bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate social responsibility as a legitimation strategy in a merger
Authors: Thelisson Anne-Sophie , Meier Olivier
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The objective of the study is to explore legitimation dynamics in a public–private integration process and to gain insights on the specific role of CSR in triggering public–private logics.

Design/methodology/approach

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is part of firms' strategy in gaining legitimacy from their stakeholders in a merger context. However, little is known about the role of CSR in triggering diverse dynamics from public or private logics during post-merger integration. This study aims at exploring the specific role of CSR in triggering such diverse logics. A qualitative research design based on a single case study of a public–private merger of two French listed companies in the urban planning sector was opted for. The analysis was pursued in real time from the signing of the agreement and then over two years.

Findings

The results show that public–private legitimation is a process that proceeds in stages. The authors emphasize the key factors that characterize it: align on external concerns: reflecting societal and institutional pressures (public legitimation); readapt to make sense internally in relation to the merger through managerial innovation (private legitimation) and CSR as a form of corporate self-storying: combining the social and societal aspects of CSR within the organization (hybrid legitimation). Three major actions were identified in activating a CSR legitimation strategy: identifying and responding to local needs; building a unified brand, culture, and employee commitment to the organization; and creating sustainable programs.

Research limitations/implications

The first major contribution is linked to triggers influencing legitimation dynamics and in particular the role of CSR operating as a legitimation strategy in the merger integration process. A second theoretical contribution is linked to the evolutionary nature of the post-merger integration process. The processual study shows how stakeholder legitimacy demands can escalate and change over time.

Practical implications

First, three major actions were identified as key steps in activating a CSR legitimation strategy (identifying and responding to local needs; building a unified brand, culture, and employee commitment to the organization; and creating sustainable programs). These missions can be understood as key steps for managers in implementing CSR within an organization in a post-merger integration context. Second, this study increases our comprehension of legitimation as a dynamic micro-process. The different stages described in the study can be considered by the managers involved in the merger process as learning experiences to understand the complex phenomenon that is the integration process.

Originality/value

This study enriches the legitimacy-as-process perspective in providing insights on the specific role of CSR in triggering public–private logics.
Cloud computing and ERP assimilation in the public sector: institutional perspectives
Authors: Alsharari Nizar Mohammad
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the influence of contingent factors on the assimilation of the cloud enterprises resources plan (ERP) system in the UAE’s public sector. It explains the relationship between institutional logics and institutional work while implementing ERP-based cloud computing (CC) to transform the government.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses qualitative methods and an interpretive approach to provide an in-depth explanation for a detailed case study in the public sector. The institutional logics framework has been used to inform the integration between ERP system and CC in the public sector case.

Findings

Findings show that the UAE public sector could align institutional work processes with the inbuilt logics of ERP-based CC, resulting in successful assimilation of the cloud version. This study concludes that institutional pressures in highly institutionalized environments will generate organizational responses, but those responses are dependent upon and influenced by aspects of organizational culture. This study found that the organizational culture has led to a radical change by implementing the cloud ERP system and institutionalizing its usage toward transforming government. Moreover, ERP assimilation is the extent to which an organization has developed from understanding the ERP system’s functionalities to mastering and deploying them in their processes.

Research limitations/implications

This study has important implications and contributions to the literature in three ways. First, this study examines an understudied topic, the interaction between CC and institutional logics. Second, this study contributes to the public sector research by providing a fine-tuned interpretation of the organization’s strategic behavior in response to a new information technology (IT) trend. Finally, this study also focuses on this new trend of CC which can influence the global IT industry, and it is worthy of being considered.

Originality/value

Explanatory case study research has a value to the public sector that one might be discovering new phenomena while analyzing the public sector case. The implementation of cloud ERP is one of the best methods of integrating technology with the public sector’s organizational, technical, economic, social, cultural and other environmental domains.
What's in a Name? The Length of Westminster Constituency Titles, 1950–2024
Authors: Cowley Philip , Bailey Matthew
Published: November 2021

Parliamentary constituencies in the UK are named after the areas they cover. Over the last seventy years, the titles given to these constituencies have been getting longer and more cumbersome. They are now less likely to consist of single words and are more likely to be compounds of multiple places. The article demonstrates these changes, including the differences across the constituent nations of the UK, and discusses the possible reasons for the changes. The boundary changes proposed for the next election would result in the longest and most cumbersome constituency names since Britain first began with single‐member, one person, one vote constituencies in 1950.
Caesarean birth in women with infertility: population‐based cohort study
Authors: Richmond E , Ray JG , Pudwell J , Djerboua M , Gaudet L , Walker M , Smith GN , Velez MP
Published: November 2021

Objective

Caesarean section (CS) is more common following infertility treatment (IT) but the reasons why remain unclear and confounded. The Robson 10‐Group Classification System (TGCS) may further explain variation in CS rates. We assessed the association between mode of conception and CS across Robson groups.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Ontario, Canada, in a public healthcare system.

Population

921 023 births, 2006–2014.

Methods

Modified Poisson regression produced relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals, comparing the risk of CS among women with (1) subfertility without IT, (2) non‐invasive IT (OI, IUI) or (3) invasive IT (IVF)—each relative to (4) spontaneous conception (SC).

Main outcome measures

CS rate according to one of four modes of conception, overall and stratified by each of the TGCS groups.

Results

Relative to SC (26.9%), the risk of CS increased in those with subfertility without IT (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.16–1.18), non‐invasive IT (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.18–1.24) and invasive IT (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.36–1.42). Within each Robson group, similar patterns of RRs were seen, but with markedly differing rates. For example, in Group 1 (nulliparous, singleton, cephalic at ≥37 weeks, with spontaneous labour), the respective rates were 15.0, 19.4, 18.7 and 21.9%; in Group 2 (nulliparous, singleton, cephalic at ≥37 weeks, without spontaneous labour), the rates were 35.9, 44.4, 43.2 and 54.1%; and in Group 8 (multiple pregnancy), they were 55.9, 67.5, 65.0 and 69.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

CS is relatively more common in women with subfertility and those receiving IT, an effect that persists across Robson groups.

Tweetable abstract

Caesarean delivery is more common in women with infertility independent of demographics and prenatal conditions.
Untargeted lipidomics analysis in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sun X , Qu T , Wang W , Li C , Yang X , He X , Wang Y , Xing G , Xu X , Yang L , Zhang H
Published: November 2021

Objective

To compare the plasma lipid profiles in women with normal pregnancies and those with mild or severe intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Our goal was to reveal lipidome‐wide alterations in ICP and delve into the pathogenesis of ICP from a lipid metabolism perspective.

Design

Cross‐sectional study, including women with normal pregnancies, women with mild ICP and women with severe ICP.

Setting

Gansu Provincial Hospital.

Population

Women with ICP were recruited from October 2019 to March 2020 in Gansu, China.

Methods

Untargeted lipidomics was used to analyse differentially expressed plasma lipids in controls, in women with mild ICP and in women with severe ICP (n = 30 per group). For lipidomics, liquid chromatography and Q‐Exactive Plus Orbitrap mass spectrometry were performed.

Main outcome measures

Differentially expressed lipids.

Results

Thirty‐three lipids were differentially expressed in the severe and mild ICP groups, compared with the control group, and 20 of those were sphingolipids (ceramide, six species; sphingomyelin, 14 species). All differentially expressed sphingolipids in women with mild ICP were also differentially expressed in women with severe ICP; the fold change and significance of the differential expression were positively correlated with disease severity.

Conclusions

We systematically characterized the lipidome‐wide alterations in mild and severe ICP groups. The results indicated a link between ICP and disordered sphingolipid homeostasis.

Tweetable abstract

Abnormal sphingolipid metabolism is involved in the pathogenesis of ICP.
Dielectric properties of calamansi (Citrus microcarpa) under high‐temperature treatment
Authors: Yu Zhongliang , Li Lili , Wang Zhizhong
Published: November 2021

High‐temperature treatment of fruit is a developing way of decreasing nutrient loss and preventing decay. Its effect on calamansi (Citrus microcarpa) has not yet been reported. This study aims to study the effects of high‐temperature treatment via dielectric properties. The results show that high‐temperature treatment of calamansi suppresses the dielectric constant between 200 MHz and 20 GHz and alters loss factor between 200 MHz and 10 GHz. Storage at room temperature can affect loss factor between 4.5 and 10 GHz. These results may indicate that the dehydration process first affects the loss factor from 4.5 to 10 GHz, and then from 200 MHz to 4.5 GHz. This study may be favorable for evaluating calamansi's quality during storage and transportation. Moreover, the loss factor under 10 GHz is promising as an index for monitoring the water deficit and for assessing the adopted pre‐treatment on calamansi.

Practical Application

The quality inspector can use nondestructive examination ways to measure the dielectric property for evaluating Citrus microcarpa’s quality and storage time after harvest. Moreover, the adopted pre‐treatment may be speculated.
Multiplying the heterologous production of spinosad through tandem amplification of its biosynthetic gene cluster in Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Li Hong , Pan Yuanyuan , Liu Gang
Published: November 2021

Heterologous expression of the biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) is important for studying the microbial natural products (NPs), especially for those kept in silent or poorly expressed in their original strains. Here, we cloned the spinosad BGC through the Cas9‐Assisted Targeting of Chromosome segments and amplified it to five copies through a ZouA‐dependent DNA amplification system in Streptomyces coelicolor M1146. The resulting strain produced 1253.9 ± 78.2 μg l−1 of spinosad, which was about 224‐fold compared with that of the parent strain carrying only one copy of the spinosad BGC. Moreover, we further increased spinosad to 1958.9 ± 73.5 μg l−1 by the dynamic regulation of intracellular triacylglycerol degradation. Our study indicates that tandem amplification of the targeted gene cluster is particularly suitable to enhance the heterologous production of valuable NPs with efficiency and simplicity.
Anti‐ribosomal P protein antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with hyperferritinemia
Authors: Arinuma Yoshiyuki , Hirohata Shunsei , Isayama Takuya , Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Muramatsu Takumi , Kondo Junichi , Kanayama Yoshiro , Ino Kazuma , Matsueda Yu , Oku Kenji , Yamaoka Kunihiro
Published: November 2021

Aim

Anti‐ribosomal P protein antibodies (anti‐ribo P) have been reported as one of the specific autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and has been demonstrated to bind and activate macrophages in vitro. Clinically, hyperferritinemia has been known to be a biomarker for macrophage activation. The aim of this study is to clarify the relationship of anti‐ribo P and clinical characteristics and biomarkers including serum ferritin in patients with SLE.

Methods

Clinical parameters and laboratory data were measured in patients with active SLE (N = 127) in our university hospital. The risk factors affected by anti‐ribo P were retrospectively calculated by logistic regression analysis, and the correlation of anti‐ribo P and clinical factors was demonstrated.

Results

Anti‐ribo P was significantly elevated in active SLE compared to non‐SLE diseases (P < .0001). Sensitivity and the specificity of anti‐ribo P in patients with SLE were 32.0% and 99.3%, respectively. Patients positive for anti‐ribo P had the highest risk for elevated serum ferritin (odds ratio: 8.432). Accordingly, anti‐ribo P positive patients had significantly elevated serum ferritin compared to negative patients (P = .024). A significant positive correlation was observed between the anti‐ribo P titer and the serum ferritin level (r2 = .07, t = 5.22, P = .0081), but not serum interleukin (IL)‐6 in SLE patients.

Conclusion

The presence of anti‐ribo P is a risk factor for higher ferritin levels that is independent of systemic inflammation regulated by IL‐6. We speculate that anti‐ribo P could be directly associated with macrophage activation leading to hyperferritinemia in patients with SLE.
Predictive factors for concomitant pulmonary arterial hypertension at diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese population
Authors: Pan Ying , Sun Yining , He Lan
Published: November 2021

Aim

To investigate the predictive factors of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Method

This chart review study included 408 SLE patients. We defined PAH as 2 consecutive systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) values ≥40 mm Hg by echocardiography. Demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, autoantibodies, and laboratory tests were studied.

Results

Thirty‐four patients in the SLE/PAH+ group and 374 patients in the SLE/PAH− group were analyzed. The prevalence of PAH in SLE is 8.3% in this study. The occurrences of interstitial pneumonitis, polyserositis and myocardial damage were higher in the SLE/PAH+ group (P = .001, P = .033 and P < .001, respectively). The occurrence of anti‐double‐stranded DNA and anti‐ribosomal RNA protein (anti‐rRNP) antibodies were lower in the SLE/PAH+ group (P = .003, .010). Positive rates of anti‐Sjögren’s syndrome antigen A (anti‐SSA)/Ro52 antibodies and anti‐SSB antibodies were higher in the SLE/PAH+ group (P = .046, .021). C‐reactive protein and immunoglobin G (IgG) were higher in the SLE/PAH+ group (P = .009, .005). Ejection fraction and SLE disease activity index between the 2 groups had no differences. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that interstitial pneumonitis, myocardial damage and high IgG are predictive factors for SLE‐associated PAH patients.

Conclusion

From this study, we found that interstitial pneumonitis, myocardial damage, and high IgG were predictive factors of PAH in SLE patients.
Outcomes following out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest in the aeromedical retrieval population of the remote Top End of the Northern Territory, Australia
Authors: Urquhart Colin , Martin Jodie , Ross Mark
Published: November 2021

Objective

Out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest is an event with an extremely poor prognosis. There is limited literature on the outcomes for regional Australia, with none specifically addressing remote populations. We aimed to assess out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in the aeromedical retrieval population of the Top End Medical Retrieval Service.

Design

We retrospectively identified all cardiac arrests, deaths and patients who had cardiopulmonary resuscitation within the aeromedical retrieval database for a 5‐year period from January 2012 to December 2016.

Setting

Retrieval patients across the Top End of the Northern Territory, Australia.

Participants

All patients within the cohort with a non‐traumatic out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest.

Main outcome measures

Data were collected on outcomes as per Utstein definitions, along with patient demographics, retrieval timings and interventions.

Results

Seventy‐five patients suffering cardiac arrest were identified, with 58 having a non‐traumatic arrest in an out‐of‐hospital setting. The median age of the cohort was 40 years, and 53% had an initial shockable rhythm. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 55% and 43% survived to hospital. The survival to hospital discharge and 28 days were 31% and 29%, respectively.

Conclusions

Although the study has a small sample size and limitations on generalisability due to the restricted nature of the cohort selection, the results suggest a 28‐day survival rate is potentially comparable to other regions of Australia and the rest of the world. Further research needs to be undertaken in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest in remote regions to establish a true population–based cohort and ascertain where improvements can be made.
Minimal clinically important difference in days at home up to 30 days after surgery
Authors: Ferguson M. T. , Kusre S. , Myles P. S.
Published: November 2021

Patient‐centred outcomes are increasingly recognised as crucial measures of healthcare quality. Days alive and at home up to 30 days after surgery (DAH30) is a validated and readily obtainable patient‐centred outcome measure that integrates much of the peri‐operative patient journey. However, the minimal difference in DAH30 that is clinically important to patients is unknown. We designed and administered a 28‐item survey to evaluate the minimal clinically important difference in DAH30 among adult patients undergoing inpatient surgery. Patients were approached pre‐operatively or within 2 days postoperatively. We did not study patients undergoing day surgery or nursing home residents. Patients ranked their opinions on the importance of discharge home using a Likert scale (from 1, not important at all to 6, extremely important) and the minimum number of extra days at home that would be meaningful using this scale. We recruited 104 patients; the survey was administered pre‐operatively to 45 patients and postoperatively to 59 patients. The mean (SD) age was 53.5 (16.5) years, and 51 (49%) patients were male. Patients underwent a broad range of surgery of mainly intermediate (55%) to major (33%) severity. The median minimal clinically important difference for DAH30 was 3 days; this was consistent across a broad range of scenarios, including earlier discharge home, complications delaying hospital discharge and the requirement for admission to a rehabilitation unit. Discharge home earlier than anticipated and discharge home rather than to a rehabilitation facility were both rated as important (median score = 5). Empirical data on the minimal clinically important difference for DAH30 may be useful to determine sample size and to guide the non‐inferiority margin for future clinical trials.
Follicular development in livestock: Influencing factors and underlying mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , Gong Shuai , Su Yanping , Yao Minhua , Liu Xiaocui , Gong Zhaoqing , Sui Hongshu , Luo Mingjiu
Published: November 2021

Livestock farming development has become increasingly important in recent years. It not only provides us with meat nutrition and pet feeding but also increases the economic value by providing numerous employment opportunities, which improves our life quality. The livestock farming development depends on successful animal reproduction. As a vital process in animal reproduction, folliculogenesis and its influencing factors as well as their underlying mechanisms need to be understood thoroughly. This review is aimed at summarizing the factors such as cellular processes, gene regulation, noncoding RNAs and other endocrine or paracrine regulatory factors that affect follicular development, and their underlying mechanisms of action in livestock in order to provide novel insights for future studies. The above factors were found as significant determinants influencing the follicular development in livestock through various signaling pathways.
Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma with aberrant CD8 expression
Authors: Lee Jack , Cohen Jason A. , Wrone David A. , Gru Alejandro A.
Published: November 2021

We report an unusual case of primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCL) with aberrant expression of the T‐cell marker CD8. The patient is a 48‐year‐old male with no significant past medical history who presented with red indurated plaques on the abdomen. A punch biopsy showed abnormal lymphoid follicles in the dermis with reduced mantle zones and decreased tingible body macrophages. The epidermis was uninvolved. The follicles expressed CD20, PAX‐5, and bcl‐6 by immunohistochemistry. CD8, however, was strongly positive, highlighting neoplastic cells, which were negative for any additional T‐cell markers. TIA and granzyme B were also negative. The patient underwent further staging workup, without evidence of nodal involvement. His course has been indolent thus far. In summary, we present a case of PCFCL with aberrant expression of the T‐cell marker CD8, a finding not previously reported in the literature and a potential diagnostic pitfall.
Treatment patterns and persistence rates with anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for diabetic macular oedema in the UK: A real‐world study
Authors: Peto Tunde , Akerele Toks , Sagkriotis Alexandros , Zappacosta Sofia , Clemens Andreas , Chakravarthy Usha
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Anti‐vascular endothelial growth factors (anti‐VEGFs) are considered standard of care therapy for diabetic macular oedema (DME). This study examined treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with DME treated with anti‐VEGF therapy.

Methods

Using anonymized electronic medical record data collected from three UK sites, this retrospective cohort study assessed rates of anti‐VEGF intravitreal injections in adults with treatment‐naïve DME who received their first treatment between 1 September 2010 and 31 July 2018. The proportion of patients with at least one interval of at least 12 weeks between injections; the distribution of injection intervals; the discontinuation rates; and the number of anti‐VEGF injection‐, injection‐free‐ and total visits were assessed during the first and second years of treatment.

Results

Overall, 1606 patient eyes with DME were included, with no minimum follow‐up. During the first and second year of treatment, 63.2% and 73.1% of eyes had at least one anti‐VEGF injection interval of at least 12 weeks, respectively. In the first and second years of treatment, the mean (standard deviation) numbers of injections were 7.7 (1.9) and 5.6 (2.2), with 14.2 (5.7) and 13.4 (6.4) total clinic visits, and 6.6 (5.0) and 7.8 (5.8) injection‐free visits, respectively. In total, 27.8% of patient eyes discontinued treatment during the first 2 years.

Conclusions

The high number of clinic visits and high discontinuation rates demonstrate a significant unmet need for a treatment to enable sustainable extended injection intervals, while maintaining visual acuity. This could improve patient adherence and health‐related quality of life for patients with DME.
Dental students’ observations about teaching of endodontic access cavities in a French dental school
Authors: Picart Guillaume , Pouhaër Matéo , Dautel Anne , Pérard Matthieu , Le Clerc Justine
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Teaching in French universities has undergone deep changes for several years. Dental studies are no exception to the rule. Endodontics is one of the most difficult fields requiring good knowledge of anatomy before performing clinical procedures. The access cavity is the key step of endodontic therapy. The aim of this study was to collect and understand what students feel and expect from theoretical and practical training on endodontic access cavity.

Materials and methods

A questionnaire survey on the teaching and learning of endodontic access cavities in a French dental school was sent by e‐mail to the 4th‐year students (n = 66). The questionnaire consisted of 13 questions of different formats. Qualitative variables were analysed using a word cloud according to the words of the participants. Students were also asked how to improve teaching with new educational tools.

Results

60 students answered the questionnaire (response rate of 90.9%). When students were asked which stage of endodontic treatment they feared the most, performing access cavity came in 3rd place. Upper molar (71%) and lower molar (58%) appeared to have the most difficult endodontic access cavities. Within the word cloud gathered after students’ answers analysis, the words “fear,” “perforation,” “cavity” and “axis” were highlighted. Amongst the 3 new educational tools proposed to students, most were in favour of realistic models of teeth with their ideal endodontic access cavity (79%).

Discussion

This study highlighted the feelings of students during their hands‐on training on endodontic access cavities. Although they seemed satisfied with practical classes on endodontic access cavities, this step seemed to be stressful for students especially because of the great internal anatomical variabilities of teeth. To help them better understand the root canal anatomy and improve their training, students asked for new educational resources, especially macro‐models of teeth with their optimal access cavities.

Conclusion

This study showed that students are seeking for innovative resources in addition to traditional resources that would make it easier for them to visualise the root canal system and help them feel more comfortable and facilitate learning when performing endodontic access cavities.
Causal effect of insulin resistance on small vessel stroke and Alzheimer's disease: A Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Zhou Mengyuan , Li Hao , Wang Yongjun , Pan Yuesong , Wang Yilong
Published: November 2021

Background and purpose

The causal effect of insulin resistance on small vessel stroke and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was controversial in previous studies. We therefore applied Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to identify the causal effect of insulin resistance on small vessel stroke and AD.

Methods

We selected 12 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with fasting insulin levels and five SNPs associated with “gold standard” measures of insulin resistance as instrumental variables in MR analyses. Summary statistical data on SNP–small vessel stroke and on SNP–AD associations were derived from studies by the Multi‐ancestry Genome‐Wide Association Study of Stroke consortium (MEGASTROKE) and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium‐Alzheimer Disease Workgroup (PGC‐ALZ) in individuals of European ancestry. Two‐sample MR estimates were conducted with inverse‐variance‐weighted, robust inverse‐variance‐weighted, simple median, weighted median, weighted mode‐based estimator, and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR‐PRESSO) methods.

Results

Genetically predicted higher insulin resistance had a higher odds ratio (OR) of small vessel stroke (OR 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.44, p = 0.01 using fasting insulin; OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07–1.46, p = 0.006 using gold standard measures of insulin resistance) and AD (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04–1.23, p = 0.004 using fasting insulin; OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.03, p = 0.03 using gold standard measures of insulin resistance) using the inverse‐variance‐weighted method. No evidence of pleiotropy was found using MR‐Egger regression.

Conclusion

Our findings provide genetic support for a potential causal effect of insulin resistance on small vessel stroke and AD.
An integrative multi‐omic analysis reveals a major metabolic rewiring between baby foreskin keratinocytes and adult female abdominal keratinocytes
Authors: Mangez Claire , Roux Pierre‐François , Stamatas Georgios , Oddos Thierry , Brun Cécilia
Published: November 2021

Even though its development starts early in utero, neonatal skin is still immature at birth relative to adult and undergoes a maturation process extending to the first years of life. It is now established that the stratum corneum is thinner and dryer and that skin contains less natural moisturizing factors and lipids in newborns compared to children and adults. Moreover, it has been shown that skin surface area expansion is not linear throughout life and is peaking perinatally, suggesting that baby skin has a higher epidermal cellular turnover. Despite growing resources showing differences between adult and infant skin physiology, molecular and metabolic specificities of baby skin are still poorly understood. To address this critical knowledge gap, we performed an integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic study comparing human primary foreskin and abdominal keratinocytes from male babies and female adults, respectively. Based on state‐of‐the‐art integrative frameworks, our analyses revealed a major shift in the global energetic metabolism in baby foreskin keratinocytes compared to adult abdominal keratinocytes, highlighting increased amino acid metabolism and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in baby cells to fuel the citric acid cycle, while showing glycolysis as the major cell energy source in adult cells.
A horizontal partitioning‐based method for frequent pattern mining in transport timetable
Authors: Teixeira Claudio , Fragoso Luana , Mattoso Marta , Carvalho Diego , Bezerra Eduardo , Soares Jorge , Amorim Glauco , Ogasawara Eduardo
Published: November 2021

Analysing transport timetables is an important task, as it brings the opportunity to discover which routes commonly lead to delays. Frequent pattern mining is a technique used to support such type of discovery. However, functional dependencies are intrinsic properties present in timetables, particularly related to attributes derived from the origin–destination matrix. Such functional dependencies compromise the search for patterns in timetables in both the number of association rules (ARs) generated and the computational cost. Several of these ARs refer to the same information. Redundancy removal techniques can reduce the number of ARs. However, these techniques are designed to be used after mining finishes, which increases the computational cost of finding useful ARs. This work presents timetable pattern mining (T‐mine), a novel method for frequent pattern mining that improves knowledge discovery in timetables. We evaluated T‐mine using Brazilian Flight Data and compared T‐mine with the direct application of frequent pattern mining approaches with and without functional dependencies. Our experiments indicate that T‐mine is about one order magnitude faster than other methods with functional dependencies.
A qualitative analysis of autonomy‐supportive parenting in families experiencing homelessness
Authors: Distefano Rebecca , Nelson Kayla M. , Masten Ann S.
Published: November 2021

Objective

This exploratory qualitative study examined whether parents of young children residing in emergency housing endorse autonomy‐supportive parenting values.

Background

Young children experiencing homelessness are at increased risk for self‐regulation difficulties, but one possible way to support self‐regulation development during a window of plasticity in the preschool period is through autonomy‐supportive parenting. Autonomy support has been shown to uniquely predict early self‐regulation skills. However, there is also evidence to suggest that autonomy support could be problematic in risky environments.

Method

Twenty‐one parents of 3‐ to 6‐year‐old children participated in a brief interview about parenting and self‐regulation development. Guided by self‐determination theory, the interviews were subsequently coded for themes related to autonomy support.

Results

Parents endorsed ideas consistent with autonomy support, such as recognizing children's capabilities and listening to children's ideas. However, parents also viewed some behaviors, such as offering young children choices, to be less acceptable.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that parents experiencing homelessness may provide autonomy support in different ways than parents in more stable living conditions or from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

Implications

Parenting interventions that aim to promote early self‐regulation development through autonomy‐supportive practices might consider tailoring intervention components to align with the socialization priorities of families experiencing homelessness.
Prenatal parental representations: Influences on perceived romantic couple adjustment and infant's temperament during pregnancy and after the infant's birth
Authors: Vismara Laura , Lucarelli Loredana , Sechi Cristina
Published: November 2021

Objective

The present work aimed to evaluate the differences between fathers' and mothers' prenatal parental representations, the differences between pre‐ and postnatal perceptions of couple adjustment, and whether the quality of prenatal parental representations is associated with the perception of couple adjustment and with the perception of infant temperament at 3 months.

Background

Within a multifactorial, transactional model, several studies indicated that prenatal parental representations are relevant to the quality of infant–parent relationship and the child's development.

Method

Couples experiencing their first pregnancy (n = 40) (mothers: Mage = 33.7 years, SD = 5,1 years; fathers: (Mage = 37.4 years, SD = 5.6 years) responded to the Parental Representations Interview During Pregnancy and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale during the seventh month of pregnancy. When couples' infant was 3 months of age, the parents completed the Infant Behavior Questionnaire‐R to assess infant temperament.

Results

Analyses revealed that mothers and fathers who had an unbalanced and unintegrated parental representation perceived their couple adjustment as less cohesive, and this was related to a more negative perception of the child's temperament.

Conclusions

Prenatal parental representations were found to be a significant variable in terms of their influence on the quality of pre‐ and postnatal parents' romantic couple adjustment and on the infant's temperament.

Implications

It is important to include both mothers and fathers to further our understanding of parental influence on a child's development and to enhance the efficacy of preventive programs since pregnancy.
RNA‐binding proteins and translation control in angiogenesis
Authors: Smith Madeleine R. , Costa Guilherme
Published: November 2021

Tissue vascularization through the process of angiogenesis ensures adequate oxygen and nutrient supply during development and regeneration. The complex morphogenetic events involved in new blood vessel formation are orchestrated by a tightly regulated crosstalk between extra and intracellular factors. In this context, RNA‐binding protein (RBP) activity and protein translation play fundamental roles during the cellular responses triggered by particular environmental cues. A solid body of work has demonstrated that key RBPs (such as HuR, TIS11 proteins, hnRNPs, NF90, QKIs and YB1) are implicated in both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. These RBPs are critical for the metabolism of messenger (m)RNAs encoding angiogenic modulators and, importantly, strong evidence suggests that RBP–mRNA interactions can be altered in disease. Lesser known, but not less important, the mechanistic aspects of protein synthesis can also regulate the generation of new vessels. In this review, we outline the key findings demonstrating the implications of RBP‐mediated RNA regulation and translation control in angiogenesis. Furthermore, we highlight how these mechanisms of post‐transcriptional control of gene expression have led to promising therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting undesired blood vessel formation.
Harnessing the functional diversity of plant cystatins to design inhibitor variants highly active against herbivorous arthropod digestive proteases
Authors: Tremblay Jonathan , Goulet Marie‐Claire , Vorster Juan , Goulet Charles , Michaud Dominique
Published: November 2021

Protein engineering approaches have been proposed to improve the inhibitory properties of plant cystatins against herbivorous arthropod digestive proteases, generally involving the site‐directed mutagenesis of functionally relevant amino acids or the selection of improved inhibitor variants by phage display approaches. Here, we propose a novel approach where the function‐related structural elements of a cystatin are substituted by the corresponding elements of an alternative cystatin. Inhibitory assays were first performed with 20 representative plant cystatins and model Cys proteases, including arthropod proteases, to appreciate the extent of functional variability among the plant cystatin family. The most, and less, potent of these cystatins were then used as ‘donors’ of structural elements to create hybrids of tomato cystatin SlCYS8 used as a model ‘recipient’ inhibitor. In brief, inhibitory activities against Cys proteases strongly differed from one plant cystatin to another, with Ki (papain) values diverging by more than 30‐fold and inhibitory rates against arthropod proteases varying by up to 50‐fold depending on the enzymes assessed. In line with theoretical assumptions from docking models generated for different Cys protease–cystatin combinations, structural element substitutions had a strong impact on the activity of recipient cystatin SlCYS8, positive or negative depending on the basic inhibitory potency of the donor cystatin. Our data confirm the wide variety of cystatin inhibitory profiles among plant taxa. They also demonstrate the usefulness of these proteins as a pool of discrete structural elements for the design of cystatin variants with improved potency against herbivorous pest digestive Cys proteases.
‘Anxiety is still ongoing!’ Evaluation of the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on anxiety severity of physicians working in the internal medicine department after 1 year: a collaborative cross‐sectional study
Authors: Uyaroğlu Oğuz Abdullah , Özdede Murat , Çalık Başaran Nursel , Özışık Lale , Tanriover Mine Durusu , Sain Güven Gülay
Published: November 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has increased anxiety in society and particularly in healthcare workers, as shown with a questionnaire in our centre at the beginning of the pandemic. In this collaborative study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the pandemic on anxiety 1 year later by applying the same questionnaire to the physicians working in the same department. A total of 77 participants consented to the study. The median age was 28 (interquartile range = 4) years and 55.8% were male. As in the first survey, female gender, having family members over 65 years of age, and having family members with chronic diseases were significantly associated with high anxiety scores and levels. There were no statistically significant differences between the first and second survey participants in any of the anxiety scales, which means anxiety persists.
Imaging viral infection in vivo to gain unique perspectives on cellular antiviral immunity*
Authors: Vrba Sophia M. , Hickman Heather D.
Published: November 2021

The past decade has seen near continual global public health crises caused by emerging viral infections. Extraordinary increases in our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying successful antiviral immune responses in animal models and during human infection have accompanied these viral outbreaks. Keeping pace with the rapidly advancing field of viral immunology, innovations in microscopy have afforded a previously unseen view of viral infection occurring in real‐time in living animals. Here, we review the contribution of intravital imaging to our understanding of cell‐mediated immune responses to viral infections, with a particular focus on studies that visualize the antiviral effector cells responding to infection as well as virus‐infected cells. We discuss methods to visualize viral infection in vivo using intravital microscopy (IVM) and significant findings arising through the application of IVM to viral infection. Collectively, these works underscore the importance of developing a comprehensive spatial understanding of the relationships between immune effectors and virus‐infected cells and how this has enabled unique discoveries about virus/host interactions and antiviral effector cell biology.
Epidemiology of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and SARS‐CoV‐2 positive hospital admissions among children in South Africa
Authors: Kufa Tendesayi , Jassat Waasila , Cohen Cheryl , Tempia Stefano , Masha Maureen , Wolter Nicole , Walaza Sibongile , von Gottburg Anne , Govender Nelesh P. , Hunt Gillian , Shonhiwa Andronica Moipone , Ebonwu Joy , Ntshoe Genevie , Maruma Wellington , Bapela Poncho , Ndhlovu Nomathamsanqa , Mathema Hlengani , Modise Motshabi , Shuping Liliwe , Manana Pinky N. , Moore David , Dangor Ziyaad , Verwey Charl , Madhi Shabir A. , Saloojee Haroon , Zar Heather J. , Blumberg Lucille
Published: November 2021

Introduction

We describe epidemiology and outcomes of confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and positive admissions among children <18 years in South Africa, an upper‐middle income setting with high inequality.

Methods

Laboratory and hospital COVID‐19 surveillance data, 28 January ‐ 19 September 2020 was used. Testing rates were calculated as number of tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 divided by population at risk; test positivity rates were calculated as positive tests divided by total number of tests. In‐hospital case fatality ratio (CFR) was calculated based on hospitalized positive admissions with outcome data who died in‐hospital and whose death was judged SARS‐CoV‐2 related by attending physician.

Findings

315 570 children aged <18 years were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2; representing 8.9% of all 3 548 738 tests and 1.6% of all children in the country. Of children tested, 46 137 (14.6%) were positive. Children made up 2.9% (n = 2007) of all SARS‐CoV‐2 positive admissions to sentinel hospitals. Among children, 47 died (2.6% case‐fatality). In‐hospital deaths were associated with male sex [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.18 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.08–4.40)] vs female; age <1 year [aOR 4.11 (95% CI 1.08–15.54)], age 10–14 years [aOR 4.20 (95% CI1.07–16.44)], age 15–17 years [aOR 4.86 (95% 1.28–18.51)] vs age 1–4 years; admission to a public hospital [aOR 5.07(95% 2.01–12.76)] vs private hospital and ≥1 underlying conditions [aOR 12.09 (95% CI 4.19–34.89)] vs none.

Conclusions

Children with underlying conditions were at greater risk of severe SARS‐CoV‐2 outcomes. Children > 10 years, those in certain provinces and those with underlying conditions should be considered for increased testing and vaccination.
A program to improve the assessment of a child for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Lukomski Michelle , Caruso Diane , Thompson Kerry , Di Natale Melissa
Published: November 2021

Problem

Due to the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increased risk of these children having comorbidities and/or an adverse childhood experience and insufficient documentation of the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM‐5) criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, an ADHD evaluation program was developed for a child presenting for an initial ADHD evaluation.

Methods

A quantitative design method evaluated provider's documentation by the percentage of DSM‐5 criteria met before and after the implementation of the ADHD program. Descriptive statistics evaluated the system change by the percentage of providers who utilized the ADHD template and the use of the unspecified ADHD International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th edition (ICD‐10) code, F90.9 by the percentage of code use before and after implementation of the ADHD program.

Findings

The two‐tailed Mann–Whitney U test was significantly based on p < 0.001. Providers met 100% of the DSM‐5 criteria after implementation of the ADHD program in the electronic health record, compared to 50% before implementation.

Conclusions

The ADHD program increased the provider's documentation and consistency to the DSM‐5 criteria, decreasing the use of the unspecified ADHD ICD‐10 code, allowing the provider to develop a more successful plan of care for children between the ages of 5 and 18.
Patient acceptance of subcutaneous versus transvenous defibrillator systems: A multi‐center experience
Authors: Vicentini Alessandro , Bisignani Giovanni , De Vivo Stefano , Viani Stefano , Savarese Gianluca , Francia Pietro , Celentano Eduardo , Checchi Luca , Carreras Giovanni , Santini Luca , Lamberti Filippo , Ottaviano Luca , Scalone Antonio , Giorgi Davide , Lovecchio Mariolina , Valsecchi Sergio , Rordorf Roberto ,   “S‐ICD Rhythm Detect” Investigators
Published: November 2021

Background

The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐ICD) is an effective alternative to the transvenous ICD. No study has yet compared S‐ICD and transvenous ICD by assessing patient acceptance as a patient‐centered outcome.

Objective

To evaluate the patient acceptance of the S‐ICD and to investigate its association with clinical and implantation variables. In patients with symptomatic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the acceptance of the S‐ICD was compared with a control group of patients who received a transvenous ICD.

Methods

Patient acceptance was calculated with the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey (FPAS) which measures four factors: return to function (RTF), device‐related distress (DRD), positive appraisal (PA), and body image concerns (BIC). The survey was administered 12 months after implantation.

Results

176 patients underwent S‐ICD implantation. The total FPAS and the single factors did not differ according to gender, body habitus, or generator positioning. Patients with HFrEF had lower FPAS and RTF. Younger patients showed better RTF (75 [56–94] vs. 56 [50–81], p = .029). Patients who experienced device complications or device therapies showed higher DRD (40 [35–60] vs. 25 [10–50], p = .019). Patients with HFrEF receiving the S‐ICD had comparable FPAS, RTF, DRD, and BIC to HFrEF patients implanted with the transvenous ICD while exhibited significantly better PA (88 [75–100] vs. 81 [63–94], p = .02).

Conclusions

Our analysis revealed positive patient acceptance of the S‐ICD, even in groups at risk of more distress such as women or patients with thinner body habitus, and regardless of the generator positioning. Among patients receiving ICDs for HFrEF, S‐ICD was associated with better PA versus transvenous ICD.