bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatholirion cucphuongense (Commelinaceae), a new species from Cuc Phuong National Park in North Vietnam
Authors: LIN CHE-WEI , PENG CHING-I , NGUYEN HIEU QUANG , NGUYEN TIEN HIEP , KONO YOSHIKO
Published: July 2023

A new species, Spatholirion cucphuongense (Commelinaceae) is described and illustrated from northern Vietnam. Morphologically it resembles to S. ornatum, but differs in its lamina with greyish-white markings on adaxial surface (vs. absent markings, sometimes ornamented when young with white markings), lower surface lateral veins glabrous (vs. densely velutinous), inflorescence raceme (vs. panicle) of staminate flowers, and sepals dark indigo (vs. pale purple). Moreover, the diploid chromosome number 2n = 60 is observed in the new species, which is unusual in the genus Spatholirion (2n = 20). The new chromosome count also confirms the occurrence of natural polyploids in Spatholirion. The comparative account of chromosome count in the subtribe Streptoliriinae is also provided.
PHAIUS DUONGAE (ORCHIDACEAE, COLLABIEAE), A NEW CAULINE SPECIES FROM SOUTHERN VIETNAM
Authors: NGUYEN THI LIEN THUONG , AVERYANOV LEONID V. , MAISAK TATIANA V. , NGUYEN VAN CANH , PHAM THI THANH DAT , NGUYEN DANH DUC , TRUONG BA VUONG
Published: July 2023

An unusual species of Phaius discovered in the Da Nang City Area in southern Vietnam is described here as new to science. It is similar to P. hekouensis but can be recognized by the smaller habit, flower color, lip ornamentation, spur, and column characters. The standard taxonomic description, as well as data on its distribution, ecology, phenology, proposed conservation status, and taxonomic notes on relationships with morphologically similar species, are presented.
Erratum: Hurrah, I.A., Shukla, R.A. & Wagh, V.V. (2023) Occurrence of Geranium mascatense (Geraniaceae) in India and the speculations about its global distribution. Phytotaxa 598 (3): 206–218.
Authors: HURRAH IMTIYAZ A. , SHUKLA APARNA R. , WAGH VIJAY V.
Published: July 2023

N/A
On the Accuracy of the Moist Static Energy Budget When Applied to Large-Scale Tropical Motions
Authors: Adames Corraliza Ángel F. , Mayta Víctor C.
Published: July 2023

The moist static energy (MSE) budget is widely used to understand moist atmospheric thermodynamics. However, the budget is not exact, and the accuracy of the approximations that yield it has not been examined rigorously in the context of large-scale tropical motions (horizontal scales ≥ 1000 km). A scale analysis shows that these approximations are most accurate in systems whose latent energy anomalies are considerably larger than the geopotential and kinetic energy anomalies. This condition is satisfied in systems that exhibit phase speeds and horizontal winds on the order of 10 m s−1 or less. Results from a power spectral analysis of data from the DYNAMO field campaign and ERA5 qualitatively agree with the scaling, although they indicate that the neglected terms are smaller than what the scaling suggests. A linear regression analysis of the MJO events that occurred during DYNAMO yields results that support these findings. It is suggested that the MSE budget is accurate in the tropics because motions within these latitudes are constrained to exhibit small fluctuations in geopotential and kinetic energy as a result of weak temperature gradient (WTG) balance.
Assessing the Multichannel Impact of Brand Store Entry by a Digital-Native Grocery Brand
Authors: Van Crombrugge Michiel , Breugelmans Els , Breiner Florian , Scheiner Christian W.
Published: July 2023

For digital-native fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturers that sell through their own online channel and have made headway into supermarkets, brand stores can represent the next step in a multichannel distribution strategy. In this research, the authors investigate the impact of introducing a brand store on a digital-native FMCG brand's sales in its existing company-owned online channel and in independent supermarkets, as well as on the brand's supermarket distribution. By incorporating brand store sales and operational costs, this research also specifies the entry effects on the brand's top-line total brand sales and bottom-line operating profit. Based on before-and-after-with-control-group analyses of the entry of ten brand stores by a digital-native FMCG brand, the authors show that brand store entry boosts supermarket sales, partially driven by a brand store's positive effect on the number of supermarkets listing the brand. Although they cannibalize company-owned online sales, brand store entries generate an influx of own brand store sales that offset online channel losses. Still, accounting for brand stores’ operational costs reveals that top-line growth is not always enough to preserve the bottom line.
Women in the medical profession in 1900 from extended maternity to social equity. The life of Lucia Servadio
Authors: Iorio Silvia , Zurlini Fabiola , Cilione Marco , Gazzaniga Valentina
Published: July 2023

The history of social medicine in Italy between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was characterised by a marked presence of gender and the consequent commitment of women of Jewish origin to the issues of early childhood education, as well as safeguarding of work and motherhood and health prevention with regard to social and cultural fragility. Some of the roles of women engaged in social medicine campaigns have been widely studied in the historiography of medicine, having recognized their roles and commitment to attempting to create a fair society through their expertise in medicine and health. However, there are some biographies and professional lives that are still unpublished and worthy of attention by historical medical research. Lucia Servadio, who was of Jewish origin (1900–2006), was the youngest Italian doctor of the first twenty years of the twentieth century. She successfully worked, despite the degrading identification of women at the time, in the field of medicine and welfare, thanks to her qualified professional, cultural and social commitment. Dr Servadio's professionalism was constantly defined by a vision of health as a right that the doctor must protect by pursuing the goal of social equity. Precisely on the basis of these principles, solidified by the practical and social activism of women's groups of the time, Dr Servadio's professional and private life was continuously shaped between medicine and social activism. However, her story is also pervaded by the ambiguity of the role played by women, often highly educated and with considerable professional standing, engaged in forms of scientific intellectual collaboration of a conjugal nature.
The relationship between camouflaging and mental health: Are there differences among subgroups in autistic adults?
Authors: van der Putten Wikke J , Mol Audrey JJ , Radhoe Tulsi A , Torenvliet Carolien , Agelink van Rentergem Joost A , Groenman Annabeth P , Geurts Hilde M
Published: July 2023

Camouflaging is hypothesized to play an important role in developing mental health difficulties. But this might not be true for everyone. It remains unclear for whom camouflaging is associated with mental health. In this preregistered study (AsPredicted #45095), we investigated whether (1) camouflaging and mental health were associated and (2) we could detect subgroups with a different association between camouflaging and mental health. For this study, 352 autistic adults aged 30–84 years filled in, among others, the Dutch Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire to measure camouflaging and the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised to measure mental health difficulties. We found a moderate correlation between camouflaging and mental health difficulties ( r = 0.45). However, there was only a strong association between camouflaging and mental health in a small subgroup, while the association was small in most autistic adults. For varying levels of negative affect and (to a lesser extent) autism traits, the association between camouflaging and mental health differed, but not for biological sex, age, or educational level. Thus, while one should be careful with group-based conclusions regarding the (negative) impact of camouflaging, camouflaging can be important to consider in clinical practice, especially for people with a substantial level of negative affect.

Lay abstract

When autistic people use strategies to hide their autistic characteristics, we call this camouflaging. Autistic adults suggested that camouflaging can result in mental health difficulties. That is, people who report to camouflage also report mental health difficulties. However, since there are many differences between autistic people, this relationship may also differ between subgroups. Therefore, in this study we investigated whether camouflaging and mental health difficulties are related and whether this relationship is equal for all autistic adults. For this study, 352 autistic adults aged 30–84 years filled in the Dutch Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire to measure camouflaging and the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised to measure mental health difficulties. We found that camouflaging was moderately related to mental health difficulties. This means that people who report more camouflaging also report more mental health difficulties. When we looked closer, we found that this relationship was strong for only a small subgroup of autistic adults. In most other autistic adults, there was a small or no relationship between camouflaging and mental health difficulties. Therefore, it is important that clinicians are aware of camouflaging and its possible relationship with mental health difficulties, but that they do not generalize the negative consequences to everyone.
An issue public’s confirmation-biased news feeding in changing political constellations: A quasi-experimental field study in the German conflict over genome editing
Authors: Post Senja , Bienzeisler Nils , Pannach Franziska
Published: July 2023

Contributing to the study of curated news flows, we investigated how conflicting participants in an issue public fed mainstream news into their Twitter networks. In a quasi-experimental field study in the context of the 2018 European Court of Justice’s ruling on genome editing, we combined standardized manual content analyses of a universe of legacy media news items ( N = 165), users’ tweets (“feeds”) linking these news items ( N = 2014), and users’ profiles ( N = 1070). Confirming existing knowledge, opponents and proponents of genetically modified organisms largely fed news items confirming their issue attitudes. Extending existing knowledge, we show that counter-attitudinal news feeding became more likely when users had a political disadvantage rather than a political advantage in the controversy. However, this was only true for the more active but not for the more inactive news feeders.
AFX unibody stent graft: Effective and safe for the treatment of severe aorto-iliac occlusive disease
Authors: Saricilar Erin Cihat , Cain Justin , Wang Cindy , Fisher Charles , Puttaswamy Vikram
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to determine the primary, assisted primary and secondary patency rates of the Endologix AFX stent-graft in patients considered high risk for open surgery with complex aorto-iliac occlusive disease. The secondary objective was to determine 30-day major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

Methods

A retrospective review was undertaken of clinical records of 38 patients who underwent AFX stent-graft placement for aorto-iliac occlusive disease from 2016 to 2019. Patient data was de-identified and entered into a REDcap secure database. Descriptive statistical analysis (means and standard deviations) and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were created to determine the duration of patency of the AFX stent-graft system.

Results

Primary patency rates at 6, 12 and 24 months were 92%, 92% and 84%, respectively. Assisted primary patency rates at these times were 100%, 100% and 93% with secondary patency of 100% maintained throughout. The incidence of 30-day major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events was 8% and major adverse limb events was 3%. One death unrelated to the AFX device occurred during the study period though outside of the 30-day peri-operative period.

Conclusions

Primary, assisted primary and secondary patency rates of AFX stent-grafts, when used to treat aorto-iliac occlusive disease, are high. This study supports the use of the AFX stent-graft for the endovascular treatment of complex aorto-iliac occlusive disease as an alternative to other endovascular options as well as a safe alternative to open aorto-iliac or aorto-femoral bypass in patients who are at high risk for open procedures.
Biomechanical analysis of three techniques of suspensionplasty after trapeziectomy: a cadaveric study
Authors: Lui Hayman , Galbraith John G. , Meyers Kathleen , Bindra Randy , Lee Steve K.
Published: July 2023

The aim of the present cadaveric study was to assess resistance to first metacarpal subsidence of three techniques of suspensionplasty after trapeziectomy. In total, 18 forearms (mean age 60 years [range 20–89]) were used with six specimens per surgical technique: palmar oblique ligament reconstruction with tendon interposition (LRTI), abductor pollicis longus (APL) suspensionplasty, or suture suspensionplasty. There was no significant difference in mean trapezial space height after trapeziectomy and suspensionplasty compared to the preoperative trapezial height. However, after simulation of physiological lateral pinch, there was a significant ( p < 0.05) difference in mean trapezial space height between the APL suspensionplasty and the suture suspensionplasty compared to the LRTI group. After axial loading, there was significantly greater metacarpal subsidence in the LRTI group compared to the APL and suture suspensionplasty groups but no statistically significant difference between the suture suspensionplasty and the APL suspensionplasty groups.

Level of evidence: V
Up the Hill: The Familial-institutional Reproduction of the Black Upper-middle Class
Authors: Heard CiAuna
Published: July 2023

This article explores the distinct social reproductive practices of the Black upper-middle class. In particular, this study focuses on the role of community organizations in socializing the collective habitus of a community at the intersection of Blackness and class privilege. I draw on interview data from members of one Black upper-middle class organization, Jack and Jill of America Inc., to identify how families and institutions collaborate to socialize children into a particular raced-classed habitus, passing on ideologies, discursive habits, and behavioral strategies aimed at producing citizens who are both culturally empathetic and socioeconomically mobile. I find that mothers rely on the blurred boundaries between family and social organizations to legitimate and reinforce the lessons taught at home. In particular, mothers explicitly socialize identity and affinity within a racial community while simultaneously socializing implicit, but powerful, behavioral habits related to social class.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Measurement Invariance of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Lung Cancer Utility Index (FACT-LUI)
Authors: Swan J. Shannon , Langer Michelle M.
Published: July 2023

Background. A portion of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) instrument contributed to a previously published utility index, the FACT Lung Utility Index or FACT-LUI. Six FACT items representing lung cancer quality of life covered fatigue, pain, dyspnea, cough, anxiety, and depression. Two FACT items had been previously combined by the index authors into one for nausea and/or appetite loss, resulting in 7 final domains. Methods. The objective was to perform measurement invariance testing within a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) framework to support the feasibility of using the FACT-LUI for non–preference-based psychometric applications. The original index patients comprised group 1, and similar FACT patient data ( n = 249) from another published study comprised group 2. One 2-factor model and two 1-factor CFA models were evaluated to assess measurement invariance across groups, using varying degrees of item parceling and a small number of residual covariances, all justified by the literature. Results. The 1-factor models were most optimal. A 1-factor model with 1 pair of items parceled showed invariance to the partial scalar level using usual fit criteria across groups, requiring 2 unconstrained intercepts. A 1-factor model with 3 pairs of justified parcels showed full configural, metric, and scalar invariance across groups. Conclusions. The FACT-LUI items fit a partially to fully invariant 1-factor model, suggesting feasibility for non–preference-based applications. Implications. Results suggest useful incorporation of the FACT-LUI into clinical trials with no substantial increased respondent burden, allowing preference-based and other psychometric applications from the same index items.

Highlights

This work suggests that in addition to being originally designed for use as a utility index, the 7 FACT-LUI items together also fit simple CFA and measurement invariance models. This less expected result indicates that these items as a group are also potentially useful in non–preference-based applications. Clinical trials can make for challenging decisions concerning which patient-reported outcome measures to include without being burdensome. However, the literature suggests a need for improved reporting of quality of life in lung cancer in particular as well as cancer in general. Inclusion of more disease-specific items such as the FACT-LUI may allow for information gathering of both preference-based and non–preference-based data with less demand on patients, similar to what has been done with some generic instruments.
Mathematics in a Japanese overseas school: Connecting classroom study and curriculum
Authors: Aoki Mayu
Published: July 2023

The aim of this paper is to investigate how the contents related to the arithmetic of fractions, as described in the official curriculum issued by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), are implemented in actual teaching at the so-called Japanese supplementary school in Denmark. Additionally, at a methodological level, this case study demonstrates how so-called praxeological reference models can be developed at different levels of detail to describe classroom teaching at a particular grade level and the overall curriculum of primary school in a connected way. This study is based on the notions of praxeological reference models and moments of didactic processes from the Anthropological Theory of the Didactic. The findings reveal that (1) not much time is allocated to each moment and (2) the flow of gradually building up techniques, as intended by the textbook authors is to some extent disrupted in the lesson.
Effects of Environmental Management Standards on Business Performance in India
Authors: Singh Satyendera
Published: July 2023

Purpose of this study was to test the effects of perceived importance of environmental management on business performance while controlling for firm size and cost of implementation of the environmental management standards. The term environmental management refers to a business process that ensures an environmentally friendly manufacturing process; i.e., one that complies with the Environmental Management Standards (ISO 14001), whereas business performance relates to firm’s profitability, international trade, “green” (environmentally friendly) image and competitive advantage. Using survey method and multiple regression analysis, results of this study indicated that (1) environmental management was significantly positively related to profitability and international trade; (2) firm size was significantly positively related to competitive advantage and (3) cost was significantly negatively related to competitive advantage. The implication for managers is that they can use the findings to formulate strategies to differentiate and position their firms as green, and thus can target green consumers and attract potential investors interested in investing in green firms. This study contributes to literature by operationalizing the environmental management scale, testing it for its reliability and validity and applying it in the emerging market of India whose managers’ attitudes toward environment are somewhat different from developed countries.
Customer Complaint Behavior and Triggers: A Qualitative Study
Authors: KUMRA Rajeev
Published: July 2023

This research investigates the relationship between the types of complaint and triggers. We examine the fundamental question of do customers complain and if they, then under which type of trigger they complain more. Specifically, we examine mobile service provider, as services present a unique challenge for marketers. The human element of service delivery creates many opportunities for failure. In this research various sub-stages of the purchase stage of mobile buying process were identified and complaint responses at each sub-stage were studied. Qualitatively it was investigated that customer complaints were caused by which trigger at each sub-stage. Research results reveal compliant is caused mainly due to reactional trigger irrespective of buying sub-stage of purchase and situational trigger has least impact.
Enterprises' Knowledge Creation within a Brazilian's Industrial Cluster
Authors: Ferasso Marcos , Vargas Lilia Maria , Grenier Corinne
Published: July 2023

This research deals with knowledge creation at the level of enterprises located within a cluster. This paper is based on a case study, which is the industrial cluster dedicated to elastomers technologies, located in the Sinos Valley, Rio Grande do Sul. The data were collected from interviews with the strategically level of the cluster coordination, completed with secondary data. The results show that the research centre centralizes the technical knowledge on companies’ products development and the companies send their technicians to exchange knowledge with this research centre. The knowledge developed in this center is replicated into companies when they develop new products. The managerial knowledge is centralized on the syndicate which helps enterprises to improve their competitiveness and managerial skills. Individual actors meet together in communities of practices to exchange information and perspectives on strategy, policy and technological matters. We suggest that the cluster should encourage and support an additional level of interactions to maintain knowledge creation and interest of the cluster: this level is concerned with inter-enterprises interactions (i.e., alliances). We also point the critical role of the cluster governance for supporting three main dimensions of knowledge: technology based managerial based and commercial based knowledge. This research considers the process of knowledge creation that occurs within the cluster’s actors, through four dimensions (actors, economic and strategy, social and political, management) that makes the process occurring on two levels (intra-company and the cluster) dynamic.
Finance and Growth: Theory and International Evidence
Authors: Roy Malay Kanti , Ray Hirak , Biswas Joydeep
Published: July 2023

The present study has two-pronged objectives. First, to construct, through the Principal Component Analysis, an index for measuring the stock markets development for twenty-two sample countries and second, using the time series analysis, the form of relationship has been examined for the banking sector and stock markets to the economic growth of each country. The findings of the study exhibit substantial variation across countries even when the same variables and estimation methods have been used and hardly there exists any general consensus about the leading role of finance to the economic growth of a country.
Towards a Model of Knowledge Transfer Measurement: A Review of Related Literature
Authors: Muhenda Mary Basaasa
Published: July 2023

This paper reviews literature that highlights the different definitions and knowledge transfer measurements in organizations. The discussion reveals that knowledge transfer is very problematic to measure as there are many challenges posed by the differing measurements. We propose a four stage model of knowledge transfer that draws from Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995), and recommend that knowledge transfer could be measured at each of the four stages, namely Activation - events that trigger a decision to transfer, Transmission - actual exchange of information from the transferor to the transferee, Utilization - the recipient starts utilizing the transferred knowledge, and finally, the Institutionalization of best practices.
Retailers Behavior towards Salience of Mature Product Brands – An Empirical Study on a Major Cola Brand in a Developing Economy
Authors: Pandey Shivendra Kumar , Wali O.P.
Published: July 2023

The effectiveness of displays is proven beyond doubt in impulse buying, however, the quantification of the effect has some differences of opinion. Role of retailers to enhance the salience of brands is a major influence in purchase decisions of mature product categories. Many researchers have emphasized the importance of POP (Point of Purchase) displays to stretch the salience high especially in low involvement products like soft drinks. Cola giants like Pepsi and Coca Cola have long been drawn in the war of displays in nearby local mom and pop stores called kirana shops in India. Many of these companies give POP materials free of cost to retailers and try to have shops selling only their products exclusively. However, a large number of shops still sell competing brands of colas. Cola companies have also given many visi - coolers (the transparent refrigerators in which the inside contents are visible to the consumers from a distance) to the shop keepers, free of cost. It’s expected that it will increase the sales of their brand and the shopkeeper is expected to keep only the company’s product for cooling/display and not that of competitors. This study is aimed at finding the behavior of retailers toward providing salience of a major cola brand through the display of its brands by visi coolers.
Identification of Skill Requirements of Women Artisans: Special Reference to Cultural Tourism
Authors: Meera S. , A. Vinodan
Published: July 2023

The nexus between Tourism and Handicrafts is well established. Hence contribution of revenue from handicrafts is substantial than tourism. Therefore identification of skill requirements of artisans working in crafts is relevant in this context. As women artisans outnumber men in handicrafts, this study has attempted to identify the skill requirements of women artisans working in handicrafts. The present study adopted an exploratory sequential method. The study identified three skill related requirements among women artisans about tourism. The study identified these as tourism specific skills, job skills, and communication skills. Women-centric factors have been identified as women artisans by being women could be facing some challenges, and a possible link between these factors and skill requirement is examined through a model, for a comprehensive study in this domain.
Utilitarian and Hedonic Value: Measuring Service Quality in Online Retailing
Authors: Rahman Obaidur , Ahmad Asad , Khan Mohammed Naved
Published: July 2023

With the increasing penetration of internet and surge in e-commerce market in India, the quality of service in online retailing has become a tool for competitive advantage. Many researchers have found hedonism to play a significant role towards online buying behavior. The study explores the factors that help in measuring website service quality and the role of hedonism in the context of online retailers. For this purpose, the researchers have used the modified eTailQ scale (Ahmad et al., 2016) together with scales that help measure hedonic dimension. The present study employs tools like S.P.S.S. 20.0 and AMOS 20.0 to analyze the data through Exploratory Factor Analysis (E.F.A.) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (C.F.A.). The findings of the study suggest a 13-item HeTailQ scale comprising three factors namely- customer service, e-privacy and web hedonism- that is better suited for Indian settings.
Weak to no correlation between quantitative high-resolution computed tomography metrics and lung function change in fibrotic diseases
Authors: Zou Yixuan , Hou Xuefeng , Anegondi Neha , Negahdar Mohammadreza , Cheung Dorothy , Belloni Paula , de Crespigny Alex , Coimbra Alexandre Fernandez
Published: July 2023

Background

Identifying systemic sclerosis (SSc) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients at risk of more rapid forced vital capacity (FVC) decline could improve trial design. The purpose of the present study was to explore the prognostic value of quantitative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) metrics derived by Imbio lung texture analysis (LTA) tool in predicting FVC slope.

Methods

This retrospective study used data from patients who were not treated with investigational drugs with and without background antifibrotic therapies in tocilizumab phase 3 SSc, lebrikizumab phase 2 IPF, and zinpentraxin alfa phase 2 IPF studies conducted from 2015 to 2021. Controlled HRCT axial volumetric multidetector computed tomography scans were evaluated using the Imbio LTA tool. Associations between HRCT metrics and FVC slope were assessed through the Spearman correlation coefficient and adjusted R2in a linear regression model adjusted by demographics and baseline clinical characteristics.

Results

A total of 271 SSc and IPF patients were analysed. Correlation coefficients of highest magnitude were observed in the SSc study between the extent of ground glass, normal volume, quantification of interstitial lung disease, reticular pattern, and FVC slope (−0.25, 0.28, −0.28, and −0.33, respectively), while the correlation coefficients observed in IPF studies were in general <0.2. The incremental prognostic value of the baseline HRCT metrics was marginal after adjusting baseline characteristics and was inconsistent across study arms.

Conclusion

Data from the SSc and IPF studies suggested weak to no and inconsistent correlation between quantitative HRCT metrics derived by the Imbio LTA tool and FVC slope in the studied SSc and IPF population.
Factors contributing to healthcare professionals’ adaptive capacity with hospital standardization: a scoping review
Authors: Tsandila-Kalakou Foteini , Wiig Siri , Aase Karina
Published: July 2023

Background

Certain factors contribute to healthcare professionals’ adaptive capacities towards risks, challenges, and changes such as attitudes, stress, motivation, cognitive capacity, group norms, and teamwork. However, there is limited evidence as to factors that contribute to healthcare professionals’ adaptive capacity towards hospital standardization. This scoping review aimed to identify and map the factors contributing to healthcare professionals’ adaptive capacity with hospital standardization.

Methods

Scoping review methodology was used. We searched six academic databases to September 2021 for peer-reviewed articles in English. We also reviewed grey literature sources and the reference lists of included studies. Quantitative and qualitative studies were included if they focused on factors influencing how healthcare professionals adapted towards hospital standardization such as guidelines, procedures, and strategies linked to clinical practice. Two researchers conducted a three-stage screening process and extracted data on study characteristics, hospital standardization practices and factors contributing to healthcare professionals’ adaptive capacity. Study quality was not assessed.

Results

A total of 57 studies were included. Factors contributing to healthcare professionals’ adaptive capacity were identified in numerous standardization practices ranging from hand hygiene and personal protective equipment to clinical guidelines or protocols on for example asthma, pneumonia, antimicrobial prophylaxis, or cancer. The factors were grouped in eight categories: (1) psychological and emotional, (2) cognitive, (3) motivational, (4) knowledge and experience, (5) professional role, (6) risk management, (7) patient and family, and (8) work relationships. This combination of individual and group/social factors decided whether healthcare professionals complied with or adapted hospital standardization efforts. Contextual factors were identified related to guideline system, cultural norms, leadership support, physical environment, time, and workload.

Conclusion

The literature on healthcare professionals’ adaptive capacity towards hospital standardization is varied and reflect different reasons for compliance or non-compliance to rules, guidelines, and protocols. The knowledge of individual and group/social factors and the role of contextual factors should be used by hospitals to improve standardization practices through educational efforts, individualised training and motivational support. The influence of patient and family factors on healthcare professionals’ adaptive capacity should be investigated.

Trial registration

Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/ev7az) https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EV7AZ.
Triglyceride-glucose index is associated with the occurrence and prognosis of cardiac arrest: a multicenter retrospective observational study
Authors: Boshen Yang , Yuankang Zhu , Xinjie Zheng , Taixi Li , kaifan Niu , Zhixiang Wang , Juan Song , Junli Duan , Suiji Li , Xia Lu , Chengxing Shen
Published: July 2023

Background

Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is an efficient indicator of insulin resistance and is proven to be a valuable marker in several cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between TyG index and cardiac arrest (CA) remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the association of the TyG index with the occurrence and clinical outcomes of CA.

Methods

In this retrospective, multicenter, observational study, critically ill patients, including patients post-CA, were identified from the eICU Collaborative Research Database and evaluated. The TyG index for each patient was calculated using values of triglycerides and glucose recorded within 24 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. In-hospital mortality and ICU mortality were the primary clinical outcomes. Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and correlation analyses were performed to explore the relationship between the TyG index and clinical outcomes. Propensity score matching (PSM), overlap weighting (OW), and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were adopted to balance the baseline characteristics of patients and minimize selection bias to confirm the robustness of the results. Subgroup analysis based on different modifiers was also performed.

Results

Overall, 24,689 critically ill patients, including 1021 patients post-CA, were enrolled. The TyG index was significantly higher in patients post-CA than in those without CA (9.20 (8.72–9.69) vs. 8.89 (8.45–9.41)), and the TyG index had a moderate discrimination ability to identify patients with CA from the overall population (area under the curve = 0.625). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the TyG index was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.03–1.58) and ICU mortality (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02–1.58) in patients post-CA. RCS curves revealed that an increased TyG index was linearly related to higher risks of in-hospital and ICU mortality (P for nonlinear: 0.225 and 0.271, respectively). Even after adjusting by PSM, IPTW, and OW, the TyG index remained a risk factor for in-hospital mortality and ICU mortality in patients experiencing CA, which was independent of age, BMI, sex, etc. Correlation analyses revealed that TyG index was negatively correlated with the neurological status of patients post-CA.

Conclusion

Elevated TyG index is significantly associated with the occurrence of CA and higher mortality risk in patients post-CA. Our findings extend the landscape of TyG index in cardiovascular diseases, which requires further prospective cohort study.
A novel strategy for l-arginine production in engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Nie Mengzhen , Wang Jingyu , Zhang Kechun
Published: July 2023

Background

l-arginine is an important amino acid with applications in diverse industrial and pharmaceutical fields. n-acetylglutamate, synthesized from l-glutamate and acetyl-CoA, is a precursor of the l-arginine biosynthetic branch in microorganisms. The enzyme that produces n-acetylglutamate, n-acetylglutamate synthase, is allosterically inhibited by l-arginine. l-glutamate, as a central metabolite, provides carbon backbone for diverse biological compounds besides l-arginine. When glucose is the sole carbon source, the theoretical maximum carbon yield towards l-arginine is 96.7%, but the experimental highest yield was 51%. The gap of l-arginine yield indicates the regulation complexity of carbon flux and energy during the l-arginine biosynthesis. Besides endogenous biosynthesis, n-acetylglutamate, the key precursor of l-arginine, can be obtained by chemical acylation of l-glutamate with a high yield of 98%. To achieve high-yield production of l-arginine, we demonstrated a novel approach by directly feeding precursor n-acetylglutamate to engineered Escherichia coli.

Results

We reported a new approach for the high yield of l-arginine production in E. coli. Gene argA encoding n-acetylglutamate synthase was deleted to disable endogenous biosynthesis of n-acetylglutamate. The feasibility of external n-acetylglutamate towards l-arginine was verified via growth assay in argA− strain. To improve l-arginine production, astA encoding arginine n-succinyltransferase, speF encoding ornithine decarboxylase, speB encoding agmatinase, and argR encoding an arginine responsive repressor protein were disrupted. Based on overexpression of argDGI, argCBH operons, encoding enzymes of the l-arginine biosynthetic pathway, ~ 4 g/L l-arginine was produced in shake flask fermentation, resulting in a yield of 0.99 mol l-arginine/mol n-acetylglutamate. This strain was further engineered for the co-production of l-arginine and pyruvate by removing genes adhE, ldhA, poxB, pflB, and aceE, encoding enzymes involved in the conversion and degradation of pyruvate. The resulting strain was shown to produce 4 g/L l-arginine and 11.3 g/L pyruvate in shake flask fermentation.

Conclusions

Here, we developed a novel approach to avoid the strict regulation of l-arginine on ArgA and overcome the metabolism complexity in the l-arginine biosynthesis pathway. We achieve a high yield of l-arginine production from n-acetylglutamate in E. coli. Co-production pyruvate and l-arginine was used as an example to increase the utilization of input carbon sources.
Clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wen Jinxu , Qin Xiaoru , Zhang Jiayi , Wu Xiaoyong , Yan Xuemin , Lu Kewen , Yang Pei , Ji Shuaichong , Zhao Xiangdong , Wang Yuexin
Published: July 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and pathological indexes in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Evidence obtained

The database was searched in PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Web of Science databases for relevant clinical trials. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) show the effect of MMP-9 expression and age, tumour size, gender, lymph node metastasis (LNM), and TNM (tumour, lymph node, metastasis) stage. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Stata 17.0.

Evidence synthesis

A total of 1433 patients with PTC were included in this meta-analysis. MMP-9 expression was significantly correlated with LNM (OR = 3.92, 95% CI = 2.71–5.65, P = 0.000), tumour size (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.13–2.52, P = 0.011), and TNM stage (OR = 2.95, 95% CI = 2.10–4.13, P = 0.000), but not with gender (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.66–1.22, P = 0.487) and age (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 0.93–1.98, P = 0.115).

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis showed that MMP-9 was significantly associated with LNM, tumour size, and TNM stage; therefore, MMP-9 may be a reliable prognostic biomarker for patients with PTC. However, more high-quality studies are needed to support these findings further.
Massive, life-threatening hemoptysis due to localized granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Coviello Eleonora , Puma Francesco , Pourmolkara Domenico , Mandarano Martina , Napolitano Antonio Giulio
Published: July 2023

Massive hemoptysis may be related to a wide spectrum of diseases whose differential diagnosis can be challenging, also due to the medical emergency condition.

We present a case of a 33-year-old woman presented to our department with sudden, life-threatening hemoptysis from unknown etiology, which required a rescue pulmonary lobectomy after resuscitation maneuvers. Histology proved to be a localized Wegener granulomatosis. Our case shows that granulomatosis should always be considered among the possible, although rarer, causes of massive hemoptysis.
The relationship between patient safety culture and adverse events in Iranian hospitals: a survey among 360 nurses
Authors: Moosavi Saeideh , Amerzadeh Mohammad , Azmal Mohammad , Kalhor Rohollah
Published: July 2023

Background

Adverse events have become a global problem and are an important indicator of patient safety. Patient safety culture is essential in efforts to reduce adverse events in the hospital. This study aimed to investigate the status of the patient safety culture, the frequency of adverse events, and the relationship between them in Qazvin's hospitals in Iran.

Methods

The present study is a descriptive-analytical study conducted in six hospitals in Qazvin, Iran, in 2020. The study population was nurses working in Qazvin hospitals. We collected data via a patient safety culture questionnaire and an adverse event checklist. Three hundred sixty nurses completed questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between variables.

Results

The highest mean of patient safety culture was related to the organizational learning dimension (3.5, SD = .074) and feedback and communication about errors (3.4, SD = 0.82). The participants gave the lowest score to dimensions of exchanges and transfer of information (2.45,=0.86) and management support for patient safety (2.62,Sd = 0.65). Management's support for patient safety, general understanding of patient safety culture, teamwork within organizational units, communication and feedback on errors, staff issues, and information exchange and transfer were significant predictors of adverse events.

Conclusion

This study confirms patient safety culture as a predictor of adverse events. Healthcare managers should provide the basis for improving the patient safety culture and reducing adverse events through methods such as encouraging the reporting of adverse events and also holding training courses for nurses.
ISLET: individual-specific reference panel recovery improves cell-type-specific inference
Authors: Feng Hao , Meng Guanqun , Lin Tong , Parikh Hemang , Pan Yue , Li Ziyi , Krischer Jeffrey , Li Qian
Published: July 2023

We propose a statistical framework ISLET to infer individual-specific and cell-type-specific transcriptome reference panels. ISLET models the repeatedly measured bulk gene expression data, to optimize the usage of shared information within each subject. ISLET is the first available method to achieve individual-specific reference estimation in repeated samples. Using simulation studies, we show outstanding performance of ISLET in the reference estimation and downstream cell-type-specific differentially expressed genes testing. We apply ISLET to longitudinal transcriptomes profiled from blood samples in a large observational study of young children and confirm the cell-type-specific gene signatures for pancreatic islet autoantibody. ISLET is available at https://bioconductor.org/packages/ISLET.
In-silico activity prediction and docking studies of some flavonol derivatives as anti-prostate cancer agents based on Monte Carlo optimization
Authors: Tajiani Faezeh , Ahmadi Shahin , Lotfi Shahram , Kumar Parvin , Almasirad Ali
Published: July 2023

The QSAR models are employed to predict the anti-proliferative activity of 81 derivatives of flavonol against prostate cancer using the Monte Carlo algorithm based on the index of ideality of correlation (IIC) criterion. CORAL software is employed to design the QSAR models. The molecular structures of flavonols are demonstrated using the simplified molecular input line entry system (SMILES) notation. The models are developed with the hybrid optimal descriptors i.e. using both SMILES and hydrogen-suppressed molecular graph (HSG). The QSAR model developed for split 3 is selected as a prominent model ($${R}_{Validation}^{2}$$RValidation2= 0.727,$${IIC}_{validation}$$IICvalidation= 0.628,$${Q}_{Validation}^{2}$$QValidation2= 0.642, and$${\overline{r} }_{m}^{2}$$r¯m2=0.615). The model is interpreted mechanistically by identifying the characteristics responsible for the promoter of the increase or decrease. The structural attributes as promoters of increase of pIC50were aliphatic carbon atom connected to double-bound (C…=…, aliphatic oxygen atom connected to aliphatic carbon (O…C…), branching on aromatic ring (c…(…), and aliphatic nitrogen (N…). The pIC50of eight natural flavonols with pIC50more than 4.0, were predicted by the best model. The molecular docking is also performed for natural flavonols on the PC-3 cell line using the protein (PDB: 3RUK).
Genome-wide discovery of circulating cell-free DNA methylation biomarkers for colorectal cancer detection
Authors: Fang Qingxiao , Yuan Ziming , Hu Hanqing , Zhang Weiyuan , Wang Guiyu , Wang Xishan
Published: July 2023

Background

Colorectal polyp is known a precursor of colorectal cancer (CRC) that holds an increased risk for progression to CRC. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation has shown favorable performance in the detection and monitoring the malignant progression in a variety of cancers.

Results

To discover cfDNA methylation markers for the diagnosis of CRC, we first performed a genome-wide analysis between eight CRC and eight polyp tissues using the Infinium HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip. We identified 7008 DMCs, and after filtering, we validated 39 DMCs by MethylTarget sequencing in 62 CRC and 56 polyp tissues. A panel of four CpGs (cg04486886, cg06712559, cg13539460, and cg27541454) was selected as the methylation marker in tissue by LASSO and random forest models. A diagnosis prediction model was built based on the four CpGs, and the methylation diagnosis score (md-score) can effectively discriminate tissues with CRC from polyp patients (AUROC > 0.9). Finally, the cg27541454 was confirmed hypermethylated in CRC (AUC = 0.85) in the plasma validation cohort.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the md-score could robustly detect CRC from polyp tissues, and cg27541454 may be a promising candidate noninvasive biomarker for CRC early diagnosis.