in tech occupations.

Research limitations/implications

The study participants were women and recruited using snowball sampling. Future research could benefit from recruiting a larger, more varied sample using random sampling.

Practical implications

The study can inform teaching and policy initiatives to increase women's representation in tech sectors through awareness campaigns, policy interventions and counseling.

Originality/value

The research extends the doing and undoing framework by integrating the relational perspective to explain women's agency and resilience situated in a patriarchal context. The paper focuses on women's micro-individual strategies to navigate macro- and meso-level forces. Moreover, Bangladesh is an under-researched context, and findings from the study can help design potential intervention strategies to increase women's participation.
Changes in sustainability in the global wine industry
Authors: Golicic Susan L.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The wine industry is the one that is tightly linked to sustainability as its processes both impact and are impacted by the environment, society and companies’ financial well-being. However, data show that this may not be recognized in practice. Thus, this research paper aims to examine what has changed with respect to sustainability practices over the past 10–15 years in this industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A development-based multi-method approach was used to examine the purpose. In Phase 1, a grounded theory study conducted between 2009 and 2015 from wine businesses in 12 different global regions brought to light a potential disconnect between theory and practice in the importance of sustainability. In Phase 2, a comprehensive literature review and analysis of updated online content from the Phase 1 companies was conducted to paint a picture of the progression of sustainability focus and its implementation in company processes.

Findings

Using legitimacy theory as a foundation, it was found that the choice to pursue sustainability in this industry generally begins with a focus on environmental practices followed by financial sustainability and more recently social sustainability. Producers are also starting to emphasize overall sustainability often encompassing all three dimensions. The industry has also progressed through “levels of sophistication” in the different major supply chain processes (supply, production and distribution) over the years with their environmental efforts.

Originality/value

A framework of sustainability growth in the industry through a matrix of process sophistication is developed from the data. The results offer implications for theory, practice and industry policy and informs the future trajectory of sustainability within global business.
Linking supply network flexibility with mass customization capability
Authors: Ullah Inayat , Narain Rakesh
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The importance of supply network flexibility (SNF) in the development of mass customization capability (MCC) has been implied in the literature but seldom subjected to empirical investigation. To fill the gap and contribute to MC literature, this paper aims to examine the role of SNF in facilitating the development of MCC of organizations. Furthermore, it has been investigated whether the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) strengthens the above relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the supply chain literature and dynamic capability theory, the study proposes a research framework depicting the interconnectedness among the variables of interest. The proposed framework has been tested using structural equation modelling based on partial least squares by using the data collected from a questionnaire-based survey of a sample of Indian manufacturing organizations.

Findings

The findings indicate that the dimensions of SNF, namely, sourcing flexibility and supplier flexibility, positively affect the MCC of the organizations and the strength of these relationships is further amplified by the implementation of ICTs.

Practical implications

The study shows the managerial opportunities for the development of a flexible and competent supply network to facilitate the development or enhancement of MCC.

Originality/value

This study contributes to scant literature by providing empirical evidence for the relationship between SNF and MCC. Further, this study enriches the understanding of the crucial role of ICT by exploring its moderating effect on the relationship between the variables of interest.
Residents perception of crime characteristic and its causation across residential densities in Mushin, Lagos Nigeria
Authors: Agbabiaka Hafeez Idowu , Daramola Oluwole Philip , Adesanya Abiola Aminat
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine crime characteristics and its causation in Mushin Lagos Nigeria. The incidence of urban crime in Nigeria has been associated with increasing urbanization, high poverty level, congestion, unemployment, deprivation, income inequality, poor physical planning and design, political democratization, disorganization and moral decadence and breakdown in infrastructure. Hence, tackling urban crimes in selected communities within Lagos state will address several issues, creating inclusiveness and safer communities.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected through questionnaire administration on three income groups, cutting across 14 communities in the study area. Multistage sampling techniques were adopted to select six communities (Idi Araba, Idi Oro, Fadeyi, Ilasamaja Papa Ajao and Ilupeju), 60 streets and 144 respondents for this study. Respondents selected for this study are individuals who have stayed in the communities for more than five years.

Findings

This study reports no statistically significant variation in the crime occurrence by type across the selected communities. However, residents experienced a high occurrence of crime against a person in robbery, assault and pocket-picking, especially among the low-income earners. The same trend was observed in crimes against property such as theft, burglary and store breaking in the low- and middle-income areas, whereas burglary, theft and car theft have high occurrence in the high-income areas. In addition, crimes against morality inform of gambling, prostitution and offences against public peace were high in the low- and high-income areas, whereas gambling, prostitution and bribery are common in the middle-income areas.

Practical implications

This study identifies appropriate policies for combating crime. Collective values promote citizen participation and encourage Do It Yourself in the communities. Stakeholders’ crime prevention mechanism will create safer communities. Social crime prevention and environmental design is an instrument for creating safer cities.

Originality/value

The outcome of this study addresses goal 11 of the SDGs if properly managed.
When does presenteeism harm productivity the most? Employee motives as a key moderator of the presenteeism–productivity relationship
Authors: Henderson Alexandra A. , Smith Claire E.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

While presenteeism is empirically linked to lower productivity, the role of a person's motives for engaging in presenteeism has been overlooked. Using a Conservation of Resources Theory framework, we examine the moderating effects of presenteeism motives (approach and avoidance motives) on the presenteeism–productivity relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 327 dental hygienists with chronic health conditions was surveyed. Moderated multiple regression was used to test study hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicate that presenteeism does indeed appear to detriment productivity. However, we demonstrate that motives are an important moderator, such that high approach motives appear to mitigate the negative effects of presenteeism on productivity.

Practical implications

Based on our findings, we suggest managers strive to improve the approach motives of their employees through processes such as job enrichment.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that presenteeism is not always detrimental to productivity, as approach motives appear to mitigate the negative effects of presenteeism on productivity. These results could drive future research on presenteeism, as well as inform best practices related to managing workers with chronic health issues.
Digital servitization strategies for SME internationalization: the interplay between digital service maturity and ecosystem involvement
Authors: Kolagar Milad , Reim Wiebke , Parida Vinit , Sjödin David
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand how digital servitization enables the process of internationalization for industrial SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study has adopted an exploratory multiple case study, conducting a total of 40 interviews in a two-phased approach to data collection. The first phase consisted of exploratory interviews with twenty-six industrial SMEs connected to the manufacturing industry in Sweden and Finland. Then, six SMEs were selected in the second phase to participate in additional in-depth interviews.

Findings

First, this study identifies three gradual enabling phases concerned with the digital service maturity of SMEs consisting of digital awareness, digital service innovation and digital service mass customization. Second, the three interdependent phases of ecosystem knowledge synergy, ecosystem integration and ecosystem value co-creation were identified to improve ecosystem involvement. Finally, a process framework has been developed for SME internationalization consisting of a digital servitization innovation strategy, a digital servitization ecosystem strategy and a digital servitization scaling strategy.

Originality/value

The present research contributes to how digital servitization enables SME internationalization by demonstrating how the development of digital service offerings and ecosystem partnerships supports the internationalization process. This research extends the literature by proposing a process framework for the digital-servitization-enabled internationalization of SMEs. This process perspective provides a richer explanation of the complex interplay between servitization, digitalization and ecosystems choices, which supports the expansion into international markets.
Patterns of business model innovation for advancing IoT platforms
Authors: Markfort Lino , Arzt Alexander , Kögler Philipp , Jung Sven , Gebauer Heiko , Haugk Sebastian , Leyh Christian , Wortmann Felix
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The emergence of Internet of Things (IoT) platforms in product companies opens up new data-driven business opportunities. This paper looks at the emergence of these IoT platforms from a business-model perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a mixed method with two research studies: Study I–a cluster analysis based on a quantitative survey, and Study II–case studies based on qualitative interviews.

Findings

The findings reveal that there is no gradual shift in a company's business model, but in fact three distinct and sequential patterns of business model innovations: (1) platform skimming, (2) platform revenue generation and (3) platform orchestration.

Research limitations/implications

The results are subject to the typical limitations of both quantitative and qualitative studies.

Practical implications

The results provide guidance to managers on how to modify the components of the business model (value proposition, value creation and/or delivery and profit equation) in order to enable platforms to advance.

Social implications

As IoT platforms continue to advance, product companies achieve better performance in terms of productivity and profitability, and more easily secure competitive advantages and jobs.

Originality/value

The paper makes three original contributions: (1) it is the first quantitative study on IoT platforms in product companies, (2) identifies three patterns of business model innovations and (3) offers a first process perspective for understanding the sequence of these patterns as IoT platforms advance.
A knowledge-intensity-based collaborative community governing mechanism for inter-organisational HR collaborations
Authors: Koster Ferry
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Studies of inter-organisational relationships have mainly investigated collaborations in the technical domain. There is considerably less research conducted in the field of inter-organisational collaborations in the domain of human resource management (HRM). At the same time, it is acknowledged that inter-organisational collaboration in this domain is relevant for organisations. By focusing on inter-organisational HR collaborations, this study provides insights into how these collaborations are governed, as well as how the mode of governance is explained.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on a quantitative study among 161 Dutch companies that collaborate with each other on HR-related issues. A measure of governance of inter-organisational HR collaboration is developed and applied.

Findings

Organisations tend to apply a mixture of governance mechanisms to govern their inter-organisational HR collaborations. Hence, they apply a collaborative community type of governance to these HR collaborations. The analyses show that the level of knowledge intensity, in particular the extent to which the organisation applies organisational learning practices, explains the use of collaborative community.

Originality/value

First, this study focuses on an under-researched field: inter-organisational HR collaborations. Secondly, the study extends existing insights into the governance of inter-organisational relationships by analysing a novel data set.
Recovery college features and context: advancing a recovery and well-being policy agenda
Authors: Woolsey Amadene , Mulvale Gillian
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Internationally, there has been a move towards more recovery-oriented mental health policies for people living with mental illness, and some countries have included well-being as a population-level objective. In practice, these policy objectives can be difficult to achieve because of deeply rooted policy legacies, including a biomedical approach to care and the stigma associated with mental illness. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how interventions that operate outside the formal mental health system, such as recovery colleges (RCs), may advance these policy objectives more easily than efforts at broader system reform.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a scoping review to explore the features and context of RCs that make the model an attractive and feasible opportunity to advance a recovery and well-being agenda. Our research is motivated by the initial and growing adoption of RCs by the Canadian Mental Health Association. This paper applies the consolidated framework for implementation research to analyse features of the model and the context of its implementation in Canada.

Findings

The RC’s educational approach, adaptability, coproduced nature and positioning outside the formal mental health system are key features that facilitate implementation without disrupting deeply entrenched policy legacies. Other facilitators in the Canadian context include the implementing organisation’s independence from government, its federated structure and the model’s alignment with national policy objectives.

Originality/value

This paper highlights how interventions outside the formal mental healthcare system can promote stated recovery and well-being policy goals.
Risk factors for depression in older adults in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Salazar Ana María , Reyes María Fernanda , Gómez María Paula , Pedraza Olga , Lozano Angela Gisselle , Montalvo María Camila , Rodriguez Fandiño Juan Camilo
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify psychosocial, demographic and health risk factors associated with depression in older people.

Design/methodology/approach

A correlational study with 281 independent and autonomous persons of the community over 60 years old from Bogotá was conducted. The three instruments used to measure the variables included in the data analyses were Demographic and Health Data Questionnaire, Short version of 15 items of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA).

Findings

Fifteen percent of the participants presented depression. Depression was associated with different demographic, low social support and health factors in this population group and was particularly high in women. Being a woman with poor social support networks and a previous history of depressive episodes should be considered as determining factors within a clinical risk profile for depression in older adulthood. It is essential to design prevention strategies focused on women and on the development of better social support in old age.

Originality/value

Depression is a prevalent and highly disabling disease, when it is suffered by an older person it is associated with higher mortality, functional dependence, poor physical health, worse quality of life indicators and psychological well-being. In the elderly, the clinical diagnosis of depression is difficult, as it has a high comorbidity and is often confused with other health conditions prevalent during older adulthood.
Self‐teaching in Chinese: the roles of phonetic and semantic radicals in orthographic and vocabulary learning
Authors: Li Yixun , Xiao Linqing , Li Hong
Published: December 2021

Background

Previous work suggests that children can teach themselves new written words via reading aloud texts independently (i.e., orthographic learning via self‐teaching). In self‐teaching in Chinese, regular phonetic radicals and transparent semantic radicals facilitate orthographic learning. The present study examined the roles of phonetic and semantic radicals in both orthographic learning and oral vocabulary learning via self‐teaching among Chinese children.

Methods

Thirty‐four Mandarin‐speaking second graders read aloud and comprehended 12 stories annotated with Pinyin, a phonetic script in Chinese. Each story included a semantic–phonetic compound pseudocharacter appearing five times. The phonetic radicals were classified as one‐third regular, one‐third semiregular and one‐third irregular. These phonetic radicals carried full, partial or no phonetic information, depending on their regularity. Moreover, half of the semantic radicals were either transparent or opaque, meaning that they were semantically related or unrelated to the meaning of the pseudocharacters, respectively. Learning outcomes included participants' oral vocabulary learning and orthographic learning regarding word recognition and spelling.

Results

In addition to the well‐studied orthographic learning, children can also achieve vocabulary learning via self‐teaching. Results indicate that transparent semantic radicals facilitated orthographic and vocabulary learning. Moreover, vocabulary learning was facilitated by regular phonetic radicals but hindered by semiregular phonetic radicals.

Conclusions

These findings, together, point to the roles of phonetic and semantic radicals in Chinese children's orthographic and vocabulary learning. Findings advance our understanding of self‐teaching across writing systems and add to the educational value of self‐teaching.
Gliding motility of a uranium‐tolerant Bacteroidetes bacterium Chryseobacterium sp. strain PMSZPI: insights into the architecture of spreading colonies
Authors: Khare Devanshi , Chandwadkar Pallavi , Acharya Celin
Published: December 2021

Uranium‐tolerant soil bacterium Chryseobacterium sp. strain PMSZPI moved over solid agar surfaces by gliding motility thereby forming spreading colonies which is a hallmark of members of Bacteroidetes phylum. PMSZPI genome harboured orthologs of all the gld and spr genes considered as core bacteroidetes gliding motility genes of which gldK, gldL, gldM and gldN were co‐transcribed. Here, we present the intriguing interplay between gliding motility and cellular organization in PMSZPI spreading colonies. While nutrient deficiency enhanced colony spreading, high agar concentrations and presence of motility inhibitor like 5‐hydroxyindole reduced the spreading. A detailed in situ structural analysis of spreading colonies revealed closely packed cells forming multiple layers at centre of colony while the edges showed clusters of cells periodically arranged in hexagonal lattices interconnected with each other. The cell migration within colony was visualized as branched structures wherein the cells were buried within extracellular matrix. PMSZPI colonies exhibited strong iridescence possibly as a result of periodicity within the cell population achieved through gliding motility. Presence of uranium reduced motility and iridescence and induced biofilm formation. The coordinated study of gliding motility and iridescence apparently influenced by uranium provides unique insights into the lifestyle of PMSZPI residing in uranium enriched environment.
Rapid response teams—how and who? A protocol for a randomised clinical trial evaluating the composition of the efferent limb of the rapid response system
Authors: Føns‐Sønderskov Morten B. , Subbe Chris , Kodal Anne Marie , Bunkenborg Gitte , Bestle Morten H.
Published: December 2021

Background

Many patients experiencing deterioration have documented deviation of vital signs prior to the deterioration event. Increasing focus on these patients led to the rapid response systems and their configuration with afferent and efferent limbs. The two most prevalent team constellations in the efferent limb are the medical emergency team (MET), usually led by a doctor, and the critical care outreach team (CCOT), usually led by a nurse. The two constellations have not previously been examined in a comparative clinical trial.

Methods

This is a single centre non‐inferiority randomised controlled trial of MET vs CCOT. All patients will be randomised at the time of the call. The intervention group will be the critical care outreach team. The primary outcome is mortality at 30 days and the occurrence of serious adverse events. All patients will be followed for 90 days. We aim to detect or reject a change of 7% in mortality whilst accepting a type I error of 5 and type II error of 20, using a sample size of maximum of 2000 individual patients.

Discussion

There is evidence supporting a benefit for the patient when using rapid response systems; however, earlier randomised studies are marked by cross‐contamination and selection bias. Previous studies have primarily examined the effect of RRS on hospital cardiac arrests (IHCA) and mortality. Our study will be examining the effect on intensive care unit admissions as well as the ICHA and mortality.

Conclusion

This study may highlight potential benefits of specific configurations of rapid response systems and their impact on safety outcomes.
Development of a high‐resolution typing method for SLA‐3, swine MHC class I antigen 3
Authors: Youk S. , Le M.T. , Kang M. , Ahn B. , Choi M. , Kim K. , Kim T.H. , Kim J.H. , Ho C.S. , Park C.
Published: December 2021

We developed a high‐resolution and comprehensive typing method for swine leukocyte antigen 3 (SLA‐3), an MHC class I gene, employing locus‐specific genomic PCR followed by subsequent direct sequencing. A total of 292 individuals from nine pure, one cross‐breed and six cell lines were successfully typed. A total of 21 SLA‐3 alleles were identified, of which four were found to be novel alleles. However, the allelic diversity of SLA‐3 was lower than that of previously reported class I genes, SLA‐1 and ‐2. More SLA‐3 alleles were observed in the Landrace and Yorkshire breeds than the other breeds. SLA‐3*04:01 was identified in seven out of nine breeds and was the most widely distributed allele across all breeds. Therefore, the typing method reported in this study completes our efforts to develop high‐resolution typing methods for major SLA molecules, facilitating the combined analysis of major SLA genes from field samples, which is important to understand the relationship between the adaptive immune responses against pathogens and the immunogenetic makeup of an individual.
Palbociclib plus letrozole as treatment for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative advanced breast cancer for whom letrozole therapy is deemed appropriate: An expanded access study in Australia and India
Authors: Loi Sherene , Karapetis Christos S. , McCarthy Nicole , Oakman Catherine , Redfern Andrew , White Michelle , Khasraw Mustafa , Doval Dinesh Chandra , Gore Vinod , Alam Mahmood , Binko Justin , Lu Dongrui Ray , Kim Sindy , Boyle Frances
Published: December 2021

Aim

Palbociclib was approved in the United States in 2015 to treat estrogen receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) advanced breast cancer (ABC). This study evaluated outcomes and safety in patients treated with palbociclib in Australia and India with hormone receptor–positive (HR+)/HER2– ABC before palbociclib became commercially available.

Methods

Postmenopausal women (≥18 years) with HR+/HER2– ABC who were appropriate candidates for letrozole therapy received palbociclib 125 mg once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days off, and letrozole 2.5 mg once daily (continuous). Safety, tumor response, and patient‐reported outcomes (Australian cohort) were evaluated.

Results

In total, 252 patients received palbociclib plus letrozole (Australia, n = 152; India, n = 100). More patients in the Australian versus Indian cohort had received prior chemotherapy (advanced/metastatic setting: 45.9% vs. 32.0%), endocrine therapy (advanced/metastatic setting: 63.2% vs. 54.3%), and advanced/metastatic therapies (61.8% vs. 31.0%). The most frequently reported all‐grade palbociclib‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events were neutropenia (66.7%), fatigue (35.3%), and stomatitis (26.6%); grade 3/4 neutropenia was reported as palbociclib‐related in 62.7% of patients. Febrile neutropenia was reported in six patients (2.4%). Eight patients (3.2%) discontinued because of an adverse event. The objective response rate was 19.4% (95% CI, 14.7%–24.9%) overall and 2.3% in Australian patients with ≥2 lines of prior therapy for metastatic disease. Patient‐reported quality of life scores were maintained throughout the study.

Conclusions

In an expanded access setting in Australia and India, palbociclib plus letrozole was well tolerated in patients with HR+/HER2– ABC, with a safety profile consistent with previous reports.
Evaluation of pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with connective tissue disease‐associated pulmonary arterial hypertension by myocardial perfusion imaging
Authors: Wang Zengyan , Li Jiao , Wang Xicheng , Liu Mei , Liao Man , Zhang Changdong , Shang Xiaoke
Published: December 2021

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex and severe complication of connective tissue disease (CTD). We aimed to evaluate the application value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in evaluating CTD‐associated PAH (CTD‐PAH).

Methods

We retrospectively included 88 patients who were diagnosed with CTD between January 2018 and December 2020 at our hospital. Fifty‐eight patients had PAH and were included into the CTD‐PAH group. Thirty patients without PAH were included in the control group. All patients received routine physical examination, biochemical tests and cardiac function evaluation, right heart catheterization (RHC), and 99mTc‐MIBI MPI. PAH patients were divided into the mild, moderate, and severe PAH group according to their mean pulmonary artery pressures by RHC. Pearson correlation analysis was used to calculate the correlation between the right ventricle target/background (T/B) and right ventricle stroke volume (RV‐SV), total pulmonary resistance (TPR), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), 6‐minute walk distance (6‐MWD), and N‐terminal B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP). The ROC curves of T/B and pulmonary artery pressure classification were plotted and the sensitivity and specificity of T/B in diagnosing PAH of different severities were analyzed.

Results

The analysis of correlation revealed that T/B correlated negatively with 6‐MWD and positively with NT‐proBNP and exhibited good positive correlation with mPAP, TPR, and PVR by RHC and negative correlation with RV‐SV. T/B was of the most diagnostic value for severe PAH, and its correlation with severe PAH was stronger than that with mild PAH and moderate PAH.

Conclusions

Target/background is a noninvasive method that can simultaneously evaluate pulmonary arterial pressure and myocardial perfusion of CTD‐CHD patients and is particularly of relatively high value for severe PAH patients.
Editorial: delving into the natural history of Crohn’s disease and the impact of medical therapy
Authors: Vasudevan Abhinav , van Langenberg Daniel R.
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Burisch et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16615 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16680
Editorial: tofacitinib post‐marketing safety reports among ulcerative colitis patients
Authors: Veisman Ido , Ben‐Horin Shomron
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Rubin et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16619
Letter: hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis B—viral, metabolic or treatment‐related? Authors' reply
Authors: Zheng Qi , Nguyen Mindie H.
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Zheng et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16595 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16687
A meta‐analysis of sex differences in animal personality: no evidence for the greater male variability hypothesis
Authors: Harrison Lauren M. , Noble Daniel W. A. , Jennions Michael D.
Published: December 2021

The notion that men are more variable than women has become embedded into scientific thinking. For mental traits like personality, greater male variability has been partly attributed to biology, underpinned by claims that there is generally greater variation among males than females in non‐human animals due to stronger sexual selection on males. However, evidence for greater male variability is limited to morphological traits, and there is little information regarding sex differences in personality‐like behaviours for non‐human animals. Here, we meta‐analysed sex differences in means and variances for over 2100 effects (204 studies) from 220 species (covering five broad taxonomic groups) across five personality traits: boldness, aggression, activity, sociality and exploration. We also tested if sexual size dimorphism, a proxy for sex‐specific sexual selection, explains variation in the magnitude of sex differences in personality. We found no significant differences in personality between the sexes. In addition, sexual size dimorphism did not explain variation in the magnitude of the observed sex differences in the mean or variance in personality for any taxonomic group. In sum, we find no evidence for widespread sex differences in variability in non‐human animal personality.
Can a combination of interventions accelerate outcomes to deliver on theSustainable Development Goalsfor young children? Evidence from a longitudinal study in South Africa and Malawi
Authors: Mebrahtu Helen , Skeen Sarah , Rudgard William E. , Du Toit Stefani , Haag Katharina , Roberts Kathryn J. , Gordon Sarah L. , Orkin Mark , Cluver Lucie , Tomlinson Mark , Sherr Lorraine
Published: December 2021

Background

This study aimed to identify possible entry points for interventions that can act as development accelerators for children and adolescents in South Africa and Malawi.

Methods

This study was a secondary data analysis. Data were sourced from the Child Community Care longitudinal study which tracked child well‐being outcomes among 989 children (4–13 years) and their caregivers affected by HIV and enrolled in community‐based organizations in South Africa and Malawi. We examined associations between five hypothesized accelerating services/household provisions—measured as access at baseline and follow‐up and 12 child outcomes that relate to indicators within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. We calculated the adjusted probabilities of experiencing each SDG aligned outcome conditional on receipt of single, combined or all identified accelerators.

Results

The results show household food security is associated with positive child education and cognitive development outcomes. Cash grants were positively associated with nutrition and cognitive development outcomes. Living in a safe community was positively associated with all mental health outcomes. Experiencing a combination of two factors was associated with higher probability of positive child outcomes. However, experiencing all three accelerators was associated with better child outcomes, compared with any of the individual factors by themselves with substantial improvements noted in child education outcomes.

Conclusions

Combined delivery of specific interventions or services may yield greater improvements in child outcomes across different developmental domains. It is recommended that multiple support avenues in combination like improving food security and safe communities, as well as social protection grants, should be provided for vulnerable children to maximize the impact.
Optimal cutoff values of primary tumour size to better predict long‐term outcomes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma undergoing total thyroidectomy: A preliminary study using restricted cubic spline analysis
Authors: Jang Sung Woo , Park Jae Hyun , Kwon Hyeong Ju , Yoon Jong Ho
Published: December 2021

Objective

Primary tumour size (PTS) is known to be a significant prognostic factor in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) undergoing thyroidectomy. Although cutoff values of 2 and 4 cm are widely used in surgical extent decision and long‐term outcomes predictions, the effectiveness of arbitrary cutoff values in stratifying patients for target outcomes is questionable. This study aimed to determine new optimal cutoffs of PTS.

Design, Patient And Measurements

Patients (n = 529) with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy were retrospectively reviewed. After risk factor analysis for structural recurrence, the optimal cutoffs of PTS were automatically calculated using restricted cubic spline analysis and X‐tile software. Subgroups were classified based on the newly determined cutoff values. Both the recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and the proportion of patients in each response‐to‐therapy category, using the dynamic risk stratification system (DRS), were compared between the subgroups.

Results

PTS was confirmed as an independent risk factor for structural recurrence. The optimal cutoff values were calculated as 1.4 and 3.0 cm. The subgroups stratified using these newly determined cutoffs showed significantly different RFS and DRS based on the response to initial therapy, but the subgroups classified using the cutoffs of 2 and 4 cm did not.

Conclusions

The newly determined cutoff values of PTS may be useful in better stratifying patients with PTC undergoing thyroidectomy for target outcomes and can be considered as a new definition in staging and risk stratification systems.
Overdose deaths and the COVID‐19 pandemic in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Palis Heather , Bélair Marc‐André , Hu Kevin , Tu Andrew , Buxton Jane , Slaunwhite Amanda
Published: December 2021

Introduction

British Columbia (BC) declared an overdose public health emergency in 2016. Since then, BC has consistently reported the highest overdose death rates of any province in Canada. In the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic, overdose deaths in BC reached a record high in 2020. This analysis reports on changes in the profile of people who have died of overdose since BC's declaration of COVID‐19 as a public health emergency on 17 March 2020.

Methods

Using BC Coroners Service data, Chi‐square tests and multivariable logistic regression were conducted to compare demographic, geographic and post‐mortem toxicology data between people who died of overdose before (17 March–31 December 2019) and after (17 March–31 December 2020) BC's declaration of COVID‐19 as a public health emergency.

Results

Overdose deaths observed since 17 March 2020 (n = 1516) more than doubled those observed in the same period in 2019 (n = 744). In the adjusted logistic regression model, odds of death in the post compared to pre‐COVID‐19 period was significantly higher among males compared to females, among all older age groups compared to people aged 30–39, and was lower in public buildings compared to private residences.

Discussion and Conclusions

Alongside a significant increase in overdose deaths since BC's declaration of COVID‐19 as a public health emergency, the demographic profile of people who have died of overdose has changed. Ongoing overdose prevention efforts in BC must seek to reach people who remain most isolated, including older adults, who during dual public health emergencies are facing compounded risk of preventable mortality.