bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SOX2dosage sustains tumor-promoting inflammation to drive disease aggressiveness by modulating theFOSL2/IL6axis
Authors: Njouendou Abdel Jelil , Tiofack Arnol Auvaker Zebaza , Kenfack Rovaldo Nguims , Ananga Sidonie Noa , Dina Bell Esther H. M. , Simo Gustave , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Siveke Jens T. , Lueong Smiths S. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundInflammation is undoubtedly a hallmark of cancer development. Its maintenance within tumors and subsequent consequences on disease aggressiveness is less understood.MethodsMulti-omic analyses of 27 (~ 5000 samples) entities from the TCGA, GEO and in-house data was performed to investigate the molecular determinant of tumor aggressiveness. Using molecular loss of function data, the mechanistic underpinnings of inflammation-induced tumor aggressiveness was addressed.ResultsThe data revealed a significant association between somatic copy number alterations (sCNA) and tumor aggressiveness, with amplification of the transcription factorSOX2being the most important feature among novel and known aggressiveness-associated genes such asZIC5andMYEOV.Mechanistically,SOX2regulates a group of aggressiveness-related genes including theAP1transcription factorFOSL2to sustain pro-inflammatory pathway such asIL6-JAK-STAT3, TNFAandIL17signaling pathways. Prolonged inflammation induces immunosuppression and further leads to activation of cytidine deamination and consequential DNA damage evidenced by enrichment in cytidine deamination mutational signatures in aggressive tumors.The resulting DNA damage affects tumor suppressor genes such asTP53,which was the most mutated gene in aggressive tumors compared with less aggressive tumors (38% vs 14%), thereby releasing cell cycle control. This was exemplified in Glioblastoma multiform, whereTP53andIDH1mutations are predominant.IDH1mutations were almost only seen in younger patients (>45 years, > 90%) and may explain the previously reported favorable prognosis.ConclusionTaken together, our data demonstrate the implication ofSOX2in promoting DNA damage and genome instability by sustaining inflammation viaFOSL2/IL6,resulting in tumor aggressiveness.
Genetic exchange in Leishmania is facilitated by IgM natural antibodies
Authors: Serafim Tiago D. , Iniguez Eva , Barletta Ana Beatriz F. , Doehl Johannes S.P. , Short Mara , Lack Justin , Cecilio Pedro , Nair Vinod , Disotuar Maria , Wilson Timothy , Coutinho-Abreu Iliano V. , Oliveira Fabiano , Meneses Claudio , Barillas-Mury Carolina , Andersen John , Ribeiro José M.C. , Beverley Stephen M. , Kamhawi Shaden , G.Valenzuela Jesus 
Published: June 2022

AbstractHost factors mediating Leishmania genetic exchange are not well defined. Here, we demonstrate that IgM antibodies, but not IgG or IgA, facilitate parasite genetic hybridization in vitro and in vivo. IgM induces the gradual and transient formation of a structured Leishmania clump that releases viable parasites in a process essential for L. major and L. tropica hybridization in vitro. Parasite hybrids and 3-nucleated parasites were observed inside this structure, named the Leishmania mating clump. IgM was also required for or significantly increased Leishmania hybrid formation in vivo. At minimum, we observed a 12-fold increase in the proportion of hybrids recovered from sand flies provided a second blood meal containing IgM compared to controls. Notably, genetic backcross events in sand flies were only observed in the presence of IgM, and were reproducibly recovered, reinforcing the relevance of IgM for Leishmania genetic exchange in vivo. The in vitro and in vivo Leishmania crosses reported here resulted in full genome hybrids with comparable recombination structures that arose by fusion of the two parental lines. Leishmania co-option of a host antibody to facilitate mating in the insect vector establishes a new paradigm of parasite-host-vector coevolution that promotes parasite diversity and fitness through genetic exchange.
Strain dependent differences in coordination of yeast signaling networks
Authors: Scott Taylor D. , Xu Ping , McClean Megan N. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe yeast mitogen activated protein kinase pathways serve as a model system for understanding how network interactions affect the way in which cells coordinate the response to multiple signals. We have quantitatively compared two yeast strain backgrounds YPH499 and Σ1278b (both of which have previously been used to study these pathways) and found several important differences in how they coordinate the interaction between the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) and mating pathways. In the Σ1278b background, in response to simultaneous stimulus, mating pathway activation is dampened and delayed in a dose dependent manner. In the YPH499 background, only dampening is dose dependent. Further, leakage from the HOG pathway into the mating pathway (crosstalk) occurs during osmostress alone in the Σ1278b background only. The mitogen activated protein kinase Hog1p suppresses crosstalk late in an induction time course in both strains but does not affect the early crosstalk seen in the Σ1278b background. Finally, the kinase Rck2p plays a greater role suppressing late crosstalk in the Σ1278b background than in the YPH499 background. Our results demonstrate that comparisons between laboratory yeast strains provide an important resource for understanding how signaling network interactions are tuned by genetic variation without significant alteration to network structure.
Modulation of multiple gene clusters expression by a single PAS-LuxR transcriptional regulator
Authors: M. Vicente Cláudia , Payero Tamara D. , Rodríguez-García Antonio , Barreales Eva G. , de Pedro Antonio , Santos-Beneit Fernando , F. Aparicio Jesús 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACTPAS-LuxR transcriptional regulators are highly conserved enzymes governing polyene macrolide antifungal biosynthesis. PteF is one of such regulators, situated in the polyene macrolide filipin gene cluster from Streptomyces avermitilis. Its mutation leads to a drastic filipin production decline, but also to a severe loss of oligomycin production, an ATP-synthase inhibitor of macrolide structure, and a delay in sporulation, thus it has been considered as a transcriptional activator. Transcriptomic analyses were carried out in S. avermitilis ΔpteF and its parental strain S. avermitilis NRRL 8165 as control. Both strains were grown in YEME medium without sucrose, and samples were taken in the exponential and stationary growth phases. 257 genes showed altered expression in the PteF-deleted mutant, most of them in the exponential phase of growth. Surprisingly, despite PteF being an activator of filipin biosynthesis, a majority of the genes affected upon mutation showed overexpression thus suggesting a negative modulation of those genes. Genes affected were related to various metabolic processes, including genetic information processing; DNA, energy, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism; morphological differentiation; and transcriptional regulation; among others, but particularly to secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Notably, ten secondary metabolite gene clusters out of 38 encoded by the genome, some of them encoding cryptic compounds, showed altered expression profiles in the mutant, suggesting a regulatory role for PteF wider than expected. Transcriptomic results were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. These findings provide important clues to understand the intertwined regulatory machinery that modulates antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces.
Strand-resolved mutagenicity of DNA damage and repair
Authors: Anderson Craig J. , Talmane Lana , Luft Juliet , Nicholson Michael D. , Connelly John , Pich Oriol , Campbell Susan , Sundaram Vasavi , Connor Frances , Ginno Paul A. ,   Liver Cancer Evolution Consortium, López-Bigas Núria , Flicek Paul , Semple Colin A. , Odom Duncan T. , Aitken Sarah J. , Taylor Martin S. 
Published: June 2022

SummaryDNA base damage is a major source of oncogenic mutations1. Such damage can produce strand-phased mutation patterns and multiallelic variation through the process of lesion segregation2. Here, we exploited these properties to reveal how strand-asymmetric processes, such as replication and transcription, shape DNA damage and repair. Despite distinct mechanisms of leading and lagging strand replication3,4, we observe identical fidelity and damage tolerance for both strands. For small DNA adducts, our results support a model in which the same translesion polymerase is recruited on-the-fly to both replication strands, starkly contrasting the strand asymmetric tolerance of bulky adducts5. We find that DNA damage tolerance is also common during transcription, where RNA-polymerases frequently bypass lesions without triggering repair. At multiple genomic scales, we show the pattern of DNA damage induced mutations is largely shaped by the influence of DNA accessibility on repair efficiency, rather than gradients of DNA damage. Finally, we reveal specific genomic conditions that can corrupt the fidelity of nucleotide excision repair and actively drive oncogenic mutagenesis. These results provide insight into how strand-asymmetric mechanisms underlie the formation, tolerance, and repair of DNA damage, thereby shaping cancer genome evolution.
Robo-advisor based on unified theory of acceptance and use of technology
Authors: Yeh Hui-Chung , Yu Min-Chun , Liu Chih-Hsing , Huang Chia-I 
Published: June 2022

PurposeFollowing the advancement of financial technology (FinTech) in modern society to assist investment decisions, robo-advisers had become widely used in mean-variance analyses to allow investors to formulate efficiently diversified investment portfolios. However, the concept of robo-advisers is new, and few studies have addressed issues related to them. To help readers to better understand robo-advisor adoption by a wide range of potential customers, this study explores integrated models of the attitudes (ATT) and behavioural intentions (BI) of users towards robo-advisors.Design/methodology/approachA survey was used to gather data to determine how the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) applies to robo-advisors. A total of 242 valid questionnaires were collected.FindingsThe results of our study show that performance expectations (PE), effort expectancy (EE), and social influences (SI) may have indirect influences on robo-advisor behavioural intention (BI) through attitudes. Furthermore, behavioural intention was also positively influenced by facilitating conditions (FC). Moreover, the investment to income ratio (IIR) moderated the relationship between the PE, EE, and SI influence on ATT. Additionally, experience is found to positively strengthen the relationship between EE and SI on ATT, and it moderated the relationship between FC and BI.Originality/valueThis research is expected to expand the use of UTAUT to tools in the field of financial investments and help financial sectors formulate suitable marketing strategies.
A study of loyalty programs in the Chinese market: the impacts of reward type, reward characteristic and product involvement
Authors: Zhang Jun , Wang Jingwen 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThis study investigates how reward type (single vs. plural), reward characteristic (utilitarian vs. hedonic) and product involvement (high vs. low) affect the design of reward programs.Design/methodology/approachA 2 ✕ 2 ✕ 2 fractional factorial experimental design is constructed to explore the main factors influencing the effectiveness of reward programs on a sample of 436 Chinese customers.FindingsThe results indicate that reward type is an important determinant of customers' preference toward reward programs. Plural rewards are preferable to a single reward when the alternatives provide the same benefits, particularly in the low level of product involvement. In the high level of product involvement, reward characteristic has a significant effect on customers' preference. Hedonic rewards are more effective in building a program's value than utilitarian rewards. Moreover, reward characteristic interacts with reward type, positively impacting customers' preference toward reward programs.Originality/valueThis study suggests that managers should consider the effects of reward type, reward characteristic and product involvement to formulate attractive reward programs for sustainable business in China.
Battle between psychological ownership and consumer animosity to influence consumers' buying behavior: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Mishra Sita , Saxena Garima , Chatterjee Ravi 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThis study aims to understand the effect of consumers' national identity (NI) on their willingness to buy (WTB) domestic (Indian) products vis-à-vis foreign (Chinese) products. Secondly, it explores the role of psychological ownership (PO) and consumers' animosity in explaining their WTB domestic products.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper data were collected online from Indian consumers (N = 408) through the survey method, using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS AMOS Version 24 and the PROCESS SPSS macro, using mediations and moderated mediation models.FindingsThis study establishes the positive effect of consumers' NI on their WTB domestic products over Chinese ones. With a long history of hostility between India and China in the backdrop, the authors find a significant mediating role of PO and consumer animosity (CA) in the relationship between NI and WTB . The results also demonstrate that while consumer ethnocentrism (CET) positively moderates the mediating path via PO at all levels from low to high, it moderates the path via CA only at the mean and high levels.Originality/valueThis study applies the Psychological Ownership Theory, Social Identity Theory (SIT) and the Attribution Theory to explore the interplay between consumers' NI, PO , CA and ethnocentrism in the Indian context. The study asserts the distinction between these constructs by analyzing the interaction and inter-relationships between these variables. Further, it provides a comprehensive understanding of Indian consumers' preference for domestic products over Chinese ones.
Collaborative approaches and adaptability in disaster risk situations
Authors: Namagembe Sheila 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThe aim of the study was to examine the role of collaborative approaches (productive collaboration, collaborative innovation and collaborative risk management) in disaster risk situations. Thus, the study focused on the effect of productive collaboration and collaborative innovation on collaborative risk management, and the effect of collaborative risk management and collaborative innovation on adaptability.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The Covariance Based Structural Equation Modeling software was used to obtain results on the influence of productive collaboration and collaborative innovation on collaborative risk management, the influence of collaborative innovation on adaptability and the influence of collaborative risk management on adaptability.FindingsFindings indicated that both productive collaboration and collaborative innovation influence collaborative risk management, and both collaborative innovation and collaborative risk management influence adaptability.Research limitations/implicationsThe study mainly focused on the NGOs eliminating the government, beneficiaries and other actors that may be involved in disaster risk situations. The research has implications to decision makers in government, NGOs and other actors concerned with disaster risk management.Originality/valueCountries worldwide are focusing on collaborative innovation and productive collaboration in addition to collaborative risk management to respond to epidemics and natural disasters. Despite the relevance of the collaborative initiatives, empirical research explaining the relevance of the variables to adaptability of actors during epidemics or natural disasters is still lacking.
Evaluating the effect of multifactors on employee’s innovative behavior in SMEs: mediating effects of thriving at work and organizational commitment
Authors: Nguyen Nguyen Phuc , McGuirk Helen 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
This study aims to explore the effect of multiple factors on employee innovative behavior (EIB) and examine the mediating role that thriving at work and organizational commitment play in this relationship, specifically related to the hospitality sector.

Design/methodology/approach
Primary data was gathered from 612 employees across 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. Using covariance-based structural equation modeling and the bootstrapping method, the research estimates ten overarching hypotheses to address the research question: how do job, personal and contextual factors influence EIB?

Findings
Job, personal and contextual factors influence EIB significantly and positively. The results uncover the relationship between workplace support and EIB under the mediating effects of thriving at work and organizational commitment. Especially interesting for the hospitality sector is that the authors find these three factors are a strong influence on EIB.

Practical implications
Management can stimulate EIB by designing job control and job demand appropriately to build and maintain workplace social support in the organization, especially in the hospitality sector. Employees’ personal characteristics can also facilitate this behavior. The research adds to theory on EIB and methods to analyze the factors affecting this driver of innovation.

Originality/value
The research enhances our understanding of EIB in the hospitality and the SME context generally. EIB is affected by employee perceptions of job factors (job demand and job control), personal factors (thriving at work and organizational commitment) and contextual factors (supervisor support, coworker support and climate for innovation).
Social support acquisition in online health communities: a social capital perspective
Authors: Liu Xuan , Lin Shan , Jiang Shan , Chen Ming , Li Jia 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThe authors empirically examined social capital factors affecting patients' social support acquisition with the aim of providing guidance to patients seeking social support online.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used social network analysis to extract data about social capital factors from online health communities and text mining to identify forms of informational support and emotional support grounded in online, text-based communication. Moreover, the authors employed a random coefficient model to understand the dynamic influence of social capital factors on both informational and emotional support.FindingsThe results from the empirical analyses show that structural connections have a lasting impact on the acquisition of both types of support; that is, social connections developed in the past will have an effect on the future. For relational capital, strong ties were less important; the quantity of connections mattered more than the quality when acquiring informational support. The use of health-related language increased the amount of informational support acquired. Over time, patients gained increasing social support, which primarily came from the patients' historical threads, likely via searches from peers facilitated by accumulated social capital.Originality/valueThe authors' research adds to the literature on social capital and social support in online health communities by exploring how the three dimensions of social capital affect social support acquisition. The authors' research also contributes to the online health care literature by examining social support from a dynamic perspective. Practically, the authors' findings provide guidance for patients on what decisions to make to acquire more social support.
Rice ecosystem heterogeneity and determinants of climate risk adaptation in Indian agriculture: farm-level evidence
Authors: Gouraram Pandaraiah , Goyari Phanindra , Paltasingh Kirtti Ranjan 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThis paper examines the determinants of concurrent adoption of farm risk management strategies by rice growers in two different ecosystems of Telangana agriculture-irrigated and rainfed ecosystems.Design/methodology/approachThe primary data have been collected from the rice growers in two different ecosystems, and after checking the variance inflation factor (VIF) for controlling multicollinearity, a multinomial logit model has been used to examine the determinants of concurrent adoption of coping strategies by rice growers.FindingsThe study finds that adopting one risk management strategy persuades farmers to embrace other strategies, reducing the risk in agriculture between the two ecosystems. Among the determinants, farmers' age, education, contact with extension services, irrigation sources, livestock income, total farm income, crop loss reasons, and crop insurance awareness significantly influence the adoption of various risk management measures. However, considerable heterogeneity is found among the driving forces across the rice ecosystems.Research limitations/implicationsThe major policy implications that can be drawn from the analysis are increased access to information through government-funded extension services and the provision of alternative risk management technologies, such as drought-resistant or flood-resistant seeds, farmers' field schools and increased provision of crop insurance, farmer-friendly agriculture extension services, and farm investment support, are critical for assisting farmers managing risks. In addition, however, there should be ecosystem-specific policies to tackle the ecosystem heterogeneity.Originality/valueThis paper is very timely and entails some relevant policy implications for the development of Indian agriculture.
Can village savings and loans association (VSLA) approach achieve/promote rural sustainable development in the Egyptian community?
Authors: Shaaban Safaa 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the Village Saving and Loans Association (VSLA) on sustainable development (SD) and to explore VSLA as an approach that leads to women’s financial empowerment and its impact on SD in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach
A mixed method was applied for this study, including qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative method includes 50 individual interviews with women in the upper Egypt communities that applied the VSLA approach, the quantitative method, on the other hand, relied on secondary data, such as the outcomes of (knowledge, attitude, and practices [KAP]). The VSLA was applied in the Egyptian Community in 2015–2019, according to KAP study reports presented by international funders.

Findings
This study concludes that this VSLA approach helped many women and families to improve their economic situation and overcome financial hardship, which reflected on rural SD. Furthermore, the concept equipped and empowered women with a needed financial hardship that allowed them to improve their family situation and to participate in the process of developing their communities in a sustainable way. Also, women participated in VSLA leading initiatives and took an active role in rural SD in their community.

Research limitations/implications
The findings only apply to the sample that has participated in the VSLA project implemented by an international donor. A longitudinal quantitative evaluation of the VSLA approach and its impact on SD strategy of Egypt would be recommended in terms of further research study, highlighting the role of VSLA’s impact on achieving the Egyptian sustainable strategy 2030.

Originality/value
This paper is unique in presenting the concept of the VSLA as an intervention and approach for rural SD in the rural community by empowering marginalized women financially. Although this approach has been used by international donors as part of large programs implemented in Egypt and other countries since 1979 aimed at SD in rural areas, there is scarcity in the literature related to this approach.