bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting thoracic aortic dissection in a diverse biobank using a polygenic risk score
Authors: DePaolo John , Zamirpour Siavash , Abramowitz Sarah , Biagetti Gina , Judy Renae , Beeche Cameron , Duda Jeffrey , Gee James , Witschey Walter R. , Chirinos Julio A. , Goel Nicholas J. , Desai Nimesh , Szeto Wilson Y. , Guo Dongchuan , Milewicz Dianna M. , Levin Michael G. , Pirruccello James P. , Damrauer Scott M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundThoracic aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that often occurs in the presence of aortic dilation. Despite a known association between ascending aortic diameter (AscAoD) and dissection risk, predicting dissection risk remains challenging.ObjectivesDetermine whether common variant genetics can be used to improve identification of individuals most at risk for dissection.MethodsA genome wide association study (GWAS)-by-subtraction was performed to characterize the diameter-independent genetics of thoracic aortic dissection by subtracting a GWAS of aortic diameter (AoD) from a GWAS of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD). A polygenic risk score (PRS) was calculated using the PRS-Continuous Shrinkage statistical package and evaluated for its ability to predict aortic dissection. The primary analytic cohort was Penn Medicine Biobank (PMBB) which comprises volunteers consenting to linkage of health records with biospecimens, including DNA which has undergone genome-wide genotyping; additional analyses were performed in the National Institutes of Health All of Us (AoU) cohort.ResultsWe identified 43 significant genetic risk loci in our GWAS-by-subtraction and derived a “Dissection-PRS.” In the PMBB, the Dissection-PRS associated with an increased risk of prevalent dissection (odds ratio [OR]=2.13 per 1 standard deviation [sd] increase in Dissection-PRS, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.91 to 2.39,P<0.001), These results were consistent when excluding individuals with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in established aortopathy genes. When adjusting for clinical risk factors including ascending aortic diameter, the association of the Dissection-PRS with prevalent dissection attenuated but remained significant (OR=1.62 per 1 sd increase in PRS, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.94,P<0.001). The addition of the PRS to a model containing age, sex, clinical risk factors, and ascending aortic diameter substantially improved model discrimination (base model area under the receiver operator characteristic curve [AUROC]=0.676, 95% CI 0.651 to 0.702; with addition of PRS AUROC=0.723, 95% CI 0.702 to 0.744). Analysis in AoU demonstrated similar findings.ConclusionsA common-variant PRS can predict aortic dissection in a diverse population.
Investigating Gender Disparities in Ophthalmology Departments at Medical Schools in Japan
Authors: Iwasaki Akemi , Kato Naoko , Morita Yuka , Onouchi Hiromi , Itakura Mariko , Kunimi Keiko , Manabe Yoichi 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis comprehensive study investigates the gender distribution of ophthalmologists in academic positions in Japanese medical schools. Data were collected from the websites of all ophthalmology departments and affiliated hospitals from November 1-15, 2023. Faculty gender was identified using first names and photographs, and where unclear, further verification was sought from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare or known contacts. The survey included 1,574 faculty members: 453 females (28.8%) and 1,121 males (71.2%). The representation of females varied significantly across different academic ranks: 9.9% were professors, 21.9% associate professors, 39.5% assistant professors, and 36.7% research associates. A significant gender disparity was observed, with males being 4.41 times more likely to become professors than females (p < 0.001). Conversely, females were more likely to hold research associate positions than males (Odds Ratio: 0.51, p < 0.001). This study highlights a male predominance in senior academic positions within ophthalmology departments in Japanese medical schools.
Wastewater testing during the South African 2022-2023 measles outbreak demonstrates the potential of environmental surveillance to support measles elimination
Authors: Ndlovu Nkosenhle , Mabasa Victor , Sankar Chenoa , Msomi Nosihle , Phalane Emmanuel , Singh Natasha , Gwala Sipho , Els Fiona , Macheke Mokgaetji , Maposa Sibonginkosi , Yousif Mukhlid , McCarthy Kerrigan M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundSensitive clinical surveillance and high vaccination coverage are required to meet the WHO 2030 measles elimination target. Whilst wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) has proven usefulness in polio surveillance, it has not been applied to measles control. We describe the development of digital RT-PCR (RT-dPCR) for detection and quantification of measles virus (MeV) in wastewater, and application to retained concentrated samples obtained from 28 national sentinel SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance sites and 19 localised collection points in a single province before, during and after a measles outbreak of over 2,000 laboratory-confirmed cases.MethodsWe validated a RT-dPCR assay incorporating WHO-recommended primers for detection and differentiation of wild-type and vaccine genotypes. We applied this to retained wastewater samples concentrated by ultrafiltration and stored at −20°C. We compared wastewater findings by district and epidemiological weeks with laboratory-confirmed measles case data obtained from national fever-rash surveillance for districts with adequate surveillance indicators (>2/100,000 non-measles cases)FindingsAmongst 2,149 wastewater concentrates obtained between 16 February 2021 and 08 March 2024, we identified 43 (2%) samples containing MeV RNA in concentrations ranging from 2,04-6,11 genome copies/mL. MeV genotype A (vaccine strain) was co-detected in wastewater in 6 instances along with non-A (wild-type) genotypes. Comparison of wastewater and clinical fever-rash surveillance data by epidemiological week and district identified 27 district-time instances where at least one positive wastewater sample was identified, of which 14 (52%) districts reported at least one laboratory-confirmed clinical case in that same epidemiological week. Amongst districts with positive wastewater samples, wastewater surveillance detected MeV in 13/27 (48%) time-district pairs when clinical surveillance failed to detect cases. Amongst district-time instances where at least one laboratory-confirmed measles case was detected (N=127), MeV was detected in at least one wastewater sample collected in that same epidemiological week in 14 (11%) districtsInterpretationWastewater surveillance may be a useful complementary surveillance tool for identification of districts with ongoing measles circulation. MeV detection rates may be improved by real-time testing to limit RNA degradation and improved concentration and nucleic acid extraction processes. Ongoing wastewater surveillance for MeV should be conducted in order to understand the role of WES in measles control and elimination.FundingThis work was funded by BMGF (INV-049271)
The Initiator Caspase Dronc Drives Compensatory Proliferation of Apoptosis-Resistant Cells During Epithelial Tissue Regeneration After Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Braun Tslil , Afgin Naama , Sapozhnikov Lena , Sivan Ehud , Bergmann Andreas , Baena-Lopez Luis Alberto , Yacobi-Sharon Keren , Arama Eli 
Published: September 2024

AbstractCaspases, well-known for their role in executing apoptosis, also participate in various non-apoptotic processes. Despite this, their involvement in promoting compensatory proliferation - a key aspect of tissue regeneration following extensive cell death - has been a subject of ongoing ambiguity. In our study, we investigate compensatory proliferation in theDrosophilawing imaginal disc following ionizing radiation, a model epithelial tissue that has been a pioneering system for studying this regenerative response. Using a delayed genetic reporter to monitor the activity of the initiator caspase-2/9 ortholog, Dronc, we identified two populations of apoptosis-resistant epithelial cells involved in compensatory proliferation: those that activate Dronc (termed DARE cells) and those that do not (NARE cells). We show that DARE cells pass their apoptosis-resistance trait to their daughter cells, suggesting a molecular memory. We demonstrate that Dronc in DARE cells, but not the apoptosome adapter Dark and the effector caspases, promotes compensatory proliferation both within these cells and in NARE cells through a non-cell-autonomous mechanism. We found that Myo1D, an unconventional myosin interacting with Dronc, is essential for the survival of DARE cells by preventing the lethal activation of effector caspases and subsequent apoptosis. In contrast, Myo7A/Crinkled, another unconventional myosin that interacts with Dronc, promotes effector caspase activation in DARE cells. We demonstrate that the TNFR>JNK signaling pathway in DARE cells directly regulates their proliferation, which in turn influences NARE cell proliferation. Consequently, we show that maintaining proliferative homeostasis between DARE and NARE cells is vital for balanced tissue regeneration. Given the widespread use of ionizing irradiation in cancer treatment and prevention, our findings have potential implications for understanding treatment-resistant cells and cancer recurrence.
The fate of pollen in two morphologically contrasting buzz-pollinatedSolanumflowers
Authors: Vasquez-Castro Christian A. , Morel Elodie , Garcia-Simpson Bernardo , Vallejo-Marín Mario 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTStudy premisePollen transfer efficiency (PTE) and pollen deposition patterns on a pollinator’s body significantly influence plant reproductive success. However, studies on pollen fates (i.e., the destination of pollen grains after being released) in animal-pollinated species, particularly those offering pollen as the sole reward, are limited. Here, we investigated pollen fates in two nectarless, buzz-pollinatedSolanumspecies with contrasting floral morphology.MethodsWe conducted experimental trials involving one pollen donor and four recipient flowers ofSolanum rostratumandS. dulcamara, using captiveBombus terrestrisas pollinator. After each trial, we assessed the amount of pollen remaining in the anthers, deposited on stigmas, placed on the pollinator, and falling to the ground. We then estimated pollen fates and PTE, and modelled their pollen deposition curves.Key resultsWe found thatS. rostratumproduced more pollen but had a more restricted pollen dispensing schedule compared toS. dulcamara. Although PTE was similar between species (0.72% vs. 1.07%, forS. rostratumandS. dulcamara,respectively), pollen loss mainly occurred due to falling to the ground inS. rostratumand bee grooming inS. dulcamara, potentially explained by their different floral architectures. Both species exhibited a typical exponential decay pattern in pollen deposition, with the first visited flowers receiving the most outcross pollen.ConclusionsOur results suggest that PTE in pollen-rewarding, buzz-pollinated species is quantitatively similar to that in nectar-rewarding flowers with single pollen units (PTE = 1-2%), and that different buzz- pollinated flower architectures achieve similar PTE although through different pollen-loss pathways.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of soil-grownBrassica napusresponses to nutrient deficiency
Authors: Grubb LE , Scandola S , Mehta D , Khodabocus I , Uhrig RG 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTMacronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulphur (S) are critical for plant growth and development. Field-grown canola (Brassica napusL.) is supplemented with fertilizers to maximize plant productivity, while deficiency in these nutrients can cause significant yield loss. A holistic understanding of the interplay between these nutrient deficiency responses in a single study and canola cultivar is thus far lacking, hindering efforts to increase the nutrient use efficiency of this important oil seed crop. To address this, we performed a comparative quantitative proteomic analysis of both shoot and root tissue harvested from soil-grown canola plants experiencing either nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or sulphur deficiency. Our data provide critically needed insights into the shared and distinct molecular responses to macronutrient deficiencies in canola. Importantly, we find more conserved responses to the four different nutrient deficiencies in canola roots, with more distinct proteome changes in aboveground tissue. Our results establish a foundation for a more comprehensive understanding of the shared and distinct nutrient deficiency response mechanisms of canola plants and pave the way for future breeding efforts.
Raffinose induces autophagy to promote plant growth
Authors: Magen Sahar , Daniel Sahar , Weiss Shahar , Factor David J. , Mursalimov Sergey , Soroka Yoram , Michaeli Simon , Avin-Wittenberg Tamar 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTPlant growth is governed by the integration of environmental cues and nutritional status. Under stress conditions, growth is usually attenuated in favor of stress response, creating a trade-off between growth and stress. Autophagy is a vital process in eukaryotes, maintaining cellular balance by degrading and recycling cellular components. It is triggered by various nutrient-deprivation conditions and both biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Surprisingly, over-expressing autophagy-related genes across multiple plant species resulted in increased plant size, yield, and stress resistance, posing autophagy as a regulator of the stress-growth balance. Yet, the molecular mechanisms governing its induction remain partially understood.In the current work, we identified raffinose-a plant-derived sugar known for its role in stress responses-as a novel plant autophagy inducer. Raffinose treatment resulted in increased biomass and yield in an autophagy-dependent manner in several plant species. We also show that raffinose activates autophagy through the SnRK1 kinase complex, independent of TOR signaling, and that raffinose treatment results in increased expression ofATG5andATG7. We also point to possible downstream candidates operating autophagy-related biomass accumulation. Our findings offer new perspectives on the role of autophagy in maintaining a balance between plant growth and stress responses, underscoring the significance of raffinose in its regulation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe intricate balance between plant growth and stress responses is crucial for agricultural productivity, particularly as climate change intensifies environmental stressors such as drought and extreme temperatures. Usually, there is a trade-off between growth and stress response. Autophagy—a cellular recycling process essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis—plays a pivotal role in this balance. Yet, the molecular mechanisms modulating it are partially understood. Raffinose treatment enhances biomass and yields in various plant species by inducing autophagy. By elucidating the molecular mechanisms of raffinose-mediated autophagy induction, our findings provide valuable insights into potential strategies for enhancing plant resilience against climate-induced stress.
Competing institutional logics in healthcare organizations: theorising digitalism
Authors: Kjekshus Lars Erik , Bygstad Bendik 
Published: September 2024

PurposeThe digitalisation of healthcare services has proven to be difficult, with numerous negative effects. We argue that the reason for the problem is not poor project management, but a clash of different institutional logics. The aim of this article is to explore, define and theorise the concept of digitalism, as a term for a new institutional logic in contrast to other, more known logics in organisations, such as managerialism and professionalism, to better understand processes of digitalisation.Design/methodology/approachWe illustrate our arguments with a case study of a process of organizational development before and after the implementation of centralised large-scale IT systems at a large Norwegian hospital. Data was extracted from documents and observations from January 2015 to January 2016 during an organizational audit. In addition, a follow-up study was conducted in 2019 and 2024 by interviewing eight key personnel who were involved in the implementation process.FindingsThe implementation of a new digital health record in a Norwegian hospital is a process of social restructuring that involves new actors, logics and control systems. The process of digitalisation shows us how digitalism create tensions, diverges and merges with other institutional logics.Practical implicationsUnderstanding digitalism as a sensitising concept offers insights into how large-scale technology and organizations are tied together and can help to reduce organizational dysfunctionalities and improve the implementation of IT systems.Originality/valueThis study contributes to a new understanding of digitalisation processes and links an ongoing theoretical debate on the digitalisation of organizations with empirical findings.
Evolution of the whistleblowing regime: the UAE model
Authors: Gibbs Tatyana 
Published: September 2024

Purpose
This study aims to conceptualize the UAE’s whistleblowing model by reviewing recent legislative updates directed toward removing potential legal deterrents, introducing legal protection and establishing numerous external whistleblowing channels. The study surveys these initiatives through the prism of the country’s unique socio-economic and judicial environments.

Design/methodology/approach
The study applies a conceptual approach to probe the potential impact of the UAE’s legislative initiatives on the country’s whistleblowing regime by connecting the demographic data, the UAE’s legal and regulatory frameworks, academic literature and media reports.

Findings
Recent legislative updates to the UAE whistleblowing regime are geared toward removal of potential legal deterrents, introduction of legal protection and establishment of external whistleblowing channels for reporting. These constitute the conceptual model of the UAE’s whistleblowing strategy, which is broad in scope and application yet may appear fragmented.

Originality/value
The study merges a comprehensive review of legislative initiatives and regulatory framework with academic literature to conceptualize the UAE’s whistleblowing model.
How employees’ motivated needs relate to employees’ personal and workplace spirituality
Authors: Yarbrough Jillian Williamson , Ramos Salazar Leslie 
Published: September 2024

PurposeThe aim of this paper was to examine the interrelationships between Maslow’s motivated needs in relation to employees’ personal and workplace spirituality experiences.Design/methodology/approachRegression analysis using a cross-sectional, convenience sampling approach of 158 US employees responding to survey questions using a Qualtrics survey related to their demographics, motivated needs, daily spirituality experiences, workplace spirituality, work spirituality experiences and work-related flow.FindingsCorrelation analyses provided support for Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in relation to employees’ daily spiritual experiences, workplace spirituality, work spirituality experiences and work-related flow. Regression analyses also identified the specific Maslow needs that served as predictive factors in relation to employees’ personal and workplace spirituality. Findings and conclusions are also discussed in relation to employees and organizations.Practical implicationsCurrently, there are no correlation studies that have examined workplace spirituality as an ethical behavior in the workplace and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This correlation gap is notable because further examination of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a theoretical framework in relation to employees’ spirituality can be particularly valuable for contemporary work settings. Consider that today’s work environment is faced with dynamic and unique factors, and each of these factors not only changes the work environment but also they significantly drive or minimize employee motivation. Three such factors include new generations of employees with unique values entering the workforce and the great resignation and quiet quitting.Social implicationsThe study identifies that Maslow’s belonging, esteem and self-transcendence are related positively to employees’ spiritual experiences in the workplace. When these needs are fulfilled in the work environment, employees may be more likely to engage in spiritual practices at work, such as participating in yoga, prayer and meditation and in fulfilling one’s motivated needs and spirituality, employees are able to pursue their true purpose in the workplace.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature regarding understanding the value of workplace spirituality as a positive outcome for the employees and organizations.
Smart heuristics in business relationships: toward a typology
Authors: Reb Jochen , Jha Nilotpal 
Published: September 2024

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a typology of heuristics in business relationships. We distinguish between four categories: (1) general heuristics used in the context of a business relationship but that may also (and are often) used in other contexts; (2) relational context heuristics that are typically used in a relational context; (3) relational information heuristics that rely on relational information and (4) genuine relational heuristics that use relational information and are applied in relational contexts.Design/methodology/approachWe draw on existing literature on heuristics and business relationships to inform our conceptual paper.FindingsWe apply this typology and discuss specific heuristics that fall under the different categories of our typology. These include word-of-mouth, tit-for-tat, imitation, friendliness, recognition and trust.Research limitations/implicationsWe contribute to the heuristics literature by providing a novel typology of heuristics in business relationships. Emphasizing the interdependence between heuristics and business relationships, we identify genuine relational heuristics that capture the bidirectional relationships between business relationships and heuristics. Second, we contribute to the business relationships literature by providing a conceptual framework for understanding the types of heuristics managers use in business relationships and by discussing examples of specific heuristics and how they are applied in relational contexts.Practical implicationsWe contribute to practice by providing a simple framework for making sense out of the “universe” of heuristics for business relationships.Originality/valueOur paper provides a novel typology for understanding heuristics in business relationships.