bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
hybpiper-rbgv and yang-and-smith-rbgv: Containerization and additional options for assembly and paralog detection in target enrichment data
Authors: Jackson Chris , McLay Todd , Schmidt-Lebuhn Alexander N.
Published: November 2021

PREMISE

The HybPiper pipeline has become one of the most widely used tools for the assembly of target enrichment (sequence capture) data for phylogenomic analysis. Between the production of locus sequences and phylogenetic analysis, the identification of paralogs is a critical step ensuring accurate inference of evolutionary relationships. Algorithmic approaches using gene tree topologies for the inference of ortholog groups are computationally efficient and broadly applicable to non-model organisms, especially in the absence of a known species tree. Unfortunately, software compatibility issues, unfamiliarity with relevant programming languages, and the complexity involved in running numerous subsequent analysis steps continue to limit the broad uptake of these approaches and constrain their application in practice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We updated the scripts constituting HybPiper and a pipeline for the inference of ortholog groups (“Yang and Smith”) to provide novel options for the treatment of supercontigs, remove bugs, and seamlessly use the outputs of the former as inputs for the latter. The pipelines were containerised using Singularity and implemented via two Nextflow pipelines for easier deployment and to vastly reduce the number of commands required for their use. We tested the pipelines with several datasets, one of which is presented for demonstration.

CONCLUSIONS

hybpiper-rbgv and yang-and-smith-rbgv provide easy installation, user-friendly experience, and robust results to the phylogenetic community. They are presently used as the analysis pipeline of the Australian Angiosperm Tree of Life project. The pipelines are available at https://github.com/chrisjackson-pellicle.
Chromogranin A plays a crucial role in the age-related development of insulin resistance and hypertension
Authors: Liu Matthew A. , Jati Suborno , Tang Kechun , van den Bogaart Geert , Ghosh Gourisankar , Mahata Sushil K.
Published: November 2021

Aging is associated with the development of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and hypertension. Young mice that are negative for the neuroendocrine prohormone Chromogranin A (CgA knockout, CgA-KO) display two opposite aging phenotypes: hypertension but heightened insulin sensitivity. We determined these phenotypes in aging CgA mice. In comparison, aging wild-type (WT) mice gradually lost glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Moreover, while aging WT mice had increased inflammation with higher plasma TNF-α, IFN-γ and CCL2 and increased mitochondrial fission, these phenotypes were the opposite in aging CgA-KO mice. CgA-KO mice also showed increased expression of mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded complex I genes, implying that they were healthier than WT mice. Most intriguingly, the hypertension in CgA-KO mice was spontaneously reversed with aging. Supplementation of CgA-KO mice with pancreastatin, a hyperglycemic peptide produced from CgA by proteolysis, increased both blood glucose levels and blood pressure, implicating hyperglycemia, and hypertension. We conclude that age-related insulin resistance and hypertension are caused by CgA.
A virtual host model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection identifies early immune events as predictive of infection outcomes
Authors: Joslyn Louis R. , Linderman Jennifer J. , Kirschner Denise E.
Published: November 2021

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases and remains a significant global health burden. TB disease and pathology can present clinically across a spectrum of outcomes, ranging from total sterilization of infection to active disease. Much remains unknown about the biology that drives an individual towards various clinical outcomes as it is challenging to experimentally address specific mechanisms driving clinical outcomes. Furthermore, it is unknown whether numbers of immune cells in the blood accurately reflect ongoing events during infection within human lungs. Herein, we utilize a systems biology approach by developing a whole-host model of the immune response to Mtb across multiple physiologic and time scales. This model, called HostSim, tracks events at the cellular, granuloma, organ, and host scale and represents the first whole-host, multi-scale model of the immune response following Mtb infection. We show that this model can capture various aspects of human and non-human primate TB disease and predict that biomarkers in the blood may only faithfully represent events in the lung at early time points after infection. We posit that HostSim, as a first step toward personalized digital twins in TB research, offers a powerful computational tool that can be used in concert with experimental approaches to understand and predict events about various aspects of TB disease and therapeutics.
The beryllium fluoride form of the Na+,K+-ATPase and the intermediates of the functional cycle
Authors: Fruergaard Marlene U. , Dach Ingrid , Andersen Jacob L. , Ozol Mette , Shasavar Azadeh , Quistgaard Esben M. , Poulsen Hanne , Fedosova Natalya U. , Nissen Poul
Published: November 2021

The Na+,K+-ATPase generates electrochemical gradients of Na+ and K+ across the plasma membrane. Here, we describe a 4.0 Å resolution crystal structure of the pig kidney Na+,K+-ATPase stabilized by beryllium fluoride (denoted E2-BeFx). The structure shows high resemblance to the E2P phosphoenzyme obtained by phosphorylation from inorganic phosphate (Pi) and stabilised by cardiotonic steroids, and reveals a Mg2+ bound near the ion binding site II. Anomalous Fourier analysis of the crystals soaked in Rb+ (K+ congener) followed by a low resolution rigid-body refinement (6.9-7.5 Å) revealed pre-occlusion transitions leading to activation of the desphosphorylation reaction. Mg2+ location indicates a site of an initial K+ recognition and acceptance upon binding to the outward-open E2P state after Na+ release. Despite the overall structural resemblance to the Pi-induced E2P phosphoform, BeFx inhibited enzyme is able to bind both ADP/ATP and ions - features that relate E2-BeFx complex to an intermediate of the functional cycle of the Na+,K+-ATPase prior E2P.
ChAdOx1 n-COV-19 Vaccine Side Effects Among Health Care Workers in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Gopaul Chavin D. , Ventour Dale , Thomas Davlin
Published: November 2021

Background

The pharmaceutical firms have been lauded for the swift development, trial, approval, and rollout of various Covid-19 vaccines. However, a key issue in the vaccination campaign relates to vaccine hesitancy due to concerns on Covid-19 vaccines safety.

Method

A retrospective longitudinal study was carried out via a telephone validated questionnaire. The questionnaire domains included demographic data, medical and COVID-19 related anamneses, and local and systemic side effects 48 hours after receiving the first dose of the vaccine and 48 hours after receiving the second dose of the vaccine.

Results

The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 687 healthcare workers (Male = 275; Female = 412). The results indicated that the incidence of reported fever, body pain, chills, nausea, myalgia, headache, malaise, fatigue and other systemic symptoms declined significantly 48 hours after administration of the second dose compared to the first dose. The Chi-square test and multiple logistics regression results were consistent in demonstrating that younger vaccine recipients were more likely to report fever, body pain, chills, nausea, myalgia, headache, fatigue and other symptoms compared to older vaccine recipients. The multiple logistics regression indicate that female vaccine recipients had greater odds of reporting headache, fatigue, discomfort and less likely to report no symptoms compared to male vaccine recipients, 48 hours after receiving both doses.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that on average, vaccine recipients reported fewer number of local and systemic side effects within 48 hours after receiving the second dose compared to 48 hours after receiving the first dose. The findings have implications on public health policy efforts to lower vaccine hesitancy.
Viral kinetic modeling and clinical trial simulation predicts disruption of respiratory disease trials by non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 interventions
Authors: Arsène Simon , Couty Claire , Faddeenkov Igor , Go Natacha , Granjeon-Noriot Solène , Šmít Daniel , Kahoul Riad , Illigens Ben , Boissel Jean-Pierre , Chevalier Aude , Lehr Lorenz , Pasquali Christian , Kulesza Alexander
Published: November 2021

Clinical research in infectious respiratory diseases has been profoundly affected by non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) against COVID-19. On top of trial delays or even discontinuation which have been observed in all disease areas, NPIs altered transmission pattern of many seasonal respiratory viruses which followed regular patterns for decades before the pandemic. Clinical trial design based on pre-pandemic historical data therefore needs to be put in question. In this article, we show how knowledge-based mathematical modeling can be used to address this issue. We set up an epidemiological model of respiratory tract infection (RTI) sensitive to a time dependent between-host transmission rate and coupled this model to a mechanistic description of viral RTI episodes in an individual patient. By reducing the transmission rate when the lockdown was introduced in the United Kingdom in March 2020, we were able to reproduce the perturbed 2020 RTI disease burden data. Using this setup, we simulated several NPIs scenarios of various strength (none, mild, medium, strong) and conducted placebo-controlled in silico clinical trials in pediatric patients with recurrent RTIs (RRTI) quantifying annual RTI rate distributions. In interventional arms, virtual patients aged 1-5 years received the bacterial lysate OM-85 (approved in several countries for the prevention of pediatric RRTIs) through a pro-type I immunomodulation mechanism of action described by a physiologically based pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics approach (PBPK/PD). Our predictions showed that sample size estimates based on the ratio of RTI rates (or the post-hoc power of fixed sample size trials) are not majorly impacted under NPIs which are less severe (none, mild and medium NPIs) than a strict lockdown (strong NPI). However, NPIs show a stronger impact on metrics more relevant for assessing the clinical relevance of the effect such as absolute benefit. This dichotomy shows the risk that successful trials (even with their primary endpoints being met) still get challenged in risk benefit assessment during the review of market authorization. Furthermore, we found that a mild NPI scenario already affected the time to recruit significantly when sticking to eligibility criteria complying with historical data. In summary, our model predictions can help rationalize and forecast post-COVID-19 trial feasibility. They advocate for gauging absolute and relative benefit metrics as well as clinical relevance for assessing efficacy hypotheses in trial design and they question eligibility criteria misaligned with the actual disease burden.
The P681H mutation in the Spike glycoprotein confers Type I interferon resistance in the SARS-CoV-2 alpha (B.1.1.7) variant
Authors: Lista Maria Jose , Winstone Helena , Wilson Harry D , Dyer Adam , Pickering Suzanne , Galao Rui Pedro , De Lorenzo Giuditta , Cowton Vanessa M. , Furnon Wilhelm , Suarez Nicolas , Orton Richard , Palmarini Massimo , Patel Arvind H. , Snell Luke , Nebbia Gaia , Swanson Chad , Neil Stuart J D
Published: November 2021

Variants of concern (VOCs) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2) threaten the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The alpha (B.1.1.7) variant appeared in the UK became dominant in Europe and North America in early 2021. The Spike glycoprotein of alpha has acquired a number mutations including the P681H mutation in the polybasic cleavage site that has been suggested to enhance Spike cleavage. Here, we show that the alpha Spike protein confers a level of resistance to the effects of interferon-β (IFNβ) in lung epithelial cells. This correlates with resistance to restriction mediated by interferon-induced transmembrane protein-2 (IFITM2) and a pronounced infection enhancement by IFITM3. Furthermore, the P681H mutation is necessary for comparative resistance to IFNβ in a molecularly cloned SARS-CoV-2 encoding alpha Spike. Overall, we suggest that in addition to adaptive immune escape, mutations associated with VOCs also confer replication advantage through adaptation to resist innate immunity.
Host-associated phages disperse across the extraterrestrial analogue Antarctica
Authors: Rahlff Janina , Bornemann Till L.V. , Lopatina Anna , Severinov Konstantin , Probst Alexander J.
Published: November 2021

Extreme Antarctic conditions provide one of the closest analogues of extraterrestrial environments. Since air and snow samples, especially from polar regions, yield DNA amounts in the lower picogram range, binning of prokaryotic genomes is challenging and renders studying the dispersal of biological entities across these environments difficult. Here, we hypothesized that dispersal of host-associated bacteriophages (adsorbed, replicating or prophages) across the Antarctic continent can be tracked via their genetic signatures aiding our understanding of virus and host dispersal across long distances. Phage genome fragments (PGFs) reconstructed from surface snow metagenomes of three Antarctic stations were assigned to four host genomes, mainly Betaproteobacteria includingRalstoniaspp. We reconstructed the complete genome of a temperate phage with near-complete alignment to a prophage in the reference genome ofRalstonia pickettii12D. PGFs from different stations were related to each other at the genus level and matched similar hosts. Metagenomic read mapping and nucleotide polymorphism analysis revealed a wide dispersal of highly identical PGFs, 13 of which were detected in seawater from the Western Antarctic Peninsula in distance of 5538 km to the snow sampling stations. Our results suggest that host-associated phages, especially ofRalstoniasp., disperse over long distances despite harsh conditions of the Antarctic continent. Given that 14 phages associated with twoR. pickettiidraft genomes isolated from space equipment were identified, we conclude thatRalstoniaphages are ideal mobile genetic elements to track dispersal and contamination in ecosystems relevant for Astrobiology.

Importance

Host-associated phages of the bacteriumRalstoniaidentified in snow samples can be used to track microbial dispersal over thousands of kilometers across the Antarctic continent, which functions as an extraterrestrial analogue because of its harsh environmental conditions. Due to presence of these bacteria carrying genome-integrated prophages on space-related equipment, and the here demonstrated potential for dispersal of host-associated phages, our work has implications for Planetary Protection, a discipline in Astrobiology interested in preventing contamination of celestial bodies with alien biomolecules or forms of life.
Bringing innovation back in–strategies and driving forces behind entrepreneurial responses in small-scale rural industries in Sweden
Authors: Rytkönen Paulina Ines , Oghazi Pejvak
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The paper contributes to the debate about local food and conceptualization of rural entrepreneurship by analysing the performance of small-scale dairies departing from their relation to innovations, innovative activities and risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use phenomenography to identify representative categories, and to draw conclusions about how these are consistent or different from dominant definitions of rural entrepreneurship and self-employment. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews, participatory workshops and compiled a database of all small-scale dairies established between 1968 and 2020.

Findings

A focus on innovations contributes to differentiate between rural entrepreneurship and self-employment and how these interact in the process of economic growth. Innovations are seldom disruptive. Instead, innovative behaviour is strongly related to business models and to imitation. Social capital and collective action play a key role for the innovative capacity of small businesses, especially to realize disruptive innovations, such as the establishment of a new market.

Research limitations/implications

The innovative capacity of rural businesses can be understood through their ability to break patterns, alter institutions and turn embededdness into assets. Rural entrepreneurship and self-employment are intertwined in the economic growth process.

Practical implications

Innovative behaviour is a significant aspect for firm survival over time, and it is also strongly related to new business models. Most rural firms can be characterized as self-employment, the latter are essential because they provide rural livelihoods and help bring maturity to newly established markets.

Social implications

The right type of support, e.g. adopting enabling industrial regulations and granting access to constructive experiences of others, contributes to the innovative behaviour of small-scale rural firms.

Originality/value

This study differentiates rural entrepreneurship from rural self-employment by analysing the role of innovation. The authors show how innovations and innovative behaviour work their way through the process of economic growth and how innovation can break patterns by turning rural embeddedness into assets; and how innovative behaviour related to self-employments contributes to the creation of value and interacts with entrepreneurship in the process of economic growth.
Social media's impact on the empowerment of women and youth male entrepreneurs in Egypt
Authors: Miniesy Rania , Elshahawy Engy , Fakhreldin Hadia
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of social media (SM) on the creation of digital entrepreneurship by female (irrespective of age) and youth male (aged 18–29 years) entrepreneurs, investigate if SM empowers those entrepreneurs and compare the empowerment characteristics between female and youth male entrepreneurs before and after starting their businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-assessment questionnaires were collected from a sample of 408 Egyptian female and youth male digital entrepreneurs from Greater Cairo, whose businesses had been operating for more than one year.

Findings

The research showed the following four results: Of the surveyed entrepreneurs, 95% asserted that without SM, they would not have started their businesses. Female and youth male entrepreneurs are empowered both on personal and relational levels, and women’s empowerment is more evident in the latter. Before digital entrepreneurship, youth males have significantly higher averages than female entrepreneurs in almost all empowerment characteristics, whereas after digital entrepreneurship, female entrepreneurs have significantly higher averages in making decisions related to investment, personal education and personal health, as well as those of other household members. Female entrepreneurs are relatively more empowered than youth males after digital entrepreneurship when each group is compared with its initial status.

Originality/value

This study’s originality stems from using a large sample of entrepreneurs, including youth males, not just females; employing a more structured, comprehensive measure of empowerment than found in the literature because it included the rarely used psychological dimension; considering more than one SM tool and comparing empowerment of females to that of youth males.
Would compensation be necessary? The importance of service recovery strategy in e-retail delivery problems
Authors: Yunus Erlinda Nusron
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study examines the different effects of service recovery strategies on customers' future intentions when online shoppers were experiencing delivery failures. Two types of problem severity are evaluated: wrong-product delivery (issues with the product quality or quantity) and late delivery. This study also investigates the impact of service criticality on the relationship between service recovery strategies and customers' future intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs experimental research with 123 online shoppers as participants. Following the results, a subsequent test is conducted to examine the effect of participants' demographics on future intentions. Finally, the current study elaborates the findings using qualitative research, interviewing both sides impacted by the service failures: online shoppers and e-retail managers.

Findings

The findings show that complementing product replacement with monetary compensation is the most effective strategy to improve repurchase intention after a dissatisfaction moment. This effect is indifferent to service criticality and severity. Age influences the participants' repurchase intentions, in which younger people are less tolerant of service failures. In contrast, gender and education level do not provide any differences. To prevent delivery failures, managers participating in this study suggest several best practices regarding systems and infrastructure, people and coordination and collaboration with logistics partners.

Research limitations/implications

The study mainly examines a limited type of service and service failures. Further studies are encouraged to expand the variables and scenarios, as well as to employ more distinctive methods, to enrich the findings related to recovery strategy in the e-commerce industry.

Practical implications

Given proper compensation, service failure could create momentum for online retailers to boost customer loyalty. This study suggests that managers design the most effective service recovery to win customers back to the business.

Originality/value

This paper enriches the literature related to a service recovery strategy, particularly within the online shopping context.
The global economic cost of coronavirus pandemic: current and future implications
Authors: Ajmal Mian M. , Khan Mehmood , Shad Muhammad Kashif
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The global economy is plagued by an unprecedented shock that has devastated economic growth under the coronavirus pandemic. The prolonged movement control orders, social distancing, and lockdowns have triggered the global economic downturn, disrupted the demand and supply chains, reduced the pool of workforce, and caused many jobs loss. This paper aims to analyze the global economic cost of the coronavirus pandemic, and its current and future implications.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on contingency theory, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of the current situation on the global economic cost of the COVID-19 outbreak and gives insights from an organizational perspective.

Findings

This paper found that the world has witnessed far-ranging economic consequences due to the coronavirus pandemic in four aspects: (i) decline in personal consumption; (ii) decline in the investments and stock prices in capital market; (iii) decline in government spending in developmental projects and increase in new borrowing; and (iv) decline of exports of goods to international markets.

Originality/value

The novelty lies in investigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on micro and macroeconomic levels — the components of GDP, consumer behavior, business investments, government spending, and global exports. The paper suggests the need for urgent actions by the world leaders to oversee, anticipate, and manage the risks and cushion the economic consequences. It concludes that the flexibility and adaptability of leaders, effectiveness, workforce protection, efficient use of modern technology, including automation and artificial intelligence, would enhance the resilience of supply chains which will support organizations to sustain in this critical time.
Is steroid pulse therapy a suitable treatment for drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms? A systematic review of case reports in patients treated with corticosteroids in Japan
Authors: Hashizume Hideo , Ishikawa Yuto , Ajima Sayaka
Published: November 2021

Drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms is a life‐threatening severe cutaneous adverse reaction, characterized by multiple organ involvement and reactivation of herpes viruses. Although the mainstay of treatment is a high dosage of corticosteroids delivered by pulse therapy or conventional oral administration, it remains debatable which mode is better. To clarify this issue, we reviewed publications in Japan of 299 cases of drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms treated with corticosteroids, to evaluate safety concerns with regards to these two modes of treatment. As a result, we found that patients treated with pulse therapy more frequently suffered cytomegalovirus reactivation, persistency, and high mortality but less frequently experienced herpesvirus 6 reactivation or type 1 diabetes compared with those undergoing conventional treatment, suggesting that the administration mode may differentially modulate inflammatory responses toward distinct consequences. This is the first statistical analysis revealing that steroid pulse therapy frequently resulted in severe sequelae with high mortality. In terms of the risk of serious consequences, we consider that steroid pulse therapy should be eschewed for the treatment of drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms.
Host–parasite dynamics shaped by temperature and genotype: Quantifying the role of underlying vital rates
Authors: Bruijning Marjolein , Fossen Erlend I. F. , Jongejans Eelke , Vanvelk Héléne , Raeymaekers Joost A. M. , Govaert Lynn , Brans Kristien I. , Einum Sigurd , De Meester Luc
Published: November 2021

Global warming challenges the persistence of local populations, not only through heat‐induced stress, but also through indirect biotic changes. We study the interactive effects of temperature, competition and parasitism in the water flea Daphnia magna.

We carried out a common garden experiment monitoring the dynamics of Daphnia populations along a temperature gradient. Halfway through the experiment, all populations became infected with the ectoparasite Amoebidium parasiticum, enabling us to study the interactive effects of temperature and parasite dynamics. We combined Integral Projection Models with epidemiological models, parameterized using the experimental data on the performance of individuals within dynamic populations. This enabled us to quantify the contribution of different vital rates and epidemiological parameters to population fitness across temperatures and Daphnia clones originating from two latitudes.

Interactions between temperature and parasitism shaped competition, where Belgian clones performed better under infection than Norwegian clones. Infected Daphnia populations performed better at higher than at lower temperatures, mainly due to an increased host capability of reducing parasite loads. Temperature strongly affected individual vital rates, but effects largely cancelled out on a population‐level. In contrast, parasitism strongly reduced fitness through consistent negative effects on all vital rates. As a result, temperature‐mediated parasitism was more important than the direct effects of temperature in shaping population dynamics. Both the outcome of the competition treatments and the observed extinction patterns support our modelling results.

Our study highlights that shifts in biotic interactions can be equally or more important for responses to warming than direct physiological effects of warming, emphasizing that we need to include such interactions in our studies to predict the competitive ability of natural populations experiencing global warming.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Firm Governance and Functional Strengths: The Impact of Board Diversity on Firm Marketing Capability
Authors: Sun Wenbin , Xu Xiaobo , Govind Rahul
Published: November 2021

The traditional view of firm capability building stems from the strategic as well as the tactical levels of firm activities. However, corporate governance entities such as the board may exert influence on firm capabilities by creating the necessary architectural basis and resource configurations that drive the development of firm capability. The current research bridges this important gap and connects firm boardroom diversity to marketing‐side capability. This link is investigated more deeply by including two moderating factors – firm size and CEO power – to present an enriched model of the relationship. Results from our analyses show that an increase in board diversity significantly improves marketing capability. Further, this relationship is stronger (a) for firms that are smaller and (b) for firms with lower CEO power. This study provides useful contributions towards firm board diversity research, as well as for firm capability building in the marketing area.
Developing strong transition‐focused IEPS using labour market data
Authors: Griffiths Amy Jane , Cosier Meghan E. , Wiegand Rachel , Mathur Sneha Kohli , Morgan Sara
Published: November 2021

Employment rates and post‐school transition outcomes for individuals with disabilities remain alarmingly low compared to peers without disabilities. Transition‐Focused Individualized Education Plans (TF‐IEPs) often centre on skills associated with employment experience opportunities that are immediately available to the individual with a disability. While the transition plans focus on the student's strengths and areas of interest, less attention is paid to the guidance and support a student might need in choosing a sustainable career. We contend that teams must develop transition plans with specific attention to projected labour market data. Using this information will ensure that we are preparing students with disabilities for long‐term success. This article describes how school teams can use an in‐depth labour market analysis to develop robust transition plans. These plans will prepare students for careers that will last far into the future.
Alchemical dragons: Winnicott’s reaching towards the objective psyche
Authors: Meredith‐Owen William
Published: November 2021

This paper was presented to the inaugural joint conference of The Society of Analytical Psychology and the West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy in the autumn of 2020. It develops the author’s interest (2011, 2015, 2016) in Winnicott’s engagement with Jung by looking at the imagery of Michael Maier’s alchemical work of 1617, Atalanta Fugiens, through the lens of Matte Blanco’s bi‐logic.
A response to William Meredith‐Owen’s ‘Alchemical dragons: Winnicott’s reaching towards the objective psyche’
Authors: Mabhikwa Hellen
Published: November 2021

This paper was presented as a response to Meredith‐Owen’s paper at the inaugural joint conference of The Society of Analytical Psychology and the West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy in autumn 2020. The author considers the constraints on the personal mother’s capacity to facilitate the integration of both the shadow and the unrepressed unconscious. Such a difficult task requires the involvement of an enabling cultural matrix mediated by socio‐political systems and structures. The improvement of this cultural matrix relies on alchemical‐like processes which would help understanding develop beyond one’s own point of view.
Reflections on the role of the analytic setting in the light of COVID‐19
Authors: Wiener Jan
Published: November 2021

There have been many reflections, both individual and collective within our Institutes, on the effects on our work with patients caused by COVID‐19 and the requirement to move suddenly from the setting of our own consulting rooms to working with patients online (see also, the previous issue of this Journal). This paper focuses on what we have learned from these experiences that can add to our knowledge about the role of the setting in analytic work. Drawing on Bleger’s (1967) seminal paper highlighting the usual setting as a mute projection carrier for primitive wishes and affects, the paper explores how different patients have reacted to the loss of the analyst as the guardian of the setting and in particular as an embodied presence. Some key questions and challenges for both patients and analysts during the pandemic, when ‘the setting begins to weep’, are explored.
Detrimental effects of work overload on knowledge hiding in competitive organisational climates
Authors: Sofyan Yunita , De Clercq Dirk , Shang Yufan
Published: November 2021

This article addresses unexplored questions related to why and when employees’ experience of work overload might spur their knowledge hiding behaviour, in a process mediated by family‐unfriendly time demands and moderated by a competitive organisational climate. Two‐wave, time‐lagged data, collected from employees in multiple industries, reveal that a notable reason that excessive work pressures escalate into enhanced knowledge hiding is that employees believe they have to put their jobs before their family lives. This mediating role of family‐unfriendly time demands is particularly salient in the presence of performance‐oriented organisational climates. For human resource managers, this research underscores a critical factor – the sense that employees have to sacrifice their family lives for work – through which excessive work pressures may lead employees to conceal valuable knowledge. It also reveals how this risk can be subdued by an organisational culture that avoids a strict focus on performance comparisons across employees.
A temporal perspective on refugee employment – Advancing HRM theory and practice
Authors: Szkudlarek Betina , Nardon Luciara , Toh Soo Min
Published: November 2021

As the number of refugees worldwide continues to increase, Human Resource Management (HRM) scholars and practitioners have an opportunity to rethink their role in advancing workforce integration for this highly vulnerable group of jobseekers. In this introduction to a special issue on refugee workforce integration, we argue that in order to promote comprehensive and sustainable solutions, scholars and practitioners alike need to understand refugee employment as a long‐term undertaking. We propose a four‐phase temporal model of refugee workforce integration, highlighting the potential role of HRM at the various stages of the integration process. We identify practical recommendations for HRM professionals to consider and several areas for future research in support of evidence‐based solutions. While our paper focuses specifically on refugee employment, we argue that temporality should be considered by all HRM scholars working within the domain of global mobility.
Network Accountability in Healthcare: A Perspective from a First Nations Community in Canada*
Authors: Ufodike Akolisa , Okafor Oliver Nnamdi , Opara Michael
Published: November 2021

This study examines the role of accountability in the governance and delivery of healthcare to a First Nations community in Canada. Drawing on actor network theory, this study explores the role of accountability in the formation and sustenance of a healthcare network using the case study of a First Nations healthcare organization. The study provides insights into how accountability helps to sustain a network of actors with divergent interests and a plurality of strategies. It finds that network accountability is the central mechanism that motivates the principal actors in the network to reconstitute themselves and converge around the purpose of strengthening governance. This study also finds evidence of accountability as a multidimensional construct that facilitates the sustenance of the federal government as the controlling actor in the network. This study provides fresh empirical insights gained from a flesh‐and‐blood, actual network that acknowledges the context of a marginalized group—namely, First Nations peoples. Furthermore, this study extends and presents a viable accountability model that can be adopted as the federal government enters into self‐governance agreements with First Nations peoples. In contrast to the dominant literature on accountability, this study adopts the unique context of a marginalized group in a market‐based developed economy.
Does cannabis use in adolescence predict self‐harm or suicide? Results from a Finnish Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Denissoff Alexander , Niemelä Solja , Scott James G. , Salom Caroline L. , Hielscher Emily , Miettunen Jouko , Alakokkare Anni‐Emilia , Mustonen Antti
Published: November 2021

Objective

Longitudinal studies examining the association between adolescent cannabis use and self‐harm are rare, heterogeneous and mixed in their conclusions. We study this association utilizing a large general population‐based sample with prospective data.

Methods

The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n = 6582) with linkage to nationwide register data was used to study the association of self‐reported cannabis use at age 15–16 years and self‐harm and suicide death until age 33 (until year 2018), based on register information. Cox regression analysis with Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used. Psychiatric disorders, parental psychiatric disorders and other substance use were considered as confounders.

Results

In all, 6582 (49.2% male) were included in the analysis, and 377 adolescents (5.7%) reported any cannabis use until the age of 15–16 years. Based on register information, 79 (55.7% male) had visited in health care services due to self‐harm, and 22 (90.1% male) had died by suicide. In crude analyses, adolescent cannabis use was associated with self‐harm (HR = 3.93; 95% CI 2.24–6.90). The association between cannabis use and self‐harm remained statistically significant after adjusting for sex, psychiatric disorders at baseline, frequent alcohol intoxications, other illicit drug use, and parental psychiatric disorders (HR 2.06; 95% CI 1.07–3.95). In contrast, the association of cannabis use with suicide did not reach statistical significance even in crude analysis (HR 2.60; 95% CI 0.77–8.78).

Conclusion

Cannabis use in adolescence may increase risk of self‐harm independent of adolescent psychopathology and other substance use.
‘We couldn't have managed without your team’: A collaborative palliative care response to the COVID‐19 pandemic in residential aged care
Authors: Runacres Fiona , Steele Patrick , Hudson Jade , Bills Maryann , Poon Peter
Published: November 2021

The global COVID‐19 pandemic has challenged healthcare, aged care and palliative care provision in ways previously unimaginable. In Australia, this has been felt particularly amongst our most vulnerable members of society, those residing in residential aged care. Currently representing the majority (75%) of COVID‐19 deaths and health‐care worker infections, this vulnerable sector has borne the greatest impact. A collaborative response comprising a tertiary hospital palliative care outreach service, residential InReach geriatric service and a community palliative care service effectively delivered comprehensive and timely specialist care to residents infected with COVID‐19. Daily videoconferencing rounds were efficient, minimised infection risk and facilitated family members attending virtually during patient assessments and care planning discussions. This model was both reactive and proactive and importantly scalable should further infective outbreaks occur in Australasian residential aged care facilities.
PASI vs PO‐PASI: Patient‐Oriented PASI (PO‐PASI) is comparable to clinician score PASI
Authors: Montes de Oca Pedrosa Abraham , Oakley Amanda , Rogers Jean , Rangaitaha Epiha Mikey
Published: November 2021

This comparative observational study aimed to validate an online Patient‐oriented Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PO‐PASI) by comparing it against the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), of 97 adult participants with chronic plaque psoriasis. Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.866 (P‐value = 0.0001) showed a strong positive linear correlation, and interclass correlation coefficients [ICC scores = 0.864 [95% confidence intervals (CIs) (0.803 < ICC < 0.907)]] suggest an interrater reliability of ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ when comparing PO‐PASI to the PASI score. Additionally, we compared PO‐PASI and PASI with DLQI and demonstrated an overall stronger positive correlation between PO‐PASI and DLQI when compared to PASI.
Cross‐sectional survey of rehabilitation service availability for stroke and hip fracture in Australian public hospitals
Authors: Vratsistas‐Curto Angela , Shiner Christine T. , Klein Linda , Faux Steven G.
Published: November 2021

Objective

To describe the rehabilitation services available for people with stroke and hip fracture across New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory metropolitan and rural/regional public hospitals in Australia.

Design

A cross‐sectional study design was used.

Setting

New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory public hospital providing rehabilitation services for stroke and hip fracture.

Participants

Delegates from 59 eligible hospitals.

Intervention

Information about the type, number and availability of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services at each hospital was collected via survey.

Main outcome measures

Counts, percentages, mean (SD), median (IQR) were used to quantify the number and type of inpatient and outpatient services available.

Results

Across inpatient rehabilitation units, reduced availability was noted in the number of clinical disciplines available, availability of neuropsychology and social work in rural units. Across outpatient rehabilitation services, reduced availability was noted in the number of disciplines available, availability of occupational therapy, psychology, rehabilitation physicians, specialist nursing, geriatricians, and podiatry in rural services. Five rural hospitals had no access to outpatient rehabilitation.

Conclusion

There was reduced availability of rehabilitation services and health disciplines in rural/regional settings. A follow‐up study is underway investigating relationships between reduced outpatient service availability and inpatient length of stay in rural/regional versus metropolitan hospitals.
Evaluation of an assessment model to reduce waitlist times for occupational therapy in a rural community health setting
Authors: Missen Karen , Mills Alyssa , McDonald Georgia , Di Corleto Erin , Telling Laura , Davey Alice
Published: November 2021

Objective

Community occupational therapy services have seen an increase in demand over the last three years, resulting in longer waitlist times for service provision, particularly in rural areas where it is difficult to recruit experienced occupational therapists. Utilising a demand management model, the Basic Assessment Model Pre‐Screening Tool was developed by a team of Occupational Therapists and allied health assistants to decrease client waitlist times at one rural community health service.

Design

An evaluation of the implementation of an assessment model with comparison of quantitative data pre and post intervention.

Setting

Rural Community Health Service in Victoria, Australia

Participants

456 clients that were registered as community‐based clients requiring occupational therapy services.

Main Outcome measure

Following the implementation of the newly developed Basic Assessment Model the number of occupational therapy assessments increased and there was a decrease in the median wait time that clients were on the waitlist in comparison to pre implementation.

Results

There was a statistically significant decrease (p<0.001) in the median number of days spent on the waitlist for the post intervention group (80 days) compared to the pre intervention group (105 days).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that waiting lists for community occupational therapy services can be reduced by implementing this basic assessment model ultimately improving the health outcomes of clients.
Digenic heterozygous mutations of KCNH2 and SCN5A induced young and early‐onset long QT syndrome and sinoatrial node dysfunction
Authors: Yang Zhe , Ma Yuting , Huang Jiana , Xian Jianzhong , Huang Yin , Wu Linbo , Zhu WenLiang , Wang Feng , Chen Liang , Lin Xiufang , Lin Yubi
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a life‐threatening inherited channelopathy, and prolonged QT intervals easily trigger malignant arrhythmias, especially torsades de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

Materials and methods

The proband with overlapped phenotypes of LQTS and sinoatrial node dysfunction underwent some necessary examinations, including echocardiography, electrocardiogram (ECG), and Holter monitoring. Next, whole‐exome sequencing was performed, and candidate genes were validated by Sanger sequencing. RNA secondary structure and protein physical‐chemical parameter analyses were used to predict the possible structural change of the proteins induced by the mutations.

Results

We identified the digenic heterozygous mutations of KCNH2 p.307_308del (NM_001204798, c.921_923del) and SCN5A p.R1865H (NM_001160160, c.G5594A) in the female and young proband (II: 1) of LQTS and ventricular fibrillation with repeat syncope at rest. Subsequently, she occurred with obvious sinus arrest with persistent ventricular pacing of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator. The heterozygous SCN5Ap.R1865H was carried by her father and sister but not carried by I:2. II:1 carried with KCNH2 p.307_308del as a de novo mutation, but not existed in other family members. RNA secondary structure of KCNH2 p.307_308del showed a false regional double helix, and its amino acids' hydrophobicity was significantly weakened. For the Nav1.5 protein property, SCN5A p.R1865H slightly increased the molecular weight and aliphatic index but reduced the instability index.

Conclusions

The digenic heterozygous KCNH2 and SCN5A mutations were associated with young early‐onset long QT syndrome and sinoatrial node dysfunction.
A prospective longitudinal assessment of de novo metabolic syndrome after liver transplantation
Authors: Becchetti Chiara , Ferrarese Alberto , Zeni Nicola , Russo Francesco Paolo , Senzolo Marco , Gambato Martina , Bassi Domenico , Cillo Umberto , Burra Patrizia , Germani Giacomo
Published: November 2021

Background

De novo metabolic syndrome (MS) is a frequent complication after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this prospective study is to identify potential risk factors longitudinally associated to post‐LT de novo MS. Patients without pre‐LT MS who underwent LT between April 2013 and October 2017 were prospectively included. Metabolic variables were collected at LT and at 6, 12, and 24 months post‐LT.

Results

Sixty‐three patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (76% male, mean age 53.6±9.5 years). The prevalence of de novo MS was 46%, 43%, and 49% at 6, 12, and 24 months after LT, respectively. Among other MS components, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia significantly increased after LT. Considering the baseline characteristics at the adjusted analysis, alcoholic liver disease (OR 4.17, 95%CI 1.20‐14.51; p = .03) and hypertension pre‐LT (OR 11.3, 95% CI 1.49‐85.46; p = .02) were confirmed as independent risk factors of post‐LT de novo MS. In the time‐varying analysis, only eGFR (OR .97, 95% CI .97‐.98; p < .0001) was found associated with post‐LT de novo MS.

Conclusions

De novo MS frequently occurs shortly after LT, affecting nearly half of patients at 24 months post‐LT. Lifestyle modifications should be recommended starting early post‐LT, particularly for patients with established risk factors.