bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A knowledge-based perspective on transgenerational entrepreneurship: unveiling knowledge dynamics across generations in family firms
Authors: Capolupo Paolo , Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio , Ardito Lorenzo
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Given the limited understanding of the process of transgenerational entrepreneurship and that knowledge is a fundamental antecedent of entrepreneurial endeavors, this study aims to shed light on how entrepreneurial families (EFs) nurture entrepreneurship across generations, which knowledge is required within the EF to spur new entrepreneurial activities, and how is this knowledge acquired.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the paucity of empirical evidence on the topic under investigation and the related exploratory nature of this study, the authors adopted a qualitative approach by conducting a case study on an Italian wine-making family business.

Findings

The case analysis reveals that EF members are required to acquire different types of knowledge at different generational stages to spur new entrepreneurial activities, specifically technical knowledge in the second generation and business knowledge in the third generation. Moreover, the data analysis shows two mechanisms, namely, trust among generations and role separation, that, during both generational transitions, enabled and empowered the younger generations to exploit their knowledge to explore entrepreneurial opportunities and engage in new entrepreneurial activities.

Originality/value

This study provides novel insights into the role of knowledge in transgenerational entrepreneurship, particularly looking at knowledge acquired by EF members across generations. Accordingly, this research contributes to the literature streams of transgenerational entrepreneurship, knowledge management in family businesses and broader knowledge management research.
Switching behaviors in peer-to-peer mobile payment applications: the role of sociability
Authors: Mai Xuan Tai , Nguyen Trang
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Using features of social media, peer-to-peer (P2P) mobile payment enables users to foster social interaction every time transactions are made. Given the increasing popularity of social features in P2P mobile payment applications, it is worth understanding how these components contribute to users’ switching behavior between conventional mobile payment and P2P mobile payment services. By treating sociability of P2P mobile payment as a pull factor, this study aims to extend the push–pull–mooring framework in the context of P2P mobile payment.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain data. Respondents from the USA were exclusively selected due to the emerging number of P2P mobile payment users and the volume of transactions in this country. Based on a sample of 232 Amazon Mechanical Turk mobile payment users, the authors tested the hypotheses using the partial least squares structural equation model technique with SmartPLS software version 3.

Findings

The finding reveals that sociability is triggered by social presence, social benefit and social support within the P2P mobile payment platform. Moreover, dissatisfaction with perceived enjoyment of conventional mobile payment (push factor), customer innovativeness (mooring factor) and sociability of P2P mobile payment (pull factor) jointly influence users’ intention to switch to P2P mobile payment services, and subsequently drive their migration behavior.

Originality/value

Unlike past research that mainly focuses on utilitarian-related factors, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to thoroughly examine the sociability features of P2P mobile payment service as a form of a social-centric system.
Dynamics between economic activities, eco-friendly energy and ecological footprints: a fresh evidence from BRICS countries
Authors: Zahid Kanwal , Ali Qamar , Iqbal Zafar , Saghir Samina , Khan Muhammad Tariq Iqbal
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Environmental protection and conservation of resources is a challenge for policymakers to attain sustainable growth and development. The current study uses the variable of inclusive growth instead of the traditional measure of growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The link between inclusive growth, renewable energy, industrial production, trade openness and the environment is explored by using panel data from 1995 to 2019 in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries. Before applying formal techniques, unit root tests were applied to check the stationarity of each variable. The long-run relationship among factors was found by the Kao cointegration test. The panel dynamic ordinary least squares (DLOS) was employed for regression estimation.

Findings

The results verified a decrease in ecological footprint (EF) in response to a potential rise in renewable energy consumption. An upsurge in EFs was explored due to a rise in gross domestic product (GDP) per person employed and trade openness. The EF significantly decreased by 0.671% in response to a 1% rise in renewable energy consumption.

Research limitations/implications

It is highly suggested to enhance renewable energy usage. To achieve this, policymakers should implement and emphasize efficient energy technologies to ensure improving the environment. Efficient use of renewable energy resources will decrease global warming effects and ensure the sustainable use of scarce resources.

Originality/value

It first took into account the variable of inclusive growth instead of traditional growth measures. It explored the impact of GDP per person employed as an indicator of inclusive growth.
Unlocking innovation: the power of two leadership styles in Chinese higher education
Authors: Lin Qingjin , Beh Loo-See , Kamil Nurul Liyana Mohd
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the associations between leadership styles (i.e. transformational and ethical) and innovative work behavior within higher education institutions (HEIs), additionally investigating the mediating role of work engagement and the moderating role of psychological empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

The basis of this study rested upon adopting a cross-sectional research framework. The data were acquired from a sample comprising 825 academic staff and 275 leaders across 226 HEIs in China. Employing a quantitative methodology, the researchers used AMOS version 26.0 and SPSS version 22.0 for statistical analysis.

Findings

The results indicated that leadership styles (i.e. transformational and ethical) positively affected innovative work behavior, both directly and indirectly (via work engagement). Also, psychological empowerment moderated the linkage between leadership styles and innovative work behavior but not the association between work engagement and innovative work behavior.

Originality/value

Despite some existing literature having discussed the correlation between leadership styles and innovative work behavior, there appears to be a conspicuous dearth of research endeavoring to explore the mediator (i.e. work engagement) and the moderator (i.e. psychological empowerment) within the above nexus, especially in the context of HEIs. Thus, this study can be considered original, introducing novel perspectives and substantial contributions to the management literature on HEIs. In addition, it offers insights for organizational managers.
Sustainability disclosure and firms’ performance in a voluntary environment
Authors: Alodat Ahmad Yuosef , Salleh Zalailah , Hashim Hafiza Aishah , Sulong Farizah
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether sustainability disclosures (SD) can improve financial, operational and market performance for businesses in Jordan. This research is based on the idea that firms that are open and transparent about their sustainability efforts tend to perform better than their competitors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an empirical approach for data collection and analysis. The independent variable was SD, and the dependent variables were performance indicators (i.e. Tobin’s Q, return on equity and return on assets). This study analyzed 81 non-financial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2018.

Findings

The present study found a significant and positive relationship between corporate SD and operational, financial and market performance.

Practical implications

The analysis shows that implementing corporate SD may lead to better performance. Specifically, firms may benefit internally by becoming more aware of important actions to be taken internally and externally by understanding the sustainability-related desires of other stakeholders and regulators for better sustainable development.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights into the effect of SD on firm performance and its implementation in emerging markets, which has not been extensively studied in academia. This research provides new insights into the link between SD and performance, and is particularly timely in its contribution to this topic, which is important for the government’s adoption and implementation of a robust SD code.
CSR performance practices and COVID-19 – a qualitative study of SME owners in UAE
Authors: Al Blooshi Abdullah Mohammad , Jose Saju , Venkitachalam Krishna
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the corporate social responsibility performance among small and medium enterprise (SME) owners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before and during COVID-19. This study shows insights into the barriers that could affect the CSR performance practices of UAE SMEs, and related implications are discussed in the study.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a longitudinal qualitative research design. The research comprised 30 interviews from 15 SME owners that were studied prior to and during the pandemic. The 15 interview participants are the sole owners of these SMEs and are Emirati citizens. They were identified through personal contacts and referrals.

Findings

Study findings show that there was a clear shift during the pandemic to place more focus on employees. CSR performance practices are dominated by strategies for caring for the environment and employees. During the pandemic, the priority was paying employees at least a portion of their salary despite financial hardships and ensuring their health and well-being. Prior to the crisis, the key barrier to the implementation of CSR performance practices was a lack of knowledge. During the pandemic, barriers identified included uncertainty and financial constraints. Furthermore, all the owners believe that big corporations should be more socially responsible and SMEs should be the recipients of CSR practices. Lastly, the owners expressed their belief in the values of transparency, integrity, commitment, efficiency and responsibility.

Originality/value

This study is a novel attempt to gain an in-depth understanding of CSR among SMEs in the UAE in the context of a pandemic. It looks specifically at the performance practices pursued by SME owners in the UAE before and during the COVID-19 crisis.
Partners for quality: building professional pathways for diverse adult learners in early childhood education
Authors: Snider Karrie A.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper describes the rationale and key aspects of how one school-university partnership leveraged resources to create, implement and refine an innovative professional pathway called the Early Childhood Certificate (ECC) program which reflects the National Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) Essential Guideline 4: Reflection and Innovation. The ECC program is an innovative, career-building model that leverages resources between a predominantly white regional state university, a nonprofit organization serving as a Head Start grantee, a large urban school district and community-based education settings across a Midwestern metropolitan region.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive narrative documents how the ECC program developed as a professional pathway for early childhood educators to scale up their skills for teaching young children while strengthening their capacities and credentials within the early childhood education (ECE) profession pipeline. The narrative includes relevant literature and examples from the field.

Findings

This paper includes a discussion of the benefits and challenges related to the design, implementation and refinement of the professional learning ECC program.

Research limitations/implications

This is a descriptive narrative. As such, generalizability is lacking. Research is needed to determine the effectiveness and sustainability of innovative teacher education programs.

Practical implications

Relevant research and lessons learned provide guidance for other school–university partnerships to consider how to meet workforce and career needs for educators in the field of ECE.

Social implications

School–university partnerships can be change agents and positively impact early childhood educators' career development.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the need for understanding how predominantly white early childhood teacher education programs can partner with schools and agencies and then together leverage resources to support workforce and career development opportunities.
Exploring the impact of InsurTech adoption in Indian life insurance industry: a customer satisfaction perspective
Authors: Kaur Pavanpreet , Singh Maninder
Published: December 2023

Purpose

In the era of Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0, the integration of digital technologies, automation and data-driven insights has generated a broad wave of transformation across all industries, including the insurance sector. The study focuses on determining how the adoption of these technologies (InsurTech) is changing the life insurance industry, ultimately enhancing the level of customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The data analysis has been performed with 304 useable responses from the policyholders of life insurance in the north-west region of India. The methodology adopted for this study is partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM). To investigate the predictive relevance of customer satisfaction, the PLS predict technique has been used. Also, importance performance map analysis (IPMA) has been applied to assess the important and performing dimensions of customer satisfaction.

Findings

The outcomes show that the adoption of InsurTech has a positive impact on customer satisfaction. Customer service management and policy management are among the strongest predictors of customer satisfaction, and the predictive relevance is reported to be moderate. IPMA results have suggested that improvements in online distribution of insurance services and customer service management lead to higher customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual model can be tested with the moderating effect of different demographic factors (age, gender etc.), and future research can be done to analyze the mediating role of customer satisfaction between InsurTech adoption and customer loyalty.

Practical implications

The study offers valuable contributions to the marketing literature, shedding light on the influence of InsurTech adoption on customer satisfaction within the Indian life insurance sector. The research offers a practical approach that could help marketing professionals and policymakers comprehend the utilization of online insurance services, and this understanding can help industry experts to develop customer-oriented products and services.

Originality/value

This research is the first of its kind to test the association between InsurTech adoption and customer satisfaction in the life insurance sector in the Indian context. Research also provides novel insights for policymakers to enhance the satisfaction of customers towards using online insurance services in the near future in developing countries like India.
Barriers to TQM implementation in SMEs in Bangladesh: an interpretive structural modeling approach
Authors: Rahman Mustafizur , Haque Sifat Ajmeer , Trianni Andrea
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to recognize the significant barriers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh, hindering the adoption of total quality management (TQM). Additionally, this research intends to explore the interrelations among these barriers to develop essential managerial insights for promoting TQM implementation in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach and Matrice d'impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment (MICMAC) a cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification show the relationship among the barriers and classification of the barriers to TQM implementation respectively, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is applied for ISM model validation.

Findings

This study examined previous literature and conducted interviews with professionals to identify 17 barriers. The study then develops and investigates a model that outlines the relationships and priorities among these barriers and categorizes them based on their impact and interdependence. This analysis can assist SMEs in implementing TQM during their operations successfully.

Practical implications

This research emphasizes the crucial obstacles that greatly affect other barriers and require immediate attention. Furthermore, this study provides valuable information for SMEs to effectively prioritize their resources and efforts to overcome these obstacles.

Originality/value

This study delves into the primary obstacles impeding the integration of TQM in SMEs through a novel approach. Additionally, this study constructs a verified contextual framework that depicts the hierarchies and interconnections among these barriers.
Crisis Capital: Private Placements During COVID‐19
Authors: Aspris Angelo , Bi Edward , Foley Sean , Svec Jiri
Published: December 2023

Equity issuance activity rose sharply across the corporate sector during the COVID‐19 crisis. We use this period of unprecedented uncertainty to study the effects of financial distress on seasoned equity offering returns. We find that firms increased their reliance on placements during this period of economic turmoil, with, on average, significantly larger issues, steeper discounts, and a greater focus on debt repayment. We show firms at greater risk of financial distress during the pandemic benefit significantly from signalling debt repayment as a priority, with stronger announcement date returns.
Identifying farmers' response to changes in marginal and average subsidies using deep learning
Authors: Storm Hugo , Heckelei Thomas , Baylis Kathy , Mittenzwei Klaus
Published: December 2023

Much of the developed world has adopted substantial, complex agricultural subsidy schemes in an attempt to produce desired rural livelihood and environmental outcomes. Understanding how farmers adjust their production activity in response to farm subsidies is crucial for setting optimal agricultural policy. Whereas standard economic theory suggests that farmers largely adjust production levels in response to prices and marginal subsidy rates, recent work in consumer behavior suggests that average (dis‐)incentives may play a relevant role. We use a unique panel covering all farms applying for subsidies in Norway and a flexible deep‐learning method to exploit kinks in the subsidy scheme to answer whether farmers respond more to average or marginal subsidies. In contrast to the standard economic theory of production, we find suggestive empirical evidence that farmers respond more to changes in average payments than to changes in marginal payments. We anticipate that our findings on the relevance of average payment levels for farmers' decision making may inspire further theoretical and empirical inquiries into agricultural policy effects. The study also highlights how novel deep‐learning tools can be applied for detailed policy analysis and what advantages and challenges come with it. We believe that this approach has substantial potential for analysts and policymakers to evaluate and predict the impacts of policy options.
Acute kidney injury surveillance in the high‐risk neonatal population following implementation of creatinine screening protocol
Authors: Gingrich Alyssa R. , Hagenow Allison M. , Steinbach Emily J. , Klein Jonathan M. , Jetton Jennifer G. , Misurac Jason M.
Published: December 2023

Aim

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in neonates is associated with longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates. However, there is significant variability in prevalence rates of AKI and the true burden is incompletely understood. In November 2020, the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit implemented a creatinine screening protocol to enhance kidney function monitoring. We sought to evaluate adherence to the protocol to determine if increased surveillance led to increased detection of AKI events.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted for neonates born at <30 weeks' gestation admitted between 2015 and 2020. We reviewed 100 charts in both the pre (2015–2016) and post (2020–2021) implementation era of the AKI surveillance protocol. AKI was defined according to neonatal modified KDIGO criteria.

Results

Following implementation of the protocol, neonates were significantly more likely to have creatinine checked (p < 0.001). Serum creatinine was drawn according to protocol guidelines 68% of the time, and 42% of patients (34/82) had an 80% or higher adherence to the protocol. There was a significant increase in detection of AKI in the post‐protocol cohort (13/82, incidence of 16%) compared to the pre‐protocol cohort (5/83, incidence of 6%), (p = 0.047).

Conclusion

The implementation of a serum creatinine screening protocol increased the frequency of creatinine draws and detection of AKI.
Beyond the asylum
Authors: Mossa Alessandra
Published: December 2023

My research is situated within the literature looking at the processes of deinstitutionalisation of the mental health system through the lived geographies placed in between the walls of the asylum. It addresses mental health geographers' call for a situated knowledge about mental health and, by using the Italian psychiatric experience of the 1960s and 1970s as an example, stresses the importance of looking at care in both spatial and relational terms. Through a geographical understanding of the Italian psychiatric reform, that goes from Franco Basaglia's renowned work to the underrepresented experience of Turin, in northwest Italy, I will examine how space is intertwined with processes of mental health care. Additionally, I assess the role played by the interaction between spatial and relational elements in potentially enabling patients' self‐determination, empowerment and inclusion. The case of Turin—the story of which will be told through the analysis of archival material from a grassroots association called Associazione per la Lotta contro le Malattie Mentali—will serve to expand the common narrative around the Italian lesson and to give resonance to the instrumental role played at the time by both patients and civil society. By looking at the key events that led to the gradual dismantlement of the traditional psychiatric institutions in the metropolitan area of Turin, this paper contributes to the spatial turn in mental health studies, calling upon researchers to look at past achievements as something we still need to learn from and safeguard.
Cognitive decline in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura survivors: The role of white matter health as assessed by MRI
Authors: Hannan F. , Hamilton J. , Patriquin C. J. , Pavenski K. , Jurkiewicz M. T. , Tristao L. , Owen A. M. , Kosalka P. K. , Deoni S. C. L. , Théberge J. , Mandzia J. , Huang S. H. S. , Thiessen J. D.
Published: December 2023

Immune‐mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare condition caused by severe ADAMTS13 deficiency, leading to platelet aggregation and thrombosis. Despite treatment, patients are prone to cognitive impairment and depression. We investigated brain changes in iTTP patients during remission using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, correlating these changes with mood and neurocognitive tests. Twenty iTTP patients in remission (30 days post‐haematological remission) were compared with six healthy controls. MRI scans, including standard and specialized sequences, were conducted to assess white matter health. Increased T1 relaxation times were found in the cingulate cortex (p < 0.05), and elevated T2 relaxation times were observed in the cingulate cortex, frontal, parietal and temporal lobes (p < 0.05). Pathological changes in these areas are correlated with impaired cognitive and depressive scores in concentration, short‐term memory and verbal memory. This study highlights persistent white matter damage in iTTP patients, potentially contributing to depression and cognitive impairment. Key regions affected include the frontal lobe and cingulate cortex. These findings have significant implications for the acute and long‐term management of iTTP, suggesting a need for re‐evaluation of treatment approaches during both active phases and remission. Further research is warranted to enhance our understanding of these complexities.
Attentional bias in psoriasis: The role of processing time and emotional valence
Authors: Etty Sarah , George David N. , van Laarhoven Antoinette I. M. , Kleyn C. Elise , Walton Shernaz , Holle Henning
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The present study explored whether people with psoriasis display an attentional bias towards disease‐related threat words and whether this bias occurs relatively early during the phase of stimulus disengagement, or during a later maintained attention phase dominated by controlled strategic processes. We also explored the degree to which attentional bias is dependent on the emotional valence of control words.

Methods

Individuals with psoriasis and matched controls took part in 4 online experiments. Participants completed a spatial cueing paradigm using disease‐related threat words and control words as cues, in order to obtain reaction time estimates of attentional bias.

Results

We did not observe evidence for attentional bias when control words were matched with threat words for emotional valence, regardless of whether processing time for the cues was limited (Experiment 1: SOA = 250 ms) or extended (Experiment 2: SOA = 1050 ms). We also did not observe evidence for attentional bias when control words of positive valence were used, but processing time was limited (Experiment 3). An attentional bias was only observed (p = .012, Cohen's d = .37) when sufficient processing time was available and positively‐valanced control words were used (Experiment 4).

Conclusion

Rather than showing large and generalized AB effects as predicted by previous accounts, our results tentatively suggest that AB in psoriasis is restricted to situations where participants have ample processing time and threat words are easily distinguishable from control words on the basis of emotional valence. The pattern of results suggests that attentional bias in psoriasis is best characterized as a relatively slow strategic process.
Motherhood and intellectual disability in Spain: Experienced difficulties and shared desires for change
Authors: Rio‐Poncela Ana María , Rojas‐Pernia Susana
Published: December 2023

Backgroud

Despite the advancements in the rights of persons with disabilities in Western countries, the motherhood of women with intellectual disabilities remains scarcely visible. The approval of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and its subsequent ratification by the Spanish Government (2008) recalls the obligation to fulfil the rights of persons with disabilities to found a family (art. 23) and to choose who they want to live with (art. 19). While the importance of this legislation is undeniable, the personal experiences of women with intellectual disabilities still demand effective changes.

Methods

This article reports the results of a study entitled Subjectivities and motherhood in women with intellectual disabilities. Reflections in dialogue through an inclusive research project. In this study, we delved into the stories of 13 women, aged between 24 and 72, to learn about their motherhood experiences (before, during and after making the decision of being mothers) and to identify the barriers and supports encountered. Methods for data collection included individual semi‐structured interviews, discussion groups and other narrative and visual resources (images and biograms).

Findings

This study explores in depth the obstacles identified by the participating mothers, which have been organised around six themes: (1) information and guidance on sexuality and family planning, (2) assistance of health services, (3) employment and housing situation, (4) child custody, (5) raising children, and (6) informal support. The participants encountered difficulties in all the above fields related to contextual factors. In other words, these barriers do not derive from individual issues centred on their disability, but from factors that often do not depend on mothers with intellectual disabilities, such as deprivation of socio‐educational opportunities.

Conclusions

Our results show the nuanced ways in which these mothers were immersed in a social system that questions them as ‘good mothers’ and violates their rights. As we discussed, the participants' desires and decisions to engage and/or continue with motherhood constitute an exercise of resistance to this system.
Inhibiting cholesterol de novo synthesis promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by upregulating prostaglandin E synthase 2‐mediated arachidonic acid metabolism under high fatty acid conditions
Authors: Zhao Zhibo , Liu Xinyi , Xiang Yue , Hou Zhengping , He Kun , Zhong Guochao , Hu Jiejun , Cai Dong , Liu Yan , Ren Jihua , Gong Jianping , Zhao Lei
Published: December 2023

Inhibition of cholesterol de novo synthesis (DNS) by statins has controversial effects on the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). High fatty acid conditions have been reported to limit the effect of statins on metabolism diseases. Whether high fatty acid conditions interfere with the effect of statins on HCC remains unclear. Here, we reported that inhibiting cholesterol DNS with atorvastatin promoted the oncogenic capabilities of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in mice fed high fatty acid diets (HFD). The combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics revealed that arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism was the most significant changed pathway between mice with and without atorvastatin treatment. In vitro, in the presence of AA precursor linoleic acid (LA), atorvastatin promoted the proliferation and migration ability of HCC cell lines. However, in the absence of LA, these phenomena disappeared. TCGA and tissue microarray examination revealed that prostaglandin e synthase 2 (PTGES2), a key enzyme in AA metabolism, was associated with the poor outcome of HCC patients. Overexpression of PTGES2 promoted the proliferation and migration of HCC cell lines, and knockdown of PTGES2 inhibited the proliferation and migration of cells. Additionally, atorvastatin upregulated PTGES2 expression by enhancing Sterol‐regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2)‐mediated transcription. Knockdown of PTGES2 reversed the proliferation and migration ability enhanced by atorvastatin. Overall, our study reveals that a high fatty acid background is one of the possible conditions limiting the application of statins in HCC, under which statins promote the progression of HCC by enhancing SREBP2‐mediated PTGES2 transcription.
Association of liver fibrosis with extrahepatic cancer in steatotic liver disease patients with PNPLA3 I148M GG genotype
Authors: Tai Jennifer , Hsu Chao‐Wei , Chen Wei‐Ting , Yang Sien‐Sing , Chiu Cheng‐Hsun , Chien Rong‐Nan , Chang Ming‐Ling
Published: December 2023

The impacts of patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) I148M‐rs738409, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) Ala222Val‐rs1801133, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) Glu504Lys‐rs671 on the outcomes of Taiwanese patients with steatotic liver disease (SLD) have remained elusive. An 8‐year prospective cohort study of patients with (n = 546) and without (n = 580) SLD (controls) was undertaken in a Taiwanese tertiary care center. The 546 SLD patients comprised 306 (56.0%) men and 240 (44.0%) women with mean ages of 53.3 and 56.4 years, respectively. Compared with the controls, SLD patients had an increased frequency of the PNPLA3 I148M‐rs738409 GG genotype (25.5 vs. 5.9%, p = 0.001). Among the SLD patients, 236 (43.1%) suffered cardiovascular events, 52 (9.5%) showed extrahepatic cancers, 13 (2.38%) experienced hepatic events, including hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 3, 0.5%) and liver cirrhosis (n = 8, 1.47%), and none died. The Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) scores were associated with extrahepatic cancer (hazard ratio [HR] 1.325; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.038–1.691) and cirrhosis development (HR 1.532; 95% CI, 1.055–2.224), and the PNPLA3 I148M‐rs738409 G allele (β = 0.158, 95% CI, 0.054–0.325) was associated with the FIB‐4 score. Stratified analyses showed that the impact of the FIB‐4 score on extrahepatic cancer development was evident only in SLD patients with the PNPLA3 I148M‐rs738409 GG genotype (HR 1.543; 95% CI, 1.195–1.993) and not in patients with the GC or CC genotype. Moreover, the ALDH2 Glu504Lys‐rs671 G allele had a dose‐dependent effect on alcoholism, and the MTHFR and ALDH2 genotypes were not significantly associated with SLD patient outcomes. In conclusion, special vigilance should be exercised for emerging extrahepatic cancer in SLD patients with the PNPLA3 I148M‐rs738409 GG genotype and high FIB‐4 scores.
An ethnographic fieldwork: The role of school shows in the reproduction of gender inequalities in Turkey
Authors: Yılmaz Ayşe
Published: December 2023

This article explores the processes of creating school shows in primary schools in Turkey and examines how teachers reinforce particular gendered constructions of femininity and masculinity through children's bodies in the making of these performances. Drawing on the insights from the sociology of the body within childhood research, the article is based on an ethnography conducted in a costume shop in Istanbul where teachers rent costumes for the shows, as well as interviews with teachers preparing the shows and observations made during the performances. The research reveals that the shows perpetuate gender norms and stereotypes while reproducing inequalities.
Diagnoseverzögerung, komorbide Hidradenitis suppurativa und die prognostische Bedeutung bakterieller Kulturen bei Folliculitis decalvans: eine Kohortenstudie
Authors: Lyakhovitsky Anna , Segal Oz , Galili Eran , Thompson Curtis T , Tzanani Ido , Scope Alon , Baum Sharon , Barzilai Aviv
Published: December 2023

Hintergrund

Folliculitis decalvans (FD) ist eine primäre neutrophile vernarbende Alopezie, die häufig zu irreversiblem Haarverlust führt. Daten zu Epidemiologie, klinischen Merkmalen, Folgen und prognostischen Faktoren sind nur eingeschränkt verfügbar.

Ziel

Die Beurteilung einer Patientenkohorte mit FD sowie die Charakterisierung schwerer Krankheitsverläufe und prognostischer Faktoren, die eine Remission verhindern.

Patienten und Methoden

Diese retrospektive Kohortenstudie umfasste 192 Patienten, bei denen zwischen 2010 und 2020 an einem tertiären Zentrum eine FD diagnostiziert und die mindestens sechs Monate nachverfolgt wurden.

Ergebnisse

Die Diagnose wurde im Mittel um 22,2 (± 29,7) Monate verzögert gestellt. Komorbide Erkrankungen mit Okklusion der Haarfollikel waren häufig. In 45,6% der Fälle waren Bakterienkulturen positiv, am häufigsten mit Staphylococcus (S.) aureus. Schwere Krankheitsverläufe waren mit komorbider Hidradenitis suppurativa und positiver Bakterienkultur, insbesondere S. aureus, assoziiert. Bei 50,7% der Patienten kam es zu vollständiger Remission: Bei 32% innerhalb der ersten sechs Monate der Behandlung und bei 18,7% während der Nachkontrolle. Rezidive waren häufig. Negative Prognosefaktoren bezüglich der Remission waren jüngeres Alter und positive Bakterienkultur.

Schlussfolgerungen

Es besteht Bedarf hinsichtlich der Ausbildung von Dermatologen, um die Diagnoseverzögerung zu reduzieren. Das Screening von FD‐Patienten auf komorbide Hidradenitis suppurativa und Bakterienkulturen sind wichtig für die Behandlungsplanung.
Hohe Rezidivrate des Eczema herpeticatum bei mittelschwerer bis schwerer atopischer Dermatitis – eine TREATgermany Registeranalyse
Authors: Traidl Stephan , Heinrich Luise , Siegels Doreen , Rösner Lennart , Haufe Eva , Harder Inken , Abraham Susanne , Ertner Konstantin , Kleinheinz Andreas , Schäkel Knut , Wollenberg Andreas , Effendy Isaak , Quist Sven , Asmussen Andrea , Wildberger Julia , Weisshaar Elke , Wiemers Franka , Brücher Jens‐Joachim , Weidinger Stephan , Schmitt Jochen , Werfel Thomas ,   die TREATgermany Study Group
Published: December 2023

Hintergrund

Das Eczema herpeticatum (EH) ist eine disseminierte Hautinfektion, die durch Herpes‐simplex‐Viren bei Patienten mit atopischer Dermatitis (AD) verursacht wird. Die Häufigkeit des EH und die klinischen Charakteristika von EH Patienten wurden bisher noch nicht in einer größeren Kohorte untersucht.

Methodik

87 Patienten des TREATgermany Registers, einem multizentrischen, nichtinterventionellen klinischen Register mit moderat bis schwer betroffenen AD‐Patienten in Deutschland, wurden in dieser Analyse betrachtet. Patienten, die zwischen Dezember 2017 und April 2021 in das Register eingeschlossen wurden, wurden unterteilt in die Gruppen ohne, mit einem und mit mehreren EH und basierend auf den klinischen Charakteristika verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Von 893 Patienten berichteten 195 (21,8%) über mindestens eine EH. 107 der 195 Patienten mit EH hatten sogar mehrere EH in der Anamnese (54,9%), was 12,0% der gesamten Studienpopulation entspricht. Während hinsichtlich demographischer Merkmale, Vorbehandlungen und Krankheitsscores (Juckreiz, IGA, oSCORAD, EASI) keine Unterschiede festgestellt wurden, litten Patienten mit EH häufiger an atopischen Begleiterkrankungen und Sensibilisierungen gegen Hausstaubmilben, Nahrungsmittel und Schimmelpilze.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Daten des TREATgermany‐Registers deuten auf eine hohe Prävalenz und Rezidivrate des EH hin, während es neben einer Häufung von Allergien keinen spezifischen klinischen Phänotyp zu geben scheint, um EH‐Patienten in der täglichen Routine zu identifizieren.
Ganzkörper‐Blaulichtbestrahlung zur Behandlung der atopischen Dermatitis: eine randomisierte, placebokontrollierte klinische Studie (AD‐Blue)
Authors: Buhl Timo , Santibanez Santana Marisol , Forkel Susann , Kromer Christian , Seidel Julia , Möbs Christian , Pfützner Wolfgang , Pfeiffer Sebastian , Laubach Hans‐Joachim , Boehncke Wolf‐Henning , Liebmann Joerg , Born Matthias , Schön Michael Peter
Published: December 2023

Hintergrund

Sichtbares blaues Licht (Wellenlänge 400–495 nm) ist eine vielversprechende neue Behandlungsoption sowohl für Psoriasis als auch für atopische Dermatitis (AD). In früheren klinischen Studien wurden zwar verschiedene Geräte und blaues Licht mit unterschiedlichen Wellenlängen eingesetzt, aber keine dieser Prozeduren wurde anhand objektiver klinischer Kriterien geprüft.

Patienten und Methodik

87 Patienten mit AD wurden in die AD‐Blue‐Studie aufgenommen, eine internationale, prospektive, doppelblinde, dreiarmige (415 nm vs. 450 nm vs. Placebo), randomisierte Studie zur Untersuchung der Sicherheit und Wirksamkeit von Prototypen von Ganzkörper‐Blaulicht‐Bestrahlungsgeräten.

Ergebnisse

Die Ganzkörper‐Bestrahlung mit 450 nm blauem Licht, aber nicht mit 415 nm, hatte einen signifikant positiven Einfluss auf den Juckreiz (Pruritus‐VAS, –1,6 ± 2,3; p = 0,023 gegenüber der Placebobestrahlung). Die PO‐SCORAD‐Werte sanken ebenfalls signifikant als Reaktion auf die Bestrahlung bei 415 nm (–11,5 ± 18,4; p = 0,028 im Vergleich zur Placebobestrahlung). Keines der anderen Ergebnisse (EASI, SCORAD, IGA, DLQI) veränderte sich signifikant. Es wurden keine Sicherheitsprobleme beobachtet. Die Auswertung von Hauttranskriptomdaten, Zytokinspiegeln im Serum und ELISpots aus mononukleären Zellen des peripheren Blutes, die von einer Untergruppe von Patienten isoliert wurden, ergab eine moderate Abnahme von IL‐31 als Reaktion auf die Bestrahlung mit blauem Licht.

Schlussfolgerungen

Trotz des günstigen Sicherheitsprofils und der mäßigen Verringerung von Pruritus und IL‐31‐Spiegel führte die Ganzkörper‐Blaulichtbestrahlung bei AD zu keiner Verbesserung der objektiven Parameter zu Krankheitsschwere.
Citizen science data reveal altitudinal movement and seasonal ecosystem use by hummingbirds in the Andes Mountains
Authors: Rueda‐Uribe Cristina , Herrera‐Alsina Leonel , Lancaster Lesley T. , Capellini Isabella , Layton Kara K. S. , Travis Justin M. J.
Published: December 2023

Ensuring connectivity is crucial to protect landscapes but it requires knowledge about how animals use ecosystems throughout the year. However, animal movements remain largely unknown in biodiversity hotspots, even for species that fulfill key ecological roles, as is the case of hummingbirds in the Andes. In the complex topography of mountain slopes, movement of these avian pollinators may occur either between habitat patches with asynchronous plant blooms or across ecosystems that are located within the same elevation bands or along altitudinal gradients. Here, we used two decades (2000–2020) of records from citizen science data and boosted regression trees to predict monthly distributions for 55 hummingbird species in the Andes. We identified shifts in altitudinal distribution between contiguous months and calculated changes in the proportion of predicted distributions occupied by ecosystem types. Our findings reveal substantial altitudinal movement and differences in the proportion of ecosystem types utilized throughout the year that had not been previously reported for several species. Yet the magnitude of altitudinal and ecosystem shifts varies between hummingbird clades, and in some cases changes in the proportion of ecosystem types within estimated distributions occurs with little variation in altitude. All ecosystems across the Andes show temporal changes in hummingbird occurrence, but these are higher in natural landscapes compared to croplands or urban areas. Finally, we used phylogenetic logistic regression to test whether altitudinal and ecosystem shifts affect population trends. We found that higher ecosystem seasonality is more strongly associated with decreasing populations in comparison to altitudinal shifts. Altogether, our study reveals complex patterns of movement in hummingbirds and highlights the importance of ecological connectivity across different ecosystem types. More generally, it demonstrates the opportunity of using citizen science data to increase understanding about species' seasonal occurrences, so that landscapes can be better managed to protect animal movement.

Keywords: boosted regression trees, eBird, ecological connectivity, species distribution models
Limited impact of microtopography on alpine plant distribution
Authors: Chytrý Kryštof , Helm Norbert , Hülber Karl , Moser Dietmar , Wessely Johannes , Hausharter Johannes , Kollert Andreas , Mayr Andreas , Rutzinger Martin , Winkler Manuela , Pauli Harald , Saccone Patrick , Paetzolt Mariana , Hietz Peter , Dullinger Stefan
Published: December 2023

Complex topography regulates near‐surface temperature above the treeline. It may thus sustain microrefugia for alpine plants and relax the need of shifting upward when the climate warms. The effectiveness of these microrefugia rests on the premise that plant distributions in alpine landscapes are mainly controlled by fine‐scale topographic variation.

We tested this assumption by relating the distribution of 79 plant species and 10 community attributes across 900 1 m² plots in a landscape spanning 1677 m of elevation to 17 topographical descriptors at resolutions between 1 and 301 m.

We found that the presence of most species and most community attributes were better explained by topographic variation at coarser scales (> 20 m). Fine‐scale topography is more clearly reflected in moisture than in temperature requirements of species. The elevational gradient rather than topographic variation at any scale, is the single most important driver of both species distributions and the variation in community attributes in the area studied.

We hypothesise that our results reveal a hitherto underestimated influence of spatial mass effects on alpine plant distributions. These effects can override environmental filtering at fine scales and will thus impede the survival of cold‐adapted plants in small and fragmented refugia under climate warming.
Decomposing biodiversity change to processes of extinction, colonization, and recurrence across scales
Authors: Leroy François , Reif Jiří , Vermouzek Zdeněk , Šťastný Karel , Trávníčková Eva , Bejček Vladimír , Mikuláš Ivan , Keil Petr
Published: December 2023

Temporal biodiversity change involves colonization, extinction, and recurrence of species. These processes vary with spatial grain (i.e. the area at which biodiversity is assessed), but there is little theory to explain this. Here, we present theoretical scenarios showing that colonization, extinction, and recurrence of species can either increase or decrease in strength across grain size. We tested for these patterns in empirical data on Czech birds over 30 years, and several orders of magnitude of spatial grain. We found that colonization increased from local to national scales, while extinctions followed a hump‐shaped pattern, leading to a higher temporal increase of richness towards coarse grains. Probabilities of colonization and extinction decreased with grain size, with a steeper decrease for extinction. Our results hold independently across two time periods (1985–2002 and 2002–2017), and colonization is the dominant process behind temporal change of richness. This decomposition of biodiversity change allowed us to identify scale‐wise ecological mechanisms driving biodiversity change, and explain seemingly confusing directions of biodiversity change at different spatial scales.
First report of Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood in the Canary Islands
Authors: Mouratidis Angelos , Bastin Saskia , Pomposo Marta , Marrero Elías , Goldarazena Arturo , Hernández‐Suárez Estrella
Published: December 2023

The chilli thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is an invasive polyphagous pest of several crops, and is native to South and East Asia. In recent decades, this thrips has successfully established in parts of the African and American continents. In the EPPO region its distribution is limited to Israel and Türkiye, and it is considered as under eradication in mainland Spain. This paper presents the first report of S. dorsalis on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), where individuals were initially found infesting mango in 2016, and subsequent inspections revealed infestations in 2022 that allowed its identification.