bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing patterns of gene expression in large bowel mucosa
Authors: Vaughan-Shaw P.G. , Ooi L.Y. , Timofeeva M. , Grimes G. , Din F.V.N. , Farrington S.M. , Dunlop M.G. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAimVariation in genomic sequences that control gene expression in target tissues is increasingly recognized as the underlying basis of disease susceptibility, especially cancer. This is particularly relevant to common genetic variation impacting on cancer risk. Exogenous factors may also influence gene expression, potentially leaving a transcriptomic signature of environmental risk factors in normal tissues. Therefore, understanding endogenous and exogenous influences over gene expression patterns in normal tissue is critical to the study of functional genomics and its relationship to disease susceptibility. Here, we investigated demographic and sampling variables that could impact on gene expression in normal colorectal mucosa.MethodWe prospectively collected normal mucosa from 424 patients undergoing colorectal surgery or outpatient assessment through surgical stripping of normal mucosa from resected colorectal specimens or rectal biopsy. Gene expression was assessed using Illumina HT-12 microarrays and analysed against demographic (age, gender, BMI) and sampling factors (general anaesthesia, cleansing bowel agents, sample site, time to RNA preservation) using adjusted linear regression modelling.ResultsAge, gender, smoking status, sampling under anaesthetic, sample site and sampling method were associated with differential gene expression in the adjusted model. BMI or use of cleansing bowel preparation did not impact gene expression. Age was associated with differential expression of 16 genes and significant enrichment in pathways relevant to tumourigenesis, including immune process, cell proliferation, adhesion and death. Sample site was associated with differential expression of 2515 genes, with 1102 genes more highly expressed in the proximal colon (proximal to splenic flexure). Gender and sampling under anaesthetic were associated with differential expression of 99 and 851 genes respectively. Increased time to RNA preservation (45-90 minutes) was associated with enrichment of pathways consistent with tissue ischaemia including ‘response to wounding’, ‘apoptotic process’, and ‘response to oxygen levels’.ConclusionsDemographic and sampling factors influence gene expression patterns in normal colorectal mucosa, often with a large magnitude of effect. Meanwhile, greater time to RNA preservation is associated with patterns of gene expression consistent with tissue ischaemia which questions the generalisability of assessment of gene expression patterns generated from post-mortem studies. These results highlight the importance of fully adjusted expression analyses and may indicate mechanisms underlying age, gender and site-specific differences in CRC incidence, progression and outcome.
Animal complexity defines the functionality of synonymous mutations through mediating microRNA regulations
Authors: Cui Chunmei , Lin Xiao , Cui Qinghua 
Published: September 2022

AbstractMost recently, Shen et al. revealed that most synonymous mutations (SMs) in yeast genes are strongly non-neutral, however, which was soon challenged by Kruglyak et al. who find no evidence for deleterious effect on fitness of SMs in yeast genes. We previously revealed that SMs in numerous human genes show functionality through changing miRNA regulations. Given that higher animals show higher complexity of miRNA regulations, here we present a hypothesis that SMs in lower animal genes show less functionality and vice versa. To confirm this, we comprehensively investigated the SMs changing miRNA regulations in yeast, C.elegans, Drosophila, mouse, and human. As expected, the result showed that the proportion of SMs affecting gene functionality through altering miRNA regulations is about 0%, 14%, 16%, 51%, and 60% in yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, mouse, and human, respectively, suggesting that the complexity of animals indeed determines the functionality of SMs through mediating miRNA regulations. Finally, this study supports no evidence that most SMs in yeast genes are deleterious.
Mesenchymal stem cell culture within perfusion bioreactors incorporating 3D-printed scaffolds enables improved extracellular vesicle yield with preserved bioactivity
Authors: Kronstadt Stephanie M. , Patel Divya B. , Born Louis J. , Levy Daniel , Lerman Max J. , Mahadik Bhushan , McLoughlin Shannon T. , Fasuyi Arafat , Fowlkes Lauren , Van Heyningen Lauren Hoorens , Aranda Amaya , Abadchi Sanaz Nourmohammadi , Chang Kai-Hua , Hsu Angela Ting Wei , Bengali Sameer , Harmon John W. , Fisher John P. , Jay Steven M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are implicated as promising therapeutics and drug delivery vehicles in various diseases. However, successful clinical translation will depend on development of scalable biomanufacturing approaches, especially due to the documented low levels of intrinsic EV-associated cargo that may necessitate repeated doses to achieve clinical benefit in certain applications. Thus, here we assessed effects of a 3D-printed scaffold-perfusion bioreactor system on the production and bioactivity of EVs secreted from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a cell type heavily implicated in generating EVs with therapeutic potential. Our results indicate that perfusion bioreactor culture results in an ~40-80-fold increase, depending on measurement method, in MSC EV production compared to conventional cell culture. Additionally, we demonstrated that MSC EVs generated using the bioreactor system significantly improved wound healing in a diabetic mouse model, with increased CD31+ staining in wound bed tissue compared to animals treated with flask cell culture-generated MSC EVs. Overall, this study establishes a promising solution to major EV translational issues (i.e., scalability and low potency) with potential for adaptation to various EV-based therapeutics and capacity for improvement alongside the continuous advancements in 3D-printing technologies.
Diversity, Phylogenetic Relationships, And Expression Profiles Of Invertase Inhibitor Genes In Sweetpotato
Authors: Acheampong Samuel , Sederoff Heike , Olukolu Bode A. , Asare Aaron T. , Yencho G. Craig 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTInvertases and their inhibitor proteins are key regulators of carbon allocation in plants. Manipulation of invertase inhibitor (ITI) activity can potentially increase crop yield. The aim of this study was to determine the sequence diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and expression profiles of ITI genes in sweetpotato(Ipomoea batatas).. The coding sequences of two ITI paralogs (SPITI1 and SPITI2) were cloned from two sweetpotato varieties (Beauregard and Jewel) and sequenced. The DNA sequences were used to deduce amino acids sequences and predicted protein properties. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was carried out to study the expression profiles of the genes at different developmental stages. The results show that introns are absent in both SPITI paralogs. SNPs, Indels, and variable simple sequence repeats (SSR) were present in the SPITI1 paralog, however, only SNPs were identified in the SPITI2 paralog. The predicted SPITI1 protein had 168, 172, or 174 amino acid residues, and molecular weights ranging from 17.88 to 18.38 kDa. In contrast, SPITI2 coded for a protein with 192 amino acid residues, with molecular weight ranging from 20.59 to 20.65 kDa. All conserved domains of ITI proteins were present in both protein isoforms.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that SPITI genes were more closely related to I.trifida and I.triloba than I.nil, thus, suggesting their evolutionary relationship and conservation. A qPCR study indicated that both SPITI genes were expressed in all the sample tissues, though relative expression values differed across tissues at different developmental stages. This is the first study reporting diversity of SPITI genes and of an ~18 kDA isoform in sweetpotato. The findings may enable design of genetic engineering strategies for SPITI genes, including CRISPR/Cas gene editing in sweetpotato.
COVID-19 individual participant data meta-analyses. Can there be too many? Results from a rapid systematic review
Authors: Maxwell Lauren , Shreedhar Priya , Levis Brooke , Chavan Sayali Arvind , Akter Shaila , Carabali Mabel 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundIndividual participant data meta-analyses (IPD-MAs), which include harmonising and analysing participant-level data from related studies, provide several advantages over aggregate data meta-analyses, which pool study-level findings. IPD-MAs are especially important for building and evaluating diagnostic and prognostic models, making them an important tool for informing the research and public health responses to COVID-19.MethodsWe conducted a rapid systematic review of protocols and publications from planned, ongoing, or completed COVID-19-related IPD-MAs to identify areas of overlap and maximise data request and harmonisation efforts. We searched four databases using a combination of text and MeSH terms. Two independent reviewers determined eligibility at the title-abstract and full-text stage. Data were extracted by one reviewer into a pretested data extraction form and subsequently reviewed by a second reviewer. Data were analysed using a narrative synthesis approach. A formal risk of bias assessment was not conducted.ResultsWe identified 31 COVID-19-related IPD-MAs, including five living IPD-MAs and ten IPD-MAs that limited their inference to published data (e.g., case reports). We found overlap in study designs, populations, exposures, and outcomes of interest. For example, 26 IPD-MAs included RCTs; 17 IPD-MAs were limited to hospitalised patients. Sixteen IPD-MAs focused on evaluating medical treatments, including six IPD-MAs for antivirals, four on antibodies, and two that evaluated convalescent plasma.ConclusionsCollaboration across related IPD-MAs can leverage limited resources and expertise by expediting the creation of cross-study participant-level data datasets, which can, in turn, fast-track evidence synthesis for the improved diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
Job demands and resources when using technologies at work – development of a digital work typology
Authors: Ruiner Caroline , Debbing Christina Elisabeth , Hagemann Vera , Schaper Martina , Klumpp Matthias , Hesenius Marc 
Published: September 2022

PurposeDigital technologies comprehensively change work processes and working conditions. However, the use of digital technologies and the modes of collaboration between technologies and human workers differ in terms of specific work organization and automatization. Referring to the job demands-resources model (JD-R), this paper investigates job demands and resources from the workers' perspectives and develops a digital work typology according to dimensions of digitalization and forms of human–computer interaction (HCI).Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a qualitative-empirical study with 49 interviews in four German production and logistics organizations, emphasizing different job demands and job resources for five digital work types identified.FindingsThe results indicate that job demands and resources are to be differentiated in relation to specific work contexts. In this sense, this paper presents an analysis of dimensions of technology use and the impact of technology use on working conditions through empirically analyzing job demands and resources in digital work settings.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper is to empirically analyze job demands and resources in digital work settings from the workers' perspectives and to develop a digital work typology based on the dimensions of digitalization and form of HCI. This typology can set the basis for further research insights as well as management practice measures in human resources management (HRM).
Mental health in higher education: faculty staff survey on supporting students with mental health needs
Authors: Ramluggun Pras , Kozlowska Olga , Mansbridge Sarah , Rioga Margaret , Anjoyeb Mahmood 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how faculty staff on health and social care programmes support students with mental health issues.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a qualitative survey design to gain in-depth information on faculty staff experiences. Seventy-one faculty staff at two universities in the South East of England out of an eligible population of 115 staff responded to an anonymous online questionnaire which were thematically analysed.FindingsThe findings indicated that faculty staff faced uncertainties in providing support to students with mental health needs. They reported tensions between their academic, professional and pastoral roles. There was a wide recognition that supporting students was physically and emotionally demanding for faculty staff and especially challenging when their roles and expectations were unclear. This was compounded by lack of explicit guidelines and an apparent severed connection between faculty staff and student support services.Practical implicationsA need for clearly defined roles and responsibilities for faculty staff in supporting students with mental health needs including a review of their pastoral role were identified. The study reinforces the need for effective collaborative arrangements and collective decision making and clearer procedures in the planning and implementation of students' personal support plans. A concerted effort into adopting a transpersonal approach which incorporates mental health staff awareness training, restorative spaces for reflection and supportive pathways for faculty staff are recommended.Originality/valueThis paper provides rare empirical evidence of faculty staff views on their role in supporting students with mental health needs on health and social care programmes.
Crisis innovation: a study of Michelin-starred restaurants' strategic renewal and alignment
Authors: Gottardello Debora , Karabag Solmaz Filiz 
Published: September 2022

PurposeUsing the lens of crisis innovation and strategic alignment, this study explores how a segment of the restaurant sector that may be less agile than others—Michelin-starred restaurants—perceives and aligns with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19-pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study collected data from 19 Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain using a qualitative interview method. The data were analyzed qualitatively and organized thematically.FindingsFour key categories of strategic challenges were identified: human resources, uncertainty, control and economic challenges. In response, chefs displayed both behavioral and organizational strategies. Those organizational strategies were new human resource management, reorganization, product and service innovation and marketing. While the new human resource management actions adopted to align with the human resource challenges identified, a misalignment remains between some of the other strategic actions, such as product and service innovation, marketing and economic and uncertainty challenges.Originality/valueThe findings offer new insight into Michelin-starred restaurant chefs' challenges and (mis)alignment strategies, an area that has been understudied in the current literature on innovative responses in the hospitality sector post-pandemic.
Consumer pandemic animosity: scale development and validation
Authors: Rojas-Méndez José I. , Massi Marta , Gallito Elena 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis study introduces and investigates the concept of consumer pandemic animosity to (1) develop and validate a scale (i.e. CPAS) to measure consumer animosity in the context of a health pandemic; and (2) identify the effects of pandemic animosity on consumer purchase intentions in the field of general consumption and tourism.Design/methodology/approachThe CPAS factor structure was initially tested on a sample of 201 American consumers based on participant interviews and expert evaluations. This exploratory phase identified two factors, namely CPAS emotions and beliefs, which were subsequently supported in the confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement and configural invariance of CPAS and discriminant and nomological validity were confirmed in an independent sample of 303 American consumers. A new sample of 203 Canadian consumers was used to test the external validity of CPAS by controlling for other types of consumer animosity dimensions. Structural equation modelling was used to test the effects of CPAS on consumer purchase intentions in general product consumption and tourism.FindingsThis study contributes to expanding on the conceptualization of the consumer animosity construct that has been dealt with in economics, politics, culture and religion but never of a pandemic health crisis to date. Results indicate the psychometric soundness of the CPAS and the multifaceted nature of this construct by clearly identifying two levels of animosity (i.e. beliefs and emotions). Moreover, the structural model shows a significant and unique impact of pandemic animosity on consumer purchase intentions and travel intentions.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study proposing a new scale to measure the consumer disposition of animosity developed due to a pandemic affecting the world. It also offers a new dimension to the typology of animosity proposed by Junget al. (2002): intentionality (intention-driven vs non-intention-driven). This paper presents a number of propositions that serve to identify testable hypotheses amenable both to validation and usefulness.
Behavioral adaptation of drivers when driving among automated vehicles
Authors: Aramrattana Maytheewat , Fu Jiali , Selpi  
Published: September 2022

Purpose
This paper aims to explore whether drivers would adapt their behavior when they drive among automated vehicles (AVs) compared to driving among manually driven vehicles (MVs).Understanding behavioral adaptation of drivers when they encounter AVs is crucial for assessing impacts of AVs in mixed-traffic situations. Here, mixed-traffic situations refer to situations where AVs share the roads with existing nonautomated vehicles such as conventional MVs.

Design/methodology/approach
A driving simulator study is designed to explore whether such behavioral adaptations exist. Two different driving scenarios were explored on a three-lane highway: driving on the main highway and merging from an on-ramp. For this study, 18 research participants were recruited.

Findings
Behavioral adaptation can be observed in terms of car-following speed, car-following time gap, number of lane change and overall driving speed. The adaptations are dependent on the driving scenario and whether the surrounding traffic was AVs or MVs. Although significant differences in behavior were found in more than 90% of the research participants, they adapted their behavior differently, and thus, magnitude of the behavioral adaptation remains unclear.

Originality/value
The observed behavioral adaptations in this paper were dependent on the driving scenario rather than the time gap between surrounding vehicles. This finding differs from previous studies, which have shown that drivers tend to adapt their behaviors with respect to the surrounding vehicles. Furthermore, the surrounding vehicles in this study are more “free flow'” compared to previous studies with a fixed formation such as platoons. Nevertheless, long-term observations are required to further support this claim.
Adoption of blockchain technology to improve Halal supply chain performance and competitiveness
Authors: Hendayani Ratih , Fernando Yudi 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between blockchain technology adoption and firm competitiveness through Halal supply chain performance as a mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper has used the explanatory approach and multivariate data analysis using partial least squares with structural equation modelling. The data were collected from 178 Indonesian manufacturing firms producing Halal-certified foods and beverages.

Findings
The findings reveal that adopting blockchain technology positively and significantly affects Halal supply chain performance and firm competitiveness. The total indirect effect shows that the availability of blockchain technology indirectly affects the firm’s competitiveness through Halal supply chain performance.

Originality/value
This study has provided a novel theoretical framework showing that adopting blockchain technology can improve the Halal supply chain performance and the firm’s competitiveness. The transparency and integrity features of blockchain technology have strengthened the consumers’ confidence in the reliability of the Halal-certified food and beverage products.
Is tenure important in the sustainability assurance context? An empirical analysis of the informative value of assurance statements
Authors: Ruiz-Barbadillo Emiliano , Martinez-Ferrero Jennifer 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the communicative value of assurance reports by investigating whether the impact on information asymmetries is contingent on the length of the contractual relationship between clients and assurance providers, which can compromise the provider’s independence.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a firm-level data set of publicly listed international firms from 2007 to 2016, the authors estimate several regression models for panel data by using the generalized method of moments estimator to address the endogeneity issue.

Findings
Results find that the greater the communicative value in assurance statements, the lower the information asymmetries. However, this effect is constrained when the assurance provider’s independence is compromised due to an excessively long-term contractual relationship. In other words, assurance statements with more informative value enhance the firm’s transparency and increase users’ confidence in the sustainability information provided. However, the loss of independence linked to longer tenure jeopardizes the communicative value of the assurance report and contributes to reducing information asymmetries.

Originality/value
The study makes at least three clear contributions to current literature. First, the authors contribute to the limited existing research about the communicative value attributed to assurance statements by stakeholders. Second, the authors indirectly contribute to the literature that analyses whether stakeholders understand the assurance report, a complex statement in a growing market. Addressing the communicative value of assurance is certainly a difficult task, as it is a novel and complex activity. Third, the main contribution is providing initial empirical evidence about the moderating effect that assurance provider tenure has in the relationship between the informational content of the assurance report and the level of information asymmetries. To date, there is no empirical evidence regarding the moderating effect of long assuror’s tenure as an important feature of the assurance market, and beyond that, regarding its impact on the communicative value assigned by stakeholders to assurance statements.