bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurobehavioral Symptom Profiles for the Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Juengst Shannon B. , Wright Brittany , DeMello Annalyn , Vos Leia , Biney Fedora , Novelo Luis Leon , Williams Michael
Published: April 2024

Objective:

To identify neurobehavioral symptom profiles among persons with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) using the Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool (BAST) and to consider participant characteristics that differ between profile groups.

Setting:

Community.

Participants:

Participants (n = 615) were English-speaking adults (≥18) and had a self-reported history of at least one TBI of any severity.

Design:

Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data.

Main Measures:

The BAST measures neurobehavioral symptoms in the domains of Negative Affect, Fatigue, Executive Dysfunction, Impulsivity, and Substance Misuse.

Results:

Using latent profile analysis (LPA), we identified 3 different neurobehavioral profiles. Overall symptom frequency and differences in the pattern of symptom frequency across domains differentiated the profile groups. Average domain scores differed significantly across the profiles (P < .001) for all domains except Fatigue (P = .076). Those in profile 3 (High-Risk group) reported the most frequent symptoms across all domains (similar Negative Affect frequency as profile 1). Substance Misuse was especially high in this group. Compared to profile 2 (High Negative Affect group), participants in profile 1 (Moderate-Risk group) endorsed significantly more frequent (and more variable) symptoms across all BAST domains, particularly Impulsivity and Substance Misuse. Participants in profile 2 endorsed the least frequent symptoms across all domains. Demographic comparison showed that groups differed based on gender, age, and injury severity (mild vs moderate-severe), with profile 3 composed of the most men and the most persons in early adulthood, and profile 2 composed of the most women and those with mild TBI.

Conclusions:

We differentiated 3 neurobehavioral symptom profiles among persons with chronic TBI and determined differences in sociodemographic factors between the groups. Future research should focus on validating these profiles in another sample of individuals with chronic TBI. Characterizing persons according to multidimensional symptom profiles could allow for more tailored approaches to predict and prevent long-term negative outcomes.
The Protective Effects of Acteoside and Total Glycosides of the Leaves of Rehmannia on Three Types of Glomerular Structural Cells Under High Glucose and Inflammatory Stimulation
Authors: Liu Yuyang , Gao Wenya , Wang Mengxiao , Bian Baolin , Zhou Yanyan , Wei Xiaolu , Si Nan , Wang Hongjie , Zhao Haiyu , Sato Takashi
Published: April 2024

Background:

The challenge of chronic glomerulonephritis necessitates innovative strategies for preventing renal function deterioration. Acteoside (ACT), the primary bioactive compound of total glycosides of the leaves of Rehmannia (DHYZG), has been demonstrated availability and safety in reducing proteinuria, showing promising prospects in the treatment of kidney disease. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of ACT and DHYZG on glomerular structural cells and key proteins of rat glomeruli under several injury states.

Methods:

Employing 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazolyl(-Z-Y1)-3,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Western blot methodologies, the investigation assessed varying concentrations of ACT and clinical concentration of DHYZG on cell viability and intracellular biomarkers. Specifically, the study explored the influence of ACT on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and MPP in rat mesangial cells, endothelial cells, and podocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), high glucose, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Additionally, the impact of high glucose on angiotensin II (Ang II) expression in endothelial cells was investigated.

Results:

ACT and DHYZG demonstrated a protective effect on all cell types, and ACT administration shows a significant dose-dependent response. These compounds attenuated the expression of CTGF and TGF-β in LPS-stimulated mesangial cells and reduced the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in all three cell types following IL-1β stimulation. Moreover, the high glucose-induced expression of Ang II in endothelial cells was mitigated.

Conclusion:

ACT and DHYZG exhibit a pronounced protective effect on glomerular cells, with ACT being the primary contributor to the therapeutic efficacy of DHYZG. Notably, ACT demonstrates a significant superiority over DHYZG in terms of both proliferation and cytokine expression in glomerular endothelial cells.
Blood Purification for the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease-associated Pruritus
Authors: Marcello Matteo , Ramírez-Guerrero Gonzalo , Reis Thiago , Ronco Claudio
Published: April 2024

Chronic kidney diseases-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is a term that indicates the itching associated to end stage kidney disease without any apparent cause. This symptom leads to decreased quality of life and increased risk of long-term morbidities and mortality. The pathogenesis of uremic pruritus is still unknown, however, different theories have merged: uremic toxins deposition, immune system dysregulation, peripheral neuropathy, and opioid imbalance. While in the last decade, research focused prevalently on pharmaceutical treatment of CKD-aP, extracorporeal therapies have also evolved providing an alternative but efficient treatment option. In this review, we assess the role of different extracorporeal methods on the treatment of CKD-aP.
Suppression of bone resorption by Mori Radicis Cortex through NFATc1 and c-Fos signaling-mediated inhibition of osteoclast differentiation
Authors: Hong Sooyeon , Cho Hye-Rin , Kim Jae-Hyun , Kim Minsun , Lee Sumin , Yang KyuJin , Lee Yujin , Sohn Youngjoo , Jung Hyuk-Sang
Published: April 2024

Background:

Mori Radicis Cortex (MRC) is the root bark of the mulberry family as Morus alba L. In Korea, it is known as “Sangbaegpi”. Although MRC has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, its specific mechanisms of action and impact on osteoporosis remain poorly understood.

Methods:

To investigate the antiosteoporosis effect of MRC, we examined the level of osteoclast differentiation inhibition in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL)-induced-RAW 264.7 cells and animal models of ovariectomy (OVX) with MRC. Serum analysis in OVX animals was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and bone density analysis was confirmed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The expression analysis of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in femur tissue. In addition, osteoclast differentiation inhibition was measured using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). mRNA analysis was performed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the protein expression analysis was investigated by western blot.

Results:

Micro-CT analysis showed that MRC effectively inhibited bone loss in the OVX-induced rat model. MRC also inhibited the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and TRAP in serum. Histological analysis showed that MRC treatment increased bone density and IHC analysis showed that MRC significantly inhibited the expression of NFATc1. In RANKL-induced-RAW 264.7 cells, MRC significantly reduced TRAP activity and actin ring formation. In addition, MRC significantly inhibited the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, and suppressed the mRNA expression.

Conclusion:

Based on micro-CT, serum and histological analysis, MRC effectively inhibited bone loss in an OVX-induced rat model. In addition, MRC treatment suppressed the expression of osteoclast differentiation, fusion, and bone resorption markers through inhibition of NFATc1/c-Fos expression in RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 cells, ultimately resulting in a decrease in osteoclast activity. These results demonstrate that MRC is effective in preventing bone loss through inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and activity.
Exosomal MALAT1 from macrophages treated with high levels of glucose upregulates LC3B expression via miR-204-5p downregulation
Authors: Shyu Kou-Gi , Wang Bao-Wei , Pan Chun-Ming , Fang Wei-Jen , Lin Chiu-Mei
Published: April 2024

Background:

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of diabetes-related complications. However, whether macrophage-derived MALAT1 affects autophagic activity under hyperglycemic conditions is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the molecular regulatory mechanisms of macrophage-derived MALAT1 and autophagy under hyperglycemic conditions.

Methods:

Hyperglycemia was induced by culturing macrophages in 25 mM glucose for 1 hour. Exosomes were extracted from the culture media. A rat model of carotid artery balloon injury was established to assess the effect of MALAT1 on vascular injury. Reverse transcription, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, immunohistochemical staining, and luciferase activity assays were performed.

Results:

Stimulation with high levels of glucose significantly enhanced MALAT1 expression in macrophage-derived exosomes. MALAT1 inhibited miR-204-5p expression in macrophage-derived exosomes under hyperglycemic conditions. siRNA-induced silencing of MALAT1 significantly reversed macrophage-derived exosome-induced miR-204-5p expression. Hyperglycemic treatment caused a significant, exosome-induced increase in the expression of the autophagy marker LC3B in macrophages. Silencing MALAT1 and overexpression of miR-204-5p significantly decreased LC3B expression induced by macrophage-derived exosomes. Overexpression of miR-204-5p significantly reduced LC3B luciferase activity induced by macrophage-derived exosomes. Balloon injury to the carotid artery in rats significantly enhanced MALAT1 and LC3B expression, and significantly reduced miR-204-5p expression in carotid artery tissue. Silencing MALAT1 significantly reversed miR-204-5p expression in carotid artery tissue after balloon injury. MALAT1 silencing or miR-204-5p overexpression significantly reduced LC3B expression after balloon injury.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that hyperglycemia upregulates MALAT1. MALAT1 suppresses miR-204-5p expression and counteracts the inhibitory effect of miR-204-5p on LC3B expression in macrophages to promote vascular disease.
Successful Implantation of HeartMate3 in a Small Child After Multimodality Imaging Pathway to Assess Feasibility
Authors: Italiano Enrico G. , Bertelli Francesco , Cao Irene , Motta Raffaella , Di Salvo Giovanni , Vida Vladimiro , Padalino Massimo A.
Published: April 2024

The current use of intracorporeal left ventricular assist devices in children is still limited by small body dimensions. Many children weighing of less than 30 kg requiring durable mechanical circulatory support are implanted with the Berlin Heart EXCOR, a paracorporeal device. We present the case of a girl aged 10 years with a body surface area of 1.01 m2 undergoing a safe and effective HeartMate3 implantation despite extremely small thoracic dimensions. Using computed tomography-derived three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, it was possible to simulate several device positions finding the best HeartMate3 lodging. Simulation-guided pump placement was then obtained in the operating room. Normal HeartMate3 functioning was registered until heart transplant. Our experience shows that preoperative planning and virtual fitting simulation can be effective to assess safety of HeartMate3 implantation even in small children. The 3D reconstruction and simulation may help to increase the pool of children candidates for this device, even though a larger experience is needed to assess the risk profile of the HeartMate3 in such small patients.
Self-management in patients with adult spinal deformity: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Liu Huaxi , Shi Yiqin , Yang Qiankun , Zheng Tingting , Luo Fei , Liu Lei
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

The prevalence of adult spinal deformity (ASD) has increased in recent years. Patients often have to live for a prolonged period from the onset of the condition, up until the need for surgical treatment. Self-management plays a crucial role in disease progression and prognosis.

Objectives:

This project aimed to promote evidence-based practices for the self-management of patients with ASD.

Methods:

This project was guided by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework project and was conducted in the orthopedic department of a tertiary care hospital in China. A baseline audit was conducted to evaluate current practice against best practice recommendations. Barriers were identified and, after the implementation of improvement strategies, a follow-up audit was conducted to assess project effectiveness.

Results:

A comparison between the baseline and follow-up audits revealed a significant increase in nurses’ compliance with best practices (rising from 0%–64% to 97.7%–100%) in the following areas: improved health promotion behaviors by nurses in self-management of ASD patients; acquisition and application of communication skills with patients; increased availability of educational materials in the ward; and establishment of conservative treatment follow-up instructions for patients. For patients, the Visual Analog Scale of pain decreased from (2.72 ± 1.67) to (1.90 ± 1.14), the Oswestry Disability Index decreased from (49.96 ± 16.49) to (39.83 ± 18.97), self-management behaviors improved from (10.84 ± 4.31) to (19.52 ± 6.31), and maximum isometric muscle strength in the standing position increased from (179.48 ± 91.18)N to (250.03 ± 91.50)N, all with statistically significant improvements (p <0.05). For nurses, the knowledge questionnaire score improved from (34.83 ± 24.16) to (82.00 ± 11.11) (p <0.05).

Conclusions:

This project helped ASD patients improve self-management, alleviated their clinical symptoms, and improved nurses’ knowledge of best practices. Future audits will be conducted to review long-term project outcomes.

Spanish abstract:

http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A193
Apirhabdus apintestini gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of a novel genus of the family Enterobacteriaceae, isolated from the gut of the western honey bee Apis mellifera
Authors: Quinn Matthew W. , Daisley Brendan A. , Vancuren Sarah J. , Bouchema Amira , Niño Elina , Reid Gregor , Thompson Graham J. , Allen-Vercoe Emma
Published: April 2024

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, CA-0114T, was isolated from the midgut of a western honey bee, Apis mellifera. The isolate exhibited ≤96.43 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identity (1540 bp) to members of the families Enterobacteriaceae and Erwiniaceae. Phylogenetic trees based on genome blast distance phylogeny and concatenated protein sequences encoded by conserved genes atpD, fusA, gyrB, infB, leuS, pyrG and rpoB separated the isolate from other genera forming a distinct lineage in the Enterobacteriaceae. In both trees, the closest relatives were Tenebrionicola larvae YMB-R21T and Tenebrionibacter intestinalis BIT-L3T, which were isolated previously from Tenebrio molitor L., a plastic-eating mealworm. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization, orthologous average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity values between strain CA-0114T and the closest related members within the Enterobacteriaceae were ≤23.1, 75.45 and 76.04 %, respectively. The complete genome of strain CA-0114T was 4 451669 bp with a G+C content of 52.12 mol%. Notably, the apparent inability of strain CA-0114T to ferment d-glucose, inositol and l-rhamnose in the API 20E system is unique among closely related members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Based on the results obtained through genotypic and phenotypic analysis, we propose that strain CA-0114T represents a novel species and genus within the family Enterobacteriaceae, for which we propose the name Apirhabdus apintestini gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain CA-0114T=ATCC TSD-396T=DSM 116385T).
Single-cell heterogeneity in ribosome content and the consequences for the growth laws
Authors: Brettner Leandra , Geiler-Samerotte Kerry
Published: April 2024

Across species and environments, the ribosome content of cell populations correlates with population growth rate. The robustness and universality of this correlation have led to its classification as a “growth law.” This law has fueled theories about how evolution selects for microbial organisms that maximize their growth rate based on nutrient availability, and it has informed models about how individual cells regulate their growth rates and ribosomal content. However, due to methodological limitations, this growth law has rarely been studied at the level of individual cells. Whilepopulationsof fast-growing cells tend to have more ribosomes thanpopulationsof slow-growing cells, it is unclear whether individual cells tightly regulate their ribosome content to match their environment. Here, we employ recent groundbreaking single-cell RNA sequencing techniques to study this growth law at the single-cell level in two different microbes,S. cerevisiae(a single-celled yeast and eukaryote) andB. subtilis(a bacterium and prokaryote). In both species, we observe significant variation in the ribosomal content of single cells that is not predictive of growth rate. Fast-growing populations include cells exhibiting transcriptional signatures of slow growth and stress, as do cells with the highest ribosome content we survey. Broadening our focus to non-ribosomal transcripts reveals subpopulations of cells in unique transcriptional states suggestive that they have evolved to do things other than maximize their rate of growth. Overall, these results indicate that single-cell ribosome levels are not finely tuned to match population growth rates or nutrient availability and cannot be predicted by a Gaussian process model that assumes measurements are sampled from a normal distribution centered on the population average. This work encourages the expansion of growth law and other models that predict how growth rates are regulated or how they evolve to consider single-cell heterogeneity. To this end, we provide extensive data and analysis of ribosomal and transcriptomic variation across thousands of single cells from multiple conditions, replicates, and species.
Evolution of frost and drought responses in cool season grasses (Pooideae): was drought tolerance a precursor to frost tolerance?
Authors: Stolsmo Sylvia Pal , Lindberg Camilla Lorange , Ween Rebekka Eriksen , Schat Laura , Preston Jill Christine , Humphreys Aelys Muriel , Fjellheim Siri
Published: April 2024

Frost tolerance has evolved many times independently across flowering plants. However, conservation of several frost tolerance mechanisms among distant relatives suggests that apparently independent entries into freezing climates may have been facilitated by repeated modification of existing traits (precursor traits). One possible precursor trait for freezing tolerance is drought tolerance, because palaeoclimatic data suggest plants were exposed to drought before frost and several studies have demonstrated shared physiological and genetic responses to drought and frost stress. Here, we combine ecophysiological experiments and comparative analyses to test the hypothesis that drought tolerance acted as a precursor to frost tolerance in cool-season grasses (Pooideae). Contrary to our predictions, we measured the highest levels of frost tolerance in species with the lowest ancestral drought tolerance, suggesting that the two stress responses evolved independently in different lineages. We further show that drought tolerance is more evolutionarily labile than frost tolerance. This could limit our ability to reconstruct the order in which drought and frost responses evolved relative to each other. Further research is needed to determine whether our results are unique to Pooideae or general for flowering plants.
A Cross Sectional Study of Atrial Fibrillation Prevalence and Associated Cardiac Arrhythmias in Stroke Patients: Insights from Commercial Data Archives
Authors: Soo Kuan-Meng , Liew Te-Sheng , Heath Paul
Published: April 2024

The link between atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke has gained attention due to AF’s significant impact on stroke risk. Detecting AF, especially paroxysmal AF, presents challenges, highlighting the necessity for continuous Holter monitoring. In our investigation, we utilized commercial data archives to examine AF prevalence and associated cardiac arrhythmias among stroke patients and controls. We also analyzed various factors, such as age, gender, symptoms, test duration, and duration post-stroke, to identify predictors of arrhythmias and enhance paroxysmal detection rates. We included 98 stroke patients and 98 controls for comparing AF prevalence within 72 hours post-stroke and analyzed 779 stroke patients within 4 days to 10 weeks post-stroke. Our findings revealed a higher AF detection rate in stroke patients compared to controls, with AF being the most prevalent arrhythmia observed. Older age and symptom presence were associated with significant findings, particularly AF. Temporal analysis showed a negative correlation between AF and complete heart block occurrence over time, while ventricular tachycardia exhibited a positive correlation. Paroxysmal fibrillation detection rates were highest within the initial month, with the optimal duration of Holter monitoring being 10 days, underscoring the importance of extended monitoring for detecting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Detecting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation could influence stroke management. Furthermore, our study suggests the potential utility of commercial data in yielding comparable outcomes to research data.
The Brexit Unknown—Britain's Boom or Bust?
Authors: Allayannis George (Yiorgos) , Jones Paul Tudor , Craddock Jenny
Published: April 2024

This case invites students to assess the impact that Brexit, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, might have on a New York–based hedge fund's portfolio and, specifically, its UK assets. The case is designed to prompt students to make market assumptions and investment hypotheses based on a combination of numerical data and qualitative information. It requires no numerical computations; instead, it asks the student to interpret both markets' short-term reactions to the Brexit vote and strategy shifts from UK and European business leaders in order to evaluate longer-term implications for the economies of the United Kingdom, Europe, and the world.
Attitudes toward sustainable development and employer brands: comparing generations X, Y and Z in two countries
Authors: Tkalac Verčič Ana , Verčič Dejan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study investigates how sustainability influences employer branding across generational cohorts – Generations Z, Y and X – and between two neighboring countries, Slovenia and Croatia, with different economic development levels.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative cross-generational survey was conducted among respondents from Slovenia and Croatia to assess the impact of sustainability on employer brand perception. The survey explored generational attitudes toward sustainability and its integration into the employer value proposition.

Findings

The study found that all the generational cohorts view sustainability as an important factor in their evaluation of employer brands. Generation X showed the most favorable attitude toward sustainability, followed by Generation Z, highlighting the need for organizations to communicate sustainability efforts effectively to attract these groups. However, there were subtle differences between the countries, with Slovenian respondents indicating a slightly higher preference for sustainable practices. Additionally, while Generation Z may not have the same financial leverage as Generation X, their high valuation of sustainability in employer branding demonstrates their future influence as they enter the workforce.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the survey’s conceptual framing, which may be inherently biased toward the more affluent Generation X’s capacity to prioritize sustainability and the focus on USA-based generational definitions, which may not be fully applicable across different cultural settings. Future research could address these limitations by refining the conceptual approach and expanding the sample to include more diverse geographical contexts.

Originality/value

By comparing responses from two economically distinct neighboring countries, the study reveals complex inter-generational dynamics and national contexts affecting sustainability’s role in employer attractiveness.
Towards diverse, critical understandings of “international” for higher education
Authors: Huang Zhuo Min , Cockayne Heather , Mittelmeier Jenna
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The study explores diverse and critical understandings of “international” in a higher education curriculum context, situated in a curriculum review of a postgraduate taught programme entitled “International Education” at a university located in England. Our study problematises and decentres some dominant, normalised notions of “international”, exploring critical possibilities of engaging with the term for higher education internationalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

We examined a set of programme curriculum documents and conducted a survey exploring teaching staff’s uses and interpretations of “international” in their design and delivery of course units. Through a thematic analysis of the dataset, we identify what “international” might mean or how it may be missing across the curriculum.

Findings

Our findings suggest a locally-developed conceptualisation of “international” beyond the normalised interpretation of “international” as the inclusion or comparison of multiple nations, and different, other countries around the global world. More diverse, critical understandings of the term have been considered, including international as intercultural, competences, ethics, languages and methods. The study provides an example approach to reflective scholarship that programmes can undergo in order to develop clarity, depth and purposefulness into internationalisation as enacted in a local curriculum context.

Originality/value

The study provides a first step towards establishing clearer guidelines on internationalising the curriculum by higher education institutions and individual programmes in order to challenge a superficial engagement of “international” within internationalisation. It exemplifies a starting point for making purposeful steps away from normalised notions and assumptions of international education and facilitates development towards its critical, ethically-grounded opportunities.
Is quality central? Perceived quality, monocentricity, and financial assumptions
Authors: Andriot Paul , Larceneux Fabrice , Simon Arnaud
Published: April 2024

Purpose

In this article, the aim is to document the divergences/convergences between the market perceptions of quality and the financial estimations for office buildings relative to the notion of centrality and the distance to the central business district (CBD).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a hierarchical approach that decomposes and estimates the perceived quality of buildings from the stakeholders’ perspectives, we study the geographies of perceived quality measures in the Greater Paris Metropolis and compare them to the financial geography.

Findings

The perceived location quality decreases with distance from the CBD whereas judgments on the built structure and the workplace do not, exhibiting a ring-shaped pattern. The gradient of the components of the perceived quality are heterogeneous, having positive, negative or null values. Appraisers tend only to consider the quality of location in their estimations.

Originality/value

This article raises the issue of fair spatial judgments by appraisers and the financial market. Monocentricity is not the rule in the market perceptions of quality. It suggests that financial estimates are strongly biased, with mental representation of centrality as a judgmental heuristic.
Analysis of the local integration rate relevance as a performance indicator for the Moroccan automotive industry
Authors: Benchekroun Mohamed Amine , Boumane Abderrazak
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define the local integration rate and how it is calculated to assess its relevance as a national performance indicator for the Moroccan automotive industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology first followed a systematic review approach through the analysis of published research articles and academic works. This study then followed a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews with various actors in the Moroccan automotive industry. Finally, the findings of this work were reinforced by a case study to analyze the supply chain of a locally produced vehicle.

Findings

The results indicate that the local integration rate as calculated today overestimates the performance of the automotive industry and does not systematically guarantee a significant creation of value added.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the confidentiality of the data in terms of turnover, payroll and purchase prices as well as the large number of suppliers in the different supply chains of the car manufacturer, the case study focused on only one of the six existing ecosystems.

Originality/value

On the basis of research work on the Moroccan automotive industry as well as interviews with various actors, the local integration rate is unanimously considered as a viable performance indicator. This study has not only led us to the method of calculating this rate by the Ministry of Industry but also demonstrated its limitations while proposing a new method of calculation to increase the value added.
Grey conflict analysis approach with constraints
Authors: Liu Yong , Guo Xue-ge , Jiang Qin , Zhang Jing-yi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

We attempt to construct a grey three-way conflict analysis model with constraints to deal with correlated conflict problems with uncertain information.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to address these correlated conflict problems with uncertain information, considering the interactive influence and mutual restraints among agents and portraying their attitudes toward the conflict issues, we utilize grey numbers and three-way decisions to propose a grey three-way conflict analysis model with constraints. Firstly, based on the collected information, we introduced grey theory, calculated the degree of conflict between agents and then analyzed the conflict alliance based on the three-way decision theory. Finally, we designed a feedback mechanism to identify key agents and key conflict issues. A case verifies the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed model.

Findings

The results show that the proposed model can portray their attitudes toward conflict issues and effectively extract conflict-related information.

Originality/value

By employing this approach, we can provide the answers to Deja’s fundamental questions regarding Pawlak’s conflict analysis: “what are the underlying causes of conflict?” and “how can a viable consensus strategy be identified?”
A bi-objective model for location, dispatch and relocation of ambulances with a revision of dispatch policies
Authors: Ravandi Fatemeh , Fathi Heli Abadi Azar , Heidari Ali , Khalilzadeh Mohammad , Pamucar Dragan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Untimely responses to emergency situations in urban areas contribute to a rising mortality rate and impact society's primary capital. The efficient dispatch and relocation of ambulances pose operational and momentary challenges, necessitating an optimal policy based on the system's real-time status. While previous studies have addressed these concerns, limited attention has been given to the optimal allocation of technicians to respond to emergency situation and minimize overall system costs.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a bi-objective mathematical model is proposed to maximize system coverage and enable flexible movement across bases for location, dispatch and relocation of ambulances. Ambulances relocation involves two key decisions: (1) allocating ambulances to bases after completing services and (2) deciding to change the current ambulance location among existing bases to potentially improve response times to future emergencies. The model also considers the varying capabilities of technicians for proper allocation in emergency situations.

Findings

The Augmented Epsilon-Constrained (AEC) method is employed to solve the proposed model for small-sized problem. Due to the NP-Hardness of the model, the NSGA-II and MOPSO metaheuristic algorithms are utilized to obtain efficient solutions for large-sized problems. The findings demonstrate the superiority of the MOPSO algorithm.

Practical implications

This study can be useful for emergency medical centers and healthcare companies in providing more effective responses to emergency situations by sending technicians and ambulances.

Originality/value

In this study, a two-objective mathematical model is developed for ambulance location and dispatch and solved by using the AEC method as well as the NSGA-II and MOPSO metaheuristic algorithms. The mathematical model encompasses three primary types of decision-making: (1) Allocating ambulances to bases after completing their service, (2) deciding to relocate the current ambulance among existing bases to potentially enhance response times to future emergencies and (3) considering the diverse abilities of technicians for accurate allocation to emergency situations.
Using digital PCR to predict ciliate abundance from ribosomal RNA gene copy numbers
Authors: Gross Megan , Dunthorn Micah , Mauvisseau Quentin , Stoeck Thorsten
Published: April 2024

Ciliates play a key role in most ecosystems. Their abundance in natural samples is crucial for answering many ecological questions. Traditional methods of quantifying individual species, which rely on microscopy, are often labour‐intensive, time‐consuming and can be highly biassed. As a result, we investigated the potential of digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) for quantifying ciliates. A significant challenge in this process is the high variation in the copy number of the taxonomic marker gene (ribosomal RNA [rRNA]). We first quantified the rRNA gene copy numbers (GCN) of the model ciliate, Paramecium tetraurelia, during different stages of the cell cycle and growth phases. The per‐cell rRNA GCN varied between approximately 11,000 and 130,000, averaging around 50,000 copies per cell. Despite these variations in per‐cell rRNA GCN, we found a highly significant correlation between GCN and cell numbers. This is likely due to the coexistence of different cellular stages in an uncontrolled (environmental) ciliate population. Thanks to the high sensitivity of dPCR, we were able to detect the target gene in a sample that contained only a single cell. The dPCR approach presented here is a valuable addition to the molecular toolbox in protistan ecology. It may guide future studies in quantifying and monitoring the abundance of targeted (even rare) ciliates in natural samples.
Downregulation of PLIN2 in human dermal fibroblasts impairs mitochondrial function in an age‐dependent fashion and induces cell senescence via GDF15
Authors: Chiariello Antonio , Rossetti Luca , Valente Sabrina , Pasquinelli Gianandrea , Sollazzo Manuela , Iommarini Luisa , Porcelli Anna Maria , Tognocchi Monica , Conte Giuseppe , Santoro Aurelia , Kwiatkowska Katarzyna M. , Garagnani Paolo , Salvioli Stefano , Conte Maria
Published: April 2024

Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) is a lipid droplet (LD)‐coating protein playing important roles in lipid homeostasis and suppression of lipotoxicity in different tissues and cell types. Recently, a role for PLIN2 in supporting mitochondrial function has emerged. PLIN2 dysregulation is involved in many metabolic disorders and age‐related diseases. However, the exact consequences of PLIN2 dysregulation are not yet completely understood. In this study, we knocked down (KD) PLIN2 in primary human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) from young (mean age 29 years) and old (mean age 71 years) healthy donors. We have found that PLIN2 KD caused a decline of mitochondrial function only in hDFs from young donors, while mitochondria of hDFs from old donors (that are already partially impaired) did not significantly worsen upon PLIN2 KD. This mitochondrial impairment is associated with the increased expression of the stress‐related mitokine growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and the induction of cell senescence. Interestingly, the simultaneous KD of PLIN2 and GDF15 abrogated the induction of cell senescence, suggesting that the increase in GDF15 is the mediator of this phenomenon. Moreover, GDF15 KD caused a profound alteration of gene expression, as observed by RNA‐Seq analysis. After a more stringent analysis, this alteration remained statistically significant only in hDFs from young subjects, further supporting the idea that cells from old and young donors react differently when undergoing manipulation of either PLIN2 or GDF15 genes, with the latter being likely a downstream mediator of the former.
The impact of the senescent microenvironment on tumorigenesis: Insights for cancer therapy
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Zhang Kexin , Shi Junfeng , Qiu Hongyan , Kan Chengxia , Ma Yujie , Hou Ningning , Han Fang , Sun Xiaodong
Published: April 2024

The growing global burden of cancer, especially among people aged 60 years and over, has become a key public health issue. This trend suggests the need for a deeper understanding of the various cancer types in order to develop universally effective treatments. A prospective area of research involves elucidating the interplay between the senescent microenvironment and tumor genesis. Currently, most oncology research focuses on adulthood and tends to ignore the potential role of senescent individuals on tumor progression. Senescent cells produce a senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that has a dual role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). While SASP components can remodel the TME and thus hinder tumor cell proliferation, they can also promote tumorigenesis and progression via pro‐inflammatory and pro‐proliferative mechanisms. To address this gap, our review seeks to investigate the influence of senescent microenvironment changes on tumor development and their potential implications for cancer therapies.
Magnetic resonance enterography findings 46 weeks after initiation of biological therapy predict long‐term adverse outcomes in Crohn's disease
Authors: Fernández‐Clotet Agnès , Ordás Ingrid , Masamunt Maria Carme , Caballol Berta , Rodríguez Sonia , Gallego Marta , Barastegui Rebeca , Saavedra Anny Carolina , Panés Julián , Ricart Elena , Rimola Jordi
Published: April 2024

Background and Aims

Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) depicts transmural changes in response to biological treatment for Crohn's disease (CD); however, the long‐term prognostic significance of these findings is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to identify findings on MRE 46 weeks after initiating biological treatment that predict adverse long‐term outcomes.

Methods

Patients with CD underwent MRE 46 weeks after initiating biological treatment and were prospectively followed for 2 years. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of different radiologic findings for various predefined adverse outcomes.

Results

Of the 89 patients included, 46 (51.7%) had ≥1 adverse outcome during follow‐up: 40 (44.9%) had clinical recurrence; 18 (20.2%) required surgery, 8 (9%) endoscopic balloon dilation, 12 (13.5%) hospitalization and 7 (7.8%) required corticosteroids. In the multivariate analysis, persistence of severe lesions (MaRIA ≥11) in any intestinal segment was associated with an increased risk of surgery [OR 11.6 (1.5–92.4)], of surgery and/or endoscopic balloon dilation [OR 6.3 (1.3–30.2)], and of clinical relapse [OR 4.6 (1.6–13.9)]. Penetrating lesions were associated with surgery [OR 3.4 (1.2–9.9)]. Creeping fat with hospitalization [OR 5.1 (1.1–25.0)] and corticosteroids requirement [OR 16.0 (1.2–210.0)]. The presence of complications (stricturing and/or penetrating lesions) was associated with having ≥1 adverse outcome [OR 3.35 (1.3–8.5)].

Conclusion

MRE findings at week‐46 after initiating biological therapy can predict long‐term adverse outcomes in CD. Therapeutic intervention may be required in patients with persistence of severe inflammatory lesions, CD‐associated complications, or creeping fat.
Diagnostic delay of MYH9‐related disorder in Japan
Authors: Sakamoto Atsushi , Uchiyama Toru , Kaname Tadashi , Iguchi Akihiro , Ohara Osamu , Ishimura Masataka , Onum Masaei , Kunishima Shinji , Ishiguro Akira
Published: April 2024

MYH9‐related disorder (MYH9‐RD) is characterized by congenital macrothrombocytopenia and granulocyte inclusion bodies. MYH9‐RD is often misdiagnosed as chronic immune thrombocytopenia. In this study, we investigated age at definitive diagnosis and indicative thrombocytopenia in 41 patients with MYH9‐RD from the congenital thrombocytopenia registry in Japan. Our cohort comprises 54.8% adults over 18 years at confirmed diagnosis. We found a significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the median age at definitive diagnosis of 25.0 years and for indicative thrombocytopenia it was 9.0 years. Our findings strongly suggest diagnostic delay of MYH9‐RD in Japan. Our registry system will continue to contribute to this issue.
Chronotype and subjective sleep quality predict white matter integrity in young people with emerging mental disorders
Authors: Crouse Jacob J. , Park Shin Ho , Hermens Daniel F. , Lagopoulos Jim , Park Minji , Shin Mirim , Carpenter Joanne S. , Scott Elizabeth M. , Hickie Ian B.
Published: April 2024

Protecting brain health is a goal of early intervention. We explored whether sleep quality or chronotype could predict white matter (WM) integrity in emerging mental disorders. Young people (N = 364) accessing early‐intervention clinics underwent assessments for chronotype, subjective sleep quality, and diffusion tensor imaging. Using machine learning, we examined whether chronotype or sleep quality (alongside diagnostic and demographic factors) could predict four measures of WM integrity: fractional anisotropy (FA), and radial, axial, and mean diffusivities (RD, AD and MD). We prioritised tracts that showed a univariate association with sleep quality or chronotype and considered predictors identified by ≥80% of machine learning (ML) models as ‘important’. The most important predictors of WM integrity were demographics (age, sex and education) and diagnosis (depressive and bipolar disorders). Subjective sleep quality only predicted FA in the perihippocampal cingulum tract, whereas chronotype had limited predictive importance for WM integrity. To further examine links with mood disorders, we conducted a subgroup analysis. In youth with depressive and bipolar disorders, chronotype emerged as an important (often top‐ranking) feature, predicting FA in the cingulum (cingulate gyrus), AD in the anterior corona radiata and genu of the corpus callosum, and RD in the corona radiata, anterior corona radiata, and genu of corpus callosum. Subjective quality was not important in this subgroup analysis. In summary, chronotype predicted altered WM integrity in the corona radiata and corpus callosum, whereas subjective sleep quality had a less significant role, suggesting that circadian factors may play a more prominent role in WM integrity in emerging mood disorders.
Virtual gown and town: The Athabasca University crisis and the conflict of institutional logics
Authors: Jones Glen A.
Published: April 2024

The objective of this paper is to contribute to our understanding of ‘crisis’ in higher education through the analysis of a unique series of events involving a decisive change in the relationship between a university and the state. A descriptive case study approach is used to investigate the crisis in governance at Athabasca University, an open university located in Alberta, Canada. Factors leading to the crisis included the university leadership's decision to move forward with plans to become a near‐virtual organization, concerns by local town that a loss of university employees in the region would be an economic catastrophe, and political opportunism on the part of the elected provincial leaders who decided to address the problems raised by the town and shift the mandate of the university. Drawing on institutional theory and the concept of institutional logics, the paper analyses the episodic nature of the crisis and explores both the nature of the conflict and its resolution.
The association between the adverse event reporting system and burnout and job satisfaction of nurses: Workplace violence as a mediator
Authors: Chen Yanhua , He Yanrong , Wang Peicheng , Jiang Feng , Du Yanrong , Cheung Ming Yen , Liu Huanzhong , Liu Yuanli , Liu Tingfang , Tang Yi‐lang , Zhu Jiming
Published: April 2024

Aims

This study aims to explore the association between the implementation of the adverse event reporting system (AERS), burnout, and job satisfaction among psychiatric nurses, with a focus on examining the mediating effect of workplace violence from patients.

Background

Many organizational and personal factors contribute to burnout and job satisfaction experienced by nurses. AERS, serving as a key component of organizational‐level quality improvement system, impacts the overall workplace wellness of nurses.

Methods

A national sample of 9,744 psychiatric nurses from 41 psychiatric hospitals across 29 provinces in China participated. Burnout was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Job satisfaction was measured using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. Workplace violence was assessed by nurses’ experience of verbal and physical violence. Multilevel linear regression analyses were carried out to examine if AERS impacts burnout and job satisfaction and to identify the mediating role of workplace violence.

Results

AERS was positively associated with job satisfaction, but negatively with burnout and workplace violence. Workplace violence exhibited a positive association with burnout and a negative association with job satisfaction. Mediation analyses indicated that the associations between AERS, burnout, and job satisfaction were mediated by workplace violence.

Conclusions

The application of AERS is associated with a reduction in workplace violence in hospitals, which contributes to the diminished burnout and heightened job satisfaction among psychiatric nurses.

Implications for nursing practice and health policy

The study highlights the importance of organizational efforts and mechanisms in promoting nurses’ well‐being. It is necessary for hospital management to create a safe workplace through the implementation of AERS.