bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ERG potassium channels and T‐type calcium channels contribute to the pacemaker and atrioventricular conduction in zebrafish larvae
Authors: Salgado‐Almario Jussep , Molina Yillcer , Vicente Manuel , Martínez‐Sielva Antonio , Rodríguez‐García Raúl , Vincent Pierre , Domingo Beatriz , Llopis Juan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAimBradyarrhythmias result from inhibition of automaticity, prolonged repolarization, or slow conduction in the heart. The ERG channels mediate the repolarizing current IKr in the cardiac action potential, whereas T‐type calcium channels (TTCC) are involved in the sinoatrial pacemaker and atrioventricular conduction in mammals. Zebrafish have become a valuable research model for human cardiac electrophysiology and disease. Here, we investigate the contribution of ERG channels and TTCCs to the pacemaker and atrioventricular conduction in zebrafish larvae and determine the mechanisms causing atrioventricular block.MethodsZebrafish larvae expressing ratiometric fluorescent Ca2+ biosensors in the heart were used to measure Ca2+ levels and rhythm in beating hearts in vivo, concurrently with contraction and hemodynamics. The atrioventricular delay (the time between the start of atrial and ventricular Ca2+ transients) was used to measure impulse conduction velocity and distinguished between slow conduction and prolonged refractoriness as the cause of the conduction block.ResultsERG blockers caused bradycardia and atrioventricular block by prolonging the refractory period in the atrioventricular canal and in working ventricular myocytes. In contrast, inhibition of TTCCs caused bradycardia and second‐degree block (Mobitz type I) by slowing atrioventricular conduction. TTCC block did not affect ventricular contractility, despite being highly expressed in cardiomyocytes. Concomitant measurement of Ca2+ levels and ventricular size showed mechano‐mechanical coupling: increased preload resulted in a stronger heart contraction in vivo.ConclusionERG channels and TTCCs influence the heart rate and atrioventricular conduction in zebrafish larvae. The zebrafish lines expressing Ca2+ biosensors in the heart allow us to investigate physiological feedback mechanisms and complex arrhythmias.
Letters to stakeholders: An emerging phenomenon of multi‐stakeholder engagement
Authors: Civera Chiara , Cortese Damiano , Dmytriyev Sergiy , Freeman R. Edward 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe explore a new phenomenon of multi‐stakeholder orientation and engagement in corporate communication: letters to stakeholders. By applying content, semantic, and quantitative analyses to standardized corporate communication among the 100 largest multinational companies worldwide, our study reveals that approximately one‐third of the examined companies have begun to utilize what could be considered letters to stakeholders. We demonstrate that letters to stakeholders adopt a multi‐stakeholder orientation, which describes the ability to speak a language that is widely comprehensible by a diverse audience. Letters to stakeholders are positively related to firm willingness to display multi‐stakeholder engagement activities by embracing stakeholder recognition, support, and dialog. Our findings position letters to stakeholders as a promising tool for and approach to corporate communication that improves the legitimacy and moral consideration of stakeholders.
Children's structural thinking about social inequities
Authors: Zhang Marianna Y. , Sullivan J. Nicky , Markman Ellen M. , Roberts Steven O. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAcross development, young children reason about why social inequities exist. However, when left to their own devices, young children might engage in internal thinking, reasoning that the inequity is simply a justified disparity explained by features internal to social groups (e.g., genetics, intellect, abilities, values). Internal thinking could lead them to support and reinforce the inequity (e.g., by blaming the disadvantaged). In contrast, structural thinking, which appeals to relatively stable features external to social groups (e.g., environments, policies, economic systems), could lead to more prosocial outcomes (e.g., support for social interventions). While researchers have examined adolescents' and adults' structural thinking about social inequities, in this article, we review recent research that suggests that even children as young as 5 can engage in structural thinking. We conclude with suggestions for future studies, particularly research related to how to foster young children's structural thinking in the context of real‐world social inequities.
Transitional support interventions for care leavers: A scoping review
Authors: Feather Julie , Allen Dan , Crompton Rhian , Jones Zoey , Christiansen Angela , Butler Gavin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map knowledge on different types of transitional support interventions currently available to support transition to independent living for care leavers. An extensive search using four research databases was undertaken, resulting in 36 relevant articles for inclusion. Findings were organised thematically into four broad areas: (1) Extended care; (2) A Helping Relationship; (3) Family; and (4) Employment, Education and Training. Findings show that offering a combination of targeted interventions can contribute to a more successful transition. Effective relationship‐based practices are critical to the success of transitional support interventions.
Is an uncomplicated postoperative recovery following total pelvic exenteration a more important prognostic factor than achieving R0 in the first 2 years?
Authors: Ralston Charlotte , Hainsworth Alison , de Naurois Julien , Schizas Alexis , George Mark 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAimTotal pelvic exenteration (TPE) can achieve an R0 resection in locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer (LARC and RRC) and remains the only curative option. The resultant high morbidity creates prolonged complex recoveries, rendering patients unfit for adjuvant chemotherapy. This study aims to evaluate the impact of this on overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) as it has not been studied previously.MethodThis is a retrospective single‐centre study from 2017 to 2021 evaluating patients with LARC or RRC who underwent a curative TPE. Demographics, oncological history, perioperative data [using Clavien–Dindo (CD) scoring], disease recurrence and mortality were analysed using multivariate Cox regression to assess the impact of variables on DFS and OS.ResultsA total of 120 patients were included with a median follow‐up of 3 years. 28% of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, 27.5% had surgical follow‐up and 44% missed systemic treatment. Missed treatment was predominantly due to prolonged recovery or poor performance status (59%). Patients who missed adjuvant chemotherapy experienced significantly higher CD scores (p = 0.0031), reintervention rates (p=0.0056) and further related surgeriesp (p = 0.0314). Missing adjuvant chemotherpy is a significant factor for poorer survival, with almost a three times higher mortality (p=0.0096, hazard ratio 2.7). R status was not a significant factor for OS following multivariate analysis (p = 0.336), indicating that another factor has an impact on survival within the first 2 years.ConclusionsIn the initial 2 years after exenteration, an uncomplicated postoperative recovery allows for the delivery of adjuvant chemotherapy, prolonging survival. R0/R1 status was not the main prognostic factor. Longer follow‐up and further multivariate analysis may influence decisions about aggressive R0 resection balanced against the patient being fit for chemotherapy postoperatively.
Hyperbolic discounting and state‐dependent commitment
Authors: Ogawa Takayuki , Ohno Hiroaki 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn a stochastic economy with uninsurable endowment risk, we establish a condition under which hyperbolic‐discounting consumers commit to a future consumption path using both illiquid assets and borrowing constraints as commitment devices. There is the possibility that a state‐dependent commitment can be adopted as an equilibrium consumption strategy. On a path leading to low future endowment, the current self can commit to its own optimal consumption path, which is undesirable for future selves. In contrast, along the path with a high future endowment, the current self cannot make a commitment and must accept a consumption allocation that future selves will revise. Thus, depending on what stochastic state will arise, people cannot fully utilize the available commitment devices in risky situations.
Comparative approaches in social network ecology
Authors: Albery Gregory F. , Bansal Shweta , Silk Matthew J. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSocial systems vary enormously across the animal kingdom, with important implications for ecological and evolutionary processes such as infectious disease dynamics, anti‐predator defence, and the evolution of cooperation. Comparing social network structures between species offers a promising route to help disentangle the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape this diversity. Comparative analyses of networks like these are challenging and have been used relatively little in ecology, but are becoming increasingly feasible as the number of empirical datasets expands. Here, we provide an overview of multispecies comparative social network studies in ecology and evolution. We identify a range of advancements that these studies have made and key challenges that they face, and we use these to guide methodological and empirical suggestions for future research. Overall, we hope to motivate wider publication and analysis of open social network datasets in animal ecology.
Natural history of rare diseases using natural language processing of narrative unstructured electronic health records: The example of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Lo Barco Tommaso , Garcelon Nicolas , Neuraz Antoine , Nabbout Rima 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe increasing implementation of electronic health records allows the use of advanced text‐mining methods for establishing new patient phenotypes and stratification, and for revealing outcome correlations. In this study, we aimed to explore the electronic narrative clinical reports of a cohort of patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) longitudinally followed at our center, to identify the capacity of this methodology to retrace natural history of DS during the early years.MethodsWe used a document‐based clinical data warehouse employing natural language processing to recognize the phenotype concepts in the narrative medical reports. We included patients with DS who have a medical report produced before the age of 2 years and a follow‐up after the age of 3 years (“DS cohort,” 56 individuals). We selected two control populations, a “general control cohort” (275 individuals) and a “neurological control cohort” (281 individuals), with similar characteristics in terms of gender, number of reports, and age at last report. To find concepts specifically associated with DS, we performed a phenome‐wide association study using Cox regression, comparing the reports of the three cohorts. We then performed a qualitative analysis of the surviving concepts based on their median age at first appearance.ResultsA total of 76 concepts were prevalent in the reports of children with DS. Concepts appearing during the first 2 years were mostly related with the epilepsy features at the onset of DS (convulsive and prolonged seizures triggered by fever, often requiring in‐hospital care). Subsequently, concepts related to new types of seizures and to drug resistance appeared. A series of non‐seizure‐related concepts emerged after the age of 2–3 years, referring to the nonseizure comorbidities classically associated with DS.SignificanceThe extraction of clinical terms by narrative reports of children with DS allows outlining the known natural history of this rare disease in early childhood. This original model of “longitudinal phenotyping” could be applied to other rare and very rare conditions with poor natural history description.
Post‐mortem ultrasonographic and computed tomographic features of the anatomical variations and acquired pathological bony changes of the lumbosacroiliac region in a mixed population of horses
Authors: Scilimati Nicola , Beccati Francesca , Pepe Marco , Angeli Giovanni , Dall'Aglio Cecilia , Di Meo Antonio 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundTransrectal ultrasonography is the best technique for evaluating the ventral aspect of the lumbosacral and sacroiliac regions yet this diagnostic technique does not always lead to a final diagnosis of back pain in horses.ObjectivesTo describe anatomical variations and acquired pathological bony changes (APBCs) in the lumbosacral and sacroiliac regions detected by ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) examinations on specimens. We hypothesised that age, body mass, previous use and anatomical variations may be correlated with the presence and/or severity of APBCs.Study designDescriptive cadaver study.MethodsLumbosacroiliac specimens were obtained from 51 horses that died or were euthanised for reasons other than the study and underwent US and CT examinations post‐mortem.ResultsForty‐two specimens were analysed. The most prevalent lumbosacral disc morphology was type 2 (21/42), and protrusions were found in 15/42 specimens. Abnormal echogenicity of the L5‐L6 and lumbosacral discs was detected in 11/42 and 30/42 specimens, respectively. Abnormalities in the size of the L5‐L6 disc were found in 10/42 specimens and correlated with promontorium localisation (Cramér's V coefficient [V] = 0.42) and lumbosacral disc morphology (type 1: V = 0.41; type 5: V = 0.69). The most prevalent orientation of the L6 spinous process (SP) was convergent (24/42). The promontoria were mostly located between L6 and S1 (36/42). Lumbosacral spondylosis was detected in 24/42 specimens and spondylolisthesis in one. Age was associated with the severity of APBCs in the sacroiliac joints, lumbosacral intertransverse joints, articular process joints, spondylosis and L6 or S1 bone plate irregularities. Lumbosacral spondylosis or L6 extremitas caudalis irregularity was associated with lumbosacral angulation, variability in the size of the L5‐L6 disc and localisation of the promontorium, L6 SP orientation and L6 extremitas caudalis irregularity with abnormal echogenicity of the LS disc.Main limitationsLack of information on clinical signs.ConclusionsHigh variability and prevalence of the anatomical variations and APBCs in the lumbosacroiliac region were observed, and correlations between some anatomical variations and APBCs and between APBCs and age were reported.
Fatigue reliability assessment of load‐carrying cruciform welded joints with undercuts and misalignments
Authors: Song Wei , Man Zheng , Xu Jie , Fan Yu , Xia Xiaolei , He Min , Zhou Guangtao , Berto Filippo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe additional local stress concentration caused by undercut and misaligned defects could lead to lower fatigue strength of welded joints. The paper aims to investigate the effects of undercuts and misalignments on fatigue performance and reliability of Load‐carrying Cruciform Welded Joint (LCWJ) quantitatively by probabilistic statistics theory and fracture mechanics theory. Firstly, the geometrical characteristics of undercut and misalignment are summarized from the literature and our experiments. Subsequently, the probabilistic distributions of material fracture properties, the configurations of geometries, and flaws were evaluated under specific loading conditions. The fatigue strengths are further estimated by the probabilistic reliability theory by combining the actual fatigue data. The results demonstrate a clear disparity of fatigue crack growth threshold and resistances for the tested data of base metal and weldment. The level of defects determines the interval of fatigue life, and the larger the dispersion accompanying earlier fatigue failure occurs.
Tropical cyclone effects enhance limnetic plankton trophic‐level relationships in a subtropical oligotrophic freshwater ecosystem
Authors: dela Paz Erica Silk P. , Lin Fan‐Sian , Chang Chun‐Wei , Hsieh Chih‐hao , Lee Pei‐Fen , Shiah Fuh‐Kwo , Ko Chia‐Ying 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Tropical cyclones (TCs), as natural extreme weather events, alter plankton and hydrological environments, affecting the stability of biological processes in freshwater ecosystems, and such TC effects vary with water depths. Previous studies have found increased phytoplankton biomass resulting from TC effects has been observed, leading to potential strong grazing of zooplankton and enhanced plankton trophic‐level relationships. However, this remains understudied, particularly under in situ conditions.

Using a zooplankton to phytoplankton (ZB/PB) ratio to represent the plankton trophic‐level relationship, we estimated the ZB/PB ratios at various depth intervals, including surface (2 m depth) and euphotic (depths between 0 and 20 m) depths and depth layer 0–50 m (depths between 0 and 50 m), in a subtropical deep oligotrophic freshwater ecosystem from 2012 to 2015 to understand how TC effects would influence changes in the ZB/PB ratio variations.

TCs affected the surface and euphotic ZB/PB ratios but not those at the depth layer 0–50 m. The TC durations had an initially negative and then positive impact on the surface ZB/PB ratio, indicating that slow‐moving TCs might restructure surface plankton trophic‐level relationships. The water temperature and nutrient dynamics during the TC weeks showed the highest correlations with the ZB/PB ratios at the surface and euphotic depths. The combined environmental effects influenced the ZB/PB ratios at the surface and euphotic depths during the TC weeks, with 65.1% and 72.2% of the total variations explained in the multivariate regressions, respectively.

There were greater impacts of TCs in shallow water (surface and euphotic depth) than in deep water. Aquatic food chains may be unexpectedly vulnerable to natural extreme weather events, such as TCs, and continuous assessments of food chain dynamics are necessary to better manage potential risks from natural extreme weather events in freshwater ecosystems.
Problems of past anticipations of the future: The case of medical manpower
Authors: Herrick Clare 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis commentary explores historical efforts to diagnose the present and project the future through the specific example of medical manpower planning. To situate this, it draws on work within and across geography exploring the concept of anticipation and considers the discipline's failure to adequately engage with healthcare workers, despite the vibrancy of health geography as a subdiscipline. As it explores, ensuring adequate numbers of staff in a healthcare system has been an issue for as long as there have been healthcare systems. Planning for healthcare system needs is thus a particularly fraught form of anticipation that seeks to project future needs from a contested and often incalculable present as a basis for political decision‐making and resource allocation. As this commentary explores, it is a problem that is global in scope, historically deep and thus rich in analytical possibility.
Feminism in organization studies? It is a long story: A conversation between Silvia Gherardi and Lynne Baxter
Authors: Gherardi Silvia , Baxter Lynne F. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis paper is an edited version of a conversation between Silvia Gherardi and Lynne Baxter at the Inaugural Distinguished Speaker Event of the Gender, Materialities, and Activism Network. We learn about the development of Professor Gherardi's interest in feminism, how it evolves and informs her wider work on organization studies and methodology, and how she supports community development while advancing her own work. Moreover, there is a perceptive reflection from Professor Gherardi uncovering what the article, as written text, loses compared to the multisensory verbal encounter taking place in virtual space.
Programmed death receptor 1 (PD‐1) ligand Fc fusion proteins reduce T‐cell proliferation in vitro independently of PD‐1
Authors: Biemond Melissa , Vremec David , Gray Daniel HD , Hodgkin Philip D , Heinzel Susanne 
Published: December 2023

AbstractProgrammed death receptor 1 (PD‐1) is an inhibitory receptor on T cells shown to restrain T‐cell proliferation. PD‐1 immune checkpoint blockade has emerged as a highly promising approach in cancer treatment. Much of our understanding of the function of PD‐1 is derived from in vitro T‐cell activation assays. Here we set out to further investigate how T cells integrate inhibitory signals such as PD‐1 in vitro using the PD‐1 agonist, PD‐1 ligand 1 (PD‐L1) fusion protein (PD‐L1.Fc), coimmobilized alongside anti‐CD3 agonist monoclonal antibody (mAb) on plates to deliver PD‐1 signals to wild‐type and PD‐1−/− CD8+ T cells. Surprisingly, we found that the PD‐L1.Fc fusion protein inhibited T‐cell proliferation independently of PD‐1. This PD‐L1.Fc inhibition was observed in the presence and absence of CD28 and interleukin‐2 signaling. Binding of PD‐L1.Fc was restricted to PD‐1–expressing T cells and thus inhibition was not mediated by the interaction of PD‐L1.Fc with CD80 or other yet unknown binding partners. Furthermore, a similar PD‐1–independent reduction of T‐cell proliferation was observed with plate‐bound PD‐L2.Fc. Hence, our results suggest that the coimmobilization of PD‐1 ligand fusion proteins with anti‐CD3 mAb leads to a reduction of T‐cell engagement with plate‐bound anti‐CD3 mAb. This study demonstrates a nonspecific mechanism of T‐cell inhibition when PD‐L1.Fc or PD‐L2.Fc fusion proteins are delivered in a plate‐bound coimmobilization assay and highlights the importance of careful optimization of assay systems and reagents when interpreting their influence on T‐cell proliferation.
Pathogenesis and management of immune dysfunction secondary to B cell haematological malignancies
Authors: Crassini Kyle , Gibson John 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMalignancies of the B‐lymphocyte lineage are among the most diagnosed haematological malignancies in clinical practice. In our community, multiple myeloma (MM) and its precursor condition monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance are the commonest, accounting for ~12% of diagnoses, followed by chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and its precursor condition monoclonal B lymphocytosis, ~9%. Along with diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma, these conditions comprise around a third of all haematological malignancies diagnosed. Infection remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the management of patients with these conditions. This is in part treatment‐related but also reflective of disease‐related immune dysfunction. Infectious complications account for up to 50% of early mortality in patients with myeloma and up to 50% of all mortality in patients with CLL. A variety of strategies are available to decrease the morbidity and mortality of infectious complications; however, practices vary between countries and often between treating physicians. Treatment options have evolved significantly over the last decade, with the introduction of monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, second‐ and third‐generation immunomodulatory agents and CAR‐T cell therapy. Much of the data that inform clinical practice in infection management predates current therapeutic approaches. This is in part because of the rapid development of new therapies but also reflective of the long natural history of many of these diseases and the need for prolonged periods of observation. In this article, we review the aspects of disease and treatment that contribute to immune dysfunction in MM, CLL and B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and review the current strategies used to manage immune dysfunction and infection.