Current Editorial Research Articles

Cytosine base editors with increased PAM and deaminase motif flexibility for gene editing in zebrafish

Cytosine base editing is a powerful tool for making precise single nucleotide changes in cells and model organisms like zebrafish, which are valuable for studying human diseases. However, current base editors struggle to edit cytosines in certain DNA contexts, particularly those with GC and CC pairs, limiting their use in modelling disease-related mutations. Here we show the development of zevoCDA1, an optimized cytosine base editor for zebrafish that improves editing efficiency across various DNA contexts and reduces restrictions imposed by the protospacer adjacent motif. We also create zevoCDA1-198, a more precise editor with a narrower editing window of five nucleotides, minimizing off-target effects. Using these advanced tools, we successfully generate zebrafish models of diseases that were previously challenging to create due to sequence limitations. This work enhances the ability to introduce human pathogenic mutations in zebrafish, broadening the scope for genomic research with improved precision and efficiency.

European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Publication Standards for Reporting Vascular Surgical Research

Manuscripts submitted to the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (EJVES) often contain shortcomings in baseline scientific principles and incorrectly applied methodology. Consequently, the editorial team is forced to offer post hoc repair in an attempt to support the authors to improve their manuscripts. This repair could theoretically have been prevented by providing more clear definitions and reporting standards to serve researchers when planning studies and eventually writing their manuscripts. Therefore, here we summarise the general principles for EJVES reporting standards. These reporting standards did not follow a systematic approach but reflect the common opinion of the current senior and section editors team. This team decided to only include recommendations regarding the most common pathologies in vascular surgery in this first edition of reporting standards, namely carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), and chronic venous disease. In future editions, we plan to expand the areas of research. We present (1) a common set of minimum but required reporting standards applicable to every report, e.g., patient characteristics, study design, treatment environment, selection criteria, core outcomes of interventions such as 30 day death and morbidity, and measures for completeness of data including outcome information, and (2) a common set of minimum reporting standards for four vascular areas. The editors of the EJVES propose universally accepted definitions and reporting standards for carotid artery disease, AAA, PAOD, and chronic venous disease. This will enable the development of a convincing body of evidence to aid future clinical practice guidelines and drive clinical practice in the right direction. These first ever publication and reporting standards for EJVES aim to improve future research in our journal.

Programmable editing of primary MicroRNA switches stem cell differentiation and improves tissue regeneration

Programmable RNA editing is harnessed for modifying mRNA. Besides mRNA, miRNA also regulates numerous biological activities, but current RNA editors have yet to be exploited for miRNA manipulation. To engineer primary miRNA (pri-miRNA), the miRNA precursor, we present a customizable editor REPRESS (RNA Editing of Pri-miRNA for Efficient Suppression of miRNA) and characterize critical parameters. The optimized REPRESS is distinct from other mRNA editing tools in design rationale, hence enabling editing of pri-miRNAs that are not editable by other RNA editing systems. We edit various pri-miRNAs in different cells including adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), hence attenuating mature miRNA levels without disturbing host gene expression. We further develop an improved REPRESS (iREPRESS) that enhances and prolongs pri-miR-21 editing for at least 10 days, with minimal perturbation of transcriptome and miRNAome. iREPRESS reprograms ASCs differentiation, promotes in vitro cartilage formation and augments calvarial bone regeneration in rats, thus implicating its potentials for engineering miRNA and applications such as stem cell reprogramming and tissue regeneration.

Action research in LSCM since 2010 – the emergence of design science

PurposeThe purpose of this study is the review of current status of action research (AR) and design science (DS) in logistics and supply chain management (SCM) and to compare AR and DS.Design/methodology/approachThe paper’s approach comprises the literature review of AR and DS articles.FindingsFirst, not much has changed in terms of number of published AR articles, despite frequent calls for more relevant research. One explanation is the academic system. Second, there is an increased focus on theory, which from a positive perspective is a sign of our field maturing, yet the academic system and current editorial philosophies may also contribute to this development. Third, DS is emerging as a potential replacement of AR.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides suggestion for both authors and editors when it comes to the increased focus on theory. Comparing AR and DS, the two approaches are similar. However, while the increased focus on theory is reflected in DS, it also seems to be an inferior approach for ill-defined change-focused problems, requiring in-depth, collaborative, data-rich, longitudinal studies.Originality/valueThis paper is the first article that reviews and compares AR and DS in LSCM.

Editorial

This is the final editorial of the current editors, Peter O’Connor and Kelly Freebody. In this editorial we introduce the articles in this edition which are an eclectic mix of articles representing the diversity and breadth of applied theatre practice globally. The articles draw on practice from India, Hungary, Australia, Germany, Sri Lanka and Türkiye. We also introduce the new editorial team, who will be editing the journal from 2025 and reflect on our time as editors, and the privilege it has been to work on the journal.

Recent Advances in Food Hydrocolloidal System Physiochemistry

Abstract: The recent advances in plant and animal biosystems of hydrocolloids have led scientists to find analytical techniques to explore the scientific principles of these molecules for their functional principles, precursors of essential pathways, and other physical and chemical processes. The current editorial highlights the importance of applying advanced physicochemical theories and practical examples to sustain this important innovation approach further.

An Ode to a Mathematician: Commemorating Uri Leron

This is one of two contributions written to commemorate Professor Uri Leron, who became Associate Editor of what was then the International Journal for Computers and Mathematical Learning, a journal founded by Seymour Papert, and upon which Digital Experiences in Mathematics Education builds. One contribution includes memories from several current and former Editorial Board members. In this contribution, five former supervisees of Uri Leron share their stories.In addition to the personal and professional development of the storytellers, the stories reflect upon the distinguished career of Prof. Leron—a mathematician, an educator, a mentor and a colleague. These stories reflect a scholarly exchange devoted to the debate upon the nature of mathematical and computer science thinking and teaching. These topics are addressed from a variety of perspectives—cognitive, social and psychological—to highlight Uri’s interest in computing as a way to express and explore mathematical and logical ideas.

Perspective on the Journal of Physician Assistant Education : From Association Newsletter to Academic Peer-Reviewed Journal Celebrating 25 Years.

For 25 years, the Journal of PA Education (JPAE) and its predecessor publications have been the pre-eminent venues for disseminating and promulgating information and research on the physician assistant (PA) profession. In this article, former and current editors in chief have compiled a detailed history of the journal, its development, and its trajectory into the future, outlining the journey taken by Association of PA Programs/PA Education Association to catalog faculty scholarship through a peer-reviewed journal. Allowing for the referencing of articles and thus adding to the body of knowledge on PAs and PA education, JPAE has not only endured but thrived. This article speaks to the collective effort and excellence of staff, and the many volunteer reviewers, feature editors, and editorial board members who have nurtured JPAE along the way through numerous changes, challenges, and triumphs.

Closing the gap between acceptable and ideal in catheterisation for paediatric and congenital heart disease-A global view.

In recent issues of the Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions, Holzer and colleagues presented an Expert Consensus Document titled: "PICS / AEPC / APPCS / CSANZ / SCAI / SOLACI: Expert consensus statement on cardiac catheterization for pediatric patients and adults with congenital heart disease." This Expert Consensus Document is a massively important contribution to the community of paediatric and congenital cardiac care. This document was developed as an Expert Consensus Document by the Pediatric and Congenital Interventional Cardiovascular Society, the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology, the Asia-Pacific Pediatric Cardiac Society, the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Latin American Society of Interventional Cardiology, as well as the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.As perfectly stated in the Preamble of this Expert Consensus Document, "This expert consensus document is intended to inform practitioners, payors, hospital administrators and other parties as to the opinion of the aforementioned societies about best practices for cardiac catheterisation and transcatheter management of paediatric and adult patients with congenital heart disease, with added accommodations for resource-limited environments." And, the fact that the authorship of this Expert Consensus Document includes global representation is notable, commendable, and important.This Expert Consensus Document has the potential to fill an important gap for this patient population. National guideline documents for specific aspects of interventions in patients with paediatric heart disease, including training guidelines, do exist. However, this current Expert Consensus Document authored by Holzer and colleagues provides truly globally applicable standards on cardiac catheterisation for both paediatric patients and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD).Our current Editorial provides different regional perspectives from senior physicians dedicated to paediatric and congenital cardiac care who are practicing in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America, Australia/New Zealand, and North America. Establishing worldwide standards for cardiac catheterisation laboratories for children and adults with CHD is a significant stride towards improving the quality and consistency of care. These standards should not only reflect the current state of medical knowledge but should also be adaptable to future advancements, ultimately fostering better outcomes and enhancing the lives of individuals affected by CHD worldwide.Ensuring that these standards are accessible and adaptable across different healthcare settings globally is a critical step. Given the variability in resources and infrastructure globally, the need exists for flexibility and tailoring to implement recommendations.The potential impact of the Expert Consensus Document and its recommendations is likely significant, but heterogeneity of healthcare systems will pose continuing challenges on healthcare professionals. Indeed, this heterogeneity of healthcare systems will challenge healthcare professionals to finally close the gap between acceptable and ideal in the catheterisation of patients with paediatric and/or congenital heart disease.

MELO: Enhancing Model Editing with Neuron-Indexed Dynamic LoRA

Large language models (LLMs) have shown great success in various Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks, whist they still need updates after deployment to fix errors or keep pace with the changing knowledge in the world. Researchers formulate such problem as Model Editing and have developed various editors focusing on different axes of editing properties. However, current editors can hardly support all properties and rely on heavy computational resources. In this paper, we propose a plug-in Model Editing method based on neuron-indexed dynamic LoRA (MELO), which alters the behavior of language models by dynamically activating certain LoRA blocks according to the index built in an inner vector database. Our method satisfies various editing properties with high efficiency and can be easily integrated into multiple LLM backbones. Experimental results show that our proposed MELO achieves state-of-the-art editing performance on three sequential editing tasks (document classification, question answering and hallucination correction), while requires the least trainable parameters and computational cost.

‘Where the Good Ideas Are’: 75 Years of the Journal of Teacher Education

Taking our lead from Karl Mannheim’s sociology of knowledge theory, and utilizing qualitative content analyses of data extracted from editorials, articles, and public-facing documents, this current editorial details the story of how the myriad of editors for the Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) safeguarded a space to highlight ideas essential to research of preservice and inservice teacher education within an ever-changing global context for nearly 75 years. Fourteen JTE editorships over four eras— competency, reformation, legitimization, and resilience—are laid bare.

Peptide nucleic acid-assisted generation of targeted double-stranded DNA breaks with T7 endonuclease I.

Gene-editing technologies have revolutionized biotechnology, but current gene editors suffer from several limitations. Here, we harnessed the power of gamma-modified peptide nucleic acids (γPNAs) to facilitate targeted, specific DNA invasion and used T7 endonuclease I (T7EI) to recognize and cleave the γPNA-invaded DNA. Our data show that T7EI can specifically target PNA-invaded linear and circular DNA to introduce double-strand breaks (DSBs). Our PNA-Guided T7EI (PG-T7EI) technology demonstrates that T7EI can be used as a programmable nuclease capable of generating single or multiple specific DSBs in vitro under a broad range of conditions and could be potentially applied for large-scale genomic manipulation. With no protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) constraints and featuring a compact protein size, our PG-T7EI system will facilitate and expand DNA manipulations both in vitro and in vivo, including cloning, large-fragment DNA assembly, and gene editing, with exciting applications in biotechnology, medicine, agriculture, and synthetic biology.

Happy 30th Volume and 35th Anniversary, European Journal of Therapeutics!

Dear Colleagues, It is an honor for us to celebrate the thirty-fifth anniversary and thirtieth volume of the establishment of the European Journal of Therapeutics (Eur J Ther) and to share this editorial with you. Dr. Sabri Güngör, the first Editor-in-Chief of the Eur J Ther (formerly Journal of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Gaziantep), said the following in 1990 [1]: "What is happening in the medical world, which is witnessing dizzying changes every day, can be carried to the most extreme points in a very short time with today's communication tools." "Despite our limited resources, our aim is to fulfill this function in the best possible way from the first issue onwards." Although serious problems have been experienced from time to time during this thirty-five-year period, the Eur J Ther has continued on its way to move forward day by day, not counting the stagnation period between 2002 and 2006. As the current editorial team, our goal is to carry the Eur J Ther further with the contributions of our esteemed colleagues. On this 35th anniversary of the journal, we would like to thank the authors who submitted their work to the Eur J Ther. Your valuable work has made the Eur J Ther what it is today. We would also like to thank the hundreds of valuable referees who have served the Eur J Ther by reviewing these manuscripts and the previous Editors-in-Chief and Editors who have contributed to the advancement of the Eur J Ther in terms of scientific quality. With our respect,

Letter from the Former Editor-in-Chief for 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 periods: Happy 30th volume and 35th Birthday, European Journal of Therapeutics!

Dear Colleagues, I am very pleased to share this editorial with you in commemoration of the 35th Anniversary and the 30th Volume of the European Journal of Therapeutics (Eur J Ther), formerly Gaziantep Medical Journal (Gaziantep Med J), where I served as Editor-in-Chief with great honour between 2011-2012 and 2013-2014. The journal, which started its publication life in 1990 with the great efforts of Dr. Sabri Güngör, was initially published in two issues a year [1]. In 2009, it continued as three issues a year [2], and in 2014, during the period of our Editor-in-Chief, it started to be published as four issues a year [3]. While celebrating the thirty-fifth Anniversary and the thirtieth Volume of the journal in the February 2024 issue (Vol: 30, No: 1), I would also like to express my great happiness that it will be published six issues a year from now on. When I was the Editor-in-Chief of the journal, there was no professional publisher support. We had not received any financial support during that time. So, we had to work hard to publish the issues on time. We managed to publish issues in both online and print versions. We used our university's printing office. I must indicate that I am very grateful to the director and workers of the printing office for their enormous help in publishing the printed issues of the journal at that time. As the Editor-in-Chief of the journal, I compiled all the previously published issues, converted them into PDF files, and formed the archives of the journal. We made the first attempt to increase the number of editorial board members by including foreign editors. It was one of the steps to becoming an international journal. We started to accept articles written in English. After all this work, we applied for indexing the journal with different organizations, and we received positive returns. I believe that the former, current, and future editors are fighting in a long-term relay race as players of the same team. As one of the former Editor-in-Chiefs, I would like to express that I will always provide all the support I can for the further development of the journal, and I would like to thank all the editors who have contributed to the further development of the journal through this editorial. Yours sincerely

Protein language models-assisted optimization of a uracil-N-glycosylase variant enables programmable T-to-G and T-to-C base editing

Current base editors (BEs) use DNA deaminases, including cytidine deaminase in cytidine BE (CBE) or adenine deaminase in adenine BE (ABE), to facilitate transition nucleotide substitutions. Combining CBE or ABE with glycosylase enzymes can induce limited transversion mutations. Nonetheless, a critical demand remains for BEs capable of generating alternative mutation types, such as T>G corrections. In this study, we leveraged pre-trained protein language models to optimize a uracil-N-glycosylase (UNG) variant with altered specificity for thymines (eTDG). Notably, after two rounds of testing fewer than 50 top-ranking variants, more than 50% exhibited over 1.5-fold enhancement in enzymatic activities. When eTDG was fused with nCas9, it induced programmable T-to-S (G/C) substitutions and corrected db/db diabetic mutation in mice (up to 55%). Our findings not only establish orthogonal strategies for developing novel BEs but also demonstrate the capacities of protein language models for optimizing enzymes without extensive task-specific training data.

Publishing an applied statistics paper: Guidance and advice from editors

AbstractOne of the tasks required of most statistics researchers and academic faculty is to publish their innovative ideas in the peer‐reviewed literature. In this paper, we provide guidance about the different stages of the process as experienced authors and offer advice from those who hold the decision about the success or failure of these papers, namely the editors of applied statistics journals. The paper is organized into four sections focusing on the different stages of publishing: (1) Planning what to write about, where to submit and how to organize the paper; (2) The process of writing the paper; (3) Interpreting and responding to peer‐reviews from the journal editors and referees to prepare for resubmission; and (4) General comments about the publication process, including collaboration and mentoring. Each section starts with fundamentals provided by the moderators (C.A.C. and L.L.) on key aspects to consider on each topic and then is followed with discussion from some current and past editors of impactful journals in the field of applied statistics. Our hope is that this collection of insights may help accelerate learning about the process for young researchers and help all researchers to understand some of the important often‐unspoken aspects of the process.

O čom rozmýšľali a písali mladí katolíci na konci 80. rokov 20. storočia? Analýza čitateľských príspevkov pre samizdatový časopis Zrno

The youth samizdat Christian magazine Zrno was published in 1989 and was technically and distributionally the most perfect samizdat in Slovakia, capitalizing on the experience of about 20 other secret Christian magazines published since the 1970s. It also brought innovation to content creation because it gave space to its readers and wanted to be above all a tool for creating mutual unity and encouragement in the underground Church. A part of the archive of readers' contributions was preserved in the estate of the editor-in-chief of Zrno, priest Ladislav Stromček. For individual texts, the editorial notes and evaluations were also retained. This article analyzes this sample in detail in terms of form and content, noting the authors (gender, age), form of texts (typed, handwritten), genre, topics, editorial evaluation, editorial recommendation and the quality of contributions in terms of current editorial perspective. It offers a probe into the mentality of the generation of young committed Catholics from 1988 to 1989. At the same time, it presents the history of the magazine Zrno and the working methods of the samizdat editorial office under the conditions of totalitarianism.

The 2022-2023 Event Management Journal State of Play Review

This paper provides the state of play of Event Management since the current editorial team took over in November 2021 until papers accepted in September 2023. Our bibliometric analysis indicates 234 distinct authors from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania contributed to the journal. Together with the varied theories and perspectives used to ground the research, the international nature of our authors demonstrates the growth, maturity, and robustness of event studies published in Event Management. Though sport events dominated, festivals, conferences/private events, and mixed or industry-wide studies were also published. Five meta-themes emerged: the event industry, social impacts and sustainability, destination image, temporal and contextual factors, and performance. The focus on the human and social elements is striking and welcome in this post-pandemic era. Finally, we identify submission gaps, offer future research directions (e.g., artificial intelligence (AI)/technology and sustainability), and suggestions to strengthen the journal and field.

Multimodal Conversation Analysis and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Kevin W. H. Tai, PhD in Applied Linguistics at UCL (London) and current editor of journals such as the International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism (Routledge), presents his book Multimodal Conversational Analysis and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: A methodological framework for researching translanguaging in multilingual classrooms in early 2023. In it, Tai discusses both the combination of two types of analysis (multimodal conversational and interpretative phenomenological), as well as more theoretical aspects of his study, such as the differentiation between translingualism and code-switching or the different definitions that translingualism has received in the last two decades. In order to defend the joint use of these two analyses, Tai presents part of his doctoral research. In addition, he responds to the criticisms of invalidity that the interpretative phenomenological method has received. In this review, I will present the structure of the book, the division of chapters, Tai's bibliographical summary, and Tai's exposition of theories and criticisms.

Words are delicious

Words are delicious