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Major depressive disorder is associated with mitochondrial <i>ND6</i> T14502C mutation in two Han Chinese families

BACKGROUND Globally, the World Health Organization ranks major depressive disorder (MDD) as the leading cause of disability. However, MDD molecular etiology is still poorly understood. AIM To explore the possible association between mitochondrial ND6 T14502C mutation and MDD. METHODS Clinical data were collected from two pedigrees, and detailed mitochondrial genomes were obtained for the two proband members. The assessment of the resulting variants included an evaluation of their evolutionary conservation, allelic frequencies, as well as their structural and functional consequences. Detailed mitochondrial whole genome analysis, phylogenetic, and haplotype analysis were performed on the probands. RESULTS Herein, we reported the clinical, genetic, and molecular profiling of two Chinese families afflicted with MDD. These Chinese families exhibited not only a range of onset and severity ages in their depression but also extremely low penetrances to MDD. Sequence analyses of mitochondrial genomes from these pedigrees have resulted in the identification of a homoplasmic T14502C (I58V) mutation. The polymorphism is located at a highly conserved isoleucine at position 58 of ND6 and distinct mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms originating from haplogroups M10 and H2. CONCLUSION Identifying the T14502C mutation in two individuals with no genetic relation who exhibit symptoms of depression provides compelling evidence that this mutation may be implicated in MDD development. Nonetheless, the two Chinese pedigrees that carried the T14502C mutation did not exhibit any functionally significant mutations in their mtDNA. Therefore, the phenotypic expression of the T14502C mutation related to MDD may be influenced by the nuclear modifier gene(s) or environmental factors.

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Application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in metabolic alterations of prefrontal white and gray matter in depression adolescents

BACKGROUND Cases of depression among adolescents are gradually increasing. The study of the physiological basis of cognitive function from a biochemical perspective has therefore been garnering increasing attention. Depression has been hypothesized to be associated with the brain biochemical metabolism of the anterior cingulate gyrus, frontal lobe white matter, and the thalamus. AIM To explore the application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the metabolic alterations in the prefrontal white matter (PWM) and gray matter (GM) in adolescents with depression. METHODS 1H-MRS was performed for semi-quantitative analysis of the biochemical metabolites N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho) complexes, creatine (Cr), and myo-inositol (mI) in bilateral PWM, anterior cingulate GM, and thalami of 31 adolescent patients with depression (research group) and 35 healthy adolescents (control group), and the NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and mI/Cr ratios were calculated. Meanwhile, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Wechsler Memory Scale were used to assess the degree of depression and memory function in all adolescents. The correlation of brain metabolite levels with scale scores was also analyzed. RESULTS The research group had markedly higher HAMD-24 scores and lower memory quotient (MQ) compared with the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Adolescents with depression were found to have lower bilateral PWM NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios compared with healthy adolescents (P &lt; 0.05). The mI/Cr ratios were found to be similar in both groups (P &gt; 0.05). The bilateral anterior cingulate GM NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and mI/Cr also did not demonstrate marked differences (P &gt; 0.05). No statistical inter-group difference was determined in NAA/Cr of the bilateral thalami (P &gt; 0.05), while bilateral thalamic Cho/Cr and mI/Cr were reduced in teenagers with depression compared with healthy adolescents (P &lt; 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between the HAMD-24 scores in adolescents with depression with bilateral PWM NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr and were inversely linked to bilateral thalamic Cho/Cr and mI/Cr (P &lt; 0.05). In adolescents with depressions, MQ positively correlated with right PWH NAA/Cr, left PWH Cho/Cr, and bilateral thalamic Cho/Cr and mI/Cr. CONCLUSION PWM and thalamic metabolic abnormalities might influence teen depression, and the reduction in bilateral PWM NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr could be related to the neuropathology of adolescents with depression suffering from memory impairment. There exists a possibility of dysfunction of nerve cell membrane phospholipids in the thalami of adolescent patients with depression.

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Exploring the open-source impact on Bangladesh academic library service sustainability

Purpose This study investigates the impact of open-source software (OSS) on the sustainability of academic library services in Bangladesh. It aims to understand how OSS can address budget constraints, technological demands and the need for enhanced service delivery in these libraries. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth qualitative research approach was used, involving semi-structured interviews with library administrators, IT staff and librarians from various academic institutions across Bangladesh. Findings The study reveals that OSS adoption is primarily driven by financial imperatives and the need for flexible, customizable solutions tailored to specific institutional needs. Key benefits identified include significant cost savings, improved customization and flexibility of services and enhanced community support and collaboration. However, challenges such as a lack of in-house technical expertise, resistance to change among staff and stakeholders and inadequate IT infrastructure impede successful OSS implementation. Practical implications To harness the full potential of OSS, academic libraries must invest in capacity building through targeted training programs, improve IT infrastructure and foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the library community. These strategies are essential to overcoming existing barriers and ensuring long-term sustainability. Originality/value This research contributes to the understanding of OSS’s role in enhancing the sustainability of academic library services. It provides practical recommendations for academic libraries seeking to leverage OSS for improved service delivery and operational efficiency.

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Metastasis Detection Using True and Artificial T1-Weighted Postcontrast Images in Brain MRI

Objectives Small lesions are the limiting factor for reducing gadolinium-based contrast agents in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity and precision in metastasis detection on true contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1w) images and artificial images synthesized by a deep learning method using low-dose images. Materials and Methods In this prospective, multicenter study (5 centers, 12 scanners), 917 participants underwent brain MRI between October 2021 and March 2023 including T1w low-dose (0.033 mmol/kg) and full-dose (0.1 mmol/kg) images. Forty participants with metastases or unremarkable brain findings were evaluated in a reading (mean age ± SD, 54.3 ± 15.1 years; 24 men). True and artificial T1w images were assessed for metastases in random order with 4 weeks between readings by 2 neuroradiologists. A reference reader reviewed all data to confirm metastases. Performances were compared using mid-P McNemar tests for sensitivity and Wilcoxon signed rank tests for false-positive findings. Results The reference reader identified 97 metastases. The sensitivity of reader 1 did not differ significantly between sequences (sensitivity [precision]: true, 66.0% [98.5%]; artificial, 61.9% [98.4%]; P = 0.38). With a lower precision than reader 1, reader 2 found significantly more metastases using true images (sensitivity [precision]: true, 78.4% [87.4%]; artificial, 60.8% [80.8%]; P &lt; 0.001). There was no significant difference in sensitivity for metastases ≥5 mm. The number of false-positive findings did not differ significantly between sequences. Conclusions One reader showed a significantly higher overall sensitivity using true images. The similar detection performance for metastases ≥5 mm is promising for applying low-dose imaging in less challenging diagnostic tasks than metastasis detection.

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Unpacking curvilinear relationship of COVID-19 fear on job satisfaction and mental well-being: moderation of on-the-job embeddedness

PurposeOur study aims to investigate how the fear of COVID-19 affects job satisfaction and mental well-being. Additionally, we will explore the moderating role of on-the-job embeddedness in these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe study surveyed 358 Indian-origin IT professionals through Amazon Mechanical Turk. It used confirmatory factor analysis to analyze the measurement model and hierarchical linear regression in SPSS 21 software to examine the structural relationships between variables. A robustness check was conducted using the MODLR macro in SPSS to identify any spurious moderation.FindingsThe results reveal a curvilinear (or U-shaped) relationship between COVID-19 fear, job satisfaction and mental well-being. Further, on-the-job embeddedness linearly moderates the relationship between COVID-19 fear and job satisfaction and COVID-19 fear and mental well-being.Research limitations/implicationsThe research design is cross-sectional, so results reported about causal relationships are considered cautiously. The relationships involving the variables and their direction are because of the theory’s assumptions rather than the test of causal relationships between variables.Originality/valueThis is the first study to show that the relationship between COVID-19 fear and job satisfaction and COVID-19 fear and mental well-being is curvilinear (or U-shaped). Further, we are again the first to show that on-the-job embeddedness positively moderates the two relationships: COVID-19 fear – job satisfaction and COVID-19 fear – mental well-being. This is one of the few studies that employed MODLR macro to check for spurious moderation.

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Study on the correlation between abdominal infection and psychological stress in children based on nucleic acid detection

BACKGROUND Diagnosing and treating abdominal infection in children remains a challenge. Nucleic acid detection, as a rapid and accurate diagnosis tool, has great significance in this field. AIM To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal infection by nucleic acid detection and its possible correlation with psychological stress in children. METHODS A total of 50 pediatric patients diagnosed with abdominal infections between September 2020 and July 2021 were included in this study. Intra-abdominal pus samples were collected for pathogen culture, drug susceptibility testing, and broad-spectrum bacterial nucleic acid testing. Psychological stress, anxiety, depression, and coping styles were assessed using the coping with a disease (CODI) scale. RESULTS Based on susceptibility testing, a regimen of cefazoxime, piperacillin/tazobactam, and metronidazole or ornidazole achieved 100% effectiveness in treating appendicitis. Psychological assessments revealed a positive correlation between pressure level and both anxiety (r = 0.324, P = 0.001) and depressive disorders (r = 0.325, P &lt; 0.001). Acceptance and distancing as coping strategies were negatively correlated with anxiety and depression, while negative emotional responses were strongly associated with increased anxiety (r = 0.574, P &lt; 0.001) and depression (r = 0.511, P = 0.001). Coping strategies such as illusion and escape showed no significant correlation with emotional outcomes. CONCLUSION Nucleic acid testing helps in the diagnosis of abdominal infections in children, and also focuses on children's mental health.

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A definition of the body of knowledge for real estate: reconceptualizing the discipline and delineating the jurisdictions of its practice

PurposeFollowing calls at different times in the United States for the definition of the body of knowledge (BOK) of real estate discipline, this briefing sets out to define the intellectual boundaries of real estate and applies the definitional concept to map out the scopes of real estate professions and real estate valuation vocationDesign/methodology/approachThe study essentially uses a literature review to draw out definitional issues that have been tackled before. It reviews calls that have been made in the past for a definition of the BOK of the real estate discipline. Further, it reviews past attempts at definition to reveal why they failed at the definition project.FindingsThe study found three key suggestions made in the past: that there is a need to define real estate’s BOK, that there is a need to use a “central structure” to define the BOK of real estate, and that definition of the BOK of real estate should rely on the activity nodes that constitute real estate. The study has relied on these three key ideas to define real estate as the science of value creation, distribution and sustenance in built space.Practical implicationsThe definition of the BOK will help in curriculum development for real estate education. It will help faculties and departments to single out what fits into the real estate curriculum and what does not fit in.Originality/valueA definition of the BOK for real estate: reconceptualizing the discipline and delineating jurisdictional boundaries of its practice.

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Understanding impulse buying in interest-based e-commerce: the role of content creativity

PurposeThe popularisation of user-generated content has boosted the integration of social media with online retail, especially in the emerging context of interest-based e-commerce (IBEC). As the content brings new incentives for consumers’ impulsivity in consumption, it remains unclear understanding of the mechanism of impulse buying in IBEC from the current literature. This study aims to examine how content creativity encourages impulse buying intention though attitude, and whether the effect is moderated by consumers’ online shopping experience.Design/methodology/approachThis study administered a two-wave online survey to a purposive sample of 286 consumers with shopping experience in Douyin. The hypotheses and a moderated-mediation effect were tested using structural equation modelling in Mplus8.3.FindingsThe empirical results revealed that content creativity, including dual dimensions of relevance and divergence, can drive positive attitude towards platforms through the direct effect of subjective norm and mediation effect through perceived usefulness, which induces an urge to buy impulsively. The mediation effect is further moderated by consumers’ online shopping experience in IBEC.Originality/valueThis study expands the stream of impulse buying research in retailing by proposing a context of IBEC and bringing empirical evidence of the relationship between content and consumers’ urge to buy. The study provides strategic insights for retailers to achieve marketing value by managing consumers’ impulse purchases in IBEC.

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