bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconstructing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in eastern Uganda through longitudinal serosurveillance in a malaria cohort
Authors: Briggs Jessica , Takahashi Saki , Nayebare Patience , Cuu Gloria , Rek John , Zedi Maato , Kizza Timothy , Arinaitwe Emmanuel , Nankabirwa Joaniter I. , Kamya Moses , Jagannathan Prasanna , Jacobson Karen , Rosenthal Philip J. , Dorsey Grant , Greenhouse Bryan , Ssewanyana Isaac , Rodríguez-Barraquer Isabel
Published: September 2022

Importance

Estimating the true burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been difficult in sub-Saharan Africa due to asymptomatic infections and inadequate testing capacity. Antibody responses from serologic surveys can provide an estimate of SARS-CoV-2 exposure at the population level.

Objective

To estimate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, attack rates, and re-infection in eastern Uganda using serologic surveillance from 2020 to early 2022.

Design

Plasma samples from participants in the Program for Resistance, Immunology, Surveillance, and Modeling of Malaria in Uganda (PRISM) Border Cohort were obtained at four sampling intervals: October-November 2020; March-April 2021; August-September 2021; and February-March 2022. Setting: Tororo and Busia districts, Uganda.

Participants

1,483 samples from 441 participants living in 76 households were tested. Each participant contributed up to 4 time points for SARS-CoV-2 serology, with almost half of all participants contributing at all 4 time points, and almost 90% contributing at 3 or 4 time points. Information on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status was collected from participants, with the earliest reported vaccinations in the cohort occurring in May 2021.

Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)

The main outcomes of this study were antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as measured with a bead-based serologic assay. Individual-level outcomes were aggregated to population-level SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, attack rates, and boosting rates. Estimates were weighted by the local age distribution based on census data.

Results

By the end of the Delta wave and before widespread vaccination, nearly 70% of the study population had experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection. During the subsequent Omicron wave, 85% of unvaccinated, previously seronegative individuals were infected for the first time, and ∼50% or more of unvaccinated, already seropositive individuals were likely re-infected, leading to an overall 96% seropositivity in this population. Our results suggest a lower probability of re-infection in individuals with higher pre-existing antibody levels. We found evidence of household clustering of SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion. We found no significant associations between SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion and gender, household size, or recent Plasmodium falciparum malaria exposure.

Conclusions and Relevance

Findings from this study are consistent with very high infection rates and re-infection rates for SARS-CoV-2 in a rural population from eastern Uganda throughout the pandemic.
Pathway analysis identifies novel non-synonymous variants contributing to extreme vascular outcomes in Williams-Beuren syndrome
Authors: Liu D. , Billington C.J. , Raja N. , Wong Z.C. , Levin M.D. , Resch W. , Alba C. , Hupalo D.N. , Biamino E. , Bedeschi M.F. , Digilio M.C. , Squeo G.M. , Villa R. , Parrish P.C.R. , Knutsen R.H. , Osgood S. , Freeman J.A. , Dalgard C.L. , Merla G. , Pober B.R. , Mervis C.B. , Roberts A.E. , Morris C.A. , Osborne L.R. , Kozel B.A.
Published: September 2022

Supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) is a characteristic feature of Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). SVAS is present in 67% of those with WBS, but severity varies; 21% have clinically significant SVAS requiring surgical intervention while 33% have no appreciable aortic disease. Little is known about genetic modifiers outside the 7q11.23 region that might contribute to SVAS severity. To investigate, we collaboratively phenotyped 473 individuals with WBS and performed the largest whole-genome- sequencing study to date. We developed a set of strategies for modifier discovery including extreme phenotyping (surgical SVAS vs. no SVAS) and prioritization of non-synonymous variants with increased predicted functional impact along with an allele frequency difference between the extreme phenotype groups. We identified pathways enriched in common or less frequent variants, followed by association testing of SVAS severity with the enriched pathways. The common variant analysis identified pathways including the extracellular matrix and the innate immune system, while pathways encompassing adaptive immunity, ciliary function, lipid metabolism and PI3KAKT were captured by both the common and less frequent variant analyses. Cell cycle and estrogen responsive pathways were among those identified through the less frequent variant analysis. Among the 69 genes reported in other large genome wide association studies assessing aortic traits, 11 genes, including PCSK9 and ILR6, were found in our study, suggesting overlapping disease mechanisms. In summary, this study presents novel strategies for identification of disease modifiers in rare conditions like WBS.

Graphical Abstract
Metabolic acids impact bone mineral maturation
Authors: Li Yang , Li Rui , Reid David G. , Lunn Joe T. , Müller Karin H. , Laurencin Danielle , Bonhomme Christian , Ossa E. Alex , Sommerdijk Nico A.J.M. , Duer Melinda J
Published: September 2022

Bone mineral has a complex 3D architecture that is essential to its mechanical properties. It is a complex calcium phosphate phase related to hydroxyapatite that also contains significant quantities of cell respiration metabolites, in particular: carbonate, citrate and lactate. An as-yet unanswered question is what, if any, role do these metabolites collectively play in determining the 3D architecture of bone mineral? Here we synthesize apatitic materials by transformation from precursor mineral phases containing citrate, lactate or carbonate so that the synthesis environment mimics the densely-packed ionic environment within which bone mineral forms in vivo, and so that we can understand the mineral factors that may direct bone mineral 3D architecture. We show that incorporating citrate and lactate leads to complex mineral architectures reminiscent of those in bone mineral, including curvature of the mineral crystals. Our results suggest that metabolic acids may assist the moulding of bone mineral to restricted spaces available for mineral in in vivo bone. We find that the incorporation of lactate creates a softer material and inhibits the transformation towards apatitic structures, which may help to explain why foetal bone – necessarily soft – contains considerable quantities of lactate. High levels of plasma citrate have been previously found to correlate with high bone mineral density. Here we find that citrate incorporation leads to mineral crystal curvature modelling that in in vivo bone mineral suggesting its importance in mineral morphology. We conclude that metabolic anions may play an important role in controlling bone mineral physicochemical properties and 3D architecture.
The impact of audit committee effectiveness on firms’ outcomes in China: a systematic review
Authors: Komal Bushra , Bilal  , Ye Chengang , Salem Rami
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the academic literature on the impact of audit committee effectiveness on different outcomes (accounting, auditing, governance and economics) in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have conducted a systematic review using the PRISMA guidelines.

Findings

The key finding is that the regulatory organisations in China, such as the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), need to play the active role that is expected of them to enhance the transparency and independence of an audit committee. Also, Chinese listed companies are facing institutional barriers (CEO power, concentrated ownership and government influence) to effectively implement the imported concept within China. Research relating to the audit committee's effectiveness has focused mainly on agency and resource dependence perspectives.

Research limitations/implications

China’s regulatory bodies (CSRC and SASAC) should make necessary reforms to enhance the audit committee’s effectiveness. This study also provides implications for the other settings that have imported the audit committee concept from the Anglo-American countries.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by synthesising the prior mixed findings on audit committee literature in China and providing suggestions to the regulators and future research.
Does change in the scoring system impact service evaluation? Evidence from Booking.com
Authors: Kim Jong Min , Liu Jiahao , Yousaf Salman
Published: September 2022

Purpose

In September 2019, Booking.com changed from the smiley-based scoring system (2.5–10) to the purely 10-point evaluation system (1–10). The smiley-based service evaluation is based on the multi-dimensional (M-D) system, whereas the purely 10-point service evaluation is based on the single-dimensional (S-D) system. This paper aims to focus on how a change in review posting policies impacts service evaluations regarding review generation and distribution.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors exploit the natural experiment using Booking.com when the site changed its scoring system from a multidimensional smiley-based service evaluation system to an S-D scoring system. The authors collected online reviews posted on two travel agencies (Booking.com and Priceline.com) between September 2019 and October 2020. A quasi-experimental approach, Difference-in-Differences, was used to isolate the impacts of the new scoring system from the impacts of the change in the service evaluation environment, i.e. COVID-19.

Findings

The change in the scoring system considerably alters review distributions by decreasing the portion of positive reviews but increasing the portion of highly positive reviews. Using the theory of emotion work (Hochschild, 1979, 2001), DID is also the reason that the former M-D smiley-based system could have underrated, highly positive reviews of services. Using the information transfer theory (Belkin, 1984), the authors reason the asymmetric transfer of information when users consume reviews from the older (M-D) system but are required to generate reviews on a newer (S-D) system.

Practical implications

The findings would provide online review platform management with a deeper understanding of the consequences of changes in service evaluations when the scoring system is changed.

Originality/value

Though the change in the scoring system would affect how customers evaluate the services of hotels, the causal impacts of switching to the new S-D scoring system have not yet been thoroughly covered by prior hospitality and service evaluation literature, which this research aspires to do.
Humble leadership and career success: a moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Chughtai Aamir Ali , Arifeen Shehla R.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of humble leadership on both objective (salary) and subjective (career satisfaction) measures of career success and to investigate the mediating role of innovative work behavior in this relationship. Furthermore, this study also explores the moderating role of affective commitment to the supervisor (ACS) in the relationship between humble leadership and innovative work behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Sample for this study consisted of 220 employees who were selected from four food and beverage companies based in Pakistan. The research hypotheses were tested through multiple regression analyses, moderated regression analyses and the bootstrapping procedure.

Findings

Results showed that innovative work behavior fully mediated the effects of humble leadership on salary, while it partially mediated the effects of humble leadership on career satisfaction. In addition, it was found that ACS moderates the relationship between humble leadership and innovative work behavior such that the relationship is stronger when ACS is high. Finally, results revealed that ACS also moderates the indirect effect of humble leadership on salary and career satisfaction.

Originality/value

This is the first study, which has examined the effects of humble leadership on both objective and subjective measures of career success. In addition, by exploring the mediating role of innovative work behavior and moderating role of ACS, this research sheds light on how and when humble leadership is most effective in facilitating employees' career success.
Locals versus foreigners’ emotion-motivational responses towards traditional and non-traditional food
Authors: Rita Paulo , Arriaga Patrícia , Moura Ana , Guerreiro João
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to study responses to traditional food of a country, focusing on emotion-motivational responses by locals and foreigners.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an experimental design study, Portuguese and Foreign participants were exposed to both traditional and nontraditional food pictures of a country and asked to evaluate their emotional and motivational responses while physiological responses of electrodermal activity were being continuously recorded. Predisposition factors of body dissatisfaction, food neophobia and food involvement were also evaluated given their potential role in predicting the responses to the visualization of the food pictures.

Findings

This study found that local traditional food received a higher positive evaluation than nontraditional food with locals evaluating it even higher than foreigners. Higher feelings of arousal and desire as well as willingness to try in response to traditional food were also found as well as higher feelings of pleasure by locals. However, interestingly, and contrary to expectations derived from previous literature, emotion-motivational responses were not significantly different between locals and foreigners.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research addressed an identified research gap in the literature, being the first one evaluating the autonomic responses of consumers to traditional food by exploring how local and foreign consumers respond to traditional food versus nontraditional food using psychophysiological measures of emotion.
Regulatory Protection and Opportunistic Bankruptcy*
Authors: Gopalan Radhakrishnan , Martin Xiumin , Srinivasan Kandarp
Published: September 2022

We document controlling shareholder (insider) opportunism in an insolvency regime that uses an accounting rule to determine bankruptcy eligibility. Our study sheds light on managerial incentives induced by weak investor protection laws. Using unique data on bankrupt firms from an emerging market, consistent with our prediction, we show insiders intentionally manage earnings downward to understate firm net worth so as to be able to file for bankruptcy. Downward pre‐bankruptcy earnings management is associated with more payments to insiders and weaker performance, post‐filing. A battery of tests suggests our results cannot be fully explained as an artifact of financial distress. Rather, they are consistent with insiders exploiting weak investor protection to extract private benefits at the expense of lenders and outside shareholders. Our study serves as a cautionary tale for all insolvency regimes that use a balance sheet test in an environment with weak creditor protection.
Polymorphism‐aware estimation of species trees and evolutionary forces from genomic sequences with RevBayes
Authors: Borges Rui , Boussau Bastien , Höhna Sebastian , Pereira Ricardo J. , Kosiol Carolin
Published: September 2022

The availability of population genomic data through new sequencing technologies gives unprecedented opportunities for estimating important evolutionary forces such as genetic drift, selection and mutation biases across organisms. Yet, analytical methods that can handle polymorphisms jointly with sequence divergence across species are rare and not easily accessible to empiricists.

We implemented polymorphism‐aware phylogenetic models (PoMos), an alternative approach for species tree estimation, in the Bayesian phylogenetic software RevBayes. PoMos naturally account for incomplete lineage sorting, which is known to cause difficulties for phylogenetic inference in species radiations, and scale well with genome‐wide data. Simultaneously, PoMos can estimate mutation and selection biases.

We have applied our methods to resolve the complex phylogenetic relationships of a young radiation of Chorthippus grasshoppers, based on coding sequences. In addition to establishing a well‐supported species tree, we found a mutation bias favouring AT alleles and selection bias promoting the fixation of GC alleles, the latter consistent with GC‐biased gene conversion. The selection bias is two orders of magnitude lower than genetic drift, validating the critical role of nearly neutral evolutionary processes in species radiation.

PoMos offer a wide range of models to reconstruct phylogenies and can be easily combined with existing models in RevBayes—for example, relaxed clock and divergence time estimation—offering new insights into the evolutionary processes underlying molecular evolution and, ultimately, species diversification.
Oncological and safety profiles in patients undergoing simultaneous transurethral resection (TUR) of bladder tumour and TUR of the prostate
Authors: Laukhtina Ekaterina , Moschini Marco , Krajewski Wojciech , Teoh Jeremy Yuen‐Chun , Ploussard Guillaume , Soria Francesco , Roghmann Florian , Muenker Mara Anna , Roumiguie Mathieu , Alvarez‐Maestro Mario , Misrai Vincent , Antonelli Alessandro , Tafuri Alessandro , Simone Giuseppe , Mastroianni Riccardo , Zhao Hongda , Rahota Razvan‐George , D'Andrea David , Mori Keiichiro , Albisinni Simone , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Fajkovic Harun , Enikeev Dmitry , Montorsi Francesco , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Pradere Benjamin ,   the European Association of Urology ‐ Young Academic Urologists (EAU‐YAU): Urothelial Carcinoma Working Group
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To determine the oncological impact and adverse events of performing simultaneous transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURB) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), as evidence on the outcomes of simultaneous TURB for bladder cancer and TURP for obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia is limited and contradictory.

Patients and Methods

Patients from 12 European hospitals treated with either TURB alone or simultaneous TURB and TURP (TURB+TURP) were retrospectively analysed. A propensity score matching (PSM) 1:1 was performed with patients from the TURB+TURP group matched to TURB‐alone patients. Associations between surgery approach with recurrence‐free (RFS) and progression‐free (PFS) survivals were assessed in Cox regression models before and after PSM. We performed a subgroup analysis in patients with risk factors for recurrence (multifocality and/or tumour size >3 cm).

Results

A total of 762 men were included, among whom, 76% (581) underwent a TURB alone and 24% (181) a TURB+TURP. There was no difference in terms of tumour characteristics between the groups. We observed comparable length of stay as well as complication rates including major complications (Clavien–Dindo Grade ≥III) for the TURB‐alone vs TURB+TURP groups, while the latest led to longer operative time (P < 0.001). During a median follow‐up of 44 months, there were more recurrences in the TURB‐alone (47%) compared to the TURB+TURP group (28%; P < 0.001). Interestingly, there were more recurrences at the bladder neck/prostatic fossa in the TURB‐alone group (55% vs 3%, P < 0.001). TURB+TURP procedures were associated with improved RFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29–0.53; P < 0.001), but not PFS (HR 1.63, 95% CI 0.90–2.98; P = 0.11). Within the PSM cohort of 254 patients, the simultaneous TURB+TURP was still associated with improved RFS (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.22–0.49; P < 0.001). This was also true in the subgroup of 380 patients with recurrence risk factors (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.28–0.62; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In our contemporary cohort, simultaneous TURB and TURP seems to be an oncologically safe option that may, even, improve RFS by potentially preventing disease recurrence at the bladder neck and in the prostatic fossa.
Comprehensive review on natural pharmacophore tethered 1,2,3‐triazoles as active pharmaceuticals
Authors: Rammohan Aluru , Venkatesh Bhumireddy Chinnachennaiahgari , Basha Nabhubygari Mahaboob , Zyryanov Grigory V. , Nageswararao Mekala
Published: September 2022

The privileged 1,2,3‐triazole scaffold is drawing researcher's attention due to its widespread applications in diverse fields such as drug discovery (e.g., carboxyamidotriazole), organic synthesis (click‐reaction template), polymeric materials (e.g., triazolamer), supramolecular receptors (e.g., triazolophane), fluorescent materials (e.g., metal–organic frameworks), and agricultural sectors (e.g., fungicides). Various 1,2,3‐triazole persuasion modules are also currently available in the market that have multiple assets such as active pharmaceuticals and agricultural purposes. Owed to the highly consistent and firmest synthesis approach, that is, click reaction of various azides and acetylene derivatives by copper (I)‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC), highly functionalized 1,2,3‐triazoles are prepared in scalar yields for drug discovery. Given the importance of 1,2,3‐triazole chemistry, the present review focuses specifically on the synthesis of structurally diverse 1,2,3‐triazoles linked to natural pharmacophores and their biological importance. Furthermore, the dual/multi‐pharmacophores assimilated 1,2,3‐triazoles have listed interesting biological activities that could be valuable as future drug leads. In addition, this comprehensive review can serve as a template for the development of new diverse scaffolds that will ensure for new therapeutic approaches for the existing myriad diseases and disorders.
Trajectories of parent and child well‐being across the pandemic year: Role of financial strain, social distancing, and COVID‐19 prevalence
Authors: Le Yunying , Mogle Jacqueline A. , Feinberg Mark E.
Published: September 2022

Existing research demonstrated large deteriorations in parent, child, and family well‐being within 2 months after the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Yet, little is known about the trajectories of families' adjustment in the following months, including what risk factors are associated with changes in families' adjustment. The current study examined (1) change in the parent, child, and family well‐being over time; (2) associations of pandemic‐related stressors, financial and social distancing‐associated stress, with well‐being between and within families; and (3) the role of local COVID‐19 prevalence, prior participation in family‐focused prevention, and parent gender. From April 2020 to January 2021, 393 parents from 235 families reported five times on parent mental health, child behavior problems, family relationships, and pandemic‐related stressors. Findings indicate that, across all domains of well‐being, there was either little change across the 8 months or a small degree of recovery followed by a shift to further deterioration. On average, parents experiencing greater pandemic‐related stressors also reported poorer functioning in all domains; monthly fluctuations in pandemic‐related stressors were also associated with fluctuations in parent mental health and child behavior problems. In some domains, the links between pandemic‐related stressors and parent and child well‐being were stronger among families living in areas with overall higher COVID‐19 prevalence rates. Parents' experiences during the pandemic did not differ systematically across prior intervention participation or parent gender. Taken together, findings suggest a need for supportive interventions to help families navigate extended periods of crisis.
Clinical outcomes of antithrombin III‐based therapy for patients with portal vein thrombosis: A retrospective, multicenter study
Authors: Hayama Korenobu , Atsukawa Masanori , Tsubota Akihito , Kondo Chisa , Iwasa Motoh , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Takaguchi Koichi , Tsutsui Akemi , Uojima Haruki , Hidaka Hisashi , Okubo Hironao , Suzuki Tatsuya , Matsuura Kentaro , Tada Toshifumi , Kawabe Naoto , Tani Joji , Morishita Asahiro , Ishikawa Toru , Arase Yoshitaka , Furuichi Yoshihiro , Kato Keizo , Kawata Kazuhito , Chuma Makoto , Nozaki Akito , Hiraoka Atsushi , Watanabe Tsunamasa , Kagawa Tatehiro , Toyoda Hidenori , Taniai Nobuhiko , Yoshida Hiroshi , Tanaka Yasuhito , Iwakiri Katsuhiko ,   KTK49 Liver Study Group
Published: September 2022

Aim

The association between thrombolytic therapy and the outcome in patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome in patients with PVT who received antithrombin III‐based therapy.

Methods

This study was a retrospective, multicenter study to investigate the liver‐related events and the survival rates in 240 patients with PVT who received the therapy.

Results

The patients comprised 151 men and 89 women, with a median age of 69 years. The rate of favorable response, defined as maximum area of PVT changed to ≤75%, was 67.5% (162/240). The cumulative rates of liver‐related events at 1, 2, and 3 years were 38.2%, 53.9%, and 68.5%, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that viable hepatocellular carcinoma, absence of maintenance therapy, non‐responder, and PVT progression were significantly associated with liver‐related events. The PVT progression was observed in 23.3% (56/240). The multivariate analysis identified older age, absence of maintenance therapy, and non‐responder as independent factors associated with PVT progression. The multivariate analysis revealed that younger age, no hepatocellular carcinoma, presence of maintenance therapy, and lower Model for End‐stage Liver Disease‐Sodium score significantly contributed to 3‐year survival. Of the 240 patients, 13 (8.9%) prematurely discontinued treatment due to any adverse events.

Conclusions

This study suggests that maintenance therapy, favorable response, and absence of PVT progression may suppress or control liver‐related events in antithrombin III‐based therapy for patients with PVT. Specifically, maintenance therapy could suppress not only liver‐related events, but also PVT progression and improve the prognosis.
Using social media for patient and public involvement and engagement in health research: The process and impact of a closed Facebook group
Authors: Fedorowicz Sophia , Riley Victoria , Cowap Lisa , Ellis Naomi J. , Chambers Ruth , Grogan Sarah , Crone Diane , Cottrell Elizabeth , Clark‐Carter David , Roberts Lesley , Gidlow Christopher J.
Published: September 2022

Background

As part of a multifaceted approach to patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), alongside traditional methods, a closed Facebook group was established to facilitate PPIE feedback on various aspects of a project that used video‐recording to examine risk communication in NHS Health Checks between June 2017 and July 2019.

Objective

To explore the process and impact of conducting PPIE through a closed Facebook group and to identify the associated benefits and challenges.

Methods

Supported by reflections and information from project meetings used to document how this engagement informed the project, we describe the creation and maintenance of the Facebook Group and how feedback from the group members was obtained. Facebook data were used to investigate levels and types of engagement in the closed Facebook group. We reflect on the challenges of using this method of engaging the public in health research.

Results

A total of 289 people joined the ‘Risk Communication of Cardiovascular disease in NHS Health Checks’ PPIE closed Facebook group. They provided feedback, which was used to inform aspects of the study, including participant‐facing documents, recruitment, camera position and how the methodology being used (video‐recorded Health Checks and follow‐up interviews) would be received by the public.

Discussion

Using a closed Facebook group to facilitate PPIE offered a flexible approach for both researchers and participants, enabled a more inclusive method to PPIE (compared with traditional methods) and allowed rapid feedback. Challenges included maintaining the group, which was more labour intensive than anticipated and managing members' expectations. Suggestions for best practice include clear communication about the purpose of the group, assigning a group co‐ordinator to be the main point of contact for the group, and a research team who can dedicate the time necessary to maintain the group.

Conclusion

The use of a closed Facebook group can facilitate effective PPIE. Its flexibility can be beneficial for researchers, patients and public who wish to engage in the research process. Dedicated time for sustained group engagement is important.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patient representatives were engaged with the development of the research described in this paper and a patient representative reviewed the manuscript.
Ethical considerations for developing pediatric mhealth interventions for teens with socially complex needs
Authors: Bounds Dawn T. , Stiles‐Shields Colleen , Schueller Stephen M. , Odgers Candice L. , Karnik Niranjan S.
Published: September 2022

Topic

Mobile Health (mHealth) stands as a potential means to better reach, assess, and intervene with teens with socially complex needs. These youth often face overlapping adversities including medical illness and a history of experiencing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Clinicians are faced with navigating ethical decisions when developing mHealth tools for teens who have socially complex needs. Many tools have been developed for adults from the general population. However, despite the development of thousands of mHealth interventions, developers tend to focus on designing for usability, engagement, and efficacy, with less attention on the ethical considerations of making such tools.

Purpose

To safely move mHealth interventions from research into clinical practice, ethical standards must be met during the design phase. In this paper we adapt the Four Box Model (i.e., medical indications, preferences of patients, quality of life, and contextual features) to guide mHealth developers through ethical considerations when designing mHealth interventions for teens who present with a medical diagnosis and a history of ACEs.

Sources

A review of language, inclusive features, data sharing, and usability is presented using both the Four Box Model and potential scenarios to guide each consideration.

Conclusions

To better support designers of mHealth tools we present a framework for evaluating applications to determine overlap with ethical design and are well suited for use in clinical practice with underserved pediatric patients.
tRNA‐derived fragment tRF‐1020 ameliorates diabetes‐induced retinal microvascular complications
Authors: Ma Cong , Du Jianling , Ma Xiang
Published: September 2022

Transfer RNA (tRNA)‐derived fragments are the non‐coding single‐stranded RNAs involved in several physiological and pathological processes. Herein, we investigated the role of tRF‐1020, a tRNA fragment, in diabetes‐induced retinal microvascular complications. The results showed that the levels of tRF‐1020 expression were down‐regulated in diabetic retinal vessels and retinal endothelial cells following high glucose or H2O2 stress. Overexpressing tRF‐1020 led to decreased endothelial cell viability, proliferation, migration, and tube formation and alleviated retinal vascular dysfunction as shown by decreased retinal acellular capillaries, vascular leakage, and inflammation. By contrast, tRF‐1020 silencing displayed the opposite effects. tRF‐1020 regulated endothelial angiogenic functions and retinal vascular dysfunction by targeting Wnt signalling. Moreover, the levels of tRF‐1020 expression were reduced in aqueous humour and vitreous samples of the patients with diabetic retinopathy. Collectively, tRF‐1020 is a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
Neurodevelopmental delay up to the age of 4 years in infants born to women with gestational diabetes mellitus: The Japan Environment and Children's Study
Authors: Saito Yoshihiro , Kobayashi Sumitaka , Ito Sachiko , Miyashita Chihiro , Umazume Takeshi , Cho Kazutoshi , Watari Hidemichi , Ito Yoshiya , Saijo Yasuaki , Kishi Reiko ,   the Japan Environment and Children's Study group
Published: September 2022

Aims/Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the neurodevelopment of infants born to women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Materials and Methods

Data from the National Birth Cohort in the Japan Environment and Children's Study from 2011 to 2014 (n = 81,705) were used. Japan uses the GDM guidelines of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups. The Japanese translation of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, third Edition, was used to assess neurodevelopment in the following domains: communication skills, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem‐solving ability, and personal and social skills. The survey was carried out every 6 months from the age of 6 months to 4 years (total of eight times). Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between maternal GDM and neurodevelopmental delay based on odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

Neurodevelopmental delays, particularly in problem‐solving ability, fine motor skills, and personal and social skills, were significantly higher in infants born to women with GDM than in those born to women without GDM (adjusted OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12–1.36; adjusted OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03–1.27; and adjusted OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04–1.33). Furthermore, stratification showed no significant increase in the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of girls.

Conclusions

Neurodevelopment was significantly delayed up to 4 years‐of‐age among boys born to women with GDM.
Effects of diet switching from almond pollen to natural prey on predation capacity of Neoseiulus cucumeris
Authors: Yazdanpanah Shima , Fathipour Yaghoub , Riahi Elham , Zalucki Myron P.
Published: September 2022

Monitoring the performance of a predator long‐term reared on a non‐prey diet when switches to a prey is extremely important to have a successful biological control program. In the current study, the efficacy of Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans long‐term reared on almond pollen during 30 generations in encountering with its natural prey, Tetranychus urticae Koch was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Every 10 generations (G1, G10, G20 and G30), the development, reproduction, population growth potential and predation capacity of the predator were determined after exposure to the natural prey, for one (S1), three (S3) or five (S5) successive generations. The results indicated that the pre‐adult duration of N. cucumeris before diet switching did not differ from those after diet switching in G1, G20 and G30. Similarly, the values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were not significantly affected by the diet switching in all generations tested. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in pre‐adult duration between the individuals reared on natural prey for one generation or more in all generations tested, except for G1. Continuous feeding on the prey for five generations (G1‐S5 and G30‐S5) significantly reduced the fecundity compared with those reared for three generations (G1‐S3 and G30‐S3). We found that continuous feeding on natural prey for three or five generations after different periods of feeding on almond pollen did not significantly change the most important life history traits and predation capacity. In other words, the overall performance of the mass‐reared predator remained effective after exposure to natural prey for five generations. It can be concluded that almond pollen is a good food source for the rearing of N. cucumeris because the population growth potential and reproduction of the predator remained constant during the long‐term rearing and after switching to the natural prey.
The effectiveness of auricular acupressure on pain management during labor: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xu Meng‐Meng , Tian Qi , Yu Lin , Yang Shu , Liu Yan‐tong , Yu Shuang‐han , Cao Ming‐lu , Zhang Wei
Published: September 2022

Aim

This meta‐analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of auricular acupressure on pain management during labor.

Methods

Six English and three Chinese electronic databases were comprehensively searched from inception to 6 November 2021. The PRISMA checklist was followed. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration Bias Risk Assessment Tool. The meta‐analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Heterogeneity between studies was calculated using I2.

Results

Five studies comprising 312 participants were included. The labor pain scores of the auricular acupressure group were significantly lower than those of the usual care group at cervix dilations of 6, 8, and 10 cm, with mean differences (95% confidence intervals) of −1.05 (−1.41, −0.69), −1.44 (−2.07, −0.82), and −1.96 (−3.30, −0.61), respectively. Auricular acupressure can thus effectively improve the labor pain perception at cervix dilations of 6, 8, and 10 cm. Moreover, auricular acupressure shortened the active phase, and had the trend of shortening the second and third stages of labor. There was no evidence that auricular acupressure had an effect on the rate of cesarean section or the 1 and 5 min Apgar scores.

Conclusion

Effective labor pain relief, better labor pain perception, and the lack of adverse effects support the use of auricular acupressure. More high‐quality and rigorous trials are needed to verify our findings before we can make strong recommendations.
Relationship between professional attitude and compassion among nurses
Authors: Erbil Nülüfer , Pamuk Tuğba
Published: September 2022

Background and Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between professional attitude and compassion among nurses.

Material and Methods

The sample of the crossectional study recruited 202 nurses who accepted participation and working in a state hospital. Data were collected between 20 June 2019 and 2 August 2019 with a questionnaire form, Inventory of Professional Attitude at Occupation (IPA) and Compassion Scale. Data were collected via face‐to‐face method. Form and scales were completed by the participants. The study was reported according to the STROBE.

Results

The mean IPA was 134.57 ± 15.43. The mean score of the Compassion Scale was 73.89 ± 11.54. The mean scores of the Compassion Scale's sub‐dimensions were 16.17 ± 3.22 for kindness, 8.62 ± 3.44 for indifference, 15.45 ± 3.17 for common humanity, 9.02 ± 3.46 for separation, 15.95 ± 3.00 for mindfulness, 8.67 ± 3.44 for disengagement. There were positive correlations between kindness (r = .356), common humanity (r = .214), mindfulness (r = .297) subscales and there were negative correlations between indifference (r = −.441), separation (r = −.411) and disengagement (r = −.415) subscales and the Inventory of IPA. There was a negative correlation between IPA and total Compassion Scale scores (r = −.140). IPA scores were significantly different according to sex, age, working duration, weekly working time, satisfied with colleague relationships. Compassion scores were significantly different for weekly working time, satisfaction with colleague relationships, suitability of the nursing profession and working in emergency and outpatient clinics (p < .05).

Conclusion

As nurses' professional attitude scores increased, kindness, common humanity and mindfulness subscales scores increased, while indifference, separation and disengagement subscales scores of the compassion scale decreased.

Relevance to clinical practice

Increasing the awareness about professional attitude and compassion in nursing should start with undergraduate education of nurses, and it is recommended to organise in‐service training to develop professional attitudes and compassion in occupational life and to research patient perspectives about compassion.
Broad and narrow environmental and genetic sources of personality differences: An extended twin family study
Authors: Kandler Christian , Zapko‐Willmes Alexandra , Rauthmann John F.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Several personality theories distinguish between rather genetically rooted, universal dispositional traits (DTs) and rather environmentally shaped, more contextualized characteristic adaptations (CAs). However, no study so far has compared different measures of theoretically postulated DTs and CAs regarding their environmental and genetic components while considering differences in measurement abstraction and reliability. This study aims to bridge this gap by testing the assumed differences in the sensitivity to environmental influences based on representative sets of DTs (Big Five and HEXACO domains and facets) and CAs (goals, interests, value priorities, religiousness, and self‐schemas).

Method

Using intra‐class correlations and running extended twin family and spouses‐of‐twins model analyses, we analyzed a large data set (N = 1967) encompassing 636 twin pairs, 787 parent‐offspring dyads, and 325 spouses/partners.

Results

Findings consistently support lower environmentality of DTs compared to CAs. On average, more than half of reliable variance in DTs was genetic, whereas the reverse was found for CAs. Larger environmental components in CAs were primarily attributable to larger individual‐specific effects (beyond error of measurement) and factors shared by spouses.

Conclusions

Findings are discussed against the background of the definitional distinction between DTs and CAs and the value of extended twin family data.
Identification of Bacillus species causing bacterial leaf spot of peach in China
Authors: Jin Shi , Wang Na , Zhou Zongshan , Ji Zhirui , Zhang Junxiang
Published: September 2022

Peach (Prunus persica L.) is an economically important fruit and is cultivated widely in the world. Bacterial leaf spot (BLS) is a major disease limiting the yield of peach in most peach‐producing areas worldwide. To identify the pathogen causing bacterial leaf spot, evaluate its pathogenicity, and explore its host range, the diseased leaves were collected. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial 16S rRNA genes showed that the five isolates belong to the Bacillus cereus species complex. Three of the five isolates were identified as B. cereus, with the remaining isolates being B. thuringiensis and B. pacificus, based on multilocus sequence analysis (16S rDNA, adk, ccpA, ftsA, glpT, pyrE, recF, and sucC) and biochemical characteristics. All five isolates were pathogenic on Prunus persica as well as on Cerasus pseudocerasus, but none of the isolates was pathogenic on C. humilis, plum (Prunus salicina), or Armeniaca vulgaris. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of B. cereus species complex as causal agents of BLS of peach, which will benefit the development of future control measures.
Using phylogenomics to untangle the taxonomic incongruence of yellow‐flowered Camellia species (Theaceae) in China
Authors: Wei Su‐Juan , Liufu Yong‐Qing , Zheng He‐Wen , Chen Hai‐Ling , Lai Yan‐Chi , Liu Yan , Ye Quan‐Qing , Tang Shao‐Qing
Published: September 2022

All yellow Camellia plants in China are threatened, but their classification is contentious. Here, we performed a phylogenetic reconstruction based on nuclear double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD), transcriptomes, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS), and the small single‐copy region of the chloroplast genome, in combination with morphological evidence to help resolve taxonomic ambiguity of those rare and threatened species. Conflicting relationships were derived from nuclear and chloroplast sequences. The strong hybridization/introgression signal detected suggests reticulate evolution mainly caused this discordance pattern. The nuclear‐ddRAD and RNA‐seq phylogenies fit better to the yellow camellias' morphology, providing a clear resolution for inferring their relationships in China. Based on present phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters, we propose these taxonomic suggestions: (i) Camellia petelotii and Camellia nitidissima are distinct species; (ii) Camellia ptilosperma, Camellia longruiensis, Camellia longgangensis, and C. longgangensis var. grandis are conspecific with Camellia flavida; (iii) Camellia multipetala and C. longgangensis var. patens are synonyms of Camellia quinqueloculosa, and C. quinqueloculosa should be recognized as an independent species; (iv) Camellia wumingensis should be formally recognized as an independent species; (v) Camellia longzhouensis is a synonym of Camellia chrysanthoides; (vi) Camellia xiashiensis and Camellia parvipetala should be treated as synonyms of Camellia micrantha; (vii) Camellia achrysantha is a good species; (viii) Camellia tunghinensis is an independent species; (ix) species status of Camellia huana is well‐supported; and (x) Camellia pingguoensis var. terminals should be correctly identified to species level as Camellia terminalis. These results provide the basis for the recognition 20 yellow Camellia species in China.
Can fluconazole be used for inpatient re‐treatment of coccidioidomycosis among patients with past fluconazole exposures?
Authors: Magdalany Amy N. , Nailor Michael D. , Gonzalez Omar , Goodlet Kellie J.
Published: September 2022

Background

Coccidioides spp. may cause significant disease requiring hospitalisation, but optimal antifungal therapy among inpatients following outpatient fluconazole exposures is unknown.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to describe the effectiveness of fluconazole among patients hospitalised for coccidioidomycosis despite recent outpatient fluconazole treatment.

Patients/Methods

Patients were admitted to an academic medical center in Phoenix, Arizona from 1 January 2013 through 31 December 2020 for coccidioidomycosis following at least 30 days of outpatient treatment and re‐initiation of fluconazole upon admission. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with an improved response per the change in the modified Mycosis Study Group (MSG) score (a composite of symptoms, serology and radiographic findings) and clinician impressions.

Results

Sixty‐seven patients were included, with most (54%) admitted to the intensive care unit. Meningitis was the most common infectious presentation (55%), 17 patients (25%) had multiple infection sites, and 23 (34%) were culture‐positive for Coccidioides. Upon admission, the median (IQR) MSG score was 11 (9–14), which dropped to 4 (1–7) at end of therapy or last follow‐up. Overall, after initiation of fluconazole therapy at a median daily dose of 800 mg, 48 patients (72%) improved in overall status, 10 (15%) showed stable disease and 9 (13%) were unresponsive. Improved response rates were high across all infection sites, including meningitis (68%) and bone infection (71%). There was no significant difference in response rates between patients with and without reported outpatient fluconazole nonadherence.

Conclusions

The majority of patients admitted to the hospital for coccidioidomycosis appeared responsive to fluconazole therapy despite past outpatient exposures.