bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Pain Intensity and Functionality in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Comino-Suárez Natalia , Serrano-Muñoz Diego , Beltran-Alacreu Hector , Belda-Pérez Patricia , Avendaño-Coy Juan 
Published: December 2023

Objective
The aim of the study is to investigate whether transcranial direct current stimulation is superior to control groups or other interventions for pain relief and improving functionality in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Methods
PubMed, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to July 2022 to identify randomized clinical trials. The main outcomes were subjective perception of pain intensity measured either with the visual analog scale or with the numeric rating scale; and the functionality, assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. As secondary outcomes, pressure pain threshold, conditioned pain modulation, and its safety were evaluated.

Results
We identified 10 randomized clinical trials (634 participants). The results showed an important effect favoring transcranial direct current stimulation for pain relief (mean difference = −1.1 cm, 95% confident interval = −2.1 to −0.2) and for improving functionality (standardized mean difference = −0.6, 95% confident interval = −1.02 to −0.26). There was also a significant improvement in pressure pain threshold (mean difference = 0.9 Kgf/cm2, 95% confident interval = 0.1 to 1.6). The certainty of evidence according to Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation was generally moderate.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that transcranial direct current stimulation is a safe treatment for reducing pain intensity, improving functionality, and the pressure pain thresholds in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Marinomonas transparens sp. nov. and Marinomonas sargassi sp. nov., isolated from marine alga
Authors: Cui Ning , Zhang Yao , Fan Jiwu , Liu Xinqi , Li Yang , Zhang Xiuhua , Guan Jianyi , Li Tao , Wang Yan 
Published: December 2023

Two Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, strictly aerobic, motile bacteria with a single polar flagellum, designated strains C1424T and C2222T, were isolated from marine alga collected from the sea shore at Yantai, PR China. Strain C1424T grew at 4–37 °C and in the presence of 1–9 % (w/v) NaCl, while strain C2222T grew at 4–32 °C with 1–6 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and concatenated amino acid sequences of 120 ubiquitous single-copy proteins showed that both strains C1424T and C2222T belonged to the genus

Marinomonas

, showing highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of

Marinomonas primoryensis

(98.1 %) and

Marinomonas dokdonensis

(98.1 %), respectively. The major fatty acids of the two strains were C18 : 1
ω6c and/or C18 : 1
ω7c, C16 : 1
ω6c and/or C16 : 1
ω7c and C16 : 0, their predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, and their sole respiratory quinone was Q8. On the basis of polyphasic analyses, strains C1424T and C2222T are considered to represent two novel species within the genus

Marinomonas

, for which the names Marinomonas transparens sp. nov. and Marinomonas sargassi sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are C1424T (=KCTC 72119T=MCCC 1K03601T) and C2222T (=KCTC 72120T=MCCC 1K03602T), respectively.
Comprehensive Multi-Omic Analysis Reveals Distinct Molecular Features in Early and Advanced Stages of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Fan Mingzhu , Hu Jin , Xu Xiaoyan , Chen Jia , Zhang Wenwen , Zheng Xiaoping , Pan Jinheng , Xu Wei , Feng Shan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a serious primary solid tumor that is prevalent worldwide. Due to its high mortality rate, it is crucial to explore both early diagnosis and advanced treatment for HCC. In recent years, multi-omic approaches have emerged as promising tools to identify biomarkers and investigate molecular mechanisms of biological processes and diseases. In this study, we performed proteomics, phosphoproteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics to reveal the molecular features of early- and advanced-stage HCC. The data obtained from these omics were analyzed separately and then integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disease. The multi-omic results unveiled intricate biological pathways and interaction networks underlying the initiation and progression of HCC. Moreover, we proposed specific potential biomarker panels for both early- and advanced-stage HCC by overlapping our data with CPTAC database, and deduced novel insights and mechanisms related to HCC origination and development.
Beyond the VSG Layer: Exploring the Role of Intrinsic Disorder in the Invariant Surface Glycoproteins of African Trypanosomes
Authors: Sülzen Hagen , Volkov Alexander N. , Geens Rob , Zahedifard Farnaz , Stijlemans Benoit , Zoltner Martin , Magez Stefan , Sterckx Yann G.-J. , Zoll Sebastian 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACTIn the bloodstream of mammalian hosts, African trypanosomes face the challenge of protecting their invariant surface receptors from immune detection. This crucial role is fulfilled by a dense, glycosylated protein layer composed of variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs), which undergo antigenic variation and provide a physical barrier that shields the underlying invariant surface glycoproteins (ISGs). The protective shield’s limited permeability comes at the cost of restricted access to the extracellular host environment, raising questions regarding the specific function of the ISG repertoire. In this study, we employ an integrative structural biology approach to show that intrinsically disordered membrane-proximal regions are a common feature of members of the ISG superfamily, conferring the ability to switch between compact and elongated conformers. While the folded, membrane-distal ectodomain is buried within the VSG layer for compact conformers, their elongated counterparts would enable the extension beyond it. This dynamic behavior enables ISGs to maintain a low immunogenic footprint while still allowing them to engage with the host environment when necessary. Our findings add further evidence to a dynamic molecular organization of trypanosome surface antigens wherein intrinsic disorder underpins the characteristics of a highly flexible ISG proteome to circumvent the constraints imposed by the VSG coat.
Contrasting roles of Beclin-1 in pain hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behaviours in a mouse model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Zaheer Fariya , Levine Gabriel J. , Simal Ana Leticia , Reid Paige O. , Fatemi Reza , Martino Tami A. , Descalzi Giannina 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACTChronic pain is a debilitative disease affecting 1 in 5 adults globally1. The current understanding of chronic pain remains inadequate, coupled with few available therapeutics for the treatment of associated mental health disorders. Cellular homeostasis is crucial for normal bodily functions and investigation at the cellular levels may reveal a better understanding of the processes that occur leading to the development of chronic pain. Using the spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain, we found that adult male mice with impaired BECLIN-1 function show enhanced mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity compared to wildtype controls. Remarkably, we found that while SNI induced increases in anxiety-like behaviours in wildtype mice, this was not observed in mice with impaired BECLIN-1 protein function. Our data thus indicates that BECLIN-1 is differentially involved in the nociceptive and emotion related effects of chronic neuropathic pain.
Mutation ofOsCDS5confers broad-spectrum disease resistance in rice
Authors: Sun Qiping , Xiao Yongxin , Song Le , Yang Lei , Wang Yin , Yang Wei , Yang Qun , Xie Kabin , Yuan Meng , Li Guotian 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPhospholipids are important components of biological membranes, participating in various biological processes, including plant development and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. A previous study showed that mutation of the riceOsCDS5(CDP-DAGSynthase) gene alters lipid metabolism, causing enhanced abiotic stress responses, yellowing of leaves at the seedling stage and delayed plant development. Here, we observed that theOscds5mutant shows enhanced resistance to rice blast, bacterial blight and bacterial leaf streak. Mutation ofOsCDS5promotes production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases the expression level of multiple defense-related genes. Transcriptomic analyses indicate that genes involved in responses to stress, biotic/abiotic stimuli and metabolic processes are highly upregulated and enriched in mutantOscds5. Metabolomic analyses show that differential metabolites are enriched in the lipid metabolic and tryptophan metabolic pathways. The decreased level of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and increased level of serotonin likely contribute to enhanced disease resistance of theOscds5mutant. Taken together, mutation ofOsCDS5enhances abiotic and biotic stress responses, andOsCDS5 may be a promising target in genetic engineering to enhance the resilience of rice to abiotic and biotic stresses simultaneously.
Development of the Pneumococcal Genome Library, a core genome multilocus sequence typing scheme, and a taxonomic life identification number barcoding system to investigate and define pneumococcal population structure
Authors: Jansen van Rensburg Melissa J. , Berger Duncan J. , Fohrmann Andy , Bray James E. , Jolley Keith A. , Maiden Martin C.J. , Brueggemann Angela B. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractInvestigating the genomic epidemiology of major bacterial pathogens is integral to understanding transmission, evolution, colonisation, disease, antimicrobial resistance, and vaccine impact. Furthermore, the recent accumulation of large numbers of whole genome sequences for many bacterial species enhances the development of robust genome-wide typing schemes to define the overall bacterial population structure and lineages within it. Using previously published data, we developed the Pneumococcal Genome Library (PGL), a curated dataset of 30,976 genomes and contextual data for carriage and disease pneumococci recovered between 1916-2018 in 82 countries. We leveraged the size and diversity of the PGL to develop a core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme comprised of 1,222 loci. Finally, using multilevel single-linkage clustering, we stratified pneumococci into hierarchical clusters based on allelic similarity thresholds, and defined these with a taxonomic life identification number (LIN) barcoding system. The PGL, cgMLST scheme, and LIN barcodes represent a high-quality genomic resource and fine-scale clustering approaches for the analysis of pneumococcal populations, which support the genomic epidemiology and surveillance of this leading global pathogen.Impact statementMany thousands of pneumococcal genomes are available in the public domain, and this creates opportunities for the scientific community to re-use existing data; however, these data are most useful when the contextual data (provenance and phenotype) are also linked to the genomes. Therefore, we created a curated, open-access database in PubMLST that contained nearly 31,000 published pneumococcal genomes and the corresponding contextual data for each genome. This large and diverse pneumococcal database was used to create a novel cgMLST scheme and multilevel clustering method to define genetic lineages with high resolution and a standardised nomenclature. These are open-access resources for all to use and provide a unified framework for the characterisation of global pneumococcal populations.
Selective Impact of ALK and MELK Inhibition on ERα Stability and Cell Proliferation in Cell Lines Representing Distinct Molecular Phenotypes of Breast Cancer
Authors: Bartoloni Stefania , Pescatori Sara , Bianchi Fabrizio , Cipolletti Manuela , Acconcia Filippo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBreast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of global cancer-related mortality in women, necessitating accurate tumor classification for timely intervention. Molecular and histological factors, including PAM50 classification, estrogen receptor α (ERα), breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 expression, contribute to intricate BC subtyping. Through in silico screenings and multiple BC cell line investigations, we identified enhanced sensitivity of ERα-positive BC cell lines to ALK and MELK inhibitors, inducing ERα degradation and diminishing proliferation in specific BC subtypes. MELK inhibition attenuated ERα transcriptional activity, impeding E2-induced gene expression, and hampering proliferation in MCF-7 cells. Synergies between MELK inhibition with 4OH-tamoxifen (Tam) and ALK inhibition with HER2 inhibitors revealed potential therapeutic avenues for ERα-positive/PR-positive/HER2-negative and ERα-positive/PR-negative/HER2-positive tumors, respectively. Our findings propose MELK as a promising target for ERα-positive/PR-positive/HER2-negative BC and highlight ALK as a potential focus for ERα-positive/PR-negative/HER2-positive BC. The synergistic anti-proliferative effects of MELK with Tam and ALK with HER2 inhibitors underscore kinase inhibitors’ potential for selective treatment in diverse BC subtypes, paving the way for personalized and effective therapeutic strategies in BC management.
Business environment reforms effect on entrepreneurial activities of high-income economies: panel data evidence
Authors: Nave Edgar , Ferreira João , Marques Luís Miguel 
Published: December 2023

PurposeEntrepreneurship is an activity of recognised economic and social interest, leading scholars to examine contextual factors that justify variations between economies and governments to configure more favourable conditions to entrepreneurial activity. In this sequence, this study aims to analyse the effect of reforms produced in the business environment on entrepreneurial rates of a set of 18 high-income economies.Design/methodology/approachA panel data (2010–2019) methodology was adopted using 10 Doing Business indicators from World Bank and Total early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM).FindingsIn the light of institutional theory, the study shows that improving the business environment for entrepreneurs does not ensure an increase in TEA. Specifically, only the indicators Dealing with Construction, Registering Property and Enforcing Contracts positively impacted the TEA.Originality/valueThis is the first study that monitors and provides evidence regarding the effectiveness of business environment reforms towards entrepreneurship. The authors provide considerable theoretical-practical implications for scholars, entrepreneurs and policymakers to restructure public policies to support entrepreneurial activity.
Immigrant business in transnational contexts: a multifocal understanding of the breakout process
Authors: Onyima Jude Kenechi , Syrett Stephen , Sepulveda Leandro 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThis paper contributes to the development of an enhanced understanding of the breakout strategies of immigrant entrepreneurs within a transnational context. It develops a dynamic notion of breakout by placing it within a wider understanding of immigrant entrepreneurial strategy characterised by multifocal embeddedness within transnational space.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a qualitative research methodological approach. In-depth interviews were completed with 30 first- and second-generation UK-based Nigerian entrepreneurs and key informants, to provide data on business growth strategies of individual immigrant entrepreneurs in the context of opportunity structures across host, home and third countries.FindingsNigerian immigrant entrepreneurs adopted distinctive entrepreneurial strategies related to the complex and diverse transnational context within which they were embedded. Findings demonstrated how the realisation of diversification and differentiation strategies was particularly influenced by locational and spatial strategies, the specific contextual embeddedness of the entrepreneur and generational differences across entrepreneurs.Originality/valueConceptualising immigrant entrepreneurship from a standpoint of transnational, multifocal embeddedness produces a complex and multi-layered understanding of business breakout as a dynamic process. Drawing together the unifocal, bifocal and multifocal dimensions of embeddedness with findings on the breakout strategies being pursued by immigrant entrepreneurs, an original typology is presented which identifies different approaches to breakout across varied contexts. This has significant policy and practice implications for the content, targeting and access of business support and wider social issues, relating to the identities, social mobility and integration of immigrant entrepreneurs.
Digital technology adoption challenges in the agri-food supply chain from the perspective of attaining sustainable development goals
Authors: Saha Aditi , Raut Rakesh , Kumar Mukesh 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges surrounding the implementation of digital technology (DT) agri-food supply chain (AFSC) and explore how these challenges relate to the various sustainability dimensions. Additionally, it aims to assess how these challenges are interconnected in relation to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a mixed-method approach utilizing the EFA-ISM-Fuzzy DEMATEL technique. To support and validate the findings, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) categorized 12 critical challenges in sustainable dimensions from 141 participants' responses. Furthermore, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and decision-making trial and evaluation (DEMATEL) methods were used to obtain the interrelationship and hierarchical structure of the challenges.FindingsThe study identified 12 critical challenges while adopting DT in AFSC. These challenges were categorized into four sustainable dimensions: technological, economic, environmental and social. These challenges hinder the achievement of SDGs as well. Lack of regulatory and policy framework with security and privacy issues were the key challenges faced while adopting DT. These observations emphasize the necessity for government and policymakers to prioritize tackling the identified challenges to successfully endorse and execute DT initiatives in AFSC while also fulfilling the SDGs.Research limitations/implicationsThe implication underscores the need for collaboration among various stakeholders, such as governments, policymakers, businesses and researchers. By collectively addressing these challenges, DT can be leveraged optimally, fostering sustainable practices and making progress toward achieving the SDGs within the AFSC.Originality/valueThe study uses a combination technique of EFA and ISM-DEMATEL to identify the challenges faced in Indian AFSC while adopting DT and categorizes the interrelation between the challenges along with fulfilling the SDGs.
Employee treatment and stock price crash risk: evidence from China
Authors: Wang Maochuan , Xu Xixiong , Wang Siqi 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of employee treatment on stock price crash risk in emerging markets. The study further sheds light on the economic channels and boundary conditions between employee treatment and crash risk.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a large-scale archival dataset of Chinese A-share listed firms covering 2010 to 2021. To establish causality, the study leverages multi-way fixed effects, Oster’s test, change regression and instrumental variable methods to alleviate endogeneity concerns.FindingsThe results reveal that employee-friendly treatment leads to a lower crash risk. Moreover, improving internal control quality and enhancing firm reputation appear to be the two plausible economic channels through which employee treatment mitigates crash risk. Cross-sectionally, the documented impact is more evident for human-capital-intensive firms, firms with weaker external monitoring and those operating in fiercely competitive industries.Originality/valueThis study is among the first to show that employee treatment has a favorable consequence for shareholder benefit through reducing crash risk. The study thus adds to the ongoing debate regarding the relationship between employee treatment and shareholder wealth. The study also extends the nascent literature on the role of rank-and-file employees in shaping corporate information landscapes.
Reckoning the performance of management institutions – A Mamdani fuzzy inference system approach
Authors: Palaniappan Umayal , Suganthi L. 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to present an integrated methodological framework to aid in performance stewardship of management institutions according to their strategies based on a holistic evaluation encompassing social, economic and environmental dimensions.Design/methodology/approachA Mamdani fuzzy inference system (FIS) approach was adopted to design the quantitative models with respect to balanced scorecard (BSC) perspectives to demonstrate dynamic capability. Individual models were developed for each perspective of BSC using Mamdani FIS. Data was collected from subject matter experts in management education.FindingsThe proposed methodology is able to successfully compute the scores for each perspective. Effective placement, teaching learning process, faculty development and systematic feedback from the stakeholders were found to be the key drivers for revenue generation. The model is validated as the results were well accepted by the head of the institution after implementation.Research limitations/implicationsThe model resulting from this study will assist the institution to cyclically assess its performance, thus enabling continuous improvement. The strategy map provides the causality of the objectives across the four perspectives to aid the practitioners to better strategize. Also this study contributes to the literature of BSC as well to the applications of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques.Originality/valueMamdani FIS integrated BSC model is a significant contribution to the academia of management education to quantitatively compute the performance of institutions. This quantified model reduces the ambiguity for practitioners to decide the performance levels for each metric and the priorities of metrics.