bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investor relations and investment efficiency
Authors: Godsell David , Jung Boochun , Mescall Devan
Published: March 2023

A rich literature suggests that investor relations officers (IROs) fulfill a one‐way information intermediary role by transmitting firm information to investors. We advance this literature with empirical evidence suggesting IROs are two‐way information intermediaries who also return investment efficiency‐increasing investor feedback to firm insiders. Exploiting granular investor relations activity data for 1,375 global firms, we document that firm investment efficiency is higher when IROs spend more time with existing institutional investors, conduct more institutional investor outreach, and meet more often with investment professionals (market intelligence collection), and when IROs transmit investment community feedback to board directors (market intelligence circulation). We mitigate endogeneity concerns stemming from our association tests by employing an expansive suite of control variables, a high‐dimensional fixed‐effects structure, an entropy‐balanced estimation sample, and an instrumental variables analysis. Our evidence supports theory predicting that managers learn about investment opportunities and their costs and benefits from investors and informs a literature predominantly characterizing IROs as one‐way information intermediaries.
Exercise enhancement by RGS14 disruption is mediated by brown adipose tissue
Authors: Vatner Dorothy E. , Oydanich Marko , Zhang Jie , Campbell Sara C. , Vatner Stephen F.
Published: March 2023

Enhanced exercise capacity is not only a feature of healthful aging, but also a therapy for aging patients and patients with cardiovascular disease. Disruption of the Regulator of G Protein Signaling 14 (RGS14) in mice extends healthful lifespan, mediated by increased brown adipose tissue (BAT). Accordingly, we determined whether RGS14 knockout (KO) mice exhibit enhanced exercise capacity and the role of BAT in mediating exercise capacity. Exercise was performed on a treadmill and exercise capacity was assessed by maximal running distance and work to exhaustion. Exercise capacity was measured in RGS14 KO mice and their wild types (WT), and also in WT mice with BAT transplantation from RGS14 KO mice or from other WT mice. RGS14 KO mice demonstrated 160 ± 9% increased maximal running distance and 154 ± 6% increased work to exhaustion, compared to WT mice. RGS14 KO BAT transplantation to WT mice, resulted in a reversal of phenotype, with the WT mice receiving the BAT transplant from RGS14 KO mice demonstrating 151 ± 5% increased maximal running distance and 158 ± 7% increased work to exhaustion, at three days after BAT transplantation, compared to RGS14 KO donors. BAT transplantation from WT to WT mice also resulted in increased exercise performance, but not at 3 days, but only at 8 weeks after transplantation. The BAT induced enhanced exercise capacity was mediated by (1) mitochondrial biogenesis and SIRT3; (2) antioxidant defense and the MEK/ERK pathway, and increased hindlimb perfusion. Thus, BAT mediates enhanced exercise capacity, a mechanism more powerful with RGS14 disruption.
Frequency and types of emotional dysregulation in referrals to child and adolescent mental health services
Authors: Ellehauge Emilie , Thoustrup Christine , Nielsen Mette Nørgaard , Pagsberg Anne Katrine , Hagstrøm Julie
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Emotional dysregulation (ED) is a transdiagnostic phenomenon that has received increased attention, because of its potential ability to explain the development and maintenance of various psychiatric disorders. The identification of ED may serve as a potential target for both preventive and treatment interventions, however, the frequency of transdiagnostic ED among children and adolescents has not previously been evaluated. Our aim was to evaluate the frequency and types of ED in accepted and rejected referrals to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center (CAMHC), Mental Health Services, Copenhagen, Denmark, regardless of psychiatric status and across diagnoses. We aimed to evaluate how often ED would be a leading cause in seeking professional help, and whether children with ED not directly reflecting symptoms of known psychopathology would have higher rejection rates than children with more distinct symptoms of psychopathology. Finally, we assessed associations between sex and age with various types of ED.

Methods

We examined ED in a retrospective chart review of referrals of children and adolescents aged 3–17 years to the CAMHC between August 1st, 2020, and August 1st, 2021. We ranked problems described in the referral as primary, secondary, and tertiary depending on severity. Further, we examined group differences in the frequency of ED in accepted versus rejected referrals, as well as group differences in types of ED in age and sex distributions, and diagnoses occurring with specific types of ED.

Results

ED was present in 62.3% of the 999 referrals and was assessed as the primary issue in twice as many rejected referrals (11.4%) compared to accepted referrals (5.7%). Boys were significantly more often described with externalizing and internalizing behavior (55.5% vs. 31.6%; 35.1% vs. 26.5%) as well as incongruent affect (10.0% vs. 4.7%), whereas girls were more often described with depressed mood (47.5% vs. 38.0%) and self‐harm (23.8% vs. 9.4%). The frequency of different types of ED varied with age.

Conclusion

The present study is the first to evaluate the frequency of ED in children and adolescents referred to mental health services. The study offers insights into the high frequency of ED and the associations between ED and subsequent diagnoses, which may prove to be a method of early identification of risk of psychopathology. Our findings suggest that ED may rightly be considered a transdiagnostic factor, independent of specific psychiatric disorders, and that an ED‐centered as opposed to diagnosis‐specific approach to assessment, prevention, and treatment could target transversal symptoms of psychopathology in a more holistic manner.
The reliability and validity of the revised Green et al. paranoid thoughts scale in individuals at clinical high‐risk for psychosis
Authors: Williams Trevor F. , Walker Elaine F. , Strauss Gregory P. , Woods Scott W. , Powers Albert R. , Corlett Philip R. , Schiffman Jason , Waltz James A. , Gold James M. , Silverstein Steven M. , Ellman Lauren M. , Zinbarg Richard E. , Mittal Vijay A.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Paranoia is a common and impairing psychosis symptom, which exists along a severity continuum that extends into the general population. Individuals at clinical high‐risk for psychosis (CHR) frequently experience paranoia and this may elevate their risk for developing full psychosis. Nonetheless, limited work has examined the efficient measurement of paranoia in CHR individuals. The present study aimed to validate an often‐used self‐report measure, the revised green paranoid thoughts scale (RGPTS), in this critical population.

Method

Participants were CHR individuals (n = 103), mixed clinical controls (n = 80), and healthy controls (n = 71) who completed self‐report and interview measures. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), psychometric indices, group differences, and relations to external measures were used to evaluate the reliability and validity of the RGPTS.

Results

CFA replicated a two‐factor structure for the RGPTS and the associated reference and persecution scales were reliable. CHR individuals scored significantly higher on both reference and persecution, relative to both healthy (ds = 1.03, 0.86) and clinical controls (ds = 0.64, 0.73). In CHR participants, correlations between reference and persecution and external measures were smaller than expected, though showed evidence of discriminant validity (e.g., interviewer‐rated paranoia, r = 0.24). When examined in the full sample, correlation magnitude was larger and follow‐up analyses indicated that reference related most specifically to paranoia (β = 0.32), whereas persecution uniquely related to poor social functioning (β = −0.29).

Conclusion

These results demonstrate the reliability and validity of the RGPTS, though its scales related more weakly to severity in CHR individuals. The RGPTS may be useful in future work aiming to develop symptom‐specific models of emerging paranoia in CHR individuals.
Community member perspectives on adapting the cascade of care for opioid use disorder for a tribal nation in the United States
Authors: Johnson Frank , RedCloud Amy , Mootz Jennifer , Hallgren Kevin A. , Elliott Kaisa , Alexander Clinton ,   Aanji'bide Community Action Board, Greenfield Brenna L.
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims

The Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Cascade of Care is a public health model that has been used to measure population‐level OUD risk, treatment engagement, retention, service and outcome indicators. However, no studies have examined its relevance for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Thus, we aimed to understand (1) the utility of existing stages and (2) the relative ‘fit’ of the OUD Cascade of Care from a tribal perspective.

Design, Setting, Participants and Measurements

Qualitative analysis of in‐depth interviews with 20 individuals who were knowledgeable regarding the treatment of OUD in an Anishinaabe tribal setting in Minnesota, USA. Community member roles included clinicians, peer support specialists and cultural practitioners, among others. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Participants identified the key transition points of prevention, assessment, inpatient/outpatient pathways and recovery as relevant to their community. They re‐imagined an Aanji'bide (Changing our Paths) model of opioid recovery and change that was non‐linear; included developmental stage and individual pathways; and demonstrated resilience through connection to culture/spirituality, community and others.

Conclusions

Community members living/working in a rural tribal nation in Minnesota, USA identified non‐linearity and cultural connection as key elements to include in an Anishinaabe‐centered model of opioid recovery and change.
Is minimum unit pricing for alcohol having the intended effects on alcohol consumption in Scotland?
Authors: Holmes John
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims

The Scottish Government introduced minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol on 1 May 2018. This means retailers in Scotland cannot sell alcohol to consumers for less than £0.50 per unit (1 UK unit = 8 g ethanol). The Government intended the policy to increase the price of cheap alcohol, cut alcohol consumption overall and particularly among those drinking at hazardous or harmful levels, and ultimately reduce alcohol‐related harm. This paper aims to summarise and assess the evidence to date evaluating the impact of MUP on alcohol consumption and related behaviours in Scotland.

Argument

Evidence from analyses of population‐level sales data suggest, all else being equal, MUP reduced the volume of alcohol sold in Scotland by ~ 3.0% to 3.5%, with the largest reductions affecting cider and spirits sales. Analyses of two time series datasets on household‐level alcohol purchasing and individual‐level alcohol consumption suggest reductions in purchasing and consumption among those drinking at hazardous and harmful levels, but offer conflicting results for those drinking at the most harmful levels. These subgroup analyses are methodologically robust, but the underlying datasets have important limitations as they rely on non‐random sampling strategies. Further studies identified no clear evidence of reduced alcohol consumption among those with alcohol dependence or those presenting to emergency departments and sexual health clinics, some evidence of increased financial strain among people with dependence and no evidence of wider negative outcomes arising from changes in alcohol consumption behaviours.

Conclusions

Minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland has led to reduced consumption, including among heavier drinkers. However, there is uncertainty regarding its impact on those at greatest risk and some limited evidence of negative outcomes, specifically financial strain, among people with alcohol dependence.
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Position Statement: 2022 update to the safe handling of monoclonal antibodies in healthcare settings
Authors: Ryan Marissa , Lam Neil , Wright Kate , Siderov Jim
Published: March 2023

Aim

The aims were to (a) review the scientific literature on occupational risk, including exposure mechanisms and risk assessment, with regards to handling monoclonal antibodies (mABs) in healthcare settings; and (b) update the recommendations in the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) safe handling of monoclonal antibodies in healthcare settings position statement, published in 2013.

Methods

A literature search was conducted between April 24, 2022, and July 3, 2022, to identify evidence relating to occupational exposure and handling of mABs in healthcare settings. Evidence in the literature was compared to the Position Statement published in 2013, and any potential additions, deletions, or revisions were discussed by the authors, and then agreed changes were made.

Results

Thirty‐nine references were included in this update, comprising of the 2013 Position Statement itself and 10 of its references, as well as 28 new references. The risks to healthcare workers in the preparation and administration of mABs arise from four distinct exposure mechanisms: dermal, mucosal, inhalation, and oral. Updates included recommendations on using protective eyewear during the preparation and administration of mABs, developing a local institutional risk assessment tool and handling recommendations, considerations for using closed system transfer devices, and to have awareness of the nomenclature change from 2021 for new mABs.

Conclusion

Practitioners should follow the 14 recommendations to lower occupational risk when handling mABs. Another Position Statement update should occur in 5–10 years to ensure the currency of recommendations.
Population attributable fractions of modifiable cancer risk factors in Korea: A systematic review
Authors: Han Mi Ah , Kim Seo‐Hee , Hwang Eu Chang , Jung Jae Hung , Park Sun Mi
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The population attributable fraction (PAF), an epidemiologic measure of exposures and health outcomes, can provide information on the public health impacts of exposures in populations. This study aimed to systematically summarize the PAF estimates of modifiable cancer risk factors in Korea.

Methods

This review included studies that determined PAFs of modifiable risk factors for cancer in Korea. We performed systematic searches in EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane library, and Korean databases for studies published up to July 2021. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, and performed quality assessments of the included studies. Due to high variability among the data acquisition methods and PAF estimates, we presented the results qualitatively and did not perform quantitative data synthesis.

Results

We reviewed 16 studies that reported the PAFs of risk factors for cancer, including smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and various cancer sites. We found considerable variability in the PAF estimates across exposure and cancer pairs. However, PAF estimates for smoking and respiratory cancer were consistently high in men. PAF estimates were higher in men than in women for smoking and alcohol consumption but higher in women for obesity. We found limited evidence for other exposures and cancers.

Conclusion

Our findings may be used to prioritize and plan strategies to reduce cancer burden. We encourage further and updated assessments of cancer risk factors, including those not addressed in the studies included in this review, and their potential contributions to cancer burden to better inform strategies for cancer control.
Clinical practice guidelines for intrapartum cardiotocography interpretation: A systematic review
Authors: Brown James , Kanagaretnam Dhusyanthy , Zen Monica
Published: March 2023

Background

Clinical practice guidelines on intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) interpretation provide structured tools to detect fetal hypoxia. Despite frequent use of different guidelines, little is known about their comparable consistency. We sought to appraise guidelines relevant to intrapartum CTG interpretation and summarise consensus and non‐consensus recommendations.

Aims

To compare existing intrapartum CTG interpretation guidelines.

Materials and methods

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, guideline databases and websites of guideline development institutions using terms ‘cardiotocography’, ‘electronic fetal/foetal monitoring’, and ‘guideline’ or equivalent term. The search was restricted to English‐language articles published between January 1980 and January 2023 and excluded animal studies. The initial search yielded 2128 articles with 1253 unique citations. Guidelines were included if they: used English as the reporting language; included CTG interpretation criteria or guidelines as a primary objective; were published or updated since 1980; and were the most recently updated publications when multiple versions were identified.

Results

Nineteen studies were considered for full review, and 13 met inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently assessed guideline quality using the AGREE II instrument, and synthesised consensus and non‐consensus recommendations using the content analysis approach. Most guidelines employed a three‐tier interpretation framework. There were significant differences between the guidelines for relative importance of key CTG features such as accelerations, decelerations and variability, with respect to the outcome of fetal hypoxia.

Conclusions

There are significant differences between key intrapartum CTG interpretation guidelines currently being used. Greater consistency is needed across CTG interpretation guidelines to improve the quality of data, clinical governance, monitoring of outcomes, and to support future developments.
Development of children born to women with twin pregnancies treated with cervical pessary or vaginal progesterone: Follow‐up of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tran Van T. T. , Nguyen Nghia A. , Nguyen Nam T. , Vo Thu T. M. , Uong Truong S. , Nguyen Hau T. , Nguyen Ngan T. , Pham Toan D. , Nguyen Minh H. N. , Vuong Lan N. , Mol Ben W. , Dang Vinh Q.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Preterm birth is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Women with twin pregnancies and a short cervical length are at high risk for preterm birth. Vaginal progesterone and cervical pessary have been proposed as potential strategies to reduce preterm birth in this high‐risk population. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of cervical pessary and vaginal progesterone in improving developmental outcomes of children born to women with twin pregnancies and mid‐trimester short cervical length.

Material and methods

This was a follow‐up study (NCT04295187) of all children at 24 months of age, born from women treated with cervical pessary or progesterone to prevent preterm birth in a randomized controlled trial (NCT02623881). We used a validated Vietnamese version of Ages & Stages Third Edition Questionnaires (ASQ‐3) and a red flag questionnaire. In surviving children, we compared the mean ASQ‐3 scores, abnormal ASQ‐3 scores, the number of children with any abnormal ASQ‐3 scores and red flag signs between the two groups. We reported the composite outcome of perinatal death or survival with any abnormal ASQ‐3 score in offspring. These outcomes were also calculated in a subgroup of women with a cervical length ≤28 mm (<25th percentile).

Results

In the original randomized controlled trial, we randomized 300 women to pessary or progesterone. After counting the number of perinatal deaths and lost to follow‐up, 82.8% parents in the pessary group and 82.5% parents in progesterone group returned the questionnaire. The mean ASQ‐3 scores of the five skills and red flag signs did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the percentage of children having abnormal ASQ‐3 scores in fine motor skills was significantly lower in the progesterone group (6.1% vs 1.3%, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the composite outcome of perinatal death or survival with any abnormal ASQ‐3 score in unselected women and in those with cervical length ≤28 mm.

Conclusions

Cervical pessary and vaginal progesterone may have comparable effects on developmental outcomes in children at ≥24 months of age, born to women with twin pregnancies and short cervical length. However, this finding could be likely due to a lack of study power.
The timing and quality of sleep was associated with dietary quality and anthropometry in toddlers born preterm
Authors: Yisahak Samrawit F. , Boone Kelly M. , Rausch Joseph , Keim Sarah A.
Published: March 2023

Aim

The aim of the study was to examine prospective associations of sleep characteristics (duration, timing, quality) with dietary and anthropometric measures among toddlers born preterm (<35 weeks).

Methods

Children participated in the Omega Tots trial at 10–17 months' corrected age (Ohio, USA; 26 April 2012 to 6 April 2017). Caregivers reported toddlers' sleep at baseline using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire. After 180 days, caregivers reported toddlers' past month diet in a food frequency questionnaire, and anthropometry was measured using standardised protocols. The toddler diet quality index (TDQI: higher scores indicating better quality), and weight‐for‐length, triceps skinfold and subscapular skinfold z‐scores were calculated. Linear and logistic regression assessed adjusted associations with dietary and anthropometric outcomes at 180‐day follow‐up (n = 284), and linear mixed models assessed changes in anthropometry.

Results

Daytime sleep was associated with lower TDQI (βadj per hour = −1.62 (95% CI: −2.71, −0.52)) whereas night‐time sleep was associated with higher TDQI (βadj = 1.01 (95% CI: 0.16, 1.85)). Night‐time awakenings and caregiver‐reported sleep problems were also associated with lower TDQI. Night awakening duration and sleep‐onset latency were associated with higher triceps skinfold z‐score.

Conclusion

Daytime and night‐time caregiver‐reported sleep showed opposite associations with diet quality, suggesting that sleep timing may be important.
Circadian rhythm disruption in critically ill patients
Authors: Felten Matthias , Dame Christof , Lachmann Gunnar , Spies Claudia , Rubarth Kerstin , Balzer Felix , Kramer Achim , Witzenrath Martin
Published: March 2023

Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are in need of continuous organ replacement strategies and specialized care, for example because of neurological dysfunction, cardio‐pulmonary instability, liver or kidney failure, trauma, hemorrhagic or septic shock or even preterm birth. The 24‐h nursing and care interventions provided to critically ill patients significantly limit resting and/or recovery phases. Consecutively, the patient's endogenous circadian rhythms are misaligned and disrupted, which in turn may interfere with their critical condition. A more thorough understanding of the complex interactions of circadian effectors and tissue‐specific molecular clocks could therefore serve as potential means for enhancing personalized treatment in critically ill patients, conceivably restoring their circadian network and thus accelerating their physical and neurocognitive recovery. This review addresses the overarching issue of how circadian rhythms are affected and disturbed in critically ill newborns and adults in the ICU, and whether the conflicting external or environmental cues in the ICU environment further promote disruption and thus severity of illness. We direct special attention to the influence of cell‐type specific molecular clocks on with severity of organ dysfunctions such as severity of brain dysfunction, pneumonia‐ or ventilator‐associated lung inflammation, cardiovascular instability, liver and kidney failure, trauma, and septic shock. Finally, we address the potential of circadian rhythm stabilization to enhance and accelerate clinical recovery.
Simultaneous robotic distal gastrectomy and distal pancreatectomy: Avoiding total gastrectomy using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging
Authors: Ito Sunao , Sagawa Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Seiya , Saito Masaki , Ueno Shuhei , Hayakawa Shunsuke , Okubo Tomotaka , Saito Kenta , Tanaka Tatsuya , Morimoto Mamoru , Ogawa Ryo , Takahashi Hiroki , Matsuo Yoichi , Mitsui Akira , Kimura Masahiro , Takiguchi Shuji
Published: March 2023

Remnant gastric ischemia is the most significant complication in distal pancreatectomy (DP) after distal gastrectomy (DG). Some studies have reported the safety of asynchronous DP in patients who underwent DG. We report a case of simultaneous robotic DG and DP. A 78‐year‐old man was diagnosed with gastric and pancreatic cancer. We preoperatively confirmed the absence of anomalies in the left inferior phrenic artery. Robotic simultaneous DG and DP was performed; subtotal resection of the stomach was carried out, enabling the left inferior phrenic artery to maintain perfusion of the remnant stomach, even after ligation of the splenic artery. The remnant stomach was preserved as scheduled, and indocyanine green fluorescence imaging confirmed sufficient remnant stomach tissue perfusion. Robotic surgery using the da Vinci surgical system (with a fluorescence imaging system and technology enabling surgical precision) is suitable for this surgical procedure because it considers tumor radicality and allows for function preservation.
Fast‐tracking development and regulatory approval of COVID‐19 vaccines in the EU: A review of ethical implications
Authors: Beretta Giorgia , Marelli Luca
Published: March 2023

The rapid spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 worldwide has triggered intense activity in the field of biotechnology, leading to the development and regulatory approval of multiple COVID‐19 vaccines in less than 1 year while raising sustained scrutiny as to the ethical issues associated with this process. This article pursues a twofold objective. First, it reconstructs and provides a thorough overview of the different steps, from clinical trial design to regulatory procedures, underpinning the “fast‐tracking” of COVID‐19 vaccine R&D and approval. Second, drawing on a review of published literature, the article identifies, outlines, and analyzes the most ethically challenging aspects related to such process, including concerns around vaccine safety, issues in study design, the enrollment of study participants, and the challenges in obtaining valid informed consent. By scrutinizing relevant aspects of COVID‐19 vaccine development and regulatory processes leading to market authorization, this article ultimately aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the regulatory and ethical issues underpinning the roll‐out of this key pandemic‐containment technology worldwide.
Efficient and Flexible Estimation of Natural Direct and Indirect Effects under Intermediate Confounding and Monotonicity Constraints
Authors: Rudolph Kara E. , Williams Nicholas , Díaz Iván
Published: March 2023

Natural direct and indirect effects are mediational estimands that decompose the average treatment effect and describe how outcomes would be affected by contrasting levels of a treatment through changes induced in mediator values (in the case of the indirect effect) or not through induced changes in the mediator values (in the case of the direct effect). Natural direct and indirect effects are not generally point-identified in the presence of a treatment-induced confounder; however, they may be identified if one is willing to assume monotonicity between the treatment and the treatment-induced confounder. We argue that this assumption may be reasonable in the relatively common encouragement-design trial setting, where the intervention is randomized treatment assignment and the treatment-induced confounder is whether or not treatment was actually taken/adhered to. We develop efficiency theory for the natural direct and indirect effects under this monotonicity assumption, and use it to propose a nonparametric, multiply robust estimator. We demonstrate the finite sample properties of this estimator using a simulation study, and apply it to data from the Moving to Opportunity Study to estimate the natural direct and indirect effects of being randomly assigned to receive a Section 8 housing voucher—the most common form of federal housing assistance—on risk developing any mood or externalizing disorder among adolescent boys, possibly operating through various school and community characteristics.
The link between computer use and job satisfaction: The mediating role of job tasks and task discretion
Authors: Minardi Saverio , Hornberg Carla , Barbieri Paolo , Solga Heike
Published: March 2023

This study focuses on the consequences of the use of computerized work equipment (hereafter: computer use) on the content and quality of work. It investigates, first, the relationship between computer use and both job tasks and task discretion and, second, their mediating role for the relationship between computer use and job satisfaction. With our German‐UK comparison, we contribute to the long‐standing debate on the upskilling/de‐skilling nature of the use of technology and its repercussions on the quality of work. We analyse data from the Skills and Employment Surveys for the UK and the BIBB/BAuA Employment Surveys for Germany using structural equation modelling. In line with the literature on routine‐biased technological change, we show that computers are complementary to the performance of less routine and more abstract cognitive tasks and that this relationship is conducive to a higher level of task discretion and job satisfaction in both countries. Accounting for differences in job tasks performed, we find a negative direct effect of computer use on both task discretion and job satisfaction in the United Kingdom but not in Germany. Our results indicate that the ultimate effect of computer use on both task discretion and job satisfaction depends on the institutional contexts in which technology is introduced.
Honokiol, an inducer of sirtuin‐3, protects against non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐induced gastric mucosal mitochondrial pathology, apoptosis and inflammatory tissue injury
Authors: Debsharma Subhashis , Pramanik Saikat , Bindu Samik , Mazumder Somnath , Das Troyee , Saha Debanjan , De Rudranil , Nag Shiladitya , Banerjee Chinmoy , Siddiqui Asim Azhar , Ghosh Zhumur , Bandyopadhyay Uday
Published: March 2023

Background and Purpose

Mitochondrial oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis primarily underlie gastric mucosal injury caused by the widely used non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Alternative gastroprotective strategies are therefore needed. Sirtuin‐3 pivotally maintains mitochondrial structural integrity and metabolism while preventing oxidative stress; however, its relevance to gastric injury was never explored. Here, we have investigated whether and how sirtuin‐3 stimulation by the phytochemical, honokiol, could rescue NSAID‐induced gastric injury.

Experimental Approach

Gastric injury in rats induced by indomethacin was used to assess the effects of honokiol. Next‐generation sequencing‐based transcriptomics followed by functional validation identified the gastroprotective function of sirtuin‐3. Flow cytometry, immunoblotting, qRT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry were used measure effects on oxidative stress, mitochondrial dynamics, electron transport chain function, and markers of inflammation and apoptosis. Sirtuin‐3 deacetylase activity was also estimated and gastric luminal pH was measured.

Key Results

Indomethacin down‐regulated sirtuin‐3 to induce oxidative stress, mitochondrial hyperacetylation, 8‐oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 depletion, mitochondrial DNA damage, respiratory chain defect and mitochondrial fragmentation leading to severe mucosal injury. Indomethacin dose‐dependently inhibited sirtuin‐3 deacetylase activity. Honokiol prevented mitochondrial oxidative damage and inflammatory tissue injury by attenuating indomethacin‐induced depletion of both sirtuin‐3 and its transcriptional regulators PGC1α and ERRα. Honokiol also accelerated gastric wound healing but did not alter gastric acid secretion, unlike lansoprazole.

Conclusions and Implications

Sirtuin‐3 stimulation by honokiol prevented and reversed NSAID‐induced gastric injury through maintaining mitochondrial integrity. Honokiol did not affect gastric acid secretion. Sirtuin‐3 stimulation by honokiol may be utilized as a mitochondria‐based, acid‐independent novel gastroprotective strategy against NSAIDs.
The association between home learning during COVID‐19 lockdowns and subsequent school attendance among children with neurodevelopmental conditions
Authors: Kouroupa Athanasia , Allard Amanda , Gray Kylie , Hastings Richard P. , Heyne David , Melvin Glenn A. , Tonge Bruce , Totsika Vasiliki
Published: March 2023

Background

Children with neurodevelopmental conditions have high levels of school absence. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, schools closed for many students. The relationship between home learning during school closures and subsequent school attendance requires attention to better understand the impact of pandemic education policy decisions on this population. This study aims to investigate the association between home learning, hybrid learning and school learning during school closures (in January–March 2021) with subsequent school attendance (in May 2021) in children with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Methods

An online survey was completed by 809 parents/carers of 5‐ to 15‐year‐old autistic children and/or children with intellectual disability. Regression models examined the association of learning location during school closures with subsequent school absence (i.e., total days missed, persistent absence and school refusal).

Results

Children who were learning from home during school closures later missed 4.6 days of a possible 19. Children in hybrid and school learning missed 2.4 and 1.6 school days, respectively. The rates of school absence and persistent absence were significantly higher in the home learning group even after adjusting for confounders. Learning location was not associated with subsequent school refusal.

Conclusions

Policies for school closures and learning from home during public health emergencies may exacerbate school attendance problems in this group of vulnerable children.
Tumour occurrence in women with Turner syndrome: A narrative review and single‐centre case series
Authors: Mathara Diddhenipothage Shani A. D. , Goindoo Ryan J. , Bragg Fiona , Orchard Elizabeth , Shears Deborah , Calanchini Matilde , Turner Helen E.
Published: March 2023

Background

Population studies suggest cancer morbidity may be different in Turner syndrome (TS) compared to the background female population. However, significant variability is observed in cancer associations likely due to heterogeneity in patient cohorts. We explored the prevalence and patterns of cancer amongst a cohort of women with TS attending a dedicated TS clinic.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of the patient database was performed to identify TS women who developed cancer. Population data (available before 2015) from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service database were used for comparison.

Results

Out of 156 TS women, median age of 32 (range 18–73) years, 9 (5.8%) had a recorded cancer diagnosis. Types of cancers were, bilateral gonadoblastoma, type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumour (NET), appendiceal‐NET, gastrointestinal stromal tumour, plasma cell dyscrasia, synovial sarcoma, cervical cancer, medulloblastoma and aplastic anaemia. Median age at cancer diagnosis was 35 (range 7–58) years and two were detected incidentally. Five women had 45,X karyotype, three received growth hormone treatment and all except one received oestrogen replacement therapy. The cancer prevalence of the background age‐matched female population was 4.4%.

Conclusions

We confirm the previous observations that women with TS do not appear to be at overall increased risk of common malignancies. Our small cohort showed a spectrum of rare malignancies that are not typically associated with TS, except for a single patient with a gonadoblastoma. The slightly higher prevalence of cancer in our cohort might simply represent increased cancer prevalence in the background population, or might be related to small sample size and regular monitoring of these women due to TS per se.
Whole slide image‐based prediction of lymph node metastasis in T1 colorectal cancer using unsupervised artificial intelligence
Authors: Takashina Yuki , Kudo Shin‐ei , Kouyama Yuta , Ichimasa Katsuro , Miyachi Hideyuki , Mori Yuichi , Kudo Toyoki , Maeda Yasuharu , Ogawa Yushi , Hayashi Takemasa , Wakamura Kunihiko , Enami Yuta , Sawada Naruhiko , Baba Toshiyuki , Nemoto Tetsuo , Ishida Fumio , Misawa Masashi
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) prediction for T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) is critical for determining the need for surgery after endoscopic resection because LNM occurs in 10%. We aimed to develop a novel artificial intelligence (AI) system using whole slide images (WSIs) to predict LNM.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective single center study. To train and test the AI model, we included LNM status‐confirmed T1 and T2 CRC between April 2001 and October 2021. These lesions were divided into two cohorts: training (T1 and T2) and testing (T1). WSIs were cropped into small patches and clustered by unsupervised K‐means. The percentage of patches belonging to each cluster was calculated from each WSI. Each cluster's percentage, sex, and tumor location were extracted and learned using the random forest algorithm. We calculated the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) to identify the LNM and the rate of over‐surgery of the AI model and the guidelines.

Results

The training cohort contained 217 T1 and 268 T2 CRCs, while 100 T1 cases (LNM‐positivity 15%) were the test cohort. The AUC of the AI system for the test cohort was 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58–0.86), and 0.52 (95% CI 0.50–0.55) using the guidelines criteria (P = 0.0028). This AI model could reduce the 21% of over‐surgery compared to the guidelines.

Conclusion

We developed a pathologist‐independent predictive model for LNM in T1 CRC using WSI for determination of the need for surgery after endoscopic resection.

Trial registration

UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000046992, https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000053590).
Evaluation of a novel disposable esophagogastroduodenoscopy system in emergency, bedside, and intraoperative settings: Pilot study (with videos)
Authors: Han Ze‐Long , Lin Bi‐Tao , Wang Zhen‐Jiang , Chen Xiang , Xi Yi‐Yi , Wang Jun‐Fen , Qiao Wei‐Guang , Huang Ying , Lin Zhi‐Zhao , Huang Shao‐Hui , Chua Tiffany Y. , Liu Si‐De , Luo Xiao‐Bei
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The disposable esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) system is a novel endoscopic device which is highly portable and is designed to eliminate the risk of cross‐infection caused by reusable EGD. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of disposable EGD in emergency, bedside, and intraoperative settings.

Methods

This was a prospective, single‐center, noncomparative study. Disposable EGD was used for emergency, bedside, and intraoperative endoscopies in 30 patients. The primary end‐point was the technical success rate of the disposable EGD. Secondary end‐points included technical performance indicators including clinical operability, image quality score, procedure time, the incidence of device malfunction and/or failure, and the incidence of adverse events.

Results

A total of 30 patients underwent diagnosis and/or treatment with disposable EGD. Therapeutic EGD was performed on 13/30 patients, including hemostasis (n = 3), foreign body retrieval (n = 6), nasoenteric tube placement (n = 3), and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (n = 1). The technical success rate was 100%: all procedures and indicated interventions were completed without changing to a conventional upper endoscope. The mean image quality score obtained immediately after procedure completion was 3.72 ± 0.56. The mean (± SD) procedure time was 7.4 (± 7.6) min. There were no device malfunctions or failures, device‐related adverse events, or overall adverse events.

Conclusion

The disposable EGD may be a feasible alternative to the traditional EGD in emergency, bedside, and intraoperative settings. Preliminary data show that it is a safe and effective tool for diagnosis and treatment in emergency and bedside upper gastrointestinal cases.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Trial ID: ChiCTR2100051452, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=134284).
Attenuation of ultraviolet (UV) radiation does not impede host location in egg parasitoids with positive UV phototaxis
Authors: Gaudreau Mathilde , Souza Mikaela T. , LeBlanc Flavie , Brodeur Jacques , Abram Paul K.
Published: March 2023

In insects and other terrestrial arthropods, foraging is guided in part by visual cues making use of optical radiation, which includes ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Manipulating UV exposure with lamps and photo‐selective materials can help protect crops by disrupting related wavelength‐dependent behaviours in various pests, but little is known on how this could also affect the behaviour of their natural enemies.

To investigate the effects of UV‐A radiation on parasitoid wasp foraging behaviours, we conducted laboratory and semi‐field experiments on female Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus utahensis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) that parasitize stink bug egg masses.

In small laboratory arenas, both species of egg parasitoid displayed a positive UV phototaxis, but UV exposure also reduced their daily spontaneous locomotor activity regardless of the time of day.

In large field cages, parasitism (i.e., host discovery and exploitation) rates were mostly unaffected by UV‐attenuated conditions created by UV‐absorbing filters (macrohabitat level) and/or by the plant canopy (microhabitat level).

This study indicates that UV radiation can be involved in egg parasitoid foraging behaviours without UV attenuation negatively affecting parasitism, reflecting the heterogeneity and potentially hazardous nature of this abiotic factor.

We highlight the importance of examining the role of UV radiation as an environmental cue in beneficial insects, especially with the prospect of combining physical and biological pest management strategies.
Abnormal features of human self‐domestication in bipolar disorder
Authors: Benítez‐Burraco Antonio , Hansen Ethan
Published: March 2023

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental condition characterized by episodes of elevated mood and depression. Being a heritable condition, it features a complex genetic architecture, although it is not still clear how genes contribute to the onset and course of the disease. In this paper, we adopted an evolutionary‐genomic approach to this condition, focusing on changes occurred during human evolution as a source of our distinctive cognitive and behavioural phenotype. We show clinical evidence that the BD phenotype can be construed as an abnormal presentation of the human self‐domestication phenotype. We further demonstrate that candidate genes for BD significantly overlap with candidates for mammal domestication and that this common set of genes is enriched in functions that are important for the BD phenotype, especially neurotransmitter homeostasis. Finally, we show that candidates for domestication are differentially expressed in brain regions involved in BD pathology, particularly, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, which have been subject to recent changes in our species. Overall, this link between human self‐domestication and BD should facilitate a better understanding of the BD etiopathology.
Sex differences in clinical characteristics of migraine and its burden: a population‐based study
Authors: Chalmer Mona Ameri , Kogelman Lisette J. A. , Callesen Ida , Christensen Charlotte Grønvold , Techlo Tanya Ramdal , Møller Peter L. , Davidsson Olafur B. , Olofsson Isa A. , Schwinn Michael , Mikkelsen Susan , Dinh Khoa Manh , Nielsen Kaspar , Topholm Mie , Erikstrup Christian , Ostrowski Sisse Rye , Pedersen Ole Birger ,   DBDS Genomic Consortium, Hjalgrim Henrik , Banasik Karina , Burgdorf Kristoffer S. , Nyegaard Mette , Olesen Jes , Hansen Thomas Folkmann
Published: March 2023

Background and purpose

Understanding migraine in a sex‐specific manner is crucial for improving clinical care, diagnosis and therapy for both females and males. Here, data on sex differences are provided in the presentation of migraine in a large European‐based population cohort, which is representative of the general population.

Methods

A population‐based study of 62,672 Danish blood donors (both present and previous donors), of whom 12,658 had migraine, was performed. All participants completed a 105‐item diagnostic migraine questionnaire sent via an electronic mailing system (e‐Boks) between May 2020 and August 2020. The questionnaire allowed for correct diagnosis of migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition.

Results

The migraine questionnaire was in‐cohort validated and had a positive predictive value of 97% for any migraine, a specificity of 93% and a sensitivity of 93%. There were 9184 females (mean age 45.1 years) and 3434 males (mean age 48.0 years). The 3‐month prevalence of migraine without aura was 11% in females and 3.59% in males. The 3‐month prevalence of migraine with aura was 1.72% in females and 1.58% in males. In females, the age‐related 3‐month prevalence of migraine without aura increased markedly during childbearing age. In males, migraine both with and without aura showed less age variation. Females had a higher frequency of migraine attacks (odds ratio [OR] 1.22) but a lower frequency of non‐migraine headaches (OR = 0.35). Females also had a greater intensity of pain, more unilateral and pulsatile pain, and exacerbation by physical activity (OR = 1.40–1.49) as well as more associated symptoms (OR = 1.26–1.98). Females carried 79% of the total migraine disease burden, which was almost exclusively driven by migraine without aura (77%), whilst there was no sex difference in the disease burden of migraine with aura.

Conclusion

Females have more severe disease, resulting in a much higher migraine disease burden than indicated by prevalence alone.
Public accountability and democracy: An accountability stage in the theatre of democracy
Authors: Christensen Mark , Yamamoto Kiyoshi
Published: March 2023

This article traverses the range of issues evoked by research relating public accountability and democracy. It conceptualizes these issues as being a mosaic that is ever‐changing and has been growing significantly in size since the 1970s. That mosaic presents itself in this Special Issue as being accountability appearances on a stage that is viewed within a theatre of democracy. The articles published in this Special Issue are also introduced.