bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of psychological distress between online and on-Campus learning among university students
Authors: Batool Hajira , Rashid Abdur
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is a comparative analysis of psychological distress between online and on-campus learning among university students. The study was performed to investigate the comparative analysis of psychological distress between online and on-campus learning among university students.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a quantitative, comparative study. Data were collected through convenient sampling technique from different university students. The sample size of the study was (n = 200) and the sample was taken from universities. Three scales, students’ readiness learning scale, DASS-21 Scale and on-campus learning scale, were used for data collection and the data were analyzed statistically. The analysis was carried out by the statistical tests correlation test, t-test and linear regression.

Findings

It was revealed through this study that on-campus learning is more preferred by the students than online learning. The findings were that online learning has more psychological distress among students than on-campus learning. Additionally, it was found that as compared to males, females have more tendency toward depression, anxiety and stress. Findings also revealed that married students have a larger tendency toward depression, anxiety and stress as compared to unmarried students. No socioeconomic significance difference was found. Moreover, it was revealed that working students prefer online learning to on-campus learning.

Practical implications

Learning has a significant impact on students’ future settlement, independence and well-being. The findings of this research study can contribute to understanding the educational system and determining which learning system is better for students and for the students’ mental well-being.

Originality/value

Learning has a significant impact on students’ future settlement, independence and well-being. This paper contributes by offering practical insights for educators and policymakers.
TAI: a lightweight network for content-based fake news detection
Authors: Ye Na , Yu Dingguo , Ma Xiaoyu , Zhou Yijie , Yan Yanqin
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Fake news in cyberspace has greatly interfered with national governance, economic development and cultural communication, which has greatly increased the demand for fake news detection and intervention. At present, the recognition methods based on news content all lose part of the information to varying degrees. This paper proposes a lightweight content-based detection method to achieve early identification of false information with low computation costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors' research proposes a lightweight fake news detection framework for English text, including a new textual feature extraction method, specifically mapping English text and symbols to 0–255 using American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) codes, treating the completed sequence of numbers as the values of picture pixel points and using a computer vision model to detect them. The authors also compare the authors' framework with traditional word2vec, Glove, bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) and other methods.

Findings

The authors conduct experiments on the lightweight neural networks Ghostnet and Shufflenet, and the experimental results show that the authors' proposed framework outperforms the baseline in accuracy on both lightweight networks.

Originality/value

The authors' method does not rely on additional information from text data and can efficiently perform the fake news detection task with less computational resource consumption. In addition, the feature extraction method of this framework is relatively new and enlightening for text content-based classification detection, which can detect fake news in time at the early stage of fake news propagation.
A tale of two generations: a time-lag study of career expectations
Authors: Ayoobzadeh Mostafa , Schweitzer Linda , Lyons Sean , Ng Eddy
Published: January 2024

Purpose

As young individuals transition from educational settings to embark on their career paths, their expectations for their future careers become of paramount importance. Ng et al. (2010) examined the expectations of young people in post-secondary education in 2007; those colloquially referred to as “Millennials” or “GenY”. The present study replicates Ng et al.'s (2010) study among a sample of post-secondary students in 2019 (referred to as Generation Z or GenZ) and compares the expectations of young adults in GenY and GenZ.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a time-lag comparison of GenY and GenZ young career entrants based on data collected in 2007 (n = 23,413) and 2019 (n = 16,146).

Findings

Today's youth seem to have realistic expectations for their first jobs and the analyses suggest that young people continue to seek positive, healthy work environments which make room for work–life balance. Further, young people today are prioritizing job security and are not necessarily mobile due to preference, restlessness or disloyalty, but rather leave employers that are not meeting their current needs or expectations.

Practical implications

Understanding the career expectations of young people allows educators, employers and policymakers to provide vocational guidance that aligns those expectations with the realities of the labor market and the contemporary career context.

Originality/value

While GenY was characterized as optimistic with great expectations, GenZ can be described as cautious and pragmatic. The results suggest a shift away from opportunity, towards security, stability, an employer that reflects one's values and a job that is satisfying in the present.
In the eye of the beholder: the role of self-perceived status in the relationship between high-performance work systems and affective commitment
Authors: Kim Mijeong , Jeong Inseong , Bae Johngseok
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Research has suggested that employees interpret high-performance work systems (HPWSs) as targeting two distinct organizational objectives: enhancing performance and promoting employee well-being. These attributions often exert divergent effects on employee attitudes. Thus, this study aims to investigate this dynamic within the context of the Korean nursing occupation, clarifying how the HPWS can simultaneously evoke dual attributions: human resource (HR) well-being and HR performance attributions. Additionally, the authors examine the contrasting effects of these attributions and identify a moderating variable that could reconcile them. Drawing on the psychological experience of status theory, the authors conceptualize and test the moderating effect of employees' self-perceived status on the relationship between HR performance attribution and affective commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 475 nurses in 82 work units in Korean hospitals. Hypotheses were tested in a multilevel moderated mediation model.

Findings

The findings revealed that an HPWS elicits HR well-being and HR performance attributions. While HR well-being attribution was positively associated with affective commitment, HR performance attribution was positively related to affective commitment when employees' self-perceived status was high. Moreover, the HPWS demonstrated an indirect relationship with affective commitment via increasing HR performance attribution when self-perceived status was high.

Originality/value

Although the personal meaning of HR attributions differs depending on the perceiver’s situation, this aspect has received little attention in the field of research. This study advances the understanding of HR attributions derived from the HPWS within the specific context of Korean nursing. Furthermore, the authors suggest that the two attributions may not conflict with each other, indicating that the impact of HR performance attribution is conditional on an individual’s self-perceived status.
Estimating landscape spread of a low‐prevalence disease using multiple surveillance methods
Authors: Feuka Abigail , Pandey Aakash , Cosgrove Melinda , Moriarty Megan , Duffiney Anthony , Campa Henry , VerCauteren Kurt , Pepin Kimberly M.
Published: January 2024

Diseases occurring at low prevalence in free‐ranging wildlife can be difficult to study and predict at a landscape scale. This problem is compounded by imperfect pathogen detection.

We used data from multiple surveillance methods to determine factors influencing spread of a low‐prevalence disease, bovine tuberculosis (bTB), among white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in a bTB endemic area over a 10‐year period. We fit dynamic occupancy models to predict spatial spread of bTB through a county in Michigan, USA, within the bTB endemic area, while accounting for imperfect detection and a suite of ecological processes potentially driving bTB spread.

Detection by all surveillance methods was low overall (posterior mean detection probabilities 0.01–0.03). Probability of bTB occurrence was 1.46 times as likely in the historical centre of the outbreak compared to outside. Deer density had a weakly positive effect on bTB spread.

The probability of a site being newly infected with bTB annually was low (posterior mean colonization probabilities 0.08–0.27), while the probability of persistence after initial infection was high (posterior mean persistence probability 0.67).

Synthesis and applications: We used three surveillance methods to estimate probability of presence and spread of a low‐prevalence pathogen at a landscape scale under incomplete sampling coverage. Our methods are relevant for determining spatial risk of any wildlife disease that is monitored using multiple methods of surveillance, which is important for prioritization of management actions.
Large‐scale facilitative effects for a single nurse shrub: Impact of the rainfall gradient, plant community and distribution across a geographical barrier
Authors: Velasco Nicolás , Soto‐Agurto Cristina , Carbone Lucas , Massi Cesar , Bustamante Ramiro , Smit Christian
Published: January 2024

Importance of nurse plants structuring plant communities is well‐appreciated at local scales, yet the effect of a single nurse on large scales has been neglected in analyses. So far, studies only use environmental gradients within one type of ecosystem and tend to generalize the nurse effects.

To assess how the effect of a single nurse species is modulated by different environmental settings, interactions between the shrub Vachellia caven and the surrounding plant communities were evaluated at 481 paired plots (outside vs. underneath the plant crown), in 39 sites across two distribution ranges, the Mediterranean west and the mostly subtropical east of the Andes Mountains (covering ca. 2 × 106 km2).

Cover, abundance and richness of perennial plants underneath and outside V. caven were used as response variables to estimate an index indicative of plant interactions (relative interaction index [RII]) and tested how this was affected by the rainfall gradient and distribution range.

Overall, RII responses to rainfall gradients had low conditional R2 (~0.25) in this large scale of analysis, but were significantly different between ranges: the RII followed a quadratic trend across the rainfall gradient in the western range, while this relationship was positive and close to linear at the eastern range.

Then, by projecting the RII models (i.e. for abundance, cover and richness) spatially through a consensus map, we show that most positive effects of V. caven are geographically found in dissimilar areas: the central part of Chile (western range) and across the Paraná River (eastern range).

When local fine‐scale predictors (i.e. annual herbs' cover and height, and herbivores' faeces cover) were used to model each response variable at the plot level (underneath or outside V. caven), we observed similar trends as when we considered only the large‐scale predictors.

Synthesis. Here, we show that the effect of the same nurse species on neighbouring plant communities can be very different depending on ranges of distribution, stressing that its ecological function cannot be generalized and not only depends on local factors but also is large‐scale context‐dependent.
A comparison of nickel and zinc uptake and translocation in three species of Brassicaceae: The Ni hyperaccumulator Odontarrhena corsica and two non‐hyperaccumulators, Aurinia saxatilis and Lobularia maritima
Authors: Mohtadi Ahmad , Schat Henk
Published: January 2024

The uptake and translocation of nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) were compared in hydroponics in three species of Brassicaceae, Lobularia maritima, Aurinia saxatilis, and Odontarrhena corsica at 2 and 10 μM Ni or Zn in the nutrient solution. Odontarrhena corsica, which is a known hyperaccumulator of Ni, but not of Zn, accumulated significantly more Ni in its roots and shoots than did L. maritima and A. saxatilis, which are both non‐hyperaccumulators. The Ni translocation factor and Ni uptake were by far the highest in O. corsica, compared to L. maritima and A. saxatilis. The Zn translocation factor was significantly higher in L. maritima than in A. saxatilis and O. corsica. In the 10‐μM Zn treatment, the Zn uptake was strongly and significantly higher in O. corsica than in L. maritima and A. saxatilis. Aurinia saxatilis is clearly an excluder, with low uptake and translocation, both for Ni and Zn. Of all the species, L. maritima showed by far the highest Zn translocation levels, both at 2 and 10 μM Zn in the nutrient solution (TF = ±0.4, compared to ±0.1 in A. saxatilis and O. corsica). Also its Ni translocation approached hyperaccumulator‐like level (TF = ±1), though only in the 10‐μM Ni treatment and still much lower than in O. corsica.
Gut microbiota variation across generations regarding the diet and life stage in Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Wang Yansong , Gao Ping , Qin Wenquan , Li Hongran , Zheng Jie , Meng Ling , Li Baoping
Published: January 2024

We attempt to determine the effect of the dietary switch from a native to non‐native prey on the gut microbiota in the predaceous ladybird Harmonia axyridis larvae and adults and examine how the dietary effect may vary across generations. We fed H. axyridis with different diets, native aphid Megoura japonica (Matsumura) versus non‐native mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley), for 5 generations and sequenced microbes in the gut of the 3rd instar larvae and adults of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th generations. In addition, we identified microbes in M. japonica and P. solenopsis. The 2 prey species differed in microbial community as measured by abundances of prevalent microbial genera and diversity. In H. axyridis, abundances of some prevalent microbial genera differed between the 2 diets in the 1st and 3rd generations, but the difference disappeared in the 5th generation; this tendency is more obvious in adults than in larvae. Overall, gut microbial assemblages became gradually cohesive over generations. Microbial diversity differed between diets in the 1st and 3rd generations but became similar in the 5th generation. Major prevalent gut microbial genera are predicted to be associated with metabolic functions of H. axyridis and associated genera are more abundant for consuming the mealybug than the aphid. Our findings from this study suggest that the gut microbiota in H. axyridis is flexible in response to the dietary switch, but tends toward homogeneity in microbial composition over generations.
A pan‐genomic approach reveals novel Sulfurimonas clade in the ferruginous meromictic Lake Pavin
Authors: Biderre‐Petit Corinne , Courtine Damien , Hennequin Claire , Galand Pierre E. , Bertilsson Stefan , Debroas Didier , Monjot Arthur , Lepère Cécile , Divne Anna‐Maria , Hochart Corentin
Published: January 2024

The permanently anoxic waters in meromictic lakes create suitable niches for the growth of bacteria using sulphur metabolisms like sulphur oxidation. In Lake Pavin, the anoxic water mass hosts an active cryptic sulphur cycle that interacts narrowly with iron cycling, however the metabolisms of the microorganisms involved are poorly known. Here we combined metagenomics, single‐cell genomics, and pan‐genomics to further expand our understanding of the bacteria and the corresponding metabolisms involved in sulphur oxidation in this ferruginous sulphide‐ and sulphate‐poor meromictic lake. We highlighted two new species within the genus Sulfurimonas that belong to a novel clade of chemotrophic sulphur oxidisers exclusive to freshwaters. We moreover conclude that this genus holds a key‐role not only in limiting sulphide accumulation in the upper part of the anoxic layer but also constraining carbon, phosphate and iron cycling.
Lessons from assembling UCEs: A comparison of common methods and the case of Clavinomia (Halictidae)
Authors: Bossert Silas , Pauly Alain , Danforth Bryan N. , Orr Michael C. , Murray Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2024

Sequence data assembly is a foundational step in high‐throughput sequencing, with untold consequences for downstream analyses. Despite this, few studies have interrogated the many methods for assembling phylogenomic UCE data for their comparative efficacy, or for how outputs may be impacted. We study this by comparing the most commonly used assembly methods for UCEs in the under‐studied bee lineage Nomiinae and a representative sampling of relatives. Data for 63 UCE‐only and 75 mixed taxa were assembled with five methods, including ABySS, HybPiper, SPAdes, Trinity and Velvet, and then benchmarked for their relative performance in terms of locus capture parameters and phylogenetic reconstruction. Unexpectedly, Trinity and Velvet trailed the other methods in terms of locus capture and DNA matrix density, whereas SPAdes performed favourably in most assessed metrics. In comparison with SPAdes, the guided‐assembly approach HybPiper generally recovered the highest quality loci but in lower numbers. Based on our results, we formally move Clavinomia to Dieunomiini and render Epinomia once more a subgenus of Dieunomia. We strongly advise that future studies more closely examine the influence of assembly approach on their results, or, minimally, use better‐performing assembly methods such as SPAdes or HybPiper. In this way, we can move forward with phylogenomic studies in a more standardized, comparable manner.
Prognostic factors and benefit populations of ovarian function suppression in premenopausal HR+/HER2+ early‐stage breast cancer patients who received trastuzumab: Evidence from a real‐world study with long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Ju Jie , Gao Song‐Lin , Wang Jia‐Yu , Sang Die , Kang Yi‐Kun , Wang Xue , Yue Jian , Shuai You , Qi Yi‐Xin , Yuan Peng
Published: January 2024

Background

Hormone receptor‐positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐positive (HER2+) breast cancer exhibits considerable heterogeneity, and it is of great interest whether patients with premenopausal HR+/HER2+ breast cancer treated with trastuzumab can benefit from ovarian function suppression (OFS) therapy similarly to HR+/HER2‐ breast cancer. Here, we conducted a real‐world study in this population to identify both who would derive substantial benefits from the addition of OFS and clinicopathological factors with potential prognostic value.

Methods

Multicenter data from 253 premenopausal patients with HR+/HER2+ early‐stage breast cancer who received trastuzumab from October 2009 to October 2018 were retrospectively included. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for survival analysis, while the log‐rank test was used to compare the survival rates. Univariate and multifactor Cox regression analyses were performed to analyze the independent risk factors affecting invasive disease‐free survival (IDFS).

Results

After a median follow‐up of 98.50 months, compared with tamoxifen/toremifene alone, tamoxifen/toremifene/aromatase inhibitors plus OFS demonstrated significant benefits in the overall study population (HR = 0.289, 95% CI: 0.100–0.835, p = 0.022, 8‐year IDFS rate: 90.78% vs. 95.54%), especially in the lymph node‐positive subgroup and age ≤40 years subgroup. Age ≤40 years, histological grade >2, lymph node involvement, PR ≤50%, and tamoxifen alone were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusions

For premenopausal HR+ breast cancer patients, HER2 positivity alone is an indication for the addition of OFS in adjuvant endocrine therapy. Age, histological grade, lymph node status, the expression of PR, and OFS treatment were independent prognostic factors in this population.
Marx, exploitation, and socioeconomic justice: Analytical and strategic possibilities
Authors: Lafferty George
Published: January 2024

Marx's concept of exploitation, developed in Capital, retains the laissez‐faire premises of classical liberal political economy, whereby capitalist wage labor denotes a contract between formally free, legally equal, employers and workers. Marx, though, inserts the political‐economic conflict between capitalists and workers over surplus value, rendering the concept distinctively ‘Marxist’. Both liberal economists and ‘free marketeer’ politicians had long since distanced themselves, to varying degrees, from the classical laissez‐faire construction, during the debates and campaigns leading to the UK's series of Factory Acts (1802–1853). A dialogue of socioeconomic justice had emerged, driven primarily by public outrage over employment conditions in the textiles industry. In engaging with this dialogue, Marx's critique of capitalist wage labor extends beyond the parameters of his own, political‐economic concept of exploitation, intersecting with other, moral‐economic critiques of capitalist wage labor. This paper examines these points of intersection, going on to evaluate the possibilities of analytical and strategic pluralism. It concludes by assessing the contemporary relevance of Marx's concept of exploitation: to what extent and in what ways might it retain analytical and strategic relevance, with respect to the achievement of socioeconomic justice?
Gig workers in precarious life: The trajectory of exploitation, insecurity, and resistance
Authors: Pankaj Ajeet Kumar , Jha Manish K.
Published: January 2024

The growing informal nature of employment in the gig economy does not only merely provide employment for many but also causes exploitation, insecurity, and exclusion from social security because of its informal status. Workers in gig work often go through long working hours, low wages, fear of losing their job, and insecurity which result in their precarious life condition. They experience vulnerabilities related to their employment, residency status, and unfamiliarity with local frameworks—labor law, health, and safety hazards at work which certainly highlights precarious life situations. Besides precarity, gig workers from poor socio‐economic backgrounds often experience discrimination and exclusion because of their social positioning in society. Therefore, the article tries to unfold their experiences of exploitation and insecurity, struggles, and challenges. Further, the article also examines the contemporary agitation and resistance of gig workers against the exploitative policies of aggregators and state measures to address the problem of gig workers in India.
Methods of induction of labor in women with obesity: A secondary analysis of two multicenter randomized controlled trials
Authors: Croll Dorothée M. R. , De Vaan Marieke D. T. , Moes Shinta L. , Bloemenkamp Kitty W. M. , Ten Eikelder Mieke L. G. , De Heus Roel , Jozwiak Marta , Kooiman Judith , Mol Ben Willem , Verhoeven Corine J. M. , De Boer Marjon A.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Obesity is an increasing public health concern worldwide and can lead to more complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Women with obesity more often require induction of labor for various indications. The aim of this study is to assess which method of induction of labor is safest and most effective in women with obesity.

Material and methods

This is a secondary analysis of two randomized controlled trials about induction of labor. Women with a term singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation, an unfavorable cervix, intact membranes and without a previous cesarean section were randomly allocated to cervical priming with a Foley catheter or vaginal prostaglandin‐E2‐gel (PROBAAT‐I) or a Foley catheter or oral misoprostol (PROBAAT‐II). The inclusion and exclusion criteria for the studies were identical. Induction methods were compared in women with obesity (body mass index ≥30.0). Main outcomes were cesarean section and postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss >1000 mL).

Results

A total of 2664 women, were included in the trials, 517 of whom were obese: 254 women with obesity received a Foley catheter, 176 oral misoprostol and 87 prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). A cesarean section was performed in 29.1% of women allocated to Foley vs 22.2% in the misoprostol and 23.0% in the PGE2 groups. Comparisons between groups revealed no statistically significant differences: the relative risk [RR] was 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–1.84) in the Foley vs misoprostol group and 1.27 (95% CI 0.83–1.95) in the Foley vs PGE2 group. The rates of postpartum hemorrhage were comparable (10.6%, 11.4% and 6.9%, respectively; P = 0.512). In women with obesity, more often a switch to another method occurred in the Foley group, (20.1% vs 6.3% in misoprostol vs 1.1% in the PGE2 group; P < 0.001). The risk of a failed Foley placement was higher in women with obesity than in women without obesity (8.3% vs 3.2%; adjusted odds ratio 3.12, 95% CI 1.65–5.90).

Conclusions

In women with obesity we found a nonsignificant trend towards an increased rate of cesarean sections in the group induced with a Foley catheter compared to oral misoprostol; however, the study lacked power for this subgroup analysis. The finding of a higher risk of failed placement of a Foley catheter in women with obesity can be used in shared decision making.
Repeat left ventricular‐assisted device exchange and upgrade from second‐ to third‐generation devices in a high‐volume single center
Authors: Kassi Mahwash , Avenatti Eleonora , Hoang Khanh‐Doan , Zook Salma , Yousafzai Rayan , Guha Ashrith , Bhimaraj Arvind , Chou Lin‐Chiang Philip , Suarez Erik E.
Published: January 2024

Background

Pump exchange is an established strategy to treat LVAD‐related complications such as thrombosis, infection, and driveline failure. Pump upgrades with an exchange to newer generation devices are being performed to the advantage of the patient on long‐term support. The safety and efficacy of a repeat LVAD exchange with a concomitant upgrade to a third‐generation pump have not been reported.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent a repeat LVAD device exchange and upgrade to HeartMate III (HMIII) at Houston Methodist Hospital between December 2018 and December 2020.

Results

Five patients underwent exchange and upgrade to HMIII within the specified timeframe. Four patients had already had two prior exchanges (all HMII to HMII), and one patient had one prior exchange (HVAD to HVAD). In all cases, implantation was performed as destination therapy. The surgical exchange was performed via redo median sternotomy on full cardiopulmonary bypass. No unplanned redo surgery of the device component was required. In‐hospital mortality was 20% in this very high‐risk population. At 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month follow‐up, all discharged patients were on HMIII support, with no major LVAD‐related adverse events reported.

Conclusion

We report the feasibility and safety of a repeat pump exchange with an upgrade to HMIII in a high‐volume center. The decision for medical therapy versus surgical exchange has to be tailored to individual cases based on risk factors and clinical stability but in expert hands, even a re‐redo surgical approach grants options for good medium‐term outcomes.
Evaluation of the management of intestinal perforation in very low birth infants, a 10‐year review
Authors: Raba Ali Ahmed , Coleman John , Cunningham Katie
Published: January 2024

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of peritoneal drainage and laparotomy in the management of intestinal perforation secondary to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation.

Methods

A retrospective review of all preterm infants (birthweight ≤1500 g) who underwent surgical intervention (peritoneal drainage and/or laparotomy) for intestinal perforation between March 2010 and March 2020.

Results

A total of 43 infants who underwent surgical intervention for intestinal perforation were included [19 (44%) with NEC and 24 (56%) with spontaneous intestinal perforation]. Peritoneal drainage was more commonly placed as the initial surgical procedure for management of spontaneous intestinal perforation compared with surgical NEC [23 (96%) vs. 11 (58%), p = 0.003]. Mortality was greater for infants who were initially managed with peritoneal drainage [11 (32%)] compared with those who underwent primary laparotomy [2 (22%), p = 0.5].

Conclusion

Initial surgical management of intestinal perforation is more often according to underlying pathology. Our data support primary laparotomy for infants with perforated NEC.
Outbreak of group B Streptococcus in a neonatal care unit confirmed by whole‐genome sequencing
Authors: Delettre Nicolas , Billion Elodie , Guyonnet Cécile , Jarreau Pierre‐Henri , Patkaï Juliana , Tazi Asmaa
Published: January 2024

Aim

Clusters of group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are poorly documented. We aimed to assess GBS cross‐transmission during an outbreak of GBS sepsis.

Methods

The study was carried out between October and November 2021 in a French University Hospital. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients with GBS sepsis were included. Clinical data were retrieved from electronic patient records. Group B Streptococcus isolates were characterized at the molecular level using capsular genotyping and whole‐genome sequencing (WGS).

Results

The outbreak of GBS sepsis affected three very preterm neonates with a gestational age of less than 26 weeks, including one recurrent male index case aged 26 days, and two female secondary cases aged 5 and 17 days. The microbiological investigation identified a GBS isolate of capsular type III and Sequence Type 17 as responsible for the four infectious episodes. Whole‐genome sequencing confirmed the identity between the isolates. The outbreak and the results of the microbiological investigations led to an immediate reinforcement of hygiene measures.

Conclusion

Clustered cases of GBS infections in NICU and horizontal transmission of the hypervirulent GBS Sequence Type 17 are likely underestimated. Prospective investigation of all nosocomial cases using WGS should contribute to improving vigilance regarding GBS cross‐transmission and infection prevention.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: Steatosis severity and subclinical atherosclerosis in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease
Authors: Jamalinia Mohamad , Zare Fatemeh , Noorizadeh Kiarash , Bagheri Lankarani Kamran
Published: January 2024

Background

Metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent liver condition recognised as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is ongoing debate regarding the effective strategy for cardiovascular risk assessment in MASLD.

Aim

To investigate the relationship between liver imaging, specifically focusing on the severity of steatosis and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods

We conducted a thorough search across four databases, from 1950 to April 2023, to identify eligible studies employing imaging to explore the relationship between different degrees of steatosis and subclinical atherosclerosis among MASLD. Additionally, we conducted a quality assessment using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale, performed a meta‐analysis employing the DerSimonian‐Liard random‐effects model, and conducted subgroup analyses for validation.

Results

In total, 19 studies, encompassing 147,411 middle‐aged individuals without previous CVD (74.94% male; mean age 45.53 years [SD 10.69]; mean BMI 24.3 kg/m2 [SD 3.35]), were included. The pooled odds ratio for subclinical atherosclerosis was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.13–1.41, I2 = 76.68%) in mild steatosis and significantly increased to 1.68 (95% CI: 1.41–2.00, I2 = 89.02%) in moderate to severe steatosis. Sensitivity analysis, focusing on high‐quality studies, consistently supported this finding and the results remained robust across subgroup analyses. Furthermore, meta‐regression revealed that a higher mean AST and ALT, alongside a lower mean HDL, were significant moderators of this association.

Conclusions

Even mild steatosis is associated with CVD risk, and steatosis severity further intensifies this association. These findings suggest that liver fat quantification enhances CVD risk stratification in patients with MASLD.
Ectogenesis and the value of gestational ties
Authors: Kennedy Susan
Published: January 2024

Ectogenesis technology would make it possible to support the complete gestational development of a human being outside the female body. Proponents argue that this technology offers a welcome opportunity to expand reproductive options for those unable or unwilling to gestate. However, by completely bypassing pregnancy, the use of ectogenesis prevents the formation of gestational family ties. Consequently, it has faced criticism for perpetuating a patriarchal view of the family that undermines the moral significance of gestation. The concern is that the introduction of this technology might result in the loss of reproductive autonomy for those who desire to experience pregnancy, as they face pressures to opt for ectogenesis instead. Existing accounts of family values define parents' rights to rear a child, but they fail to establish a right to gestate that can protect an individual's interest in bearing a child. To provide a more comprehensive account of family values, I argue that pregnancy involves a unique quality of intimacy and can make distinct contributions to one's flourishing. Based on this premise, I defend a fundamental moral right to gestate that can help safeguard the option of pregnancy for those who desire it. In conclusion, I consider how a prospective gestator need not provide optimal conditions for fetal development in the way that ectogenesis promises in order for their choice of pregnancy to be justified.
Employee financial participation and corporate social and environmental performance: Evidence from European panel data
Authors: Braam Geert , Poutsma Erik , Schouteten Roel , Heijden Beatrice van der
Published: January 2024

Compensation and benefit practices are mainly considered as instruments to align employee behaviour to an organization's strategic goals, such as economic outcomes. Going beyond this economic focus, this study examines whether and how employee financial participation, may drive corporate sustainability performance (CSP; i.e. social and environmental performance). We investigate the relationship between employee share ownership, stock option and profit‐sharing plans, on the one hand, and CSP, on the other hand. In addition, we investigate the relationship between narrow‐based employee share ownership plans (only eligible for top management) and broad‐based employee share ownership plans (all employees eligible), on the one side, and CSP, on the other side. Using a unique European panel dataset, the results indicate that companies with (broad‐based) employee share ownership plans portray higher CSP, while companies with profit‐sharing plans exhibit lower CSP when there is no share ownership plan present. Also, the positive effect of broad‐based employee share ownership plans on CSP is magnified when the employees own a larger stake in the company. The results indicate that employee share ownership increases stakeholder orientation, strengthening the mutual interests of the organization and employees to long‐term investments in terms of CSP, at the same time broadening their orientation to long‐term external stakeholders’ interests.
LINC00629, a HOXB4‐downregulated long noncoding RNA, inhibits glycolysis and ovarian cancer progression by destabilizing c‐Myc
Authors: Liu Jia , Zhu Yuan , Wang Huan , Han Chuanchun , Wang Yongpeng , Tang Ranran
Published: January 2024

Ovarian cancer (OC) cells typically reprogram their metabolism to promote rapid proliferation. However, the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the metabolic reprogramming of ovarian cancer, especially in glucose metabolic reprogramming, remains largely unknown. LINC00629 has been reported in our previous study to promote osteosarcoma progression. Upregulated LINC00629 was found to enhance the growth‐suppressive effect of apigenin on oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the precise function of LINC00629 in ovarian cancer development remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that LINC00629 was significantly downregulated in OC tissues and that low LINC00629 expression was associated with poor survival. Inhibition of LINC00629 was required for increased glycolysis activity and cell proliferation in ovarian cancer. In vivo, overexpression of LINC00629 dramatically inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis. Mechanistically, LINC00629 interacted with and destabilized c‐Myc, leading to its ubiquitination and proteasome degradation, further resulting in increased expression of downstream glycolysis‐related genes and glucose metabolic reprogramming in OC. Interestingly, HOXB4 bound to the LINC00629 promoter and inhibited its transcription, indicating that LINC00629 is a transcriptional target of HOXB4. Collectively, these findings establish a direct role for LINC00629 in suppressing glucose metabolism, and HOXB4/LINC00629/c‐Myc might serve as a potential biomarker and an effective therapeutic strategy for OC cancer treatment.
Achaete‐scute family bHLH transcription factor 2 activation promotes hepatoblastoma progression
Authors: Kato Yutaka , Fukazawa Takahiro , Tanimoto Keiji , Kanawa Masami , Kojima Masato , Saeki Isamu , Kurihara Sho , Touge Ryo , Hirohashi Nobuyuki , Okada Satoshi , Hiyama Eiso
Published: January 2024

Achaete‐scute family bHLH transcription factor 2 (ASCL2) is highly expressed in hepatoblastoma (HB) tissues, but its role remains unclear. Thus, biological changes in the HB cell line HepG2 in response to induced ASCL2 expression were assessed. ASCL2 expression was induced in HepG2 cells using the Tet‐On 3G system, which includes doxycycline. Cell viability, proliferation activity, mobility, and stemness were evaluated using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide, colony‐formation, migration, invasion, and sphere‐formation assays. Quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression of markers for proliferation (CCND1 and MYC), epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT; SNAI1, TWIST1, and ZEB1), mesenchymal‐epithelial transition (CDH1), and stemness (KLF4, POU5F1, and SOX9). Compared with the non‐induced HepG2 cells, cells with induced ASCL2 expression showed significant increases in viability, colony number, migration area (%), and sphere number on days 7, 14, 8, and 7, respectively, and invasion area (%) after 90 h. Furthermore, induction of ASCL2 expression significantly upregulated CCND1, MYC, POU5F1, SOX9, and KLF4 expression on days 2, 2, 3, 3, and 5, respectively, and increased the ratios of SNAI1, TWIST1, and ZEB1 to CDH1 on day 5. ASCL2 promoted the formation of malignant phenotypes in HepG2 cells, which may be correlated with the upregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway‐, EMT‐, and stemness‐related genes. ASCL2 activation may therefore be involved in the progression of HB.
Remimazolam attenuates inflammation in bronchopneumonia through the inhibition of NLRP3 activity by PDPK1 ubiquitination
Authors: Yang Min , Li Ling
Published: January 2024

Bronchopneumonia is the most common pneumonia in childhood. Therefore, we tested the effects of Remimazolam presented Bronchopneumonia and its possible mechanisms. Phillygenin increased survival rate, reduced W/D ratio, and lung injury score, and inhibited IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and INF‐γ levels in mice model of bronchopneumonia. Remimazolam induced PDPK1 and p‐AKT protein expressions, and suppressed NLRP3 protein expression in lung tissue of mice model. In vitro model, Remimazolam also induced PDPK1 and p‐AKT protein expressions, and suppressed NLRP3 protein expression. Remimazolam also inhibited inflammation levels in vitro model. PDPK1 inhibitor, PHT‐427 (100 mg/kg) reduced survival rate, increased W/D ratio and lung injury score, and promoted inflammation levels in mice model of bronchopneumonia by treated with Remimazolam. PHT‐427 suppressed PDPK1 and p‐AKT protein expressions and induced NLRP3 protein expression in mice model of bronchopneumonia by treated with Remimazolam. Remimazolam interlinked PDPK1 protein. Remimazolam increased the expressions of PDPK1 and p‐AKT in vitro model. Remimazolam reduced PDPK1 ubiquitination in vitro model.
An analysis of interagency collaboration: Lessons learned from Colorado's early intervention program
Authors: Ollerenshaw Lindsay V. , McManus Beth , Rapport Mary Jane , Perraillon Marcelo , Murphy Natalie J. , Magnusson Dawn
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to describe interagency collaboration in Part C Early Intervention (EI) programs.

Methods

Between 18 April and 9 May 2022, 48 EI service coordinators (SCs) from 14 programs in one state completed adapted versions of the Interagency Collaboration Activities Scale (IACAS) and Relational Coordination Survey (RCS). Assessing perceptions of shared structures (IACAS) and coordination quality (RCS), these combined measures summarized interagency collaboration with 11 organizations. Mean (SD) survey responses were estimated and ranked.

Results

Sample SCs represent a breadth of professional disciples and vary substantially in their current and desired collaborations. The quantity of SCs collaborating with organizations ranged from 0% to 98%. Nearly all (98%) reported collaborating with the school districts, few (15%) reported collaborating with insurance, and none reported collaborating with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The majority of SCs expressed desire to increase their collaborations with most of the listed organizations. The perceived quality of collaborations varied substantially at both individual and organizational levels. When comparing SC perceptions of shared structures and coordination quality, SCs reported more favourable collaborations with school districts (IACAS rank: first and RCS rank: first) and less favourable collaborations with insurance (IACAS rank: ninth and RCS rank: seventh). Some organizations rankings varied across both scales, including pediatric primary care (IACAS rank: third and RCS rank: eighth) and hospitals (IACAS rank: sixth and RCS rank: second). Overall, SCs reported low perceived existence of shared structures while coordination quality varied by organization. Opportunities for collaborative growth were identified.

Discussion

Despite its importance and required implementation in EI, perceptions of interagency collaboration varied substantially within and between EI programs. There is a suggested need to increase the quantity of SCs that collaborate and identified opportunities to increase the quality of collaborations that already exist.
Blended feeding in gastrostomy‐fed children—A scoping review
Authors: Doyle Carmel , Louw Julia , Shovlin Amanda , Dowd Laura , Kavanagh Maria
Published: January 2024

Background

Blended feeding has become increasingly prevalent in recent years with its practice gaining some momentum. With anecdotal reports of benefits and little evidence of harm in the literature regarding blended feeding, this scoping review was deemed important. The aim of this scoping review was to summarise the published evidence about blended feeding in gastrostomy‐fed children.

Method

The scoping review methodology used included searches in specific online databases: PUBMED, PsychINFO, CINAHL, SCOPUS, AMED and EMBASE for articles that addressed issues pertaining to blended feeds in gastrostomy‐fed children. Grey literature was also considered. Inclusion criteria included papers that pertained to information and research on blended feeding in gastrostomy‐fed children. Studies published in English over the past 11 years (2011–2022) were included. This resulted in 59 papers being included in this scoping review.

Results

Thematic analysis of the literature identified eight overall themes. It was clear that parents found blended feeding promoted the normalising of feeding, their own involvement in decision‐making around foods and promotion of a socially inclusive mealtime. The need for dietician and health professional input and support is key, whereas a lack of guidelines acts as a barrier to blended feeding. Furthermore, risks associated with blended feeding are identified but also the benefits to the physical well‐being of the child are considered.

Conclusion

The review was comprehensive in that it identified a broad range of literature, exploring the extent, range and nature of research activity related to the use of blended feeds. The lack of original research is a concern. However, it is expected this review will provide direction for researchers, and in particular inform policy and practitioners working in the field where blended feeds may be an option for gastrostomy‐fed children.
Investigating the perceptions and experiences of Canadian dentists on dental regulatory bodies' communications and guidelines during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: McLaughlin Kendra Jennie , Khanna Mehak , Allison Paul J. , Glogauer Michael , McNally Mary E. , Quiñonez Carlos , Rock Leigha , Siqueira Walter , Madathil Sreenath A.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Dental regulatory bodies aim to ensure the health and safety of dentists, dental staff patients and the public. An important responsibility during a pandemic is to communicate risk and guidelines for patient care. Limited data exist on the perceptions and experiences of dentists navigating new guidelines for mitigating risk in dental care during the pandemic. The objective of this study was to use a qualitative approach to explore how dentists in Canada experienced and perceived their regulatory bodies' communication about COVID‐19 risks and guidelines during the pandemic.

Methods

Participants were Canadian dentists (N = 644) recruited through the email roster of nine provincial dental associations or regulatory bodies. This qualitative analysis was nested within a prospective longitudinal cohort study in which data were collected using online questionnaires at regular intervals from August 2020 to November 2021. To address the objective reported in this paper, a conventional qualitative content analysis method was applied to responses to three open‐ended questions included in the final questionnaire.

Results

Participants encountered challenges and frustrations amid the COVID‐19 pandemic, grappling with diverse regulations and communications from dental bodies. While some bodies offered helpful guidance, many participants felt the need for improved communication on guidelines. Dentists urged for expedited, clearer and more frequent updates, expressing difficulty in navigating overwhelming information. Negative views emerged on the vague and unclear communication of COVID‐19 guidelines, contributing to confusion and frustration among participants.

Conclusion

As COVID‐19 persists and in planning for future pandemics, these experiential findings will help guide regulatory bodies in providing clear, timely and practical guidelines to protect the health and safety of dentists, dental staff, patients and the public.