bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information asymmetry and investment efficiency: the role of blockholders
Authors: Khan Mubashir Ali , Yau Josephine Tan-Hwang , Sarang Aitzaz Ahsan Alias , Gull Ammar Ali , Javed Muzhar
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the extent to which information asymmetry affects investment efficiency and whether the presence of blockholders moderate this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

We employ the data of firms listed on the Malaysian stock exchange for the period 2010–2018, to compose our sample. Our final sample includes the 100 largest non-financial firms based on market capitalization. Collectively, these 100 companies contribute 84.2% to the total market capitalization (MYR 1,730bn) which is representative of the whole market. The ordinary least squares regressions were used as the main estimation technique. The system generalized method of moments, two-stage least squares and propensity score matching were also used, to address potential endogeneity concerns.

Findings

We document a positively significant association of information asymmetry with investment inefficiency. These results imply that information asymmetry reduces investment efficiency and enhances sub-optimal investments. We also document that blockholders negatively moderate the relationship of information asymmetry with investment inefficiency. Further analyses show that investment inefficiency is higher in low-growth firms than in high-growth firms because of higher information asymmetry.

Research limitations/implications

We focus on Malaysia, which is a predominantly common-law Anglo-Saxon country. Graff (2008) documented that the investors are treated differently across legal systems and there are differences between the continental European and Anglo-Saxon countries. La Porta et al. (1999) documented that investors tend to have more legal protection in Anglo-Saxon countries. Therefore, our results may not be generalized to countries with different legal systems.

Practical implications

An important implication of our findings is that stakeholders may encourage the presence of blockholders and give them a voice to weaken the positive relationship between information asymmetry and investment inefficiency.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the contingency literature by investigating the moderating effect of an important governance mechanism, i.e. the presence of blockholders on information asymmetry-investment efficiency nexus. Despite being important, this moderating effect has been largely overlooked in the literature. Our study contributes by providing an understanding of how blockholders can influence investment decisions, offering insights for academics, investors and policymakers focused on improving the efficacy of investment decisions and governance structure.
Toward addressing customer migration: measuring B2B salespersons’ perceptions of customer ownership
Authors: Fergurson J. Ricky , Marshall Greg W. , Pelton Lou E.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

One of the pivotal questions facing all firms is “Who owns the customer?” Despite the longstanding acknowledgment that customer ownership is critical to a firm’s success, to date, little research attention has been afforded to conceptualizing and measuring customer ownership. This study aims to address this research gap by exploring, measuring and validating a customer ownership scale through the lens of the business-to-business salesperson.

Design/methodology/approach

The classical multi-item scale development involving a multistep process was used in developing and validating this scale measuring customer ownership. Using a grounded theory approach, the customer ownership scale is developed and justified as distinctive from customer loyalty.

Findings

The two-factor customer ownership scale reflects the underlying factors of the salesperson–customer bond and provides a pathway to empirically assess mechanisms for addressing customer migration. The findings suggest an opportunity for greater precision in both meaning and measurement for both academics and practitioners.

Originality/value

The question “Who owns the customer?” has been a venerable enigma in sales organizations, and it remains an underdeveloped construct in sales and marketing research. This research empirically explores the construct of customer ownership in a systematic manner that is conspicuously absent from extant studies.
Third-party application developers and the liminal space experience during digital entrepreneurship development
Authors: Ajah Emmanuel Okoro
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The study aims to embrace the lingering call for more empirical studies that can theorize the role of digital platforms in digital entrepreneurship. Hence, this study seeks to reveal the liminal space entrepreneurial experience of third-party application developers, by investigating how the platform boundary resources promote third-party entrepreneurial actions, as they transition through the disoriented, uncertain and ambiguous processes of digital entrepreneurship development.

Design/methodology/approach

To conduct this investigation, an expert interview qualitative method was used. This approach is a well-established technique in the field of social sciences, which allowed a detailed exploration of the theory of liminality. Liminality refers to the transitional phase that individuals or groups experience when moving from one social or cultural context to another. The expert interview method is appropriate for this study because it involves engaging with knowledgeable individuals who have extensive experience and expertise in the subject area being investigated. Through in-depth and unstructured interviews, the experts were able to provide valuable insights and perspectives about the phenomenon investigated.

Findings

The research findings demonstrate that digital platform boundary resources play a significant role in the behaviour of third-party developers’ who engage in the development of digital entrepreneurship in today’s market. The study highlights three ways that show how these resources (software development kit (SDK), API, integrated development environment (IDE), libraries, frameworks) enable third-party developers to create new applications that are used to pursue entrepreneurship in a digital platform, leading to increased user engagement and revenue generation.

Originality/value

The research addresses the critical roles of digital platform boundary resources in digital entrepreneurship development processes. Also, using liminality theory, the research explicated the core experiences of third-party developers as they navigated the challenges and ambiguities experienced in the pursuit of entrepreneurship. Thus, contributing to the existing body of knowledge in literature and practice.
Learning engagement interventions to enhance diversity, equity and inclusivity culture at workplace
Authors: Wavre Shrikant Prabhakar , Kuknor Sunaina Chetan , Dhaktod Pooja , Khokale Sasmit
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study is to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusiveness (DEI) culture by using individuals’ learning engagement (ILE) as a catalyst with formal and informal learning engagement interventions for sustainable learning and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of a transdisciplinary study (DEI and learning), a mixed method was used. The data from 16 semi-structured interviews (SSI) with corporate professionals was analysed to create the ILE framework for enhancing DEI culture. A focus group discussion and experimentation were used for validation as triangulation.

Findings

The suggested ILE framework had a considerable impact on DEI. Findings revealed a positive, statistically significant association between ILE and DEI cultural enhancement describing how participants' ILE experiences impacted their DEI perspectives, demonstrating compelling evidence of DEI culture enhancement.

Practical implications

This study proposes a sustainable learning approach for a multi-cultural workforce by using the ILE framework for business, HR, DEI and L&D experts to enhance DEI culture.

Originality/value

The study contributes to DEI and learning engagement domains with a framework for integrating all three elements of DEI by using impactful ILE interventions.
Taylor's power law for freshwater fishes: Functional traits beyond statistical inevitability
Authors: Baumgartner Matheus T. , Peláez Zapata Oscar Eduardo
Published: July 2024

Taylor's power law (TPL) describes the expected range of parameters of the mean–variance scaling relationship and has been extensively used in studies examining temporal variations in abundance. Few studies though have focused on biological and ecological covariates of TPL, while its statistical inherences have been extensively debated. In the present study, we focused on species‐specific features (i.e. functional traits) that could be influential to temporal TPL.

We combined field surveys of 180 fish species from 972 sites varying from small streams to large rivers with data on 31 ecological traits describing species‐specific characteristics related to three main niche dimensions (trophic ecology, life history, and habitat use). For each species, the parameters of temporal TPL (intercept and slope) were estimated from the log–log mean–variance relationships while controlling for spatial dependencies and biological covariates (species richness and evenness). Then, we investigated whether functional traits explained variations in TPL parameters.

Differences in TPL parameters among species were explained mostly by life history and environmental determinants, especially TPL slope. Life history was the main determinant of differences in TPL parameters and thereby aggregation patterns, with traits related to body size being the most influential, thus showing a high contrast between small‐sized species with short lifespans and large‐bodied migratory fishes, even after controlling for phylogenetic resemblances.

We found that life history traits, especially those related to body size, mostly affect TPL and, as such, can be determinants of temporal variability of fish populations. We also found that statistical effects and phylogenetic resemblances are embedded in mean–variance relationships for fish, and that environmental drivers can interact with ecological characteristics of species in determining temporal fluctuations in abundance.
The ‘uncomfortable aunt’: Acts of resistance against NHS practices that contradict our values
Authors: Midlane Becky
Published: July 2024

This study explores the experience of family therapists performing ‘everyday’ acts of resistance against practices within the National Health Service (NHS) that contradict their values. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse semi‐structured interviews with five family therapists working in the NHS. Themes explored include the influence of the self of the therapist on their motivation to resist, and the necessity of resisting to survive in the job and ensure families' marginalised voices are heard in the wider system. The tension in balancing competing needs in the system and the energy that resisting both gives and takes are described, as well as how others in the system influence the therapists' ability to resist. Resisting emerges as a critical role of the family therapist, as well as crucial for practitioners to work in a way coherent with their sense of self.
Osmia3DNest—Novel designed 3D printed artificial nest for solitary cavity‐nesting bees
Authors: Dylewski Łukasz , Kaźmierczak Sandra , Giejdasz Karol , Banaszak‐Cibicka Weronika
Published: July 2024

The availability and appropriateness of nesting sites significantly influence the reproductive success and overall welfare of wild bees. Human‐induced factors contribute to the destruction of natural nesting habitats. To address these limitations, innovative solutions such as the development of artificial nests, offer alternative nest sites to support wild bee populations.

We designed the Osmia3DNest, a 3D printed standardized nest tube for solitary cavity‐nesting bees, aiming to provide a safe for the environment, long‐life, time‐saving and biodegradable product that anyone can print. We proudly present the two Osmia3DNest models for mason bees—closed and open—using polylactic acid filament.

We demonstrate the effectiveness of Osmia3DNest on mason bee reproduction parameters compared with traditional reed nests.

Osmia3DNest can be an alternative to the other artificial nests, which people can customize for their necessity depending on their place of living (rural or urban area), and they can also be washed and reused several times and then decomposed.

Osmia3DNest holds potential for wildlife biologists, management of pollinators, and educational outreach, offering adaptability for different bee species and experimental needs.
Practical and ethical considerations when sperm donors die
Authors: Pennings Guido
Published: July 2024

This paper considers the practical and ethical issues related to the death of a sperm donor. It looks at whether sperm banks should check whether the donor is alive at the time the spermatozoa is made available. Knowing that the donor has died in combination with the cause of death can provide important medical information but the chance is very small. However, when the information is available, it may help to decide whether to tell previous recipients and/or to block the remaining samples for future use. A second advantage may be that the donor's offspring can be informed that contact will not be possible and that recipients who are planning to order spermatozoa from an identity‐release donor can be told that the donor has died. However, these advantages presume that identifiable equals contactable while there is no strict link between these two conditions.
Association of Genomic Prostate Score at positive margin with recurrence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Nourmohammadi Abadchi Sanaz , Salles Daniela C. , Flannery Cynthia , Sama Varun , Baehner Frederick L. , Zambon Joao P. , Mendes Adrianna A. , DePaula Oliveira Lia , Han Misop , Jing Yuezhou , Partin Alan W. , Trock Bruce J. , Lotan Tamara L.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the utility of the 17‐gene Genomic Prostate Score® (GPS; MDxHealth, Irvine, CA, USA) performed on prostate cancer at the positive margin of the radical prostatectomy (RP) for its association with risk of subsequent biochemical recurrence (BCR).

Patients and Methods

We designed a case‐cohort for the outcome of BCR, selecting 223 from a cohort of 813 RP patients treated at Johns Hopkins from 2008 to 2017 with positive margins and available clinical data; of these, 213 had available tissue and clinical data. RNA was isolated from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tumour tissue adjacent to the positive surgical margin and the GPS was evaluable in 203 of these patients with a score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher risk. All patients underwent RP with or without adjuvant radiation therapy (ART). The statistical analysis employed Cox proportional hazards regression models for outcome of BCR weighted for case‐cohort design.

Results

In univariable analysis, every 20‐unit increase in the GPS was associated with a nearly threefold increase in risk of BCR (hazard ratio [HR] per 20 units 2.82, P < 0.001). In a multivariable Cox model adjusted for age, race, Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Postsurgical score, Grade Group at the positive margin, and ART, the GPS was significantly associated with BCR (HR 1.56 per 20 units; 95% confidence interval 1.11–2.19; P = 0.011). The study is limited by its retrospective and single institution design.

Conclusions

The GPS at the positive surgical margin could help stratify prognosis and inform clinical decision‐making regarding adjuvant therapy after RP.
“I feel like I'm changing people's lives, even if it's just two hours at a time”: Understanding contingent instructors’ emotion management in university teaching
Authors: Adamyk Natalie
Published: July 2024

This article extends existing scholarship on contingent or temporary‐contract university instructors’ emotional agency by employing the Bolton's emotion management and Cottingham's emotional capital typologies in tandem. In interviews with 40 instructors from universities across Canada, participants described acquiring both primary and secondary emotional capital as an embodied psychosocial resource through past education, upbringing and culture, and knowledge and skills from previous work and training experiences respectively. They then deployed this capital through emotion management based in both social and organizational feeling rules in their capacity as professors. This allowed instructors to reinforce their own sense of purpose, authority and competence as instructors, and to establish fulfilling relationships with students through teaching and mentoring which they infused with personal meaning. However, instructors’ agency was also curtailed to varying degrees, by both institutional attitudes around academic contingency and sexist, and in some cases, racist or otherwise patronizing attitudes from students. Despite this, instructors were often able to reaffirm their identities as instructors by using emotion management in self‐affirming ways, such as by drawing on self‐confidence gained through previous occupations and training, and facilitating cultural backgrounds shared with students through emotional management.
The relationship between male and female endogenous reproductive hormones levels and subjective cognitive decline score: A cross‐sectional analysis of the Pingyin cohort study
Authors: Wang Qi , Yu Ruihong , Fu Chunying , Li Meiling , Wang Xiaoyi , Zhu Dongshan
Published: July 2024

Objective

Reproductive hormones might impact disease course in cognitive decline. We examined the association between male and female endogenous reproductive hormones and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) score.

Design, Patients and Measurements

A cross‐sectional study design was used with baseline data from the Pingyin cohort study, involving 1943 participants aged 45–70 years. Oestrogen (E2), testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in females and E2 and testosterone were measured in males. We categorised hormones into three levels of low, intermediate and high level. The 9‐item subjective cognitive decline questionnaire (SCD‐Q9) scores were collected to assess the symptoms of SCD. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between categorised hormone levels and SCD status. Multivariable linear regression models were also used.

Results

Overall, 1943 participants were involved and 1285 (66.1%) were female. The mean age at baseline was 59.1 (standard deviation 7.1) years. Women with high testosterone levels had a higher probability of having SCD compared with those with low testosterone levels (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.01–2.05). Men with a high level of testosterone (0.59, 0.35–0.98) and high testosterone/E2 ratio (0.55, 0.33–0.90) were related to decreased chances of having SCD. Each one‐unit increase of testosterone was linked to reduced SCD score in males [(β: −.029, 95% CI (−0.052, −0.007)].

Conclusion

There was sex‐specific relationship between hormone levels and SCD abnormal. Those with higher testosterone levels in females may increase likelihood of experiencing SCD. Males with higher testosterone levels and higher testosterone/E2 ratio may be associated with reduced likelihood of SCD. The roles of endogenous reproductive hormone levels and their dynamic changes in cognitive function need further investigation.
The Spread Pattern of New Practice in Liver Transplantation in the United States
Authors: Akabane Miho , Imaoka Yuki , Esquivel Carlos O. , Kim W. Ray , Sasaki Kazunari
Published: July 2024

Background

Introducing new liver transplantation (LT) practices, like unconventional donor use, incurs higher costs, making evaluation of their prognostic justification crucial. This study reexamines the spread pattern of new LT practices and its prognosis across the United States.

Methods

The study investigated the spread pattern of new practices using the UNOS database (2014–2023). Practices included LT for hepatitis B/C (HBV/HCV) nonviremic recipients with viremic donors, LT for COVID‐19‐positive recipients, and LT using onsite machine perfusion (OMP). One year post‐LT patient and graft survival were also evaluated.

Results

LTs using HBV/HCV donors were common in the East, while LTs for COVID‐19 recipients and those using OMP started predominantly in California, Arizona, Texas, and the Northeast. K‐means cluster analysis identified three adoption groups: facilities with rapid, slow, and minimal adoption rates. Rapid adoption occurred mainly in high‐volume centers, followed by a gradual increase in middle‐volume centers, with little increase in low‐volume centers. The current spread patterns did not significantly affect patient survival. Specifically, for LTs with HCV donors or COVID‐19 recipients, patient and graft survivals in the rapid‐increasing group was comparable to others. In LTs involving OMP, the rapid‐ or slow‐increasing groups tended to have better patient survival (p = 0.05) and significantly improved graft survival rates (p = 0.02). Facilities adopting new practices often overlap across different practices.

Discussion

Our analysis revealed three distinct adoption groups across all practices, correlating the adoption aggressiveness with LT volume in centers. Aggressive adoption of new practices did not compromise patient and graft survivals, supporting the current strategy. Understanding historical trends could predict the rise in future LT cases with new practices, aiding in resource distribution.
Once‐weekly insulin icodec compared with daily basal insulin analogues in type 2 diabetes: Participant‐level meta‐analysis of the ONWARDS 1–5 trials
Authors: Bajaj Harpreet S. , Ásbjörnsdóttir Björg , Bari Tanvir J. , Begtrup Kamilla , Vilsbøll Tina , Rosenstock Julio
Published: July 2024

Aim

To perform a participant‐level post hoc meta‐analysis of Phase 3a trials in type 2 diabetes (T2D) to characterize the hypoglycaemia safety and glycaemic efficacy of once‐weekly insulin icodec (icodec).

Materials and Methods

All ONWARDS 1–5 randomized participants were pooled as overall T2D, insulin‐naive, an insulin‐experienced subgroups, and by once‐daily trial comparator (degludec or glargine U100). The main outcomes included incidence and rates of clinically significant and severe hypoglycaemia. Additional endpoints included change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline and HbA1c target achievement without clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia.

Results

The meta‐analysis comprised 3765 participants (1882 icodec vs. 1883 comparators). In the overall T2D pool, clinically significant hypoglycaemia incidence was similar in the icodec group versus the comparator group (17.9% vs. 16.2%, odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94, 1.38); however, rates were low but significantly higher in the icodec group (1.15 vs. 1.00 episodes/participant‐year of exposure, estimated rate ratio 1.51 [95% CI 1.24, 1.85]). Fewer severe hypoglycaemic episodes occurred with icodec than with comparators (8 vs. 18). A greater reduction in HbA1c occurred with icodec versus comparators, irrespective of subgroup (estimated treatment difference range [−0.10 to −0.29%]; all p < 0.05). Across subgroups, except for the insulin‐experienced subgroup, the odds of achieving HbA1c <53 mmol/mol (7.0%) without clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia were greater with icodec than with comparators (OR range 1.30–1.55; all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Icodec was associated with a similar incidence but higher rates of clinically significant hypoglycaemia (equating to one additional hypoglycaemic episode every 6 years) and fewer severe hypoglycaemic episodes versus comparators. Our findings also confirmed the greater efficacy of icodec that was demonstrated in the ONWARDS trial programme.
Metformin monotherapy versus predominantly older non‐metformin antidiabetic medications for cerebrovascular risk in early type 2 diabetes management
Authors: Sun Mingyang , Lu Zhongyuan , Chen Wan‐Ming , Lv Shuang , Fu Ningning , Yang Yitian , Wang Yangyang , Miao Mengrong , Wu Szu‐Yuan , Zhang Jiaqiang
Published: July 2024

Aim

Choosing the initial treatment for type 2 diabetes (T2D) is pivotal, requiring consideration of solid clinical evidence and patient characteristics. Despite metformin's historical preference, its efficacy in preventing cerebrovascular events lacked empirical validation. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between first‐line monotherapy (metformin or non‐metformin antidiabetic medications) and cerebrovascular complications in patients with T2D without diabetic complications.

Methods

We analysed 9090 patients with T2D without complications who were prescribed either metformin or non‐metformin medications as initial therapy. Propensity score matching ensured group comparability. Cox regression analyses, stratified by initial metformin use, assessed cerebrovascular disease risk, adjusting for multiple covariates and using competing risk analysis. Metformin exposure was measured using cumulative defined daily doses.

Results

Metformin users had a significantly lower crude incidence of cerebrovascular diseases compared with non‐users (p < .0001). Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) consistently showed an association between metformin use and a lower risk of overall cerebrovascular diseases (aHRs: 0.67‐0.69) and severe events (aHRs: 0.67‐0.69). The association with reduced risk of mild cerebrovascular diseases was significant across all models (aHRs: 0.73‐0.74). Higher cumulative defined daily doses of metformin correlated with reduced cerebrovascular risk (incidence rate ratio: 0.62‐0.94, p < .0001), indicating a dose‐dependent effect.

Conclusion

Metformin monotherapy is associated with a reduced risk of cerebrovascular diseases in early‐stage T2D, highlighting its dose‐dependent efficacy. However, the observed benefits might also be influenced by baseline differences and the increased risks associated with other medications, such as sulphonylureas. These findings emphasize the need for personalized diabetes management, particularly in mitigating cerebrovascular risk in early T2D stages.
Trajectories of quality of life among disaster victims: A national longitudinal study
Authors: Lee Haeyoung , Kim Yujeong
Published: July 2024

Aim

This study categorized quality‐of‐life trajectories among disaster victims in South Korea and identified the characteristics and predictors of each trajectory.

Background

Disaster victims experience tremendous physical and mental distress, which has a long‐term impact on their quality of life.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study using data obtained from the fourth Long‐term Survey on the Change of Life of Disaster Victims conducted from 2017 to 2019. The study included 257 participants who experienced a typhoon, earthquake, or fire and completed the three‐year follow‐up. Latent transition analysis was used to identify the potential class of quality‐of‐life trajectories among disaster victims. Independent t tests, χ2 tests, and logistic regression were used to identify the predictors of quality‐of‐life trajectories.

Results

Two latent quality‐of‐life classes were identified: persistent low‐level and persistent high‐level. Factors associated with the persistent high‐level trajectory included higher education level, no injury/disease from the disaster, better subjective health status, higher social support, and lower social maladjustment.

Discussion

Quality of life early after a disaster is maintained throughout subsequent years; early and active support following disasters is essential to promote its rapid improvement.

Conclusion

Targeted educational programs in disaster‐prone areas are recommended to bolster resilience among individuals with lower education. Moreover, governmental and institutional efforts are needed to support victims who lack resources for disaster recovery.

Implications for nursing and health policy

There is a need to establish community‐based social support systems and enhance nurses' disaster response capabilities to support vulnerable groups, with such interventions tailored to reflect disaster‐affected victims’ unique characteristics and needs, along with ongoing research and evaluation for continuous improvements to nursing practice and disaster response.
Role of oxidative stress in the concurrent development of osteoporosis and tendinopathy: Emerging challenges and prospects for treatment modalities
Authors: Xia Xianting , Fang Zhengyuan , Qian Yinhua , Zhou Yu , Huang Haoqiang , Xu Feng , Luo Zhiwen , Wang Qing
Published: July 2024

Both osteoporosis and tendinopathy are widely prevalent disorders, encountered in diverse medical contexts. Whilst each condition has distinct pathophysiological characteristics, they share several risk factors and underlying causes. Notably, oxidative stress emerges as a crucial intersecting factor, playing a pivotal role in the onset and progression of both diseases. This imbalance arises from a dysregulation in generating and neutralising reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to an abnormal oxidative environment. Elevated levels of ROS can induce multiple cellular disruptions, such as cytotoxicity, apoptosis activation and reduced cell function, contributing to tissue deterioration and weakening the structural integrity of bones and tendons. Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow down the oxidation process, including Vitamin C, melatonin, resveratrol, anthocyanins and so on, demonstrating potential in treating these overlapping disorders. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the complex role of oxidative stress within the interlinked pathways of these comorbid conditions. By integrating contemporary research and empirical findings, our objective is to outline new conceptual models and innovative treatment strategies for effectively managing these prevalent diseases. This review underscores the importance of further in‐depth research to validate the efficacy of antioxidants and traditional Chinese medicine in treatment plans, as well as to explore targeted interventions focused on oxidative stress as promising areas for future medical advancements.
Associations between oral health and depression and anxiety: A cross‐sectional and prospective cohort study from the UK Biobank
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Wang Yani , Li Huihui , Wang Weijing , Zhang Dongfeng
Published: July 2024

Aim

To investigate the associations between oral health and depression, anxiety and their comorbidity in the UK Biobank cohort.

Materials and Methods

Oral health problems were self‐reported at baseline. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using the Mental Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐4) in a cross‐sectional study. In the cohort study, diagnoses of depression and anxiety disorders were based on hospital records. Logistic regression and Cox regression models were used to analyse the association between oral health and depression/anxiety.

Results

A total of 305,188 participants were included in the cross‐sectional study, and multivariate analysis showed that periodontal disease was associated with depression and/or anxiety (odds ratio [OR]: 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73–1.86). In the prospective cohort study involving 264,706 participants, periodontal disease was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression and/or anxiety (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.10–1.19), depression (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.13–1.25) and anxiety (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.07–1.19). Periodontal disease was also significantly associated with comorbid depression and anxiety (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.16–1.38). Multiple mediation analysis using baseline inflammatory factors showed that white blood cell count and C‐reactive protein explained 3.07% and 3.15% of the association between periodontal disease and depression and anxiety, respectively. However, the results of longitudinal multiple mediation analysis of inflammatory factors at first follow‐up (N = 10,673) were not significant.

Conclusions

Periodontal disease was found to be consistently associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety and their comorbidity.
Mass mortality event of round sardinella Sardinella aurita Valenciennes associated with Glugea Thélohan, 1891 microsporidian infection off the southern Italian coast
Authors: López‐Verdejo Alejandro , Occhibove Flavia , Uberti Barbara degli , Montero Francisco E. , Santoro Mario
Published: July 2024

Intracellular parasites of the genus Glugea Thélohan, 1891 (Microsporidia) comprise about 34 putative species capable of causing high morbidity and mortality in freshwater and marine teleost fishes. In this study, we report on the first mass mortality event associated with Glugea sp. infecting free‐ranging round sardinella Sardinella aurita in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy). Here, we describe the ultrastructure of mature spores of this microsporidian and characterize it molecularly, as well as report its phylogenetic position. Most of the affected fish showed an irregular swelling of its abdomen. At necropsy, a variable number of xenomas, spherical to ellipsoidal in shape, were found in the peritoneal cavity strongly attached to the viscera of all fish. Histological analysis revealed varying severity of chronic inflammation along with occasional necrosis in visceral organs associated with multiple xenoma proliferation. These pathological findings were considered the main cause of this mass mortality event. Morphologically, the present material was closely related to G. sardinellesis and G. thunni. The phylogenetically closest taxa to the newly SSU rDNA sequence were G. thunni and an erroneusly identified  G. plecoglossi, which were very closely related to each other, also suggesting that all these sequences might belong to the same species.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses regarding airway clearance in neurocritical illness patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Liu Shengnan , Zhou Hui , Zhang Xuelian , Yan Qi , Zhang Haiying , Wu Chao , Shen Hongying
Published: July 2024

Aim

We aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding airway clearance among nurses and explore the factors affecting the knowledge, attitudes and practices.

Design

A questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study.

Background

Airway clearance is an important method of eliminating excess secretions. In neuroscience nursing, nurses are important executors of airway management, and their knowledge, attitudes and practices can influence the effectiveness of airway clearance.

Methods

This study was conducted from July to September 2023 in four hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China. A structured questionnaire about airway clearance was designed and used to collect the data. The nurses used this questionnaire to self‐rate. The STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies was followed.

Results

The age, work experience, highest educational attainment and technical title of the nurses can significantly influence their knowledge. The age, highest educational attainment and technical title of the nurses can significantly impact their attitudes. Practice scores were significantly influenced by age, work experience, technical title, whether the nurses had received any training on airway clearance techniques, and whether the department developed procedures for implementing the airway clearance technology. Nurses' attitudes were significantly associated with knowledge and practice, and there was no significant correlation between knowledge and practice.

Conclusion

This study showed that age, work experience, highest educational attainment and training were related to knowledge, attitudes and practices. These findings suggest that nursing managers can conduct airway clearance training according to age group, working experience and education level of the nurses.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Impact

The findings show that the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices related to airway clearance in neuroscience nursing among nurses were acceptable, which means that nurses can better perform airway management on patients. These findings serve as a significant reference for designing an airway clearance education for nurses and meet the needs of nurses in clinical nursing practice.
Healthy lifestyles and better periodontal health: Results from two large population‐based surveys
Authors: Marruganti Crystal , Luthra Shailly , Hussain Syed Basit , Suvan Jeanie , D'Aiuto Francesco
Published: July 2024

Aim

To ascertain whether healthy lifestyles are associated with periodontal diseases in two large‐scale surveys in the US (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey – NHANES) and the UK Biobank.

Methods

9854 US adults and 111 679 UK adults were included in the analyses. A healthy lifestyle score (HLS), ranging between 0 and 5, was calculated based on the reported number of healthy behaviours, including never smoking, no heavy alcohol consumption, top third of leisure‐time physical activity, higher dietary quality, and ideal sleep duration. The prevalence of periodontal diseases was the primary outcome in both surveys. In the NHANES, periodontal status was assessed through a full‐mouth periodontal examination, while in the UKB, only self‐reported periodontal status was available.

Results

Multiple regression analyses confirmed that the presence of at least 2–3 healthy behaviours (vs. 0–1) was associated with lower odds of overall and severe periodontitis (ORs 0.5, 0.4–0.6; p < .001 and 0.5, 0.3–0.8; p = .003, respectively) in the NHANES, and of bleeding gums (OR = 0.9, 0.8–1.0; p = .092) and loose teeth (OR = 0.6, 0.5–0.7; p < .001) in UKB. This association increased when considering prevalence of 4–5 healthy behaviours (vs. 0–1) in both the NHANES (periodontitis: OR = 0.3, 0.2–0.4; p < .001; severe periodontitis: OR = 0.1, 0.01–0.2; p < .001) and the UKB (bleeding gums: OR = 0.8, 0.7–0.9; p < .001; loose teeth: OR = 0.5, 0.4–0.6; p < .001). Mediation analyses revealed how these protective associations could be partially mediated (1–14%) by differences in biomarkers of systemic inflammation (white blood cells and neutrophils count as well as C‐reactive protein).

Conclusions

Adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviours is associated with a lower prevalence of periodontal diseases within two large population‐based samples. This relationship exhibits a dose–response pattern, implying that greater adherence to healthy habits leads to a more significant protective effect against the odds of periodontal diseases. Additionally, our findings suggest that this protective effect is, in part, mediated by reductions in systemic inflammation.
Evolutionary variation in gene conversion at the avian MHC is explained by fluctuating selection, gene copy numbers and life history
Authors: Minias Piotr
Published: July 2024

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) multigene family encodes key pathogen‐recognition molecules of the vertebrate adaptive immune system. Hyper‐polymorphism of MHC genes is de novo generated by point mutations, but new haplotypes may also arise by re‐shuffling of existing variation through intra‐ and inter‐locus gene conversion. Although the occurrence of gene conversion at the MHC has been known for decades, we still have limited understanding of its functional importance. Here, I took advantage of extensive genetic resources (~9000 sequences) to investigate broad scale macroevolutionary patterns in gene conversion processes at the MHC across nearly 200 avian species. Gene conversion was found to constitute a universal mechanism in birds, as 83% of species showed footprints of gene conversion at either MHC class and 25% of all allelic variants were attributed to gene conversion. Gene conversion processes were stronger at MHC‐II than MHC‐I, but inter‐specific variation at both MHC classes was explained by similar evolutionary scenarios, reflecting fluctuating selection towards different optima and drift. Gene conversion showed uneven phylogenetic distribution across birds and was driven by gene copy number variation, supporting significant role of inter‐locus gene conversion processes in the evolution of the avian MHC. Finally, MHC gene conversion was stronger in species with fast life histories (high fecundity) and in long‐distance migrants, likely reflecting variation in population sizes and host–pathogen coevolutionary dynamics. The results provide a robust comparative framework for understanding macroevolutionary variation in gene conversion at the avian MHC and reinforce important contribution of this mechanism to functional MHC diversity.
Corticosterone exposure is associated with long‐term changes in DNA methylation, physiology and breeding decisions in a wild bird
Authors: Taff Conor C. , McNew Sabrina M. , Campagna Leonardo , Vitousek Maren N.
Published: July 2024

When facing challenges, vertebrates activate a hormonal stress response that can dramatically alter behaviour and physiology. Although this response can be costly, conceptual models suggest that it can also recalibrate the stress response system, priming more effective responses to future challenges. Little is known about whether this process occurs in wild animals, particularly in adulthood, and if so, how information about prior experience with stressors is encoded. One potential mechanism is hormonally mediated changes in DNA methylation. We simulated the spikes in corticosterone that accompany a stress response using non‐invasive dosing in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and monitored the phenotypic effects 1 year later. In a subset of individuals, we characterized DNA methylation using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing shortly after treatment and a year later. The year after treatment, experimental females had stronger negative feedback and initiated breeding earlier—traits that are associated with stress resilience and reproductive performance in our population—and higher baseline corticosterone. We also found that natural variation in corticosterone predicted patterns of DNA methylation. Finally, corticosterone treatment influenced methylation on short (1–2 weeks) and long (1 year) time scales; however, these changes did not have clear links to functional regulation of the stress response. Taken together, our results are consistent with corticosterone‐induced priming of future stress resilience and support DNA methylation as a potential mechanism, but more work is needed to demonstrate functional consequences. Uncovering the mechanisms linking experience with the response to future challenges has implications for understanding the drivers of stress resilience.
Unhealthy Assimilation or Compositional Differences? Disentangling Immigrants' Mental Health Trajectories with Residence Duration
Authors: Brunori Claudia
Published: July 2024

Studies have often found that recent immigrants have better mental health than natives, whereas established immigrants have no such advantage. This could be interpreted as evidence for immigrants' mental health deteriorating with residence duration—the “unhealthy assimilation hypothesis.” However, the methods used in the literature are unfit to assess whether the mental health differences between recent and established immigrants are due to individual‐level deterioration in mental health, compositional differences between immigration cohorts, or selective remigration. This is because previous studies mostly rely on cross‐sectional data, incur in overcontrol bias, and/or fail to disentangle variation with time since arrival from variation with age or between cohorts. In this article, I propose a novel analytical strategy to test the unhealthy assimilation hypothesis. Using fixed‐ and random‐effect regressions stratified by immigrants' age at arrival and data from waves 1–11 of the UK household longitudinal study, I find no evidence that immigrants' mental health deteriorates with time since arrival: immigrants' mental health trajectories are in line with natives' trajectories with age, and the cross‐sectional finding of more established immigrants having worse mental health is driven by differences between individuals who migrated at different times.
Prediction and validation of putative candidate genes underlying drought‐tolerant QTLs through in silico and RT‐PCR approaches in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Veerala Priyanka , Chand Pooran , Das Tapas Ranjan , Gangwar Lokesh Kumar
Published: July 2024

In the present study, the aim was to predict and validate putative candidate genes underlying drought‐tolerant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in rice crop using in silico approaches and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The genes underlying major drought‐tolerant QTLs which have been reported by data mining, sequence variation, gene ontology analysis, quantitative traits gene finder and gene expression analysis were subjected to RiceVarmap software to design primers, and only a few variants gave the SNP/InDel primers; thus, finally, 15 primers were ultimately selected, which were used in identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among contrasting rice genotypes IR 64 and N 22 for drought tolerance trait using quantitative RT‐PCR studies by providing drought stress treatment during panicle initiation stage. In this investigation, we predicted 11 genes as candidate genes underlying drought‐tolerant QTLs. Out of these, only four QTLs were found responsible for the major effect in drought tolerance regions such as QTL‐Qsn‐4b, QTL‐rn7a, QTL‐Qtgw‐2a and QTL‐phc4.1 and 11 prioritized candidates were identified that expressed in leaf tissues. Only four primers belong to two QTLs, primer vg0712623096 from QTL‐rn7a (LOC_Os07g22450) located on chromosome‐7 encoding NAC domain‐containing protein and the primers vg0431750843(LOC_Os04g53310) encoding soluble starch synthase 3‐ chloroplast precursor, vg0432626757 (LOC_Os04g54850) encoding pectin acetylesterase domain‐containing protein and vg0433031562 (LOC_Os04g55520) encoding AP2 domain‐containing protein, from QTL‐Qsn‐4b, located on chromosome‐4 found to have higher differential expression in N 22 in comparison with IR 64 during drought stress as per quantitative RT‐PCR 2–ΔΔCt values. Considering the overall study, these four primers/genes were identified as candidate genes underlying genomic regions governing drought tolerance. Therefore, these putative candidate genes could be focussed for further functional analysis to exploit in rice breeding.