bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic development and energy consumption in Saudi Arabian economy: do globalization, financial development and capital accumulation matter?
Authors: Rafindadi Abdulkadir Abdulrashid , Isah Aliyu Buhari , Usman Ojonugwa
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to empirically examine the impact of economic development and energy consumption in Saudi Arabia (the leading OPEC giant and the Arab energy icon country) between 1971 and 2015, whilst incorporating globalization, financial development and capital accumulation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses econometric tools and the analytical framework based on the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model.

Findings

The study found that, unlike economic development, globalization and financial development increased energy consumption. Also, capital accumulation created a boost in the country’s energy consumption. Results of variance decomposition indicate that the innovative shocks in globalization and financial development affected energy consumption at the rates of 15.28% and 28.98%, respectively, over 15 years’ period, while shocks in capital accumulation affected energy consumption at a rate of only about 1.24%. In addition, the results of impulse response function show that globalization and economic development were highly responsive to shocks in financial development, and capital accumulation greatly spurred financial development.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study have implication for promoting an efficient and sustainable energy systems that enhance sustainable development based on the accrued benefits of globalization, financial development and capital accumulation.

Originality/value

Given the increasing level of globalization, financial development and energy consumption, our study uses econometric tools and the analytical framework based on the ARDL model to revisit how energy consumption is influenced by economic development in Saudi Arabia by incorporating other determinants of energy consumption such as globalization, financial development and capital accumulation. The results were validated based on the innovative accounting.
COVID-related disruptions and adaptations to prison-based mental health and substance use services: a narrative review
Authors: Butsang Tenzin C. , Zafar Shahroze , Dastoori Parisa , McLuhan Arthur , Rice Emma Janet , Ziegler Carolyn , Mashford-Pringle Angela , Matheson Flora I.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Public health experts and advocates have long raised concerns about the pandemic preparedness of prison systems worldwide – an issue that became increasingly salient at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. People in prison experience poorer health outcomes compared to the general population, making timely access to adequate health services in prison critical for their health and wellbeing. This study aims to identify the extent of the literature on initial changes in mental health and substance use services for people in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic, summarize and synthesize the findings and identify areas in need of further study.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a review of the academic literature published internationally in English between 2019 and December 1, 2020 to describe the disruptions and adaptations to mental health and substance use services in prisons during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The authors found that mental health and substance use services in prisons around the world were widely disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic – predominantly consisting of the complete suspension of services, discontinuation of transfers to off-site treatment sites and limitations on service capacity. Adaptations ranged from virtual service delivery and changes to treatment dispensation processes to information sessions on overdose prevention.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review to examine the nature and extent of the literature on delivery of mental health and substance use services in prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social media as a living laboratory for researchers: the relationship between linguistics and online user responses
Authors: Ulqinaku Aulona , Kadić-Maglajlić Selma , Sarial-Abi Gülen
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Today, individuals use social media to express their opinions and feelings, which offers a living laboratory to researchers in various fields, such as management, innovation, technology development, environment and marketing. It is therefore necessary to understand how the language used in user-generated content and the emotions conveyed by the content affect responses from other social media users.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, almost 700,000 posts from Twitter (as well as Facebook, Instagram and forums in the appendix) are used to test a conceptual model grounded in signaling theory to explain how the language of user-generated content on social media influences how other users respond to that communication.

Findings

Extending developments in linguistics, this study shows that users react negatively to content that uses self-inclusive language. This study also shows how emotional content characteristics moderate this relationship. The additional information provided indicates that while most of the findings are replicated, some results differ across social media platforms, which deserves users' attention.

Originality/value

This article extends research on Internet behavior and social media use by providing insights into how the relationship between self-inclusive language and emotions affects user responses to user-generated content. Furthermore, this study provides actionable guidance for researchers interested in capturing phenomena through the social media landscape.
UK higher education sector's response to the war in Ukraine
Authors: Kushnir Iryna , Milani Zara , Mbah Marcellus Forh
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This article aims to address the response from the higher education (HE) sector in the United Kingdom (UK) to the full-scale war in Ukraine which started in 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on theoretical ideas of neoliberalism and the collection and thematic analysis of relevant official communications from six UK universities, the article uncovers three major ways in which these universities have been responding to the war.

Findings

They include (1) altruistic responses, (2) the promotion of equal treatment of all people and (3) the condemnation of the invasion and its implications for UK’s international cooperation in HE. These responses suggest the strengthening of the liberal ideals in the UK HE sector, heavily dominated by marketisation.

Originality/value

This analysis is significant not only for advancing a very limited scholarship on the topic of HE in the context of this war but also for understanding the development of the neoliberal landscape of UK HE and neoliberalism as a phenomenon in times of crises.
Adolescents’ perspectives on SSWs’ counselling practice in Swedish elementary schools: “plumb the depths and navigate to shore”
Authors: Kjellgren Maria , Lilliehorn Sara , Markström Urban
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of adolescent’s experiences of individual school social work counselling in Swedish elementary schools.

Design/methodology/approach

The study encompasses interviews with 16 adolescents about their experiences of individual counselling with school social workers (SSWs). The data was analysed using conventional content analysis.

Findings

The main result was the adolescents’ desire “to navigate to shore” to speak freely about their whole lives with a professional SSW and find a “ safe haven,” […] where a trusting professional cared for and comforted them in counselling. The counselling contact contributed to increased knowledge about oneself. The results reveal the importance of the SSWs paying attention and listening to the adolescents’ narratives. The creation of a coherent life narrative enables to finally end counselling and “Cast off.”

Originality/value

The results highlight the importance of Swedish SSWs focusing on individual counselling sessions with adolescents to provide a setting for growth.
Extending the job demands-resources theory beyond the work domain: narratives of Chinese senior executives
Authors: Duan Zheng (Daniel) , Yao Christian , Qi Hongxia
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Extensive research has demonstrated the influence of job resources on mitigating the impact of high job demands on individual well-being. Still, little is known about how individuals use job resources to cope. This study advances job demands-resources (JD-R) theory by investigating the process of job resource utilization from a coping perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on in-depth interviews with 32 Chinese senior executives using a Critical Incident Technique (CIT) for data collection and thematic analysis for data analysis.

Findings

Data analysis reveals a 2x2 matrix model of resource utilization, highlighting the relevance of internal and external job resources in coping and resource creation.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that work stress intervention should look beyond the organizational domain and assist senior executives in exploring and developing external resources for coping. Additionally, organizations should equip senior executives with sufficient support to create new job resources that effectively manage complicated job demands.

Originality/value

The results of this study extend the understanding of job resources by distinguishing internal and external job resources. It also provides a dynamic view of resource utilization, emphasizing the role of job crafting in creating adaptable job resources to meet job demands.
Another look at the asymmetric relationship between stock returns and trading volume: evidence from the Markov-switching model
Authors: Bouattour Mondher , Miloudi Anthony
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap between the existing theoretical and empirical studies by examining the asymmetric return–volume relationship. Indeed, the authors aim to shed light on the return–volume linkages for French-listed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) compared to blue chips across different market regimes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study includes both large capitalizations included in the CAC 40 index and listed SMEs included in the Euronext Growth All Share index. The Markov-switching (MS) approach is applied to understand the asymmetric relationship between trading volume and stock returns. The study investigates also the causal impact between stock returns and trading volume using regime-dependent Granger causality tests.

Findings

Asymmetric contemporaneous and lagged relationships between stock returns and trading volume are found for both large capitalizations and listed SMEs. However, the causality investigation reveals some differences between large capitalizations and SMEs. Indeed, causal relationships depend on market conditions and the size of the market.

Research limitations/implications

This paper explains the asymmetric return–volume relationship for both large capitalizations and listed SMEs by incorporating several psychological biases, such as the disposition effect, investor overconfidence and self-attribution bias. Future research needs to deepen the analysis especially for SMEs as most of the literature focuses on large capitalizations.

Practical implications

This empirical study has fundamental implications for portfolio management. The findings provide a deeper understanding of how trading activity impact current returns and vice versa. The authors’ results constitute an important input to build and control trading strategies.

Originality/value

This paper fills the literature gap on the asymmetric return–volume relationship across different regimes. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first empirical attempt to test the asymmetric return–volume relationship for listed SMEs by using an accurate MS framework.
Corporate climate risk disclosure: assessing materiality and stakeholder expectations for sustainable value creation
Authors: Arian Adam , Sands John Stephen
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the adequacy of climate risk disclosure by providing empirical evidence on whether corporate disclosure meets rising stakeholders’ demand for risk disclosure concerning climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a triangulated approach for collecting data from multiple sources in a longitudinal study, we perform a panel regression analysis on a sample of multinational firms between 2007 and 2021. Inspired by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) principles, our innovative and inclusive model of measuring firm-level climate risks underscores the urgent need to redefine materiality from a broader value creation (rather than only financial) perspective, including the impact on sustainable development.

Findings

The findings of this study provide evidence of limited corporate climate risk disclosure, indicating that organisations have yet to accept the reality of climate-related risks. An additional finding supports the existence of a nexus between higher corporate environmental disclosure and higher corporate resilience to material financial and environmental risks, rather than pervasive sustainability risk disclosure.

Practical implications

We argue that a mechanical process for climate-related risk disclosure can limit related disclosure variability, risk reporting priority selection, thereby broadening the short-term perspective on financial materiality assessment for disclosure.

Social implications

This study extends recent literature on the adequacy of corporate risk disclosure, highlighting the importance of disclosing material sustainability risks from the perspectives of different stakeholder groups for long-term success. Corporate management should place climate-related risks at the centre of their disclosure strategies. We argue that reducing the systematic underestimation of climate-related risks and variations in their disclosure practices may require regulations that enhance corporate perceptions and responses to these risks.

Originality/value

This study emphasises the importance of reconceptualising materiality from a multidimensional value creation standpoint, encapsulating financial and sustainable development considerations. This novel model of assessing firm-level climate risk, based on the GRI principles, underscores the necessity of developing a more comprehensive approach to evaluating materiality.
Impact of corporate social responsibility practices on consumer purchase intention of apparel products with mediating role of consumer-retailer love
Authors: Chan Tak Jie , Mohd Suki Norazah , Ho Phoebe Suet Yin , Akhtar Muhammad Farooq
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Companies with corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices care about customers, society, the environment and workers. This study aims to examine the impact of CSR practices (i.e. economic CSR, environmental CSR and societal CSR) on consumers’ purchase intention of apparel products, with the mediating role of consumer-retailer love on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data gathered using purposive sampling technique from 300 young online consumers using purposive sampling were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling via SmartPLS3.0.

Findings

The results reveal that CSR practices (i.e. environmental CSR and societal CSR) have a positive influence on purchase intention for apparel products. Moreover, consumer-retailer love mediates the relationship between CSR practices (i.e. economic CSR and environmental CSR) and consumers’ purchase intention for apparel products.

Practical implications

Apparel retail marketers should focus on key determinants when designing CSR campaigns and communicating these CSR initiatives in social media and annual reports. They should also focus on their service quality to create a good perception (images) that helps measure the emotional response (love) between the retailer and consumers.

Originality/value

By applying the triple bottom line framework and the stimulus-organism-response model in a single framework, this study is unique and highlights the role of consumer-retailer love as an important mediator on the impact between CSR practices (i.e. economic CSR, environmental CSR, societal CSR) and consumers’ purchase intention of apparel products. The findings represent a new contribution to the existing literature, as there has been very limited research on this relationship in a developing nation context.
Radial profiling of shear slowness from borehole acoustic measurements acquired in thinly laminated formations
Authors: Liu Jingxuan , Torres‐Verdín Carlos
Published: December 2023

Because of their relatively shallow volume of investigation, borehole acoustic measurements can be affected by abnormal near‐wellbore conditions such as irregular calliper, drilling‐induced formation damage and mud‐filtrate invasion, among others. Additionally, borehole‐slowness measurements inherently deliver rock elastic properties spatially averaged across the length of the multi‐receiver array included in the waveform acquisition system. The consequence is that the interpretation of borehole acoustic measurements needs to account for both radial variations of elastic properties and axial spatial averaging effects across thinly laminated formations before conducting seismic‐well log ties and rock physics interpretations. We introduce an inversion‐based interpretation method to estimate radial shear‐slowness variations from frequency‐dependent slownesses in vertical wells penetrating horizontally layered formations. The inversion procedure is efficiently implemented with an optimized two‐dimensional fast‐forward‐modelling method that simulates borehole acoustic modes in the presence of invaded and thinly laminated formations. Furthermore, the inversion method consists of two sequential steps: Firstly, layer‐by‐layer dispersion slownesses are processed to mitigate axial spatial averaging effects on borehole acoustic measurements; secondly, radial variations of elastic properties are estimated from inversion results obtained from the first step. The new inversion‐based interpretation workflow estimates a layer‐by‐layer single‐radial‐step shear slowness model, including altered and virgin radial zones. By considering both radial and axial averaging effects, the implementation of the two‐step inversion‐based interpretation method in thinly laminated and radially invaded formations consistently improves the definition of shear slowness between invaded and virgin radial zones compared to traditional radial‐profiling methods. The accuracy of the estimated shear slowness heavily relies on the sensitivity of dispersion modes to radial variations in formation shear slowness.
Rhamnolipids: A biosurfactant for the development of lipid‐based nanosystems for food applications
Authors: Azevedo Maria A. , Teixeira José A. , Pastrana Lorenzo , Cerqueira Miguel A.
Published: December 2023

Biosurfactants (surfactants synthesized by microorganisms) are produced by microorganisms and are suitable for use in different areas. Among biosurfactants, rhamnolipids are the most studied and popular, attracting scientists, and industries’ interest. Due to their unique characteristics, the rhamnolipids have been used as synthetic surfactants’ alternatives and explored in food applications. Besides the production challenges that need to be tackled to guarantee efficient production and low cost, their properties need to be adjusted to the final application, where the pH instability needs to be considered. Moreover, regulatory approval is needed to start being used in commercial applications. One characteristic of interest is their capacity to form oil‐in‐water nanosystems. Some of the most explored have been nanoemulsions, solid‐lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers. This review presents an overview of the main properties of rhamnolipids, asserts the potential and efficiency of rhamnolipids to replace the synthetic surfactants in the development of nanosystems, and describes the rhamnolipids‐based nanosystems used in food applications. It also discusses the main characteristics and methodologies used for their characterization and in the end, some of the main challenges are highlighted.
Improvement of the sensitivity of lateral flow systems for detecting mycotoxins: Up‐to‐date strategies and future perspectives
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Jallow Abdoulie , Nidiaye Seyni , Huang Yi , Zhang Qi , Li Peiwu , Tang Xiaoqian
Published: December 2023

Mycotoxins are dangerous human and animal health‐threatening secondary fungal metabolites that can be found in various food and agricultural products. Several countries have established regulations to restrict their presence in food and agricultural products destined for human and animal consumption. Consequently, the need to develop highly sensitive and smart detection systems was recognized worldwide. Lateral flow assay possesses the advantages of easy operation, rapidity, stability, accuracy, and specificity, and it plays an important role in the detection of mycotoxins. Nevertheless, strategies to comprehensively improve the sensitivity of lateral flow assay to mycotoxins in food have rarely been highlighted and discussed. In this article, a comprehensive overview was presented on the application of lateral flow assay in mycotoxin detection in food samples by highlighting the principle of lateral flow assay, presenting a detailed discussion on various analytical performance‐improvement strategies, such as the development of high‐affinity recognition reagents, immunogen immobilization methods, and signal amplification. Additionally, a detailed discussion on the various signal analyzers and interpretation approaches was provided. Finally, current hurdles and future perspectives on the application of lateral flow assay in the detection of mycotoxins were discussed.
Magnetic nanoparticle‐based immunosensors and aptasensors for mycotoxin detection in foodstuffs: An update
Authors: Gao Shipeng , Zhou Ruiyun , Zhang Di , Zheng Xueyun , El‐Seedi Hesham R. , Chen Shiqi , Niu Lidan , Li Xin , Guo Zhiming , Zou Xiaobo
Published: December 2023

Mycotoxin contamination of food crops is a global challenge due to their unpredictable occurrence and severe adverse health effects on humans. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop effective tools to prevent the accumulation of mycotoxins through the food chain. The use of magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)‐assisted biosensors for detecting mycotoxin in complex foodstuffs has garnered great interest due to the significantly enhanced sensitivity and accuracy. Within such a context, this review includes the fundamentals and recent advances (2020–2023) in the area of mycotoxin monitoring in food matrices using MNP‐based aptasensors and immunosensors. In this review, we start by providing a comprehensive introduction to the design of immunosensors (natural antibody or nanobody, random or site‐oriented immobilization) and aptasensors (techniques for aptamer selection, characterization, and truncation). Meanwhile, special attention is paid to the multifunctionalities of MNPs (recoverable adsorbent, versatile carrier, and signal indicator) in preparing mycotoxin‐specific biosensors. Further, the contribution of MNPs to the multiplexing determination of various mycotoxins is summarized. Finally, challenges and future perspectives for the practical applications of MNP‐assisted biosensors are also discussed. The progress and updates of MNP‐based biosensors shown in this review are expected to offer readers valuable insights about the design of MNP‐based tools for the effective detection of mycotoxins in practical applications.
Recent advance in modification strategies and applications of soy protein gel properties
Authors: Liang Peijun , Chen Simin , Fang Xiang , Wu Jianfeng
Published: December 2023

Soy protein gel can be developed into a variety of products, ranging from traditional food (e.g., tofu) to newly developed food (e.g., soy yogurt and meat analog). So far, efforts are still needed to be made on modifying the gel properties of soy protein for improving its sensory properties as animal protein‐based food substitutes. Furthermore, there is always a need to regulate its gel properties for designing novel and tailored products of soy protein gels due to the fast‐growing plant protein‐based product market. This review gave an emphasis on the latest modification strategies and applications of gel properties of soy protein. The modifying methods of soy protein gel properties were reviewed from an aspect of composition or processing. Compositional modification included changing protein composition and gelling conditions and using additives, whereas processing strategies can be achieved through physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments. Several compositional modification and processing strategies have been both proven to alter the gel properties of soy protein effectively. So far, soy protein gel has been applied in the field of food and biomedicine. In the future, more mechanistic studies on the modification methods are still needed to facilitate the full application of soy protein gel.
Incidence of beak deformities in austral thrushes (Turdus falcklandii) increases with urbanization and flocking behavior
Authors: GOROSITO Cristian Andres , JAHN Alex Edward , CUETO Victor Rodolfo
Published: December 2023

Beak deformation, known as avian keratin disorder (AKD), can impair feeding and preening of birds, reducing their survival. This disorder is apparently caused by Poecivirus infection, although to date, the viral origin has been corroborated in only a few North American bird species. Considering that fruit‐eating birds can track spatiotemporal variations in fruit abundance and that AKD may have a viral origin, the incidence of this disease can be expected to increase with flocking by birds. Therefore, we evaluated if austral thrushes (Turdus falcklandii) were attracted to urban areas when exotic plants offered fruits and if flocking of thrushes in urban areas increased the spread of AKD in this species in a Patagonian town. We fitted GPS loggers on some individuals with normal beaks in rural areas and found that they visit the town in fall. Through point count censuses, we recorded greater abundances of thrushes with normal and deformed beaks during fall–winter in urban sites than in rural sites. However, the abundance of birds with AKD declined more (78–87%) than that of individuals with normal beaks (44–52%) during the transition from fall–winter to spring–summer. In urban zones in our study area, fruits of exotic species ripen during fall, attracting austral thrushes from rural sites. Nevertheless, such an attraction for food resources may be an ecological trap for this species, as the increase in incidence of AKD in urban areas may drastically reduce the survival of birds during the most unfavorable period of the year.
Chronic post‐surgical pain following gastrointestinal surgery: Protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Rosendahl Amalie , Thomsen Thordis , Brandstrup Birgitte , Møller Ann M.
Published: December 2023

Background

Chronic post‐surgical pain (CPSP) significantly impacts people's lives, affecting both socioeconomic aspects as well as their rehabilitation after surgery. Yet, CPSP remains an under‐researched field. The prevalence varies depending on type of surgery, which highlights the importance of surgery‐specific research. This scoping review aims to investigate CPSP following gastrointestinal surgery in order to map out incidences, risk factors, and impact on quality of life (QoL) as well as identify gaps in research.

Methods

The planned review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) for Scoping Review guidelines. A search strategy will be carried out in major peer‐reviewed databases and grey literature will be sought and identified. We will include original studies assessing CPSP after gastrointestinal surgery, with the exception of hernia surgery. We will chart data regarding trial characteristics, patient demographic, surgical diagnosis, risk factors, follow‐up times, pain definitions and evaluations as well as impact on QoL.

Results

We will present the included studies with a narrative summary, supplemented with descriptive statistics of the quantitative data if appropriate.

Conclusion

The planned scoping review will map out the current evidence about CPSP in adults following gastrointestinal surgery. We will identify gaps in research that can support the development of further research into CPSP after gastrointestinal surgery.
Coping strategies used by second‐career student teachers
Authors: van Heijst Ilona , Volman Monique , Cornelissen Frank
Published: December 2023

Background

When second‐career teachers (SCTs) learn to teach, they need to cope with the tension‐evoking moments they encounter. Little is known about the coping strategies SCTs use to manage tensions.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to investigate the coping strategies SCTs use during the first 1.5 years of teacher training. The SCTs' own perceptions about the usefulness, evolution and specificity of these coping strategies were also studied.

Sample

Twenty‐four SCTs in the alternative teacher training programme (ATTP) at the University of Amsterdam participated in this study. These SCTs aspired to become teachers of mathematics, physics, economics, computer science or chemistry.

Method

For each participant, written logbook fragments and interviews were analysed in Atlas‐ti.

Results

The SCTs used in decreasing order: intrapersonal approaching (e.g., resolving problems autonomously), interpersonal approaching (e.g., consulting others) and intrapersonal avoiding strategies (e.g., ignoring an undesired situation). Interpersonal avoiding strategies were not mentioned at all.

While the SCTs reported approaching strategies (inter‐ and intrapersonal) as being useful for their development, we also found disadvantages to intrapersonal approaching strategies and advantageous uses of avoiding strategies. The SCTs noted several inter‐ and intrapersonal approaching coping strategies that they considered typical for SCTs.

Conclusion

Intrapersonal approaching coping strategies can be a risk because of the invisibility of these strategies. Interpersonal strategies should be stimulated because SCTs benefit from the social network in school. Avoiding strategies may serve a purpose for managing the complexity of the teaching profession.
Metadherin inhibits chemosensitivity of triple‐negative breast cancer to paclitaxel via activation of AKT/GSK‐3β signaling pathway
Authors: Chang Yan , Jia Hui‐Qin , Xu Bin , Yang Liu , Xu Ye‐Tong , Zhang Jing‐Yu , Wang Mei‐Qi , Yang Li‐Xian , Song Zhen‐Chuan
Published: December 2023

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) has an aggressive clinical course, and paclitaxel (PTX)‐based chemotherapy remains the main therapeutic drug. Metadherin (MTDH) acts as an oncogene that regulates proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance. This study aimed to investigate whether TNBC chemosensitivity to PTX was related to the MTDH/AKT/glycogen synthase kinase‐3beta (GSK‐3β) pathway. Clinical baseline characteristics and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to evaluate the expression and prognosis of MTDH and AKT (protein kinase B, PKB) in TNBC patient samples. MTDH shRNA, MTDH overexpression vector, MK‐2206, and PTX intervention were used in cell models and mouse tumor‐bearing models. Afterwards, mRNA and protein levels were assessed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Evaluate the level of tumor cell apoptosis and cell cycle using flow cytometry. Cell viability was detected using Cell Count Kit 8. The in vivo imaging system is used to analyze the growth of tumors. We found that higher expression of MTDH or AKT resulted in poorer disease‐free survival and a lower Miller–Payne grade. MTDH promotes cell proliferation and increases p‐AKT and p‐GSK‐3β expression in TNBC cells. Notably, suppression of AKT terminated MTDH overexpression‐induced cell proliferation and apoptosis. MTDH knockdown or the AKT inhibitor MK2206 reduced the p‐AKT and p‐GSK‐3β ratio, reduced cell viability and proliferation, increased cell apoptosis, and increased chemosensitivity to PTX. In vivo, xenograft tumors of an MTDH knockdown+MK2206 group treated with PTX were the smallest compared to other groups. In short, MTDH inhibits TNBC chemosensitivity to PTX by activating the AKT/GSK‐3β signaling pathway.
A mother and her daughter carrying a pathogenic expansion of the HTT gene with a phenotype encompassing motor neuron disease and Huntington's disease
Authors: Canosa Antonio , Cabras Sara , Di Pede Francesca , Manera Umberto , Vasta Rosario , Moglia Cristina , Calvo Andrea , Gallone Salvatore , Chiò Adriano
Published: December 2023

Recently, pathogenic expansions (range 40–64 CAG repeats) in the HTT gene have been found in patients diagnosed with pure frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD/ALS). We report a mother with Huntington's disease (HD) associated with motor neuron disease (MND) signs and her daughter suffering from ALS with subtle signs of HD, both carrying a pathogenic allele of the HTT gene (i.e., >39 repeats). The co‐occurrence of MND and chorea has been reported in previous cases. Subjects showing both ALS and HD signs and carrying HTT pathogenic expansions in two generations of the same kindred have never been reported so far. The study of the overlap of disease mechanisms at the cellular level between TDP‐43 and Huntingtin is relevant in an era offering promising strategies of targeted treatments in neurodegenerative disorders.
Neurite density of the hippocampus is associated with trace eyeblink conditioning latency in 4‐ to 6‐year‐olds
Authors: Vieites Vanessa , Ralph Yvonne , Reeb‐Sutherland Bethany , Dick Anthony Steven , Mattfeld Aaron T. , Pruden Shannon M.
Published: December 2023

Limited options exist to evaluate the development of hippocampal function in young children. Research has established that trace eyeblink conditioning (EBC) relies on a functional hippocampus. Hence, we set out to investigate whether trace EBC is linked to hippocampal structure, potentially serving as a valuable indicator of hippocampal development. Our study explored potential associations between individual differences in hippocampal volume and neurite density with trace EBC performance in young children. We used onset latency of conditioned responses (CR) and percentage of conditioned responses (% CR) as measures of hippocampal‐dependent associative learning. Using a sample of typically developing children aged 4 to 6 years (N = 30; 14 girls; M = 5.70 years), participants underwent T1‐ and diffusion‐weighted MRI scans and completed a 15‐min trace eyeblink conditioning task conducted outside the MRI. % CR and CR onset latency were calculated based on all trials involving tone‐puff presentations and tone‐alone trials. Findings revealed a connection between greater left hippocampal neurite density and delayed CR onset latency. Children with higher neurite density in the left hippocampus tended to blink closer to the onset of the unconditioned stimulus, indicating that structural variations in the hippocampus were associated with more precise timing of conditioned responses. No other relationships were observed between hippocampal volume, cerebellum volume or neurite density, hippocampal white matter connectivity and any EBC measures. Preliminary results suggest that trace EBC may serve as a straightforward yet innovative approach for studying hippocampal development in young children and populations with atypical development.
Breed predispositions to congenital and juvenile cataracts in horses at two academic institutions
Authors: Plotsker Noah M. , Bellone Rebecca R. , Ledbetter Eric C. , Irby Nita L. , Good Kathryn L. , Knickelbein Kelly E.
Published: December 2023

Background

Determination of horse breeds predisposed to congenital and juvenile cataracts will enable investigations into potential genetic mechanisms for cataracts in horses.

Objective

To investigate horse breed predispositions to congenital and juvenile cataracts in two academic referral populations.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Medical record identification of horses diagnosed with congenital or juvenile cataracts at the Cornell University Equine Hospital (2000–2022) and the University of California‐Davis (UCD) Large Animal Clinic (1990–2021). Signalment, examination findings and treatments were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed, and breed over‐representations were determined using Chi‐squared or Fisher's exact tests.

Results

Thirty‐one (Cornell) and 70 (UCD) horses with congenital or juvenile cataracts were identified, for a total of 101 affected horses. Seventy‐eight horses were affected bilaterally and 23 were affected unilaterally, for a total of 179 affected eyes. Standardbreds were significantly over‐represented at both institutions, comprising 32.5% of congenital/juvenile cataract cases and 10% of the equine hospital population at Cornell (p < 0.001) and 4.3% of cataract cases and 1.3% of the equine hospital population at UCD (p = 0.03). Thoroughbreds were under‐represented for congenital and juvenile cataracts at both institutions (p = 0.03 Cornell, p = 0.01 UCD).

Main limitations

Retrospective study, potential for selection bias.

Conclusions

The over‐representation of the Standardbred breed for congenital and juvenile cataracts at two institutions suggests an underlying genetic basis in the breed. Future genetic and genomic studies are warranted to investigate heritable cataracts in Standardbred horses.
Face‐to‐face: isotretinoin use and pregnancy outcome
Authors: Tırmıkçıoğlu Zeynep , Tatlıparmak Aslı
Published: December 2023

Isotretinoin has been used to treat severe acne for more than 40 years. There are no accurate data on the absolute risk of potential teratogenicity to all fetuses exposed to isotretinoin. According to current guidelines, isotretinoin should be discontinued at least 1 month before pregnancy. This study enrolled pregnant women who contacted the Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit for individual drug risk assessment between 2016 and 2020. Data on maternal characteristics and isotretinoin exposures were obtained at first consultation. After delivery, follow‐up calls were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Of 2,323 pregnant women consulted, 1.3% (31/2,323) had systemic isotretinoin exposure during and before pregnancy. Of 31 prospectively followed pregnancies, eight terminated electively. Most elective terminations (7/8) were performed because of the fear of fetal malformation. The majority of continued pregnancies (16/23) resulted in healthy live birth. There were no major birth defects. In six pregnancies, intrauterine deaths (three first trimester, three second trimester) were reported. Cesarean section was performed in 70.5% (12/17) of all deliveries. The median gestational age at birth was 39, and no preterm births were reported. Local isotretinoin treatments in six cases were evaluated and presented additionally, and all babies were born healthy. Based on the results of this study, there was no evidence of major birth defect, mental disorder, or retinoid embryopathy associated with the use of isotretinoin in pregnancy. Not local use, but systemic exposure to isotretinoin is of great concern that results in pregnancy termination.
Leptin and adiposity measures from birth to later childhood: Findings from the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Follow‐Up Study
Authors: DeLacey Sean , Gurra Miranda , Arzu Jennifer , Lowe Lynn P. , Lowe William L. , Scholtens Denise M. , Josefson Jami L.
Published: December 2023

Background

Cord blood (CB) leptin is positively associated with adiposity at birth, but the association with child adiposity is unclear.

Objectives

We hypothesized that CB leptin is positively associated with adiposity in peripubertal children and with childhood leptin.

Methods

Leptin was measured in 986 CB and 931 childhood stored samples from a prospective birth cohort. Adiposity measures were collected at birth and mean age 11.5 years. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between log‐transformed CB leptin and neonatal and childhood adiposity measures as continuous and categorical variables, respectively.

Results

CB leptin was positively associated with neonatal and childhood adiposity. Childhood associations were attenuated when adjusted for maternal body mass index (BMI) and glucose, but remained statistically significant for childhood body fat percentage (β = 1.15%, confidence interval [CI] = 0.46–1.84), body fat mass (β = 0.69 kg, 95% CI = 0.16–1.23), sum of skin‐folds (β = 1.77 mm, 95% CI = 0.31–3.24), log‐transformed child serum leptin (β = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.06–0.20), overweight/obesity (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03–1.42), obesity (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.04–1.66) and body fat percentage >85th percentile (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.12–1.73). Positive associations between newborn adiposity measures and CB leptin confirmed previous reports.

Conclusion

CB leptin is positively associated with neonatal and childhood adiposity and child leptin levels, independent of maternal BMI and maternal hyperglycemia. CB leptin may be a biomarker of future adiposity risk.
Intention to stay of pediatric nurses: Does pediatric nurse–parent partnership and perceived stress matter?
Authors: Ji Jianlin , Guo Ningyuan , Cengqian Zeng , Lu Qunfeng , Wang Lin
Published: December 2023

Aims

To explore intentions to stay of pediatric nurses and to determine how pediatric nurse–parent partnership and perceived stress differ among the subgroups.

Background and introduction

The shortage of nurses, particularly pediatric nurses, has become a global problem. Intention to stay has been an established predictor of nurse retention. Less is known about the heterogeneity of intention to stay and the specific characteristics, which may restrict the effectiveness of prevention and interventions for pediatric nurse retention.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional online survey. A total of 603 pediatric nurses were surveyed on their pediatric nurse–parent partnership, perceived stress, and intention to stay. Latent class analysis, multinomial logistic regression, and univariate analysis were used to analyze the related factors. We followed the STROBE checklist.

Results

Three latent classes of intention to stay were identified: low level, moderate level, and high level. Aged between 31 and 35, higher perceived stress, contract nurse, and no spouse were associated with the low level of intention to stay. Good sensitivity in the pediatric nurse–parent partnership was associated with high level of intention to stay. Having a spouse was associated with moderate level compared with low level of intention to stay.

Discussion and conclusion

Our study was one of the first to show three different classes of intention to stay of pediatric nurses, and the specific sociodemographic information, perceived stress, and pediatric nurse–patient partnership associated with different classes of intention to stay were reported.

Implications for nursing and/or health policy

Our results informed the development of pediatric nurse support strategies. Nurse managers could consider the specific factors affecting the intention to stay and make great efforts in developing strategies and projects for different classes of intention to stay that can maximize nurse intention to stay.
Effect of endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection on postoperative wound complications in patients with gastric cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Xiaoyun , Wu Xia , Fan Wenjun
Published: December 2023

Endoscopic submucosa dissection (ESD) allows complete excision of the whole lesion, which results in a higher percentage of complete excision and an improved quality of life by minimizing the amount of excision as opposed to an endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Although ESD is now being carried out in the majority of hospitals, ESD's possible complications (such as trauma and perforation) have given rise to doubts about ESD practices in patients with early‐stage stomach cancer when deciding on therapy and reimbursement. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ESD over EMR in treating early‐stage stomach cancer. Four main databases have been searched, including EMBASE and published. The ROBINS‐I tool suggested in the Cochrane Handbook has been applied to evaluate the quality of the chosen trials. It may better reflect the risk of bias in the included studies. The meta‐analyses were carried out with ReMan 5.3, and the results were treated with endote. Seven cohort studies have been completed. Meta analysis indicated that EMR and ESD surgery did not differ significantly from each other in terms of postoperative haemorrhage (OR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.56,1.04 p = 0.09); EMR, however, was associated with a lower rate of postoperative perforation than ESD surgery (OR, 0.36; 95%CI, 0.24,0.54 p < 0.0001). Taking into account that ESD and EMR did not differ significantly in the risk of wound bleeding, even though the risk of perforation is not likely to result in life‐threatening illness. In the analysis of these data, however, the potential advantages of EMR might be greater than ESD.
Promoting thermal stability and acid resistance of rare earth sulfide powders by coating ZnO and SiO2 double shells
Authors: Li Renhan , Bai Gongxun , Zhang Hongbin , Song Enhai , Zhang Jiasong , Li Denghao , Zhang Junjie , Xu Shiqing
Published: December 2023

As an environment‐friendly powder with good coloring performance, rare earth sulfide is one kind of the important choices to replace cadmium and lead colorants. In particular, γ‐Ce2S3 belongs to rare earth sesquisulfide, which has a bright red color. However, the uncoated γ‐Ce2S3 is easy to decompose and release H2S in a humid or acidic environment, and its air thermal stability is limited to 350°C. In this work, γ‐Ce2S3 powders coated with zinc oxide were prepared by heterogeneous precipitation method, and a dense protective layer was formed by ZnO to improve chemical and thermal stability. Moreover, silicon dioxide was deposited on the surface of the zinc oxide coating using the microemulsion process to strengthen the powder's acid resistance. The double shells structure greatly promoted thermal stability and acid resistance of γ‐Ce2S3 powders. The results showed that rare earth sulfide powders with double shells have good stability for coloring applications.
Self‐injurious behavior in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: An interdisciplinary family systems review
Authors: Roberts Caroline L. , Symons Frank
Published: December 2023

This conceptual review paper takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of self‐injury in families. The overall goal is to begin integrating siloed bodies of knowledge from empirical work based on findings from individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities and self‐injury. The research literature on self‐injury and family‐level variables is reviewed, including dyadic and individual‐level variables with potential bidirectional impact on the family. Then, opportunities for knowledge translation are explored with respect to the pragmatic goal of developing family‐level interventions for self‐injurious behavior in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Four opportunities for knowledge translation are highlighted: family patterns, parenting behavior, attachment relationships, and emotional experience.