bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engaging Physicians in Leadership: Motivations, Challenges, and Identity-Based Considerations
Authors: Sullivan Erin E. , Stephenson Amber L. , Hoffman Aaron R.
Published: July 2022

Goal:

Physician leadership has been associated with improved patient outcomes, increased provider satisfaction, and decreased physician burnout as well as more profitable, higher-quality healthcare delivery. However, physicians frequently struggle when assuming leadership positions, given the dissonance between their administrative and clinical roles. Informed by social identity theory, we aimed to identify why physicians lead, how they experience leadership roles, and the challenges they face during the transition into those roles.

Methods:

We conducted 27 semistructured interviews with primary care physician leaders between January and April 2020. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the constant comparative method.

Principal Findings:

Four themes were developed from the analysis, including (1) desire for change, (2) desire for growth, (3) challenges experienced during the transition to a leadership role, and (4) changes to professional identity. The results of this study identified aspects of leadership perceived by physicians as attractive and motivating. The study also revealed challenges that occur during the transition into leadership as well as shifts in professional identity experienced by physicians.

Applications to Practice:

The results can be used by healthcare managers and executives to empower more physicians to take on leadership roles and implement changes that alleviate stresses associated with physicians transitioning into leadership roles.
Blockchain Technology in Healthcare: An Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
Authors: Poquiz Warren A.
Published: July 2022

The dawn of the crypto age has highlighted the potential of blockchain technology in an array of functions for multiple industries. Blockchain technology disrupts existing architecture by offering an efficient and decentralized data management platform. It provides a potential solution to current health information technology problems. The strengths of blockchain are interoperability, data accuracy, security, and transparency. Its weaknesses include a lack of standardization, accessibility, ownership, and change management. Applications in healthcare include revenue cycle management, physician credentialing, electronic health records, and supply chain management, although potential government regulation and internal attacks pose threats to its wider adoption.
“Eastern” Xi Yang Qian (Rubia tirctorum L.) and “Western” Zhong Guo Qian (Rubia cordifolia L.): Across the Regions
Authors: Min Shao
Published: July 2022

Qian Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Rubiae) is a perennial grass with red and yellow pigments in its roots. It has been used since ancient times for fabric dyeing and painting, and it's the oldest red dye in both Europe and China. Xi Yang Qian (Rubia tirctorum L.) spread from the East to the West, while Zhong Guo Qian (Rubia cordifolia L.) spread from the West to the East. Both were integral in the development of Chinese and Western color cultures. Nowadays, although it is no longer commonly used in dyes and paints, Qian Cao is still used in clinical medicine as a medicinal herb.
All Public Health is Local
Authors: Knaus William A. , Kehoe Shaneis , Lindley Chris
Published: July 2022

Background:

During the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic cumulative United States COVID-19 deaths per capita were higher than all other large, high-income nations, but with substantial variation across the country.

Objective:

The aim was to detail the public health response during the pandemic in Eagle County, Colorado.

Research Design and Measures:

Observational study using pre-COVID-19 county public health metrics. Pandemic actions were recorded from a narrative summary of daily phone consultations by a county-wide taskforce and interviews. Outcomes obtained from local, state, and nationally reported databases.

Methods:

Eagle County began with a life expectancy of 85.9, low all-cause age-adjusted death rates equal for both White and Latinx populations, a high household median income, and other prepandemic advantages. It also launched an innovative, independent county-wide taskforce lead by experienced mid-level managers. The taskforce implemented rapid communication of decision consequences, made immediate course corrections without traditional organizational approvals or contradictory political pressures.

Results:

Eagle County was first in Colorado to obtain Personal Protective Equipment and to establish a drive-through testing facility. The COVID-19 case fatality rate was 0.34%. The sole intensive care unit never reached maximum capacity. By March 2022, Eagle County had administered at least 1 vaccine dose to 100% of the population and 83% were fully vaccinated.

Conclusions:

It is not possible to directly attribute superior outcomes to either the baseline characteristics of Eagle County or its innovative taskforce design and deployment. Rather this report highlights the potential impact that improving the baseline health status of US citizens and permitting novel problem-solving approaches by local public health officials might have for the next pandemic.
Characterization of Biomarkers of Hemostasis and Bleeding-Related Outcomes in Children With Cirrhosis
Authors: Jarasvaraparn Chaowapong , Rusch Courtney , Nadler Michelle , Drobish Julie , Stoll Janis , Doyle Maria Bernadette , Khan Adeel , Kulkarni Sakil
Published: July 2022

Objectives:

We aimed to evaluate differences in laboratory tests, bleeding, transfusions, and thrombosis between (1) children without and with cirrhosis and (2) children and adults with cirrhosis, and to correlate thromboelastography (TEG) parameters with biomarkers of hemostasis, bleeding, and transfusions in children and adults with cirrhosis.

Methods:

This single-center, retrospective study included 20 children without cirrhosis, 40 children with cirrhosis, and 40 adults with cirrhosis who underwent a liver transplant (LT). We collected demographic data, preoperative laboratory values, and intraoperative TEG parameters. Biomarkers of hemostasis just prior to the start of LT surgery were analyzed including international normalized ratio (INR), platelet, fibrinogen level, R time, K time, alpha angle (α), and maximum amplitude (MA). We also collected outcome data including blood loss, transfusion requirements, and thrombosis.

Results:

A significantly higher proportion of children with cirrhosis had abnormal PT (P = 0.001), platelet (P = 0.001), K time (P = 0.02), and MA (P = 0.05) compared to children without cirrhosis. The incidences of thrombosis, bleeding events, blood loss or PRBC transfusion were not significantly different between these 2 groups. A significantly higher proportion of adults with cirrhosis had abnormal R time (P = 0.01) and alpha angle (P = 0.01) than children with cirrhosis.

Conclusions:

Children with cirrhosis had defects in fibrinogen and platelets compared to children without cirrhosis at time of LT; however, these abnormalities did not translate into higher rates of bleeding in the former. Adults with cirrhosis had more defects in clotting factors compared to children with cirrhosis.
Absence of Differential Cyclin D1 Immunohistochemical Protein Expression in Nevi and Melanoma Evaluated by Digital Image Analysis
Authors: Koh Stephen S. , Lau Sean K. , Cassarino David S.
Published: July 2022

Background:

Distinction of superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) from compound nevi (CN) sometimes poses difficult diagnostic challenges. Herein, we studied cyclin D1 protein expression by immunohistochemistry in SSM and CN and evaluated the results by digital image analysis.

Design:

A total of 13 CN and 12 SSM cases were retrospectively reviewed and cyclin D1 immunohistochemistry was performed. Immunohistochemical stained slides were evaluated by digital imaging analysis that included quantification and staining intensity of the cyclin D1 expressing dermal cells.

Results:

Cyclin D1 expression was observed in all CN and SSM. CN-positive staining was present in 30% to 93% of the dermal nevocytes, more positive in the upper (mean 85%), than lower half (mean 57%). SSM-positive staining was present in 44% to 96% of the dermal lesion, more positive in the upper (mean 88%) than lower half (mean 49%). When analyzed based on 3+ strong staining intensity, similar regional differences in cyclin D1 expression were observed.

Conclusions:

Digital image analysis of Cyclin D1 expression showed no differences between CN and SSM. Quantity and regional distribution of cyclin D1 positivity were found to be similar in both lesions. Our findings argue against the routine use of cyclin D1 immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic tool for differentiating CN from SSM.
A Verdict Overturned: Are We at Our Wit’s End?
Authors: Plakun Eric M.
Published: July 2022

Despite the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, access to psychotherapy through health insurance is quite limited. The 2019 landmark verdict in Wit v. United Behavioral Health offered hope of change. This column describes the recent overturning of the verdict in Wit v. United Behavioral Health, efforts by the Plaintiffs’ attorneys to pursue a review by the entire 29-member United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit of the puzzling decision apparently based on a misunderstanding of the arguments of the case, and steps forward to implement the mental health parity law.
Commentary: Futility in Psychiatry
Authors: Garakani Amir
Published: July 2022

While other medical professions have grappled with end-of-life care, the areas of palliative psychiatry, and more particularly, futility in psychiatry, have not been thoroughly addressed. The 3 cases presented in this issue illustrate how patients can succumb to a medical condition while presenting with primary psychosis (a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who starves himself), secondary psychosis (a patient with small cell cancer of the lung who develops psychotic symptoms in the context of a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome), or a factitious disorder (a patient with self-induced aplastic anemia from ingesting an oral chemotherapy agent). The descriptions of these challenging cases show how collaborative teamwork among psychiatric and medical treatment teams, including the provision of palliative care, can help patients and families, even if a fatal outcome appears certain.
Biventricular Pressure-Volume Loop Assessment Before and After Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Binka Edem , Zhang Jin , Seemann Felicia , Jani Vivek , Barnes Benjamin , Gaur Lasya , Lima Joao A.C. , Ambale Venkatesh Bharath , Carlsson Marcus , Kutty Shelby
Published: July 2022

Patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) may undergo pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) after initial full repair. We investigated indices of biventricular function, work and efficiency of TOF patients' using noninvasive pressure-volume (PV) loop analysis on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) images and compared pre-and post PVR groups. Biventricular segmentations of steady state free precession CMR images were performed using custom validated software (Segment version 2.0 R7067). Brachial cuff pressure estimated left ventricular (LV) systolic pressure. Right ventricular (RV) inputs were obtained from pre-PVR cardiac catheterization data. Biventricular PV loops were then derived using a time-varying elastance model. Twenty seven patients were studied: (22 pre-PVR, 5 post-PVR), mean age of 20±10.5 years and 83% male. RV stroke volume significantly differed before and after PVR (73.2±25 ml vs. 41±10 mL, P=0.01). RV stroke work (SW) and mean external power (MEP) were significantly less post-PVR, but there were no significant differences in the LV hemodynamic indices. TOF patients have reduced RV SW and MEP post-PVR suggesting improved hemodynamics. Noninvasive biventricular PV loop analysis shows potential for integration into standard CMR imaging of TOF and provides hemodynamic data that could influence management decisions.
What Outcomes Are Most Important to Patients Following a Lower Extremity Limb-threatening Injury?
Authors: Wong Alison , Burke Cynthia E. , Bangura Abdulai , O’Hara Nathan N. , Mundy Lily , O’Toole Robert V. , Pensy Raymond A.
Published: July 2022

Objective:

To determine what outcomes are most important to patients after a limb-threatening injury, and if those preferences vary based on the patients’ treatment (salvage vs amputation), health, demographics, or time since injury.

Background:

The preferences that motivate the patients’ choice of treatment following a limb-threatening injury are poorly understood. Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are a robust survey methodology to quantify preferences.

Methods:

Patients with a history of traumatic limb-threatening injury, January 2010 to December 2020, completed a survey with our DCE and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaire. The DCE attributes included recovery time, function, appearance, cost, and time in hospital. We used conditional logit modeling to estimate the relative importance of each attribute on a scale of 0% to 100%, determine willingness to pay for improvements in the included attributes, and assess variation in preferences based on patient characteristics, including PROMIS score.

Results:

A total of 150 patients completed the survey (104 limb salvage, 46 amputation; mean age, 48±16 years; 79% male). Regaining preinjury function [relative importance=41%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 37%–45%] and minimizing costs (24%; 95% CI, 21%–28%) were of greatest importance. Changes in appearance were least important (7%; 95% CI, 5%–9%). The hierarchy of preferences did not vary between those who had limb salvage or amputation, but patient age, physical and mental health, and income were associated with preference variation.

Conclusions:

Patients with limb-threatening injuries most valued gains in function and reduced out-of-pocket costs.
Safety of Intraoperative Blood Salvage During Liver Transplantation in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Aijtink Virginia J. , Rutten Vera C. , Meijer Beatrice E.M. , de Jong Renate , Isaac John L. , Polak Wojciech G. , Perera M. Thamara P.R. , Sneiders Dimitri , Hartog Hermien
Published: July 2022

Objective:

The effects of intraoperative blood salvage (IBS) on time to tumor recurrence, disease-free survival and overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing liver transplantation were assessed to evaluate the safety of IBS.

Background:

IBS is highly effective to reduce the use of allogeneic blood transfusion. However, the safety of IBS during liver transplantation for patients with HCC is questioned due to fear of disseminating malignant cells.

Methods:

Comprehensive searches through June 2021 were performed in 8 databases. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Robins-I tool. Meta-analysis with the generic inverse variance method was performed to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for disease-free survival, HCC recurrence and overall survival.

Results:

Nine studies were included (n=1997, IBS n=1200, no-IBS n=797). Use of IBS during liver transplantation was not associated with impaired disease-free survival [HR=0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.66–1.24, P=0.53, IBS n=394, no-IBS n=329], not associated with increased HCC recurrence (HR=0.83, 95% CI=0.57–1.23, P=0.36, IBS n=537, no-IBS n=382) and not associated with impaired overall survival (HR=1.04, 95% CI=0.79–1.37, P=0.76, IBS n=495, no-IBS n=356).

Conclusions:

Based on available observational data, use of IBS during liver transplantation in patients with HCC does not result in impaired disease-free survival, increased HCC recurrence or impaired overall survival. Therefore, use of IBS during liver transplantation for HCC patients is a safe procedure.
Quantifying Procedure-level Prophylaxis Misutilization in Pediatric Surgery
Authors: Anandalwar Seema P. , Milliren Carly , Graham Dionne A. , Newland Jason G. , He Katherine , Hills-Dunlap Jonathan L. , Kashtan Mark A. , Rangel Shawn J.
Published: July 2022

Objective:

To quantify procedure-level inappropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis utilization as a strategy to identify high-priority targets for stewardship efforts in pediatric surgery.

Background:

Little data exist to guide the prioritization of antibiotic stewardship efforts as they relate to prophylaxis utilization in pediatric surgery.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of children undergoing elective surgical procedures at 52 children’s hospitals from October 2015 to December 2019 using the Pediatric Health Information System database. Procedure-level compliance with consensus guidelines for prophylaxis utilization was assessed for indication, antimicrobial spectrum, and duration. The relative contribution of each procedure to the overall burden of noncompliant cases was calculated to establish a prioritization framework for stewardship efforts.

Results:

A total of 56,845 cases were included with an overall inappropriate utilization rate of 56%. The most common reason for noncompliance was unindicated utilization (43%), followed by prolonged duration (32%) and use of excessively broad-spectrum agents (25%). Procedures with the greatest relative contribution to noncompliant cases included cholecystectomy and repair of inguinal and umbilical hernias for unindicated utilization (63.2% of all cases); small bowel resections, gastrostomy, and colorectal procedures for use of excessively broad-spectrum agents (70.1%) and pectus excavatum repair and procedures involving the small and large bowel for prolonged duration (57.6%). More than half of all noncompliant cases were associated with 5 procedures (cholecystectomy, small bowel procedures, inguinal hernia repair, gastrostomy, and pectus excavatum).

Conclusions:

Cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia repair, and procedures involving the small and large bowel should be considered high-priority targets for antimicrobial stewardship efforts in pediatric surgery.
Distal Pancreatectomy Fistula Risk Score (D-FRS)
Authors: De Pastena Matteo , van Bodegraven Eduard A. , Mungroop Timothy H. , Vissers Frederique L. , Jones Leia R. , Marchegiani Giovanni , Balduzzi Alberto , Klompmaker Sjors , Paiella Salvatore , Tavakoli Rad Shazad , Groot Koerkamp Bas , van Eijck Casper , Busch Olivier R. , de Hingh Ignace , Luyer Misha , Barnhill Caleb , Seykora Thomas , Maxwell T Trudeau , de Rooij Thijs , Tuveri Massimiliano , Malleo Giuseppe , Esposito Alessandro , Landoni Luca , Casetti Luca , Alseidi Adnan , Salvia Roberto , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Abu Hilal Mohammad , Vollmer Charles M. , Besselink Marc G. , Bassi Claudio
Published: July 2022

Objective:

To develop 2 distinct preoperative and intraoperative risk scores to predict postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP) to improve preventive and mitigation strategies, respectively.

Background:

POPF remains the most common complication after DP. Despite several known risk factors, an adequate risk model has not been developed yet.

Methods:

Two prediction risk scores were designed using data of patients undergoing DP in 2 Italian centers (2014–2016) utilizing multivariable logistic regression. The preoperative score (calculated before surgery) aims to facilitate preventive strategies and the intraoperative score (calculated at the end of surgery) aims to facilitate mitigation strategies. Internal validation was achieved using bootstrapping. These data were pooled with data from 5 centers from the United States and the Netherlands (2007–2016) to assess discrimination and calibration in an internal-external validation procedure.

Results:

Overall, 1336 patients after DP were included, of whom 291 (22%) developed POPF. The preoperative distal fistula risk score (preoperative D-FRS) included 2 variables: pancreatic neck thickness [odds ratio: 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.17 per mm increase] and pancreatic duct diameter (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.32–1.65 per mm increase). The model performed well with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78–0.88) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.70–0.76) upon internal-external validation. Three risk groups were identified: low risk (<10%), intermediate risk (10%–25%), and high risk (>25%) for POPF with 238 (18%), 684 (51%), and 414 (31%) patients, respectively. The intraoperative risk score (intraoperative D-FRS) added body mass index, pancreatic texture, and operative time as variables with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.74–0.85).

Conclusions:

The preoperative and the intraoperative D-FRS are the first validated risk scores for POPF after DP and are readily available at: http://www.pancreascalculator.com. The 3 distinct risk groups allow for personalized treatment and benchmarking.
Titanium Clip-dental Floss Traction-assisting Endoscopy in Patients With Difficulty in Cannulation Into the Duodenal Peridiverticular Papilla
Authors: Lv Shangdong , Zhang Wenlong , Hu Peng , Shi Binyao , Wang Aidong
Published: July 2022

Objective:

To assess titanium clip-dental floss traction-assisting endoscopy in patients with difficulty in cannulation into the papilla located at the lower, left or right side of the periampullary diverticulum.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty-eight patients who had difficulty in cannulation into the papilla located at the lower, left, or right side of the periampullary diverticulum upon endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were recruited at Taizhou Hospital from July 2016 to June 2020. A random number table was used to divide the patients into an intervention (with titanium clip-dental floss traction) group and a control group (n=34 in each group). Patients in both groups underwent ERCP. The cannulation time, cannulation success rate, incidence of postprocedural complications after ERCP, hospitalization time, and hospitalization expenses in the 2 groups were compared.

Result:

The cannulation time was 15.3±4.1 minutes in the intervention group, which was less than that in the control group (25.7±6.5 min). The cannulation success rate was 77±12.1% in the intervention group, which was higher than that in the control group (43±16.7%). Postprocedural complications occurred in 2 patients in the intervention group and 6 patients in the control group, with no significant differences. The hospitalization time and expenses were 3.8±2.6 days and 11.1±6 thousand yuan in the intervention group, respectively, and 6.1±3.7 days and 18.2±8 thousand yuan in the control group, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Titanium clip-dental floss traction-assisting endoscopy achieved excellent efficacy in patients with difficulty in cannulation into the papilla located at the lower, left or right side of the periampullary diverticulum. The cannulation success rate was improved after treatment, with good safety and prognosis.
Functional analysis across model systems implicates ribosomal proteins in growth and proliferation defects associated with hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Nielsen Tanja , Kervadec Anaïs , Theis Jeanne L. , Missinato Maria A. , Marchant James , Lynott Michaela , Lamba Aashna , Zeng Xin-Xin I. , Berenguer Marie , Walls Stanley M. , Schroeder Analyne , Birker Katja , Duester Greg , Grossfeld Paul , Nelson Timothy J. , Olson Timothy M. , Ocorr Karen , Bodmer Rolf , Vogler Georg , Colas Alexandre R.
Published: July 2022

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is the most lethal congenital heart disease (CHD). The pathogenesis of HLHS is poorly understood, and due to the likely oligogenic complexity of the disease, definitive HLHS-causing genes have not yet been identified. Postulating impaired cardiomyocyte proliferation as a likely important contributing mechanism to HLHS pathogenesis, and we conducted a genome-wide siRNA screen to identify genes affecting proliferation of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). This yielded ribosomal protein (RP) genes as the most prominent class of effectors of CM proliferation. In parallel, whole genome sequencing and rare variant filtering of a cohort of 25 HLHS proband-parent trios with poor clinical outcome revealed enrichment of rare variants of RP genes. In addition, in a familial CHD case we identified a rare, predicted-damaging promoter variant affectingRPS15Athat was shared between the HLHS proband and a distant relative with CHD. Functional testing with an integrated multi-model system approach reinforced the idea that RP genes are major regulators of cardiac growth and proliferation, thus potentially contributing to the hypoplastic phenotype observed in HLHS patients. Cardiac knockdown (KD) of RP genes with promoter or coding variants (RPS15A, RPS17, RPL26L1, RPL39, RPS15) reduced proliferation in generic hPSC-CMs and caused malformed hearts, heart-loss or even lethality inDrosophila. In zebrafish, diminishedrps15afunction caused reduced CM numbers, heart looping defects, or weakened contractility, while reducedrps17orrpl39function caused reduced ventricular size or systolic atrial dysfunction of the atrium, respectively. Importantly, genetic interactions betweenRPS15Aand core cardiac transcription factorsTBX5in CMs,Drosocross, pannierandtinmanin flies, andtbx5andnkx2-7(nkx2-5paralog) in fish, support a specific role for RP genes in heart development. Furthermore,RPS15AKD-induced heart/CM proliferation defects were significantly attenuated byp53KD in both hPSC- CMs and zebrafish, and by Hippo activation (YAP/yorkieoverexpression) in developing fly hearts. Based on these findings, we conclude that RP genes play novel critical roles in cardiogenesis and constitute an emerging class of gene candidates likely involved in HLHS and other CHDs.
PERSISTENT IMMUNITY AFTER MILD SARS CoV-2 INFECTION - THE CoNAN-LONG TERM STUDY -
Authors: Schnizer Clara , Andreas Nico , Vivas Wolfgang , Kamradt Thomas , Baier Michael , Kiehntopf Michael , Glöckner Stefan , Scherag André , Löffler Bettina , Kolanos Steffi , Guerra Joel , Pletz Mathias W. , Weis Sebastian ,   the CoNAN study group
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Understanding persistent cellular and humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 will be of major importance to terminate the ongoing pandemic. Here we assessed long-term immunity in individuals with mild COVID-19 up to one year after a localized SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

Methods

CoNAN was a longitudinal population-based cohort study performed 1.5 months, 6 months and 12 months after a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a rural German community. We performed a time series of five different IgG immunoassays assessing SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses on serum samples from individuals that had been tested positive after a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak as well as in control individuals who had a negative PCR result. These analyses were complemented with the determination of spike-antigen specific THcell responses in the same individuals.

Results

All infected participants presented as asymptomatic or mild cases. Participants initially tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection either with PCR, antibody testing, or both had a rapid initial decline in the serum antibody levels in all serological test but showed a persisting and robust THcell immunity as assessed by the detection of SARS-CoV-2 specificity of THcells for up to one year after infection.

Conclusion

Our data support the notion of a robust T cell immunity in mild and asymptomatic cases of SARS-CoV-2 up to one year after infection. We show that antibody titers decline over one year, but considering several test results, complete seroconversion is rare.

Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00022416.

Funding

Sondervermögen „Corona” of the Thuringian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Science and Digital Society. SV-Kapitel 82 30 Titel 68205 # 5526/32-4-2.
Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants, age, vaccination, and prior infection on infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 infections
Authors: Qassim Suelen H. , Hasan Mohammad R. , Tang Patrick , Chemaitelly Hiam , Ayoub Houssein H. , Yassine Hadi M. , Al-Khatib Hebah A. , Smatti Maria K. , Abdul-Rahim Hanan F. , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Al-Kuwari Mohamed Ghaith , Al-Khal Abdullatif , Coyle Peter , Gillani Imtiaz , Kaleeckal Anvar Hassan , Shaik Riyazuddin Mohammad , Latif Ali Nizar , Al-Kuwari Einas , Jeremijenko Andrew , Butt Adeel A. , Bertollini Roberto , Al-Romaihi Hamad Eid , Al-Thani Mohamed H. , Abu-Raddad Laith J.
Published: July 2022

In 2021, Qatar experienced considerable incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection that was dominated sequentially by the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants. Using the cycle threshold (Ct) value of an RT-qPCR-positive test to proxy the inverse of infectiousness, we investigated infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 infections by variant, age, sex, vaccination status, prior infection status, and reason for testing in a random sample of 18,355 RT-qPCR-genotyped infections. Regression analyses were conducted to estimate associations with the Ct value of RT-qPCR-positive tests. Compared to Beta infections, Alpha and Delta infections demonstrated 2.56 higher Ct cycles (95% CI: 2.35-2.78), and 4.92 fewer cycles (95% CI: 4.67-5.16), respectively. The Ct value declined gradually with age and was especially high for children <10 years of age, signifying lower infectiousness of small children. Children <10 years of age had 2.18 higher Ct cycles (95% CI: 1.88-2.48) than those 10-19 years of age. Compared to unvaccinated individuals, the Ct value was higher among individuals who had received one or two vaccine doses, but the Ct value decreased gradually with time since the second-dose vaccination. Ct value was 2.07 cycles higher (95% CI: 1.42-2.72) for those with a prior infection than those without prior infection. The Ct value was lowest among individuals tested because of symptoms and was highest among individuals tested as a travel requirement. Delta was substantially more infectious than Beta. Prior immunity, whether due to vaccination or prior infection, is associated with lower infectiousness of breakthrough infections, but infectiousness increases gradually with time since the second-dose vaccination.
Benchmarking state-of-the-art approaches for norovirus genome assembly in metagenome sample
Authors: Meleshko Dmitry , Korobeynikov Anton
Published: July 2022

Motivation

A recently published article in BMC Genomics by Fuentes-Trillo et al (2021) contains a comparison of assembly approaches of several Noroviral samples via different tools and preprocessing strategies. Unfortunately the study used outdated versions of tools as well as tools that were not designed for the viral assembly task. In order to improve the suboptimal assemblies the authors suggested different sophisticated preprocessing strategies that seem to make only minor contributions to the results. We redone the analysis using state-of-the art tools designed for viral assembly.

Results

Here we demonstrate that tools from the SPAdes toolkit (rnaviralSPAdes and coronaSPAdes) allows one to assemble the samples from the original study into a single contig without any additional preprocessing.
Cortical Parvalbumin-positive Interneuron Development and Function are Altered in the APC Conditional Knockout Mouse Model of Infantile Spasm Syndrome
Authors: Ryner Rachael F. , Derera Isabel D. , Armbruster Moritz , Kansara Anar , Sommer Mary E. , Pirone Antonella , Noubary Farzad , Jacob Michele , Dulla Chris G.
Published: July 2022

Infantile Spasms syndrome (ISS) is a childhood epilepsy syndrome characterized by infantile or late onset spasms, abnormal neonatal EEG, and epilepsy. Few treatments exist for IS, clinical outcomes are poor, and the molecular and circuit-level etiologies of IS are not well understood. Multiple human ISS risk genes are linked to Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a pathway which controls developmental transcriptional programs and promotes glutamatergic excitation via β-catenin’s role as a synaptic scaffold. We previously showed that deleting adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a component of the β-catenin destruction complex, in excitatory neurons (APC cKO mice, APCfl/fl x CaMKIIαCre) in mice increased β-catenin levels in developing glutamatergic neurons and led to infantile behavioral spasms, abnormal neonatal EEG, and adult epilepsy. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the development of inhibitory GABAergic interneurons (INs) is disrupted in APC cKOs. IN dysfunction is implicated in human ISS, is a feature of other rodent models of ISS and may contribute to the manifestation of spasms and seizures. We found that parvalbumin positive INs (PV+INs), an important source of cortical inhibition, were decreased in number, underwent disproportionate developmental apoptosis, and had altered dendrite morphology at P9, the peak time of behavioral spasms. PV+INs received excessive excitatory input and their intrinsic ability to fire action potentials was reduced at all timepoints examined (P9, P14, P60). Subsequently, synaptic inhibition of pyramidal neurons was uniquely altered in the somatosensory cortex of APC cKO mice at all ages, with both decreased inhibition at P14 and enhanced inhibition at P9 and P60. These results indicate that inhibitory circuit dysfunction occurs in APC cKOs and, along with known changes in excitation, may contribute to ISS-related phenotypes.

Significance Statement

Infantile spasms syndrome (ISS) is a devastating epilepsy with limited treatment options and poor clinical outcomes. The molecular, cellular, and circuit disruptions that cause infantile spasms and seizures are largely unknown, but inhibitory GABAergic interneuron dysfunction has been implicated in rodent models of ISS and may contribute to human ISS. Here, we utilize a rodent model of ISS, the APC cKO mouse, in which β-catenin signaling is increased in excitatory neurons. This results in altered parvalbumin-positive GABAergic interneuron development and inhibitory synaptic dysfunction throughout life, showing that pathology arising in excitatory neurons can initiate long-term interneuron dysfunction. Our findings further implicate GABAergic dysfunction in ISS, even when pathology is initiated in other neuronal types.
Linking supervisors’ bottom-line mentality to workplace cheating behavior: examining the mediating and moderating role of organizational cynicism and moral identity
Authors: Farasat Mobina , Azam Akbar , Imam Hassan , Hassan Hamid
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how and when supervisors’ bottom-line mentality (BLM) influences workplace cheating behavior. Specifically, the authors draw upon social exchange theory (Blau, 1964) and the negative reciprocity norm (Gouldner, 1960) argument, to explain that supervisor BLM is likely related to organizational cynicism and subsequently those employees may engage in cheating behavior as a way to make things even with the organization. Furthermore, the authors theorized that organizational cynicism and supervisors’ BLM via organizational cynicism, increase cheating behavior among employees with a weak moral identity.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the current model, the authors collected data from 232 employees working in various Pakistani firms.

Findings

The results affirmed the authors’ moderated-mediation model. The positive indirect effects of supervisors’ BLM on workplace cheating behavior, through organizational cynicism, are moderated by employees’ moral identity.

Originality/value

This is the first study that examine the mediating and moderating role of organizational cynicism and employees’ moral identity in the relationship between supervisors’ BLM and workplace cheating behavior.
Early detection of human-related risks in an increasingly digitized work environment
Authors: Dubosson Magali , Fragnière Emmanuel , Meier Samuele
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Human-related risks are practices in a given organization that lead to harmful behaviors that prevent managers and their teams from achieving goals. The purpose of this article is to enable the organization to provide a preventive and simple response to risks in the event that deterioration in employee well-being is detected.

Design/methodology/approach

In the literature, many questionnaires based on a variety of metrics have been developed and tested to measure and assess the quality of work life (e.g. stress, commitment, satisfaction, etc.). The approach of this study was to identify the most meaningful items and combine them into a unique score integrated into an effective decision-making module.

Findings

A long process of trial and error was necessary to collect confidential information from employees, both anonymously and longitudinally, to measure well-being in the workplace objectively and globally. The unique score generated provides an indication of potential human risk.

Research limitations/implications

This research and its practical implementation have demonstrated the importance of personal-data protection and the need to work harder to maintain employees' digital trust while using a digitized tool.

Practical implications

Development of a new app that was used for the first time to regularly assess ill-being in several companies.

Social implications

The social implication of this research is to contribute to health policies related to well-being in the workplace.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that a software module measuring the human risk of an entire company has been embedded in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).
Information system assisted knowledge accounting and cognitive managerial implications
Authors: Karagiorgos Alkiviadis , Lazos Grigorios , Stavropoulos Antonios , Karagiorgou Dimitra , Valkani Fani
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This paper examines issues that focus on the importance of accounting data generated knowledge information and its role in modern business. The cognitive aspect of this research reflects the ability of companies and its employees to apply knowledge for managerial purposes using accounting data.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a questionnaire, a five-factor model related to information communication, information cognitive utilization, functional optimization, applicability and cognitive efficiency was created.

Findings

Findings present a series of complex correlations highlighting possible actions to utilize knowledge as a tool for management. Information is obtained regarding the management of knowledge and the adoption of information systems.

Research limitations/implications

The results reflect the limited implementation of intellectual capital practices and understanding of knowledge as a financial tool for executives and employees. Based on the above, an attempt was made to formulate the questions for the careful identification of the factors.

Practical implications

Rapid developments in information and communication technologies, together with a realization that knowledge is a resource of general and cost strategic importance, changed the operational structures of companies, shifting value from materials to intangible assets. This paper demonstrates how multiple variables are correlated and how small changes could help increase intellectual capital and facilitate the construction of knowledge based systems.

Social implications

The need for an accounting valuation of intellectual capital in order to present the true picture of business value is evident. This paper illustrates factors such as interactive communication and systematic cognitive efficiency or the monetization of information as a preliminary step for future valuation and management intellectual capital models.

Originality/value

Direct access to sufficient and reliable information, lead to the search for effective tools for the creation, aggregation and exchange of knowledge. The latter becomes a key goal for information systems. Emphasis is placed on the benefits and critical success factors of knowledge management systems, as essential information systems to support and enhance organizational processes.
Lean supply chain management and Industry 4.0 interrelationships: the status quo and future perspectives
Authors: El Jaouhari Asmae , Arif Jabir , Fellaki Soumaya , Amejwal Mohamed , Azzouz Khaoula
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to address Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies that can improve the research and implementation of lean supply chain management (LSCM) and the enhanced LSCM subfields in I4.0 technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a systematic literature review to detect, categorize and assess recent data, highlighting patterns and providing suggestions for potential research in this field, to investigate I4.0 literature and its effect on LSCM. The authors examined 79 published types of research from the Scopus database that were published between 2010 and 2021 and classified them into four LSCM fields: logistics, production, supply chain and marketing.

Findings

The authors can emphasize the fact that the literature on this topic is in progress, from early German academic research to the current creation of new effects around the world. The majority of the potential effects investigated were discovered to improve specific areas that ultimately enhance the practices of the four LSCM domains as well as performance outcomes. The authors were also able to assess the extent to which present and upcoming I4.0 technologies can improve LSCM research and implementation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind. Although some research looked into various areas of I4.0 and LSCM topics, there has been no research specifically looking into the impact of I4.0 on LSCM. The originality of this study lies in the treatment of the main fields and sub-fields of LSCM, which can benefit from the technologies of I4.0. Academic scholars interested in the research topics may benefit from the findings of this study. Organizations in various industrial sectors, particularly manufacturing, where lean thinking is used, business professionals specialized in lean operations and supply chain management, along with anyone else who wants to learn more about the interrelationships between I4.0 and LSCM.
Parental roles, financial literacy and budgeting behaviour: a survey during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Phung Trang M.T.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to provide evidence on the importance of parental financial heads in the family in promoting students' financial literacy levels and budgeting habits.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data on 730 college students in Vietnam, this study investigated the relationship between parental financial heads, students' financial literacy and budgeting habits. Multiple regression and logit function are the primary approaches in the study.

Findings

This study found a positive association between parental head roles and students' financial literacy and budgeting habits after controlling for demographics. Students whose parents are primarily responsible for financial decisions in the family perform higher in financial literacy and make a budget more frequently. The results are robust to alternative approaches.

Practical implications

This study’s results help parents, especially mothers who are often more vulnerable in the family, better understand the important role of being the financial deciders in the family and how this can increase their children's financial literacy and help their children manage money more effectively.

Originality/value

This is the first study to address the importance of parents' head roles in enhancing students' financial literacy and budgeting behaviour.
Chronic alcohol consumption alters home‐cage behaviors and responses to ethologically relevant predator tasks in mice
Authors: Neira Sofia , Hassanein Leslie A. , Stanhope Christina M. , Buccini Michelle C. , D'Ambrosio Shannon L. , Flanigan Meghan E. , Haun Harold L. , Boyt Kristen M. , Bains Jaideep S. , Kash Thomas L.
Published: July 2022

Background

Alcohol withdrawal is a key component of severe alcohol use disorder. Animal models of alcohol withdrawal tend to focus on traditional anxiety/stress tests. While these have been essential to advancing our understanding of the biology of alcohol withdrawal, abrupt cessation of drinking following heavy alcohol consumption can also trigger withdrawal‐related affective states that impact responses to a variety of life events and stressors. To this end, we show that behaviors in a variety of tasks that differ in task demand and intensity are altered during withdrawal in male and female mice after voluntary alcohol access.

Methods

Male and female miceunderwent six weeks of intermittent two‐bottle choice alcohol exposure followed by behavioral tests. The tests included—Home cage: low‐stress baseline environment to measure spontaneous natural behaviors; Open field: anxiety‐inducing bright novel environment; Looming disc: arena with a protective hut where mice are exposed to a series of discs that mimic an overhead advancing predator, and Robogator‐simulated predator task: forced foraging behavioral choice in the presence of an advancing robot predator that “attacks” when mice are near a food pellet in a large open arena.

Results

A history of alcohol exposure impacted behaviors in these tasks in a sex‐dependent manner. In the home cage, alcohol induced reductions in digging and heightened stress coping through an increase in grooming time. In males, increased rearing yielded greater vigilance/exploration in a familiar environment. The open‐field test revealed an anxiety phenotype in both male and female mice exposed to alcohol. Male mice showed no behavioral alterations to the looming disc task, while females exposed to alcohol showed greater escape responses than water controls, indicative of active stress‐response behaviors. In males, the Robogator task revealed a hesitant/avoidant phenotype in alcohol‐exposed mice under greater task demands.

Conclusions

Few drugs show robust evidence of efficacy in clinical trials for alcohol withdrawal. Understanding how withdrawal alters a variety of behaviors in both males and females that are linked to stress coping can increase our understanding of alcohol misuse and aid in developing better medications for treating individuals with AUD.
Internal capital allocation in IPOs and corporate innovation: The moderating role of political connections
Authors: Tang Jinghua , Liu Qigui
Published: July 2022

We explore the effect of initial public offering (IPO) capital allocation on corporate innovation. We document that IPOs enhance corporate innovation through allocation of internal capital to innovative projects. While political connections moderate the IPO‐innovation relation in that connected firms allocate less IPO capital to innovative projects and are more likely to reallocate their resource from innovative to non‐innovative projects. Resource allocation to innovative projects results in better post‐IPO performance, especially in non‐connected firms. Overall, this study identifies intra‐firm capital allocation as an important factor that contribute to firm innovation and the distortion of resource allocation linked to political ties.