Direct Association Research Articles

Preschool Teachers' Cognitions, Emotions, and Tolerance toward Children's Hypothetical Social Behaviors in the Classroom.

Teachers' tolerance toward children's social behaviors is, in part, guided by teachers' cognitions and emotions. Few studies have examined the associations between teachers' cognitions, emotions, and tolerance toward children's social behaviors. This study aimed to (1) describe the cognitions, emotions, and tolerance of Portuguese preschool teachers toward children's shy, physically and relationally aggressive, rough-and-tumble play, exuberant, and unsociable behaviors at preschool, depending on children's sex; and (2) examine the direct and indirect associations (via teachers' emotions) between teachers' cognitions and tolerance toward children's social behaviors, depending on children's sex. One hundred and seven preschool teachers completed the Child Behaviors Vignettes. Preschool teachers displayed more negative views toward children's physical and relational aggression, reported positive perspectives toward children's rough play and mixed attitudes toward children's exuberance, and differentiated shy from unsociable behaviors. Direct associations between teachers' cognitions and tolerance were found only for physical aggression. Teachers' anticipation of negative peer costs and academic performance appear to exert an indirect influence on teachers' tolerance toward physical aggression and unsociability, via increased levels of worry. These findings highlight the role of teachers' emotions for tolerance toward children's social behaviors and the need to enhance their self-awareness.

The Association of HIV-1 Neutralization in Aviremic Children and Adults with Time to ART Initiation and CD4+/CD8+ Ratios.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) bind and neutralize diverse HIV isolates and demonstrate protective effects in primate models and humans against specific isolates. To develop an effective HIV vaccine, it is widely believed that inducing these antibodies is crucial. However, the high somatic hypermutation in bnAbs and the limited affinity of HIV Env proteins for bnAb germline precursors suggest that extended antigen exposure is necessary for their production. Consequently, HIV vaccine research is exploring complex sequential vaccination strategies to guide the immune response through maturation stages. In this context, the exploration of the factors linked to the generation of these antibodies across diverse age groups becomes critical. In this study, we assessed the anti-HIV-1 neutralization potency and breadth in 108 aviremic adults and 109 aviremic children under 15 years of age who were receiving ART. We used a previously described minipanel of recombinant viruses and investigated the factors associated with neutralization in these individuals. We identified individuals in both groups who were capable of neutralizing viruses from three different subtypes, with greater cross-neutralization observed in the adult group (49.0% vs. 9.2%). In both groups, we observed an inverse association between neutralization breadth and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio, as well as a direct association with the time to ART initiation. However, we found no association with time post-infection, cumulative ART duration, or CD8+ cell levels. The present study demonstrates that children receiving antiretroviral therapy generate broadly neutralizing responses to HIV-1, albeit with lower magnitude compared to adults. We also observed that neutralization breadth is associated with CD4+/CD8+ levels and time to treatment initiation in both children and adults living with HIV-1. Our interpretation of these results is that a delay in ART initiation could have prolonged the antigenic stimulation associated with viral replication and thus facilitate the capacity to elicit long-lasting broadly neutralizing responses. These results corroborate prior findings that show that HIV-1-neutralizing responses can persist for years, even at low antigen levels, implying an HIV-1 vaccine may induce lasting neutralizing antibody response.

AN INVESTIGATION OF MACROECONOMIC FACTORS ON NON-PERFORMING LOANS: A STUDY BASED ON COMMERCIAL BANKS OF PAKISTAN

Following privatisation, Pakistan's banking industry grew and is now one of the main drivers of the country's economy. Nonetheless, the sector is vulnerable to a number of hazards, the most important of which is credit risk. This risk appears when borrowers fail to make their loan payments on schedule, which leads to non-performing loans. In order to maintain their operational, liquidity, and profitability position, banks must manage these loans. This study looks into how the nation's economic circumstances, inflation, and interest rates affect non performing loans. Time-series data analysis is used, and secondary data covering the last ten years (2008–2017) is used. The study looks at the link between the independent and dependent variables using a multivariate linear regression model. Non-performing loans are the dependent variable, whereas interest rates, inflation, and the nation's economic status (as indicated by GDP) are the independent factors. The study found that the non-performing loans of Pakistani commercial banks are significantly influenced by all three variables. On the other hand, there is an inverse relationship between inflation, GDP, and NPL, whereas there is a direct association between interest rates and NPL. The study's findings will assist Pakistan's banking industry in lowering the percentage of non performing loans.

Different epistemic stances for different traumatic experiences: implications for mentalization.

Traumatic experiences may impair reflective functioning (RF), making it difficult for individuals to understand their own and others' mental states. Epistemic trust (ET), which enables evaluating social information as reliable and relevant, may vary in association with RF. In this study, we explored the implications of different ET stances (i.e., trust, mistrust, and credulity) in the relation between different childhood traumatic experiences (i.e., emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect) and different types of RF impairments (uncertainty and certainty about mental states). A non-clinical community sample of 496 cisgender emerging adults (mage = 24.91, standard deviation = 2.66, 71.85% assigned female at birth, 63.63% heterosexual) reported on their childhood traumatic experiences, ET, and RF. We used structural equation models to examine direct and indirect associations. The results showed significant indirect effects between emotional abuse and uncertainty about mental states through credibility. We also observed significant indirect effects between emotional abuse and certainty about mental states through mistrust and credibility. The findings suggest that a lack of discrimination when evaluating knowledge from others (i.e., credulity) might promote increased uncertainty in RF when emerging adults have experienced emotional abuse in their childhood. Conversely, a tendency to view all information sources as unreliable or ill-intentioned (i.e., mistrust) may foster greater certainty in RF as a protective mechanism against an unreliable and potentially harmful world when combined with childhood emotional abuse. The implications for clinical practice and intervention are discussed.

Determining pathways of effect between correlates and outcomes of transport-related physical activity at differing timepoints across the lifecourse: A structural equation modelling approach

Transport-related physical activity levels differ across the lifecourse; however, the nature of these differences is poorly understood. This study examined the relationship between correlates of transport-related physical activity and how they differ in strength, pathway, and direction across the lifecourse. Structural Equation Modelling assessed relationships between correlates (e.g., age, smoking, education) and transport-related physical activity (assessed via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire) at four timepoints of the Australian Childhood Determinants of Adult Health study: childhood (7-15y; n = 6302), early-adulthood (26-36y; n = 2700), early/mid-adulthood (31-41y; n = 1649), and mid-adulthood (36-49y; n = 1794). Several pathways were consistent across the lifecourse. Self-rated health directly associated with transport-related physical activity across all timepoints. During adulthood greater body mass index and smoking frequency were indirectly associated with lower levels of transport-related physical activity via self-rated health; similarly, lower educated adults, who smoked more frequently, and had poorer health, had lower transport-related physical activity. Urban residence was directly associated with greater transport-related physical activity in childhood and early-adulthood; having more children in early/mid- and mid-adulthood was directly associated with less transport-related physical activity.This is the first study to report pathways of direct and indirect association between correlates and transport-related physical activity at key lifecourse stages. The pathways highlighted can inform policy and practice to aid in the development of age-specific lifecourse interventions.

Biophysical basis of filamentous phage tactoid-mediated antibiotic tolerance in P. aeruginosa

Inoviruses are filamentous phages infecting numerous prokaryotic phyla. Inoviruses can self-assemble into mesoscale structures with liquid-crystalline order, termed tactoids, which protect bacterial cells in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms from antibiotics. Here, we investigate the structural, biophysical, and protective properties of tactoids formed by the P. aeruginosa phage Pf4 and Escherichia coli phage fd. A cryo-EM structure of the capsid from fd revealed distinct biochemical properties compared to Pf4. Fd and Pf4 formed tactoids with different morphologies that arise from differing phage geometries and packing densities, which in turn gave rise to different tactoid emergent properties. Finally, we showed that tactoids formed by either phage protect rod-shaped bacteria from antibiotic treatment, and that direct association with a tactoid is required for protection, demonstrating the formation of a diffusion barrier by the tactoid. This study provides insights into how filamentous molecules protect bacteria from extraneous substances in biofilms and in host-associated infections.

Rigidez carotídea y riesgo de eventos vasculares y mortalidad: el estudio REGICOR

Introduction and objectivesThe aims of this study were to determine the dose-response association of carotid arterial stiffness with vascular outcomes and overall mortality, and to assess their added predictive capacity. MethodsPopulation-based cohort study including 6468 individuals, with a median follow-up of 6.5 years. Six carotid artery stiffness indices were assessed: strain, stiffness, Peterson elasticity coefficient, compliance coefficient, distensibility coefficient, and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Incident coronary, cerebrovascular, global vascular, and total fatal events were identified. ResultsCarotid compliance and distensibility coefficients were not associated with any of the outcomes. Carotid stiffness, Peterson elasticity coefficient, and PWV showed a direct linear relationship to cerebrovascular disease: the risk increased by 8% (95%CI, 1-16) per stiffness unit increase, by 7% (95%CI, 2-13) per 10-unit Peterson elasticity coefficient increase, and by 26% (95%CI, 8-48) per PWV unit increase. Carotid strain showed a nonlinear association with ischemic heart disease. When strain was ≤ 0.09 units, each 0.01-unit increase was associated with a 15% lower risk of coronary events (95%CI,−33 to 6); above 0.09 units, each 0.01 increase in strain was associated with a 16% higher risk of coronary events (95%CI, 6-27). The addition of the stiffness indices did not improve the predictive capacity of validated risk functions. ConclusionsCarotid stiffness, Peterson elasticity coefficient, and PWV have a direct linear association with cerebrovascular disease risk. Carotid strain is not linearly related to U-shaped ischemic heart disease risk. The inclusion of these indexes does not improve the predictive capacity of risk functions.

Embracing the industrial revolution: the impact of technological advancements and government policies on tourism development in Oman

ABSTRACT This study explores the potential effects of technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence and other Fourth Industrial Revolution innovations, on the development of the tourism sector in Oman. By employing a sample of 304 respondents, this research uncovers the relationships between community participation, smart tourism infrastructure, governmental policies, and technologically advanced tourism development. We provide a detailed demographic analysis of the respondents and ascertain their preferences regarding tourist destinations and trips. Our study employs the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, and the analysis reveals significant direct and indirect associations between the variables. We find substantial evidence that community participation and smart tourism infrastructure positively impact governmental policies and technologically advanced tourism development. Additionally, government policies significantly influenced the development of a technologically advanced tourism sector. Importantly, we also demonstrate the mediating role of governmental policies in the relationships between community participation, smart tourism infrastructure, and technologically advanced tourism development. These findings suggest that Oman can drive sustainable growth in its tourism sector by embracing technological innovations, harnessing community participation, optimizing tourism infrastructure, and implementing effective governmental policies. This will position Oman as a leading technologically advanced tourist destination, attracting tech-savvy tourists and providing a balanced, enriching experience for visitors and local communities.

Early insulin resistance in normoglycemic low-risk individuals is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis

BackgroundElevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is associated with a higher burden of subclinical atherosclerosis (SA). However, the association with SA of earlier insulin resistance markers is poorly understood. The study assessed the association between the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and SA in addition to the effect of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in individuals with normal HbA1c.MethodsA cohort of 3,741 middle-aged individuals from the Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis (PESA) study with basal HbA1c < 6.0% (< 42 mmol/mol) and no known CV disease underwent extensive imaging (multiterritorial vascular ultrasound and coronary artery calcium score, CACS) to assess the presence, burden, and extent of SA.ResultsIndividuals with higher HOMA-IR values had higher rates of CVRFs. HOMA-IR showed a direct association with the multiterritorial extent of SA and CACS (p < 0.001) and with global plaque volume measured by 3-dimensional vascular ultrasound (p < 0.001). After adjusting for key CVRFs and HbA1c, HOMA-IR values ≥ 3 were associated with both the multiterritorial extent of SA (odds ratio 1.41; 95%CI: 1.01 to 1.95, p = 0.041) and CACS > 0 (odds ratio 1.74; 95%CI: 1.20 to 2.54, p = 0.004), as compared with the HOMA-IR < 2 (the reference HOMA-IR category). In a stratified analysis, this association remained significant in individuals with a low-to-moderate SCORE2 risk estimate (75.6% of the cohort) but not in high-risk individuals.ConclusionsThe use of HOMA-IR identified low-risk individuals with a higher burden of SA, after adjusting for the effects of key traditional CVRFs and HbA1c. HOMA-IR is a simple measure that could facilitate earlier implementation of primary CV prevention strategies in clinical practice.

Unlocking sustainable success: Strategic approaches to carbon neutrality

This study aims to fill a significant research gap by examining the relationship between resource bricolage, dynamic capabilities (DC), stakeholder engagement, and carbon neutrality (CN) commitment in organizations facing resource constraints. While previous studies have explored various factors influencing CN commitment, limited attention has been given to the role of bricolage and the mediating role of DC in this relationship. Additionally, the boundary conditions of environmental justice orientation (EJO) and stakeholder responsiveness toward environmental uncertainty (SREU) in achieving CN commitments have yet to be extensively investigated. We developed a comprehensive conceptual model based on the resource-based view (RBV), DC theory, and stakeholder theory to address these gaps. Collecting data from 342 Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) firms using a time-lag approach, we empirically tested the proposed associations using structural equation modeling (SEM). Our findings reveal several noteworthy insights. First, contrary to expectations and prior studies, we found no direct association between bricolage and CN commitment. However, DC mediates the indirect effect of bricolage on firm CN commitment. Second, we identified a significant interaction effect, indicating that a proactive EJO enhances a firm's ability to navigate a changing environment and strengthens its CN commitment. Third, we discovered that SREU negatively moderates the relationship between DC and CN commitment. Overall, this study contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on the multifaceted nature of achieving CN commitments and the importance of DC, stakeholder engagement, and EJO. The practical implications of our findings highlight the need for organizations operating under resource constraints to integrate bricolage and DC while considering stakeholder concerns and fostering environmental justice principles.

The important role of mothers during displacement: Direct and indirect effects of the refugee context on Syrian refugee children's mental health.

Refugee children are at increased risk for mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress, depression, and externalizing problems. The refugee environment, maternal mental health, and parenting may reduce or exacerbate that risk. This study investigated their direct and indirect associations with child mental health cross-sectionally in a sample of Syrian refugee child-mother dyads in Lebanon in 2017-19. Mediating pathways were tested using structural equation modeling with 1446 dyads (child: Mage = 11.39, 52.1% females) and again 1 year later with 872 (child: Mage = 12.17, 53.1% females) of the original sample. Mediating pathways from the refugee environment through maternal mental health and parenting to child outcomes were detected, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to refugee mental health.

The bidirectional associations between caregiver and child symptoms in the parent-led treatment stepping together for children after trauma

BackgroundAn innovative approach to child trauma treatment in which caregivers are allocated treatment tasks has shown promising results, but less is known about the bidirectional associations between caregiver and child symptoms during treatment. MethodsEighty-two child-caregiver dyads who participated in the parent-led therapist-assisted Stepping Together for Children after Trauma (ST-CT) were included (child age: 7–12 years, mean = 9.9 years). Caregivers' emotional reactions and anxiety/depression and children's posttraumatic stress (PTS) and depression were assessed pretreatment, mid-treatment, and posttreatment. We investigated the possible directional associations between caregivers' emotional reactions and anxiety/depression and children's PTS and depression using random intercept cross-lagged panel models. ResultsSymptoms improved in both caregivers and children. Lower levels of caregiver emotional reactions at pretreatment predicted improved child PTS at mid-treatment; lower levels of caregiver emotional reactions at mid-treatment predicted improved child depression at posttreatment; and lower levels of child PTS at mid-treatment predicted improved caregiver emotional reactions at posttreatment. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that caregivers and children can impact each other's responses to a parent-led child trauma-focused treatment. Notably, children with caregivers who were less affected by their own emotional reactions exhibited greater improvement in both PTS and depression. Supporting the caregivers may benefit both children and caregivers. Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04073862; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04073862.

Insomnia among female flight attendants: Related factors and its association with mental health.

Sleep and mental health are very important in the aviation industry. Reports show that gender is one of the risk factors of insomnia, and most Asian flight attendants are female. Therefore, it is necessary to understand insomnia, and the correction to mental health among female flight attendants. To investigate the prevalence of insomnia in female flight attendants and its association with mental health. We used a cross-sectional design. We recruited 412 female flight attendants with more than 3 months of working experience. We collected the socio-demographic and work-related data, measured insomnia and mental health by the Athens Insomnia and Brief Symptom Rating Scales. Descriptive statistics, single-factor analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling were performed to analyze the relationships. There are 45.4% of female flight attendants having insomnia, and 24.8% had suspicious insomnia. The most considerable and serious insomnia problem was falling asleep (15.3%, 4.9%). Factors related to insomnia include smoking, drinking, family load (e.g., housekeeping and caring for family), economic stress and late-night/early morning workdays during last month. Also, insomnia had a direct association with mental health (T = 17.11, p < 0.001). We found that insomnia is negatively correlated with the above factors and mental health. We recommend that airline industries can run their sleep-education programs and provide relevant mental-health-promotion programs for flight attendants.

Lipid profile parameters in men with coronary heart disease in different age categories in connection with sex hormone level

Aim of the study was to investigate the main components of the lipid spectrum of blood serum in patients with coronary artery disease, depending on the level of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and age.Material and methods. We examined 161 men aged 35–65 years (median [lower quartile; upper quartile] 53.1 [40.1; 59.4] years) with a history of myocardial infarction more than 30 days before inclusion in the study. Patients were divided into groups by age (35–55 and 56–65 years), as well as according to the content of sex hormones: T ≥ 12 nmol/l and T &lt; 12 nmol/l, E2 ≥ 0.194 nmol/l and E2 &lt; 0.194 nmol/l with double determination.Results. Of the studied components of the lipid profile, the greatest number of significant changes in men with coronary artery disease in different groups, depending on age and levels of sex steroids, had triglyceride (TG) level. In men aged 35–55 and 56–65 years with hypogonadism, TG concentration was higher compared to peers with normal androgen levels. In the older age group, relatively younger male patients, both when comparing a cohort of men with low T and with its normal values, TG content was also higher. In groups of patients with T level &gt; 12 nmol/l and ≤ 12 nmol, when controlling for height and body weight, there is a statistically significant direct association of age in men of 56–65 years with TG concentration (r = 0.483, p = 0.023 and r = 0.549, p = 0.008, respectively). It was found that in patients with coronary artery disease in the age groups of 35–55 years and 56–65 years with E2 content ≥ 0.194 nmol/l, the TG level was higher than in men with normal estrogen concentration (p = 0.008 and p = 0.033, respectively). In a partial correlation analysis with control of height and body weight in men aged 35–55 years with coronary artery disease, a statistically significant relationship was found between the level of E2 ≥ 0.194 nmol/l and TG content (r = 0.566, p = 0.009), a similar relationship independent of anthropometric parameters was verified and in the older age group (r = 0.316, p = 0.011). In a multivariate analysis, the level of TG was determined by E2 concentration, the other variables under consideration did not statistically significantly affect it.Conclusions. Hypogonadism in men in each age group studied is associated with elevated TG content. A significant role in the development of hypertriglyceridemia in men is played by hyperestrogenemia in both age groups, being an independent, independent of androgenic status, proatherogenic factor.

Machine learning analyses reveal circadian clock features predictive of anxiety among UK biobank participants

Mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, affect almost one-fifth of the world’s adult population and are becoming increasingly prevalent. Mutations in circadian clock genes have previously been associated with mood disorders both directly and indirectly through alterations in circadian phase, suggesting that the circadian clock influences multiple molecular pathways involved in mood. By targeting previously identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have been implicated in anxiety and depressive disorders, we use a combination of statistical and machine learning techniques to investigate associations with the generalized anxiety disorder assessment (GAD-7) scores in a UK Biobank sample of 90,882 individuals. As in previous studies, we observed that females exhibited higher GAD-7 scores than males regardless of genotype. Interestingly, we found no significant effects on anxiety from individual circadian gene variants; only circadian genotypes with multiple SNP variants showed significant associations with anxiety. For both sexes, severe anxiety is associated with a 120-fold increase in odds for individuals with CRY2_AG(rs1083852)/ZBTB20_TT(rs1394593) genotypes and is associated with a near 40-fold reduction in odds for individuals with PER3-A_CG(rs228697)/ZBTB20_TT(rs1394593) genotypes. We also report several sex-specific associations with anxiety. In females, the CRY2/ZBTB20 genotype combination showed a > 200-fold increase in odds of anxiety and PER3/ZBTB20 and CRY1 /PER3-A genotype combinations also appeared as female risk factors. In males, CRY1/PER3-A and PER3-B/ZBTB20 genotype combinations were associated with anxiety risk. Mediation analysis revealed direct associations of CRY2/ZBTB20 variant genotypes with moderate anxiety in females and CRY1/PER3-A variant genotypes with severe anxiety in males. The association of CRY1/PER3-A variant genotypes with severe anxiety in females was partially mediated by extreme evening chronotype. Our results reinforce existing findings that females exhibit stronger anxiety outcomes than males, and provide evidence for circadian gene associations with anxiety, particularly in females. Our analyses only identified significant associations using two-gene combinations, underscoring the importance of combined gene effects on anxiety risk. We describe novel, robust associations between gene combinations involving the ZBTB20 SNP (rs1394593) and risk of anxiety symptoms in a large population sample. Our findings also support previous findings that the ZBTB20 SNP is an important factor in mood disorders, including seasonal affective disorder. Our results suggest that reduced expression of this gene significantly modulates the risk of anxiety symptoms through direct influences on mood-related pathways. Together, these observations provide novel links between the circadian clockwork and anxiety symptoms and identify potential molecular pathways through which clock genes may influence anxiety risk.

The effect of elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D content as a new mechanism of atherogenesis

Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of elevated level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on surfactant protein SP-A and SP-D content in blood, as a new factor of atherogenesis, in men and women in Novosibirsk.Materials and methods. The study included 174 people (87 men and 87 women), residents of Novosibirsk, aged 45 to 69 years. An anthropometric examination, measurement of blood pressure, determination of the lipid spectrum, blood glucose and surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D content (enzyme immunoassay).Results. According to the results of the examination, 82 examined persons (47.1 %) were included in the group with LDL-C content &gt; 3.0 mmol/l(main group), 92 – in the group with LDL-C content ≤ 3.0 mmol/l (comparison group) (52.9 %). The value of high SP-A and SP-D content (upper quartile) was determined, which amounted to ≥ 1413 pg/ml SP-A in men and ≥ 1649 pg/ml in women, and ≥ 1772 ng/ml SP-D in men and ≥ 1626 ng/ml in women. It was found that in the main group, the body weight of the examined persons was lower than in the comparison group, and high SP-A level was more common (p = 0.033). In the total sample a direct association of upper quartile SP-A level with LDL-C content &gt; 3.0 mmol/l was revealed (p = 0.021). Using multivariate analysis, it was found that LDL-C concentration &gt; 3.0 mmol/l is an independent factor that directly affects the dependent variable the presence of high SP-A level in general totality of examined individuals (odds ratio 2.20, 95 % confidence interval 1.05–4.62, p = 0.036).Conclusions. In men and women of Novosibirsk, aged 45–69 years, high blood SP-A level (≥ 1413 pg/ml in men and ≥ 1649 pg/ml in women) occurs more often at LDL-C content &gt; 3.0 mmol/l than at LDL-C level ≤ 3.0 mmol/l. In the total sample of the examined persons, a direct association of high SP-A with LDL-C content &gt; 3.0 mmol/l was revealed, and using multivariate analysis it was found that LDL-C concentration &gt; 3.0 mmol/l directly affects the presence of high blood SP-A level and increases the probability of this event by 2.2 times.

The Safe Return of Face-to-Face Teaching in the Post-COVID-19 Era at a University in Southern Italy: Surface Monitoring as an Early Warning System

Environmental monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 has become a useful adjunct to clinical testing because it is widely available and relatively inexpensive. During the period May–December 2022 (spring–summer: May–September–autumn: October–December), we assessed the presence and viability of the virus on surfaces in university settings in the Apulia region (Southern Italy) after the resumption of face-to-face teaching activities and evaluated surface monitoring as an early warning system. The sampling plan provided for the selection of 75% of the surface types (e.g., student and teacher desks, computer, handrail) in different materials (plasticized wood, wood, metal, plastic) present in different environments. Overall, 5.4% of surfaces (all students’ desks) resulted in positive with RT-PCR and negative with viral culture. Greater contamination was found in the spring–summer period than in the autumn (χ2 test with Yates correction = 7.6003; p-value = 0.006). The Poisson regression model showed a direct association between the average number of COVID-19 cases among university students in the seven days following sampling and the percentage of SARS-CoV-2 positive swabs on sampling day and (Intercept = 5.32498; β = 0.01847; p &lt; 0.001). Our results show that environmental monitoring for SARS-CoV-2, especially in crowded settings such as universities, could be a useful tool for early warning, even after the end of the COVID-19 emergency.

Machiavellianism and affective commitment as predictors of unethical pro-organization behavior: exploring the moderating role of moral disengagement

PurposeA growing number of organizational scandals, including Apple slowing old devices to increase the sales of new ones, and research on unethical pro-organization behaviors (UPBs) have heightened the need to explore the phenomenon. Extending the current understanding, the study's major purpose is to investigate individual-level factors that may shape their willingness to engage in UPBs. It also inquires whether moral disengagement processes influence this association.Design/methodology/approachAfter testing the reliability and validity of the latent constructs and ensuring common method bias did not contaminate the data, the study used the PLS-SEM approach to analyze the primary data collected from 408 full-time Pakistani employees.FindingsResults add to the current understanding by revealing that individual-level dark factor Machiavellianism (MACH) significantly influences employees' willingness to engage in UPBs. Accordingly, affective commitment is another individual-level factor that encourages employees to be a part of UPBs. Lastly, results unveil that employees with a higher moral disengagement are more prone to engage in UPBs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study measured employees' willingness or intentions to engage in UPBs, not their actual involvement.Practical implicationsResults clarify to the top management that individuals high on MACH, affective commitment and moral disengagement are more prone to be involved in UPBs.Originality/valueThis study is among the preliminary ones that assess the direct associations between MACH, affective commitment, and UPBs, especially in the Pakistani context. Moreover, exploring the moderating role of moral disengagement between the above associations is also an under-researched phenomenon.

CILP-1 Is a Biomarker for Backward Failure and Right Ventricular Dysfunction in HFrEF.

CILP-1 regulates myocardial fibrotic response and remodeling and was reported to indicate right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in pulmonary hypertension (PH) and heart failure (HF). This study examines CILP-1 as a potential biomarker for RVD and prognosis in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients on guideline-directed medical therapy. CILP-1 levels were measured in 610 HFrEF patients from a prospective registry with biobanking (2016-2022). Correlations with echocardiographic and hemodynamic data and its association with RVD and prognosis were analyzed. The median age was 62 years (Q1-Q3: 52-72), 77.7% of patients were male, and the median NT-proBNP was 1810 pg/mL (Q1-Q3: 712-3962). CILP-1 levels increased with HF severity, as indicated by NT-proBNP and NYHA class (p < 0.0001, for both). CILP-1 showed a weak-moderate direct association with increased left ventricular filling pressures and its sequalae, i.e., backward failure (LA diameter rs = 0.15, p = 0.001; sPAP rs = 0.28, p = 0.010; RVF rs = 0.218, p < 0.0001), but not with cardiac index (CI) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). CILP-1 trended as a risk factor for all-cause mortality (crude HR for 500 pg/mL increase: 1.03 (95%CI: 1.00-1.06), p = 0.053) but lost significance when it was adjusted for NT-proBNP (adj. HR: 1.00 (95%CI: 1.00-1.00), p = 0.770). No association with cardiovascular hospitalization was observed. CILP-1 correlates with HFrEF severity and may indicate an elevated risk for all-cause mortality, though it is not independent from NT-proBNP. Increased CILP-1 is associated with backward failure and RVD rather than forward failure. Whether CILP-1 release in this context is based on elevated pulmonary pressures or is specific to RVD needs to be further investigated.

Comparison of the gut fungal communities among Hooded crane (Grus monacha), Greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons), and Bean goose (Anser fabalis) at Shengjin Lake, China

The gut microbes regulate a variety of essential functions in avian hosts. Gut microbes are crucial for understanding avian specie’s ecological role and potential impact on the ecosystem. A wide range of factors shape the gut microbial diversity and communities in avian hosts, including similarity in genotype and shared evolutionary history, particularly in two closely related host species than distinctly related hosts. In this study, high-throughput sequencing methods were applied to compare and study the similarities and differences in the gut fungal communities of two geese from the same genus Anser, Greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons, WG), Bean goose (Anser fabalis, BG) with Hooded crane (Grus monacha, HC) sympatric in overlapping niches at Shengjin lake, China. Our findings supported our hypothesis that the two closely related geese shared similar gut fungal alpha diversity patterns compared to Hooded cranes due to similarity in genotype and evolutionary history. In particular, the fungal community composition in the gut of Greater white-fronted goose showed larger variation relative to the other two species. This result suggested that dietary preferences might regulate the gut fungal communities, as Hooded crane and Bean goose share parallel dietary preferences. The results of the abundance null deviation model showed higher values of null deviation (NDV) in Greater white-fronted goose and Bean goose, indicating that the two closely related goose species might be associated with more robust gut filtering for their fungal community relative to Hooded crane species. The fungal co-occurrence networks were complex, with higher stability in the two congeneric geese species relative to Hooded crane. Moreover, 29 animal fungal putative pathogens were identified with high diversity and relative abundance in the two congeneric geese due to their complex migration patterns compared with Hooded cranes. However, due to niche overlap, direct or indirect association may lead to the dissemination of gut microbes among sympatric avian species. These findings have important implications for ecological research, conservation efforts, and wildlife health management. Moreover, these findings illuminate potential ecological and conservation repercussions and increase our understanding of the complex interactions between avian species and their gut flora.