bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between growth and childhood body composition in very preterm, late preterm and term children
Authors: Nyakotey David A. , Gamble Greg D. , McKinlay Christopher J. D. , Bloomfield Frank H. , Harding Jane E. ,   the Neonatal Nutritional Interventions Early School‐age Outcomes Studies (NIEOS) collaboration
Published: December 2024

Aim

To determine how gestational age at birth and postnatal growth relate to body composition in childhood.

Methods

We calculated conditional growth (birth‐2 years, 2 years‐6 years) and measured body composition at 2 and 6 years using bioelectrical impedance in cohorts of New Zealand children born very preterm (VPT; 23–31 weeks), late preterm (LPT; 35– <37 weeks) and term (≥37 weeks). We explored the relationships between growth and fat mass (FM) index and fat‐free mass (FFM) index at 6 years using multivariable linear regression.

Results

Of 1125 children (51% male), 202 were VPT, 114 LPT and 809 Term. Compared to Term, VPT but not LPT were lighter and shorter at 2 and 6 years and had lower FM index and FFM index. The association between weight growth from 2 to 6 years and both FM index and FFM index at 6 years was stronger than for weight growth from birth to 2 years or height growth at any period in all gestational age groups.

Conclusions

Size and body composition at 2 and 6 years are different between infants born VPT, but not LPT, and at term. Later weight growth is more strongly associated with childhood body composition than earlier growth.
Exploring the integration of thermal imaging technology with the data mining algorithms for precise prediction of honey and beeswax yield
Authors: Kibar Mustafa , Altay Yasin , Aytekin İbrahim
Published: December 2024

Sustainability in beekeeping depends on identifying the factors affecting honey and beeswax yields (HY and BWY) ‐ key products ‐ and accurately predicting these yields. Therefore, this study aimed to predict HY and BWY using a classification and regression tree (CART), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms, and thermal image processing in Apis mellifera. In this study, 13 colonies of 6 different breeds raised in 10‐frame Langstroth hives were used. The effects of independent variables were predicted using data mining algorithms and 15 performance metrics for the effectiveness of the algorithms. Colony power (CP), thermal temperatures (Tmin, Tmax, and Tmean), breed, a*, b*, red, green, saturation, and brightness impacted HY and BWY in different algorithms, but not birth year of queen, L, hue and blue. As a result, XGBoost, CART, and RF demonstrated high predictive performance, respectively. Due to their higher predictive performance, XGBoost and CART algorithms could predict HY and BWY using CP, thermal temperatures, and image values. These techniques could be useful for producers to monitor production quickly and non‐invasively without threatening colony welfare.
Core medication use in general practice prescriptions: A pilot study evaluating the Drug Utilization 90% Index in Irish general practice
Authors: McCarthy Caroline , Moynagh Patrick , Fahey Tom , Boland Fiona , Moriarty Frank
Published: December 2024

Aims

The Drug Utilization 90% Index (DU90%), the number of medicines making up 90% of a doctor's prescribing, is a simple tool that can be used to describe core prescribing patterns. This research aimed to pilot the application of the DU90% in the Irish context, to investigate the relationship between the DU90% and prescriber and practice characteristics and prescribing quality.

Methods

Retrospective observational study using anonymous prescription data from a sample of Irish general practitioners (GPs). Participating GPs provided demographic details and extracted prescription data for 2018–2022 using their existing software systems. The DU90% was calculated annually at both the practice and prescriber level. Prescribing quality indicators included antibiotic, benzodiazepine prescribing rates and high‐risk nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug prescribing. The association of the DU90% with prescriber and practice characteristics and prescribing quality indicators was explored with multilevel modelling.

Results

Thirty‐eight prescribers from 22 different practices were included. The mean DU90% for prescribers was 141.5 (standard deviation 12.9) and for practices was 145.62 (standard deviation 11.87). Practices in receipt of the rural deprivation grant had a significantly lower DU90% (incidence rate ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.88–0.98). There was no evidence of an association between prescriber‐level characteristics and the DU90% (sex, years qualified, number of sessions worked). There was a small positive relationship between the prescriber DU90% and total prescriptions, antibiotic and benzodiazepine prescribing rates, and higher rates of high‐risk nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug prescriptions.

Conclusion

Applying the DU90% to Irish general practice prescriptions is feasible, revealing that GPs typically use 140 medicines in the bulk of their prescribing.
The Use of the Facial Sinus Wall as Bone Shell Onlay Graft for Maxillary Posterior Ridge Reconstruction: A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Krennmair Stefan , Weinländer Michael , Malek Michael , Forstner Thomas , Stimmelmayr Michael , Krennmair Gerald
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the performance and clinical outcome of vertical and horizontal bone augmentation (VHBA) in posterior maxillary regions combining lateral window sinus floor elevation (LWSFE) with a horizontal bone shell technique applying the maxillary facial sinus wall as a bone plate.

Materials and Methods

In 18 patients, LWSFE was combined with a horizontal bone shield augmentation procedure utilizing the maxillary facial sinus bone wall as a lateral bone plate. Both the sinus cavity and the lateral bone box created were grafted with a mixture of autogenous bone/venous blood and bovine bone mineral. The primary aim was to assess the performance of combined techniques enabling subsequent implant placement. Using radiographic measurements (preoperative, after VHBA, at implant placement, and at follow‐up), bone gain/reduction of augmented horizontal ridge width (HRW) and vertical bone height (VBH) were evaluated. Additionally, clinical outcome assessing implant survival/success rate, marginal bone loss (MBL), and implant health (mucositis/peri‐implantitis) was evaluated.

Results

For the combined VHBA techniques, HRW and VBH increased significantly (p < 0.001) from preoperative 3.5 ± 1.4 mm/3.6 ± 2.1 mm to 9.7 ± 1.9 mm/18.0 ± 1.6 mm post‐augmentation. However, HRW and VBH dimensions decreased up to 8.9 ± 1.8 mm/17.1 ± 1.4 mm at implant placement and 8.6 ± 1.7 mm/16.7 ± 1.3 mm at follow‐up evaluation (3.8 ± 1.8 years; p < 0.001, respectively). Augmented bone reduction was significantly higher (−7.7%) between the augmentation procedure and implant placement than in the post‐implant‐placement period (−2.5%). All implants survived (100%) representing peri‐implant MBL of −0.9 ± 0.7 mm, pocket depth of 3.4 + 1.8 mm, and prevalences of 5%/0% for peri‐implant mucositis/peri‐implantitis.

Conclusion

The combination of horizontal bone augmentation using local bone shield transfer from the maxillary facial sinus wall with LWSFE enables sufficient reconstruction of maxillary posterior ridge.
Mef2c Exacerbates Neuron Necroptosis via Modulating Alternative Splicing of Cflar in Ischemic Stroke With Hyperlipidemia
Authors: Li Ruqi , Huang Tianchen , Zhou Jianpo , Liu Xiansheng , Li Gan , Zhang Yueman , Guo Yunlu , Li Fengshi , Li Yan , Liesz Arthur , Li Peiying , Wang Zhenghong , Wan Jieqing
Published: December 2024

Aim

Hyperlipidemia is a common comorbidity of stroke patients, elucidating the mechanism that underlies the exacerbated ischemic brain injury after stroke with hyperlipidemia is emerging as a significant clinical problem due to the growing proportion of hyperlipidemic stroke patients.

Methods

Mice were fed a high‐fat diet for 12 weeks to induce hyperlipidemia. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced as a mouse model of ischemic stroke. Emx1Cre mice were crossed with Mef2cfl/fl mice to specifically deplete Mef2c in neurons.

Results

We reported that hyperlipidemia significantly aggravated neuronal necroptosis and exacerbated long‐term neurological deficits following ischemic stroke in mice. Mechanistically, Cflar, an upstream necroptotic regulator, was alternatively spliced into pro‐necroptotic isoform (CflarR) in ischemic neurons of hyperlipidemic mice. Neuronal Mef2c was a transcription factor modulating Cflar splicing and upregulated by hyperlipidemia following stroke. Neuronal specific Mef2c depletion reduced cerebral level of CflarR and cFLIPR (translated by CflarR), while mitigated neuron necroptosis and neurological deficits following stroke in hyperlipidemic mice.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the pathogenic role of CflarR splicing mediated by neuronal Mef2c, which aggravates neuron necroptosis following stroke with comorbid hyperlipidemia and proposes CflarR splicing as a potential therapeutic target for hyperlipidemic stroke patients.
Vergleichende Studie zur sexuellen Dysfunktion bei Alopecia areata: Prävalenz und assoziierte Faktoren
Authors: Muñoz‐Barba Daniel , Díaz‐Calvillo Pablo , de Francisco Sofía Haselgruber , Martínez‐López Antonio , Sánchez‐Díaz Manuel , Arias‐Santiago Salvador
Published: December 2024

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung

Alopecia areata (AA) beeinträchtigt die Lebensqualität. Es gibt jedoch keine Evidenz hinsichtlich der Auswirkungen dieser Erkrankung in Bezug auf die sexuelle Dysfunktion (SD). Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, die Prävalenz der SD und mögliche damit assoziierte Faktoren in einer Kohorte von Patienten mit Alopecia areata zu untersuchen.

Patienten und Methoden

Es wurde eine Querschnittsstudie an einer Kohorte von AA‐Patienten durchgeführt, die mit gesunden Kontrollpersonen verglichen wurde. Die sexuelle Funktion wurde anhand einer numerischen Skala und geschlechtsspezifischer Fragebögen bewertet.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden 60 Patienten mit AA und 60 gesunde Kontrollpersonen eingeschlossen. Die Prävalenz von SD war bei den Patientinnen mit AA höher als bei den gesunden Kontrollen und bei Männern mit AA (p < 0,05). Bei den Frauen war die SD mit jüngerem Alter, kürzerer Krankheitsdauer sowie höheren Raten von Angstzuständen und Depressionen assoziiert (p < 0,05). Die männliche SD wurde mit höherem Alter und größerem Schweregrad der AA in Verbindung gebracht (p < 0,05).

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Raten von SD scheinen bei Frauen mit AA höher zu sein als bei gesunden Kontrollpersonen und Männern mit AA. Auch die Faktoren, die mit SD assoziiert sind, unterscheiden sich zwischen Frauen und Männern, wobei Stimmungsstörungen bei Frauen von größerer Relevanz sind, während die Schwere der Erkrankung bei Männern eine Schlüsselrolle zu spielen scheint.
Versorgung von Patienten mit atopischer Dermatitis durch Hausärzte – eine bundesweite Erhebung in Deutschland
Authors: Langenbruch Anna , Andrees Valerie , Scherer Martin , Augustin Matthias
Published: December 2024

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung

Epidemiologische Studien zur dermatologischen Versorgung von Patienten mit atopischer Dermatitis (AD) in Deutschland zeigen innerhalb von 10 Jahren keine Verbesserung. Neben Dermatologen sind vor allem auch Hausärzte (GP) an der Behandlung von Patienten mit AD beteiligt. In dieser Studie wurde die Versorgungssituation erwachsener Patienten, die wegen AD in hausärztlicher Behandlung sind, analysiert.

Patienten und Methodik

Die Querschnittserhebung „PsoADA‐AD“ wurde von 2019 bis 2021 bundesweit in hausärztlichen Praxen durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit Daten aus der dermatologischen Versorgung (AtopicHealth2, 2017–2019) verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Von den 150 Patienten (mittleres Alter: 40 Jahre, 62,2% weiblich) wurden 39,2% zusätzlich von Dermatologen (GP+D) behandelt. Unter diesen hatten 20,7% eine schwere AD, während dies unter den nur hausärztlich behandelten Patienten (GP only) auf 5,7% zutraf (p < 0,01, AtopicHealth2: 27,6%). Erhebliche Einschränkungen in ihrer Lebensqualität berichteten 31,0% (GP+D) vs. 3,4% (GP only) (p < 0,001, AtopicHealth2: 31,6%). Die meisten Patienten erhielten topische Medikamente, hauptsächlich Glukokortikosteroide. Calcineurininhibitoren wurden aktuell von 2,7% (PsoADA‐AD gesamt) verwendet. Bereits an einer Neurodermitisschulung teilgenommen zu haben, gaben 5,7% (PsoADA‐AD gesamt) an.

Schlussfolgerungen

Ein erheblicher Teil der Patienten mit AD in der hausärztlichen Versorgung zeigt eine schlechte Erkrankungskontrolle, wie es auch in der dermatologischen Versorgung beobachtet wurde. Ein Grund könnte der fehlende Einsatz moderner Systemtherapeutika sein.
S2k‐Leitlinie Basalzellkarzinom der Haut (Aktualisierung 2023)
Authors: Lang Berenice M. , Balermpas Panagiotis , Bauer Andrea , Blum Andreas , Dirschka Thomas , Follmann Markus , Frank Jorge , Frerich Bernhard , Fritz Klaus , Hauschild Axel , Heindl Ludwig M. , Howaldt Hans‐Peter , Ihrler Stephan , Kakkassery Vinodh , Klumpp Bernhard , Krause‐Bergmann Albrecht , Löser Christoph , Meissner Markus , Sachse Michael M. , Schlaak Max , Schön Michael P. , Tischendorf Lutz , Tronnier Michael , Vordermark Dirk , Welzel Julia , Weichenthal Michael , Wiegand Susanne , Kaufmann Roland , Grabbe Stephan
Published: December 2024

Das Basalzellkarzinom ist der häufigste maligne Tumor der hellhäutigen Bevölkerung mit weiterhin steigender Inzidenz. Ein Update der S2k‐Leitlinie unter Beteiligung aller mit dem Krankheitsbild vertrauten Fachgesellschaften sowie vorangegangener Literaturrecherche ist für die Qualität der Versorgung der betroffenen Patienten von hoher Bedeutung. Neben der Epidemiologie werden Diagnostik und Histologie diskutiert. Die Therapie wird nach einer Risikostratifizierung in topische, systemische und Strahlentherapie gegliedert. Die chirurgische Entfernung bleibt weiterhin in den meisten Fällen die Therapie der ersten Wahl. Durch die Zulassung von Anti‐PD1‐Inhiboren für lokal fortgeschrittene und metastasierte Tumoren ergab sich in der Zweitlinien‐Therapie eine neue Option (nach Hedgehog‐Inhibitoren).
Visual information processing of 2D, virtual 3D and real‐world objects marked by theta band responses: Visuospatial processing and cognitive load as a function of modality
Authors: Kisker Joanna , Johnsdorf Marike , Sagehorn Merle , Hofmann Thomas , Gruber Thomas , Schöne Benjamin
Published: December 2024

While pictures share global similarities with the real‐world objects they depict, the latter have unique characteristics going beyond 2D representations. Due to its three‐dimensional presentation mode, Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly used to further approach real‐world visual processing, yet it remains unresolved to what extent VR yields process comparable to real‐world processes. Consequently, our study examined visuospatial processing by a triangular comparison of 2D objects, virtual 3D objects and real 3D objects. The theta band response (TBR) was analysed as an electrophysiological correlate of visual processing, allowing for the differentiation of predominantly stimulus‐driven processes mirrored in the evoked response and internal, complex processing reflected in the induced response. Our results indicate that the differences between conditions driven by sensory features go beyond a binary division into 2D and 3D materials but are based on further sensory features: The evoked posterior TBR differentiated between all conditions but revealed fewer differences between processing of real‐world and VR objects. Moreover, the induced midfrontal TBR indicated higher cognitive load for 2D objects compared to VR and real‐world objects, while no difference between both latter conditions was revealed. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the transferability of 2D‐ and VR‐based findings to real‐world processes depends to some degree on whether predominantly sensory stimulus features or higher cognitive processes are examined. Yet although VR and real‐world processes are not to be equated based on our results, their comparison yielded fewer significant differences relative to the PC condition, advising the use of VR to examine visuospatial processing.
Is it time to acknowledge intramucosal colorectal carcinoma?
Authors: Vink‐Börger Elisa , Knijn Nikki , de Bruine Adriaan , Stavast Jeroen , van der Post Rachel Sophia , Nagtegaal Iris
Published: December 2024

Aim

The term ‘intramucosal carcinoma’ in the colorectum is controversial when used as a synonym for high‐grade dysplasia. However, setting clear definitions for this diagnosis (i.e. unequivocal infiltrative growth in the lamina propria, which might be most easily recognized in cases with overt poor differentiation or formation of signet ring cells or tumour budding) allow us to investigate its relevance.

Methods and Results

We reviewed cases from our archive (1990–2024) and selected 14 true intramucosal carcinomas using our strict histological criteria, excluding high‐grade dysplasia and invasive carcinomas. These occur primarily in conventional adenomas and are frequently associated with microsatellite instability (50%). Our study shows a low estimated incidence of intramucosal carcinoma (0.01%) in population screening and highlights the low lymph node risk and the good outcome of patients with intramucosal carcinoma.

Conclusion

The rare diagnosis of intramucosal colorectal carcinoma aids in identifying patients at increased colorectal cancer risk, notably those with hereditary syndromes. Standardizing this diagnosis is critical to prevent overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.
Exploring the Feasibility and Acceptance of Delivering Oral Health Interventions in a Primary Care Diabetes Context in North East England: A Qualitative Two‐Case Study
Authors: Bissett Susan M. , Preshaw Philip M. , Presseau Justin , Rapley Tim
Published: December 2024

The evidence base supporting a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontitis is well‐established and published guidance recommends inter‐professional management. This two‐case study describes the development and implementation of an evidence‐based oral health intervention delivered in diabetes review consultations in NHS primary medical care in Northeast England.

Aim

The intervention aim was to inform people with diabetes about the links between diabetes and periodontitis, and signpost them to a dental professional for assessment.

Methods

The study utilised focus groups in the design phase and a mixture of focus groups and interviews in the evaluation phase.

Results

Two research active primary care medical practices were recruited. The interventions were informed by their diabetes management protocols to reduce disruption. The interventions were piloted for 2 months, and staff and patient perceptions were evaluated. The findings from this study suggested that the oral health interventions were feasible and acceptable particularly for nurses and health care assistants when delivering diabetes education, but they caused disruption to the GPs review, which included complex medication reviews and referrals. The patients (n = 2) found the intervention to be acceptable and appropriate in the context of their diabetes review.

Conclusion

Medical staff and patient evaluation data appear to suggest acceptance of the introduction of an oral health intervention into the diabetes review, but it is difficult to assess the impact of the intervention. Further research, such as a realist review, is needed to evaluate the outcomes and utility of an oral health intervention in the context of the medical management of diabetes in primary care.
Effect of ICG fluorescence‐assisted new nerve‐sparing of robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy on lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Gunge Naotaka , Fukuhara Yuichiro , Matsuoka Wataru , Fumihiro Yamazaki , Tachibana Masahiro , Nakagawa Chizuru , Tominaga Kosuke , Aoyagi Chikao , Miyazaki Takeshi , Okabe Yu , Tsubouchi Kazuna , Matsuzaki Hiroshi , Nakamura Nobuyuki , Haga Nobuhiro
Published: December 2024

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and safety of our newly developed ICG‐assisted nerve‐sparing (NS) robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) through subjective and objective data.

Methods

This study included 43 NS RARP patients, divided into ICG (23 patients) and non‐ICG (20 patients) groups. Immunohistochemical staining with nNOS antibodies was conducted on specimens of resected prostate from the base, middle, and apex to count nNOS‐positive cells. Fewer nNOS‐positive cells suggested higher quality for the NS procedure. Postoperative erectile function, urinary incontinence, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) as evaluated by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and lower urinary tract function were compared between groups, operative time, and adverse events.

Results

Only the number of n‐NOS‐positive cells at the base differed significantly between the ICG group (15.0 ± 6.9) and the non‐ICG group (26.9 ± 21.4, p = 0.02). Regarding LUTS, in the ICG group, significant improvement was only seen in postoperative IPSS scores (13.6 ± 4.9 to 8.7 ± 5.0, p = 0.02). No significant differences in the postoperative erectile function, urinary incontinence, and lower urinary tract function were seen between groups. In addition, significant differences in operative time and rate of adverse events were not observed between groups.

Conclusion

Our innovative approach enhances the visualization of prostatic boundaries, suggesting potential for reliable and straightforward NS procedures, with a significant improvement in LUTS, without evidence of prolonged operative time or an increased frequency of adverse events.
Triplet therapy for metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer: Rationale and clinical evidence
Authors: Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Akamatsu Shusuke , Shiota Masaki , Kakiuchi Haruka , Kimura Takahiro
Published: December 2024

Prostate cancer (PC) growth is hormone‐dependent and it frequently develops distant metastases as disease progresses. Patients with metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) initially respond to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) but eventually become refractory and develop metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Castration‐resistance is associated with high lethality and metastases confer poor prognosis, therefore unmet needs in treatment for mCSPC remain high. So far, improvements in survival in mCSPC have been achieved by doublet combination therapy such as docetaxel or an androgen‐receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI) in addition to ADT. Further, recent phase 3 trials have shown that triplet therapy—a combination of ARSI, docetaxel, and ADT improves prognosis compared with docetaxel plus ADT in mCSPC. PC tumors manifest intra‐ and inter‐tumoral heterogeneity at both the genetic and phenotypic level. As heterogeneity increases during sequential treatment and disease progression, it is reasonable to initiate combination therapy using drugs with different mechanisms of action early in the course of disease, such as mCSPC. Previous research about tumor heterogeneity and drug resistant mechanism support this rationale, as well as preclinical studies and real‐world data provide the scientific evidence of benefit by combining ARSI and docetaxel. Here, we review the rationale and clinical evidence for triplet therapy in patients with mCSPC.
Decision‐making and coordination of a three‐tier fresh agricultural product supply chain considering dynamic freshness‐keeping effort
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , Xiong Meifei , Yang Fang , Shi Wenqiang
Published: December 2024

The freshness‐keeping of agricultural products is an essential issue that affects business development, food safety, and human health. Due to the structural characteristics of the supply chain, keeping the freshness of agricultural products involves different entities and multiple links, which is a long‐term strategic issue requiring significant investment. Given the perishability of agricultural products, the aging of preservation facilities, or the decline of technology, it is critical to consider the multitier freshness‐keeping strategy from a dynamic perspective. Therefore, this paper studies dynamic freshness‐keeping and coordination of a multitier agricultural product supply chain. We first construct a differential equation considering the three‐tier freshness‐keeping efforts. Then, we compare the optimal freshness‐keeping efforts, retail price, and system profit between the decentralized and centralized decision‐making models. Finally, two contracts based on cost‐sharing and secondary transfer payment are designed to coordinate the decentralized decision‐making model. Results show that (i) as the decision sequence moves backward, freshness‐keeping effort decreases at each tier for the same freshness‐keeping efficiency; (ii) adopting the centralized decision‐making model offers several advantages, including well‐balanced freshness‐keeping efforts across multiple tiers, a lower retail price, and higher system profit; and (iii) under a specified payment range, the “freshness‐keeping cost‐sharing‐two‐part fee” contract motivates entities to increase freshness‐keeping efforts and realizes individual and system‐wide profit improvements.
KLF7 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression Through Regulating SLC1A5‐Mediated Tryptophan Metabolism
Authors: Chai Bao , Zhang Anhong , Liu Yang , Zhang Xi , Kong Pengzhou , Zhang Zhuowei , Guo Yarong
Published: December 2024

Krüppel‐like factor 7 is a transcriptional activator and acts as an oncogene in human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tryptophan metabolism is important for HCC cell proliferation, metastasis, and invasion. It is unclear whether KLF7 could regulate Trp metabolism in HCC. In this study, we found that Trp metabolism was suppressed in HCC cells with KLF7 knockdown. The mRNA and protein levels of SLC1A5, SLC7A5, and TPH1, as well as the content of Trp and serotonin, were reduced after KLF7 knockdown, and were potentiated following KLF7 overexpression. Increasing the content of serotonin could restore the malignancy of tumour cells in vitro and tumour growth in vivo. Conversely, decreasing the content of serotonin suppressed HCC cell proliferation. The binding activity of KLF7 was on the promoter of SLC1A5, and KLF7 positively regulated the expression of SLC1A5. KLF7 contributed to the proliferation and migration of HCC cells by up‐regulation of SLC1A5. Collectively, KLF7 promotes the progression of HCC through regulating Trp metabolism. The newly identified axis of KLF7/ SLC1A5 in HCC could represent a potential target for HCC therapy.
Effects of salinity stress on the growth performance, histological characteristics, and expression of genes related to apoptosis and immunity in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Authors: Tang Luyu , Duan Yongqiang , Xie Bingjie , Liu Hongyan , Zhong Liqiang , Wang Minghua , Liu Ju , Su Chaofan , Chen Xiaohui , Zhang Shiyong
Published: December 2024

Salinity is an important environmental factor affecting fish growth and development. To investigate the effects of salinity stress on the growth performance, tissue structures, and expression of genes related to apoptosis and immune response in large‐sized channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) juveniles, an 8‐week salinity stress experiment was conducted. Six salinity levels (3, 3.8, 4.7, 5.9, 7.3, and 9 psu) were set according to an equal logarithmic concentration gradient method, along with a control group (0), and growth performance and physicochemical indices were measured. The survival rate of channel catfish in all salinity groups was 100%. Body length, body weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate decreased with increasing salinity, with higher salinity levels resulting in more significant reductions in growth performance. At 9 psu, both the specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain rate (WGR) decreased significantly to 0.61%/day and 40.86%, respectively (p < 0.05). Histological analysis results indicated that with the increase in salinity, the number of intestinal mucosal folds relatively increased, while the number of goblet cells gradually decreased. Hepatocytes became more densely packed, and the hepatic lobule gaps widened. Apoptosis detection results revealed that in the liver, the number of apoptotic cells at 4.7 psu salinity was more than that in the control group and at 9 psu salinity. In the intestine, the number of apoptotic cells at 9 psu salinity was significantly higher than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of the expression patterns of genes related to apoptosis and immunity showed that the expression levels of caspase 3, caspase 8, INF‐I, IL‐1β, and bax genes in the liver and intestinal tissues were higher in the experimental groups than in the control group, while the expression of bcl‐2 decreased with increasing salinity in liver tissue but increased in intestinal tissue. These findings can provide theoretical guidance for the aquaculture of channel catfish in saline‐alkali land.
Imitation of Location Choices for Foreign Investments: The Role of Subnational Foreign Locations' Cultural Tightness
Authors: Slangen Arjen H. L. , Valboni Riccardo , Braito Nazareno , Puck Jonas
Published: December 2024

Firms are known to commonly imitate peers' foreign investment location choices. We shed further light on this phenomenon by exploring the role of foreign locations' cultural tightness, which refers to the prevalence of social norms in a location and the tolerance for deviance from them. Combining institutional theory with insights from research on cultural tightness, we hypothesize that firms are more strongly inclined to imitate peers' choice for a subnational foreign investment location when the location is culturally tighter. Our hypothesis receives consistent support in conditional logit analyses based on 2900 foreign investments in new manufacturing plants in US metropolitan areas over the period 2008–2019. Furthermore, the amplifying effect of a subnational location's cultural tightness on firms' propensity to imitate their peers' choice for the location seems to depend on firms' experience with cultural tightness and their home country's cultural distance from the USA. Our findings enrich international management research on location choice imitation, legitimacy risks, and cultural tightness.
Unveiling the Heterogeneity of Sensation Seeking and Collectivism Development in Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Chen Chuqi , Wang Xingke , Shen Tenghui , Tang Sai , Tao Sha , Wang Daoyang
Published: December 2024

Objective

Understanding the impact of sociocultural tendencies on the personality development of adolescents represents a critical theoretical and practical issue in the field of adolescent development. In the context of China's collectivist culture, the developmental trajectories of and the interaction between sensation seeking and collectivism among adolescents remain largely unknown.

Method

This study examined the heterogeneity of the joint growth patterns of sensation seeking and collectivism and their interactions across distinct latent trajectory classes. We collected 3‐year longitudinal data from 20,225 Chinese adolescents (60.45% male).

Results

We identified four unique joint developmental trajectories. Contrary to the traditional view that collectivism inherently suppresses sensation seeking, most adolescents (89.52%) exhibited synchronous growth of both dimensions. The development of adolescent sensation‐seeking behavior was significantly influenced by their alignment with societal contribution‐driven happiness and an unquestioning prioritization of collective interests.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the nuanced interplay and commonalities between sensation seeking and collectivism development among Chinese adolescents.
Unequal homework: The hidden forces of social class contexts and parental self‐efficacy in shaping educational outcomes
Authors: Mzidabi Johanne , Goudeau Sébastien , Delès Romain , Claes Nele , Easterbrook Matthew J. , Alexopoulos Theodore , Rouet Jean‐François
Published: December 2024

The Covid‐19 outbreak forced families and teachers to use digital technology to support students to engage in distance learning at home. According to their social class, families’ digital equipment, competences and uses vary markedly, which in turn, impacts children's academic achievement. Social class has also a great influence on cultural and parental practices at home, as well as on parental self‐efficacy regarding supporting children's academic achievement. The present study investigated whether, within a single model, structural factors, including home environment, cultural capital, and digital capital, contribute both directly and indirectly (via parental self‐efficacy) to the development of academic inequalities during homework. As predicted, analyses showed that families from working‐class backgrounds are less equipped and feel less competent in digital technology as compared to families from middle‐ and upper‐class backgrounds. Our findings also showed that families’ social class is a significant predictor of cultural capital and parental self‐efficacy which in turn contributes to educational inequalities in achievement. Future studies should delve deeper into the role of parental practices and their involvement, during homework, to educational inequalities.
Do external founder CEOs place strategic emphasis on innovation? An upper echelons perspective
Authors: Osses Lennart David , von Nitzsch Jannis , Engelen Andreas
Published: December 2024

Research compares the influence of two types of chief executive officers (CEOs) on a firm's innovation strategy: founder CEOs, who founded the firms they lead, and professional CEOs, who worked in corporations at different levels before being selected as CEOs. We introduce a third type of CEO, external founders, who founded other ventures before being appointed as CEOs. Drawing on upper echelons theory, we propose that the unique combination of external founder CEOs' values and knowledge predisposes them to place less strategic emphasis on innovation than founder CEOs do but more than professional CEOs do. Heterogeneity among external founder CEOs may be due to nuances related to their exposure to professional investors in and successful exits from the ventures they founded. We assess our hypotheses empirically using the innovation‐related speech in investor communications and patent applications of 1637 CEOs of 789 S&P 500 firms from 2000 to 2019. We find that external founder CEOs emphasize innovation less than founder CEOs do, but contrary to our hypotheses, also less than professional CEOs do. However, certain nuances in external founder CEOs' founding experience bring their strategic emphasis on innovation close to that of founder CEOs. We extend upper echelons research by providing a fine‐grained view of the role of (founding) experience and its qualitative nuances in shaping CEOs' strategic decision‐making.
Associations among chronotype and eating habits in adolescents are affected by study shift: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Martins Raphael Corrêa , dos Santos Barbosa Brito Flávia , Curioni Cintia Chaves
Published: December 2024

We investigated the influence of chronotype on eating habits among adolescents attending schools with morning (07:00 hours–12:00 hours) or afternoon (13:00 hours–18:00 hours) shifts, hypothesizing that incompatibility of study schedules may be related to dietary choices. In this cross‐sectional study, 734 adolescents (aged 14–19 years) completed an online questionnaire covering eating habits, chronotype, sleep duration, social jet lag, socioeconomic data, physical activity and anthropometric measures. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using adjusted logistic regression, stratified by study shift. In the morning shift, a morning chronotype was associated with higher odds of breakfast (odds ratio: 3.47; 95% confidence interval: 1.13–10.71) compared with an evening chronotype. Both morning and intermediate chronotypes were associated with higher odds of morning snack (odds ratio: 3.52; 95% confidence interval: 1.13–10.93; and odds ratio: 2.87; 95% confidence interval: 1.18–6.99) and lower odds of fast foods (odds ratio: 0.09; 95% confidence interval: 0.02–0.49; and odds ratio: 0.19; 95% confidence interval: 0.58–0.62). In the afternoon shift, a morning chronotype was associated with higher odds of breakfast (odds ratio: 5.22; 95% confidence interval: 1.85–14.72), beans (odds ratio: 3.57; 95% confidence interval: 1.19–10.74), vegetables (odds ratio: 3.52; 95% confidence interval: 1.28–9.69) and fruits (odds ratio: 4.50; 95% confidence interval: 1.55–13.07) compared with an evening chronotype. Intermediate chronotype was associated with higher odds of breakfast (odds ratio: 3.71; 95% confidence interval: 2.03–6.77), morning snacks (odds ratio: 2.45; 95% confidence interval: 1.09–5.50), vegetables (odds ratio: 1.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.03–3.58) and fruits (odds ratio: 2.50; 95% confidence interval: 1.27–4.89), and lower odds of high‐energy intake post‐dinner (odds ratio: 0.43; 95% confidence interval: 0.22–0.85). Adolescents with an evening chronotype had lower odds of having breakfast. Both chronotype and study shifts influenced specific food consumption habits.
Attitudes and Barriers to Patient Participation in Evidence‐Based Practice From Chinese Nurses' Perspectives: A Qualitative Content Analysis
Authors: Lai Jie , Brettle Alison , Zhang Yujie , Zhou Chunlan , Zhou Yanni , Li Chaixiu , Fu Jiaqi , Deng Shisi , Guo Zihan , Wu Yanni
Published: December 2024

Patient participation plays a vital role in evidence‐based practice (EBP), yet its development in clinical nursing is slow. Current research has focused on identifying barriers to patient participation in everyday care, with less research on barriers to patient participation in EBP. Therefore, a questionnaire containing basic information and open‐ended questions was used to explore nursing staff attitudes and barriers to patient participation in EBP. Responses to the open‐ended question were analyzed with content analysis. Four roles of patient participation, positive and negative attitudes toward patient participation, and 134 barriers to patient participation in EBP were extracted from 121 nursing staff responses through content analysis. Five categories of barriers were extracted from the 134 barriers to patient participation, including patient, cost‐effectiveness of EBP, healthcare staff, organization, and resource. This study found that patients' acceptance and trust in EBP also influenced their participation in the practices. Moreover, nursing staff have little knowledge of engaging patients in EBP. More educational strategies and organizational support should be provided to patients and nurses to promote patient participation.
Handling Distinct Correlated Effects with CCE
Authors: Stauskas Ovidijus , De Vos Ignace
Published: December 2024

The common correlated effects (CCE) approach by Pesaran is a popular method for estimating panel data models with interactive effects. Due to its simplicity, i.e., unobserved common factors are approximated with cross‐section averages of the observables, the estimator is highly flexible and lends itself to a wide range of applications. Despite such flexibility, however, the properties of CCE estimators are typically only examined under the restrictive assumption that all the observed variables load on the same set of factors, which ensures joint identification of the factor space. In this article, we take a different perspective, and explore the empirically relevant case where the dependent and explanatory variables are driven by distinct but correlated factors. Hence, we consider the case of Distinct Correlated Effects. Such settings can be argued to be relevant for practice, for instance in studies linking economic growth to climatic variables. In so doing, we consider panel dimensions such that as , which is known to induce an asymptotic bias for the pooled CCE estimator even under the usual common factor assumption. We subsequently develop a robust bootstrap‐based toolbox that enables asymptotically valid inference in both homogeneous and heterogeneous panels, without requiring knowledge about whether factors are distinct or common.
Regeneration lags and growth trajectories influence passive seismic line recovery in western North American boreal forests
Authors: Sutheimer Colleen M. , Filicetti Angelo T. , Viliani Leonardo , Nielsen Scott E.
Published: December 2024

Across the western North American boreal region, networks of narrow clearings called seismic lines from oil and gas exploration fragment forests. Restoration of seismic lines for habitat recovery of threatened woodland caribou has been prioritized, but there is little guidance on temporal and spatial targets for boreal forest recovery. Between 2016 and 2022, we sampled regenerating trees on 344 seismic lines with limited re‐disturbance across the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada. We modeled growth relationships for regenerating trees, including regeneration lags, using field and geospatial data to predict passive forest recovery on seismic lines. Recovery on seismic lines in peatland and transitional forests could take >30 years, due to longer regeneration lags (8–13 years) and slower‐growing tree species (>25 years to reach 3 m). Recovery in xeric and mesic uplands was nearly half that, due to shorter regeneration lags (3–5 years), faster‐growing species (9–13 years to reach 3 m), and recent wildfires. Over half of seismic lines in upland forests had predicted regeneration lags ≤5 years, including many seismic lines that burned after initial seismic line clearing, indicating regeneration was not delayed. However, all seismic lines in transitional and peatland forests were predicted to have regeneration lags >8 years. Slower recovery on seismic lines is associated with the compounding effects of longer regeneration lags and slower growth rates of dominant tree species. Restoration efforts should prioritize seismic lines where active treatment can significantly reduce regeneration lags and expedite growth.
Latent subtypes of self‐injurious urges among adults engaging in disordered eating and non‐suicidal self‐injury
Authors: Moussaoui Jannah R. , Smith April R. , Velkoff Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2024

Background

Self‐injurious urges are arguably the clearest antecedents of engaging in self‐injurious behaviors (SIBs; e.g., binge eating, self‐induced vomiting, cutting, burning). However, self‐injurious urges demonstrate great heterogeneity, and it is unknown which are most closely linked to SIBs. This study aims to identify latent profiles of self‐injurious urges and subsequently examine associations between profiles and engagement in SIBs.

Method

Adults (N = 124) who reported engaging in at least three SIBs in the past month completed six surveys a day assessing self‐injurious urges for 14 days (6600 responses). Latent profiles were constructed using within‐person intensity, variability, peak, duration, relative frequency, and overall stability of self‐injurious urges over the EMA period.

Results

Five distinct profiles were identified: “sustained,” “muted,” “sudden‐onset,” “volatile,” and “virtually absent.” SIB frequency differed across profiles, H(4) = 41.11, p < 0.001; η2 = 0.31, 95% CI [0.19, 0.48], and Dunn's post‐hocs indicated those in the “volatile” profile engaged in more SIBs than other profiles.

Conclusion

Findings support the presence of meaningful profiles of self‐injurious urges and suggest these profiles differ in levels of SIB engagement. Future work should prospectively examine associations between profile membership and engagement in SIBs and identify treatment targets to intervene on SIBs.
Conservation agriculture increases phosphorus pools and stock in the top 30 cm of soil: A three‐year study on a subtropical legume–rice rotation
Authors: Maniruzzaman  , Cheng Miaomiao , Islam Ariful , Kumar Utpol , Islam Jahedul , Nasreen Shah Shanjida , Haque Enamul , Akhter Sohela , Jahiruddin M. , Bell Richard , Jahangir M. M. R.
Published: December 2024

The adoption of conservation agriculture (CA) practices is likely to alter soil phosphorus (P) pools and availability leading to changes in P fertilizer use and management. However, the impacts of CA practices on soil P fractions and their distribution in the soil profile under rice‐based systems is not well‐understood. This study examined the effect of two crop establishment practices (strip planting, SP and conventional tillage, CT) and two crop residue levels (high residue, HR‐ 40% of above ground biomass and low residue, LR‐ 15%) on P fractions in the soil profile under a lentil–mungbean–rice sequence. After three consecutive years of CA practice, covering nine crops, composite soil samples were collected at 0–5, 5–15, 15–30, 30–45 and 45–60 cm depths and analysed for solution P, NaHCO3‐extracted inorganic (NaHCO3 Pi) and organic (NaHCO3Po) P, NaOH‐extracted inorganic (NaOH Pi) and organic (NaOH Po) P, stable P, residue P, total P, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N). The inorganic P (solution P, NaHCO3 Pi, NaOH Pi and stable P) comprised 53–59% while the organic P (NaHCO3 Po and NaOH Po) comprised only 6%–13% of total P. However, CA practices increased SOC with the corresponding increase in soil organic P fractions. HR increased solution P, NaOH Po, stable P, residue P, total P, as well as SOC contents along with the stocks of total carbon (C), N, and P at up to 15 cm while increasing NaHCO3 Pi, NaOH Pi and TN at up to 30 cm depth compared with the LR. Likewise, SP increased the inorganic P fractions (NaHCO3 Pi and NaOH Pi) at 0–30 cm depth over the CT while P fractions in the deeper soil layers were similar to each other. In conclusion, the increase in soil P pools at up to 15–30 cm depths especially because of increased crop residue retention should allow for a decrease in P fertilizer inputs in intensive rice‐based systems.
Intercultural communication, world Englishes, and interculturality
Authors: Jenks Christopher J.
Published: December 2024

Intercultural communication is a human encounter that is managed according to cultural systems, such as national identities. Although cultural systems permeate across time and space through all facets of life, intercultural communication research has a narrow empirical focus. That is, the work done by intercultural communication researchers is defined by its focus on interculturality. This interest in understanding interculturality is commensurate with world Englishes scholarship; that is, the latter field of study is committed to understanding the social and cultural dimensions of English. As the contributors of this special issue demonstrate, which includes an editorial introduction, a research bibliography, and 11 contributions from a diverse group of scholars looking at a range of contexts, such as Bahrain, South Africa, China, Turkey, and the Netherlands, the relationship between intercultural communication and world Englishes is helpful in understanding numerous empirical issues that are situated at the boundaries of language, communication, and society.
Intercultural communication: A research bibliography
Authors: Jenks Christopher J.
Published: December 2024

The research bibliography identifies key studies that contribute to the intercultural communication literature. The bibliography is divided into three publication categories: books, peer‐reviewed journal articles, and book chapters. Readers with an interest in intercultural issues, especially in relation to language and communication, will find this research bibliography particularly useful. The references included in the bibliography are especially helpful for readers new to intercultural communication research.