Positive Association Research Articles

Organisational Dynamics of University Social Capital: Developing Constructs Through Factor Analysis

<p style="text-align:justify">This study is designed to illuminate the role of four key constructs—teacher-student relationships, peer networks, satisfaction with support services, and employability trust—in shaping the social capital within universities. Utilising a sample of 1902 working students derived from the Eurostudent VII survey data, this research applies both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to validate the proposed model. The findings indicate that all four constructs demonstrate statistically significant and positive associations with university social capital. Crucially, the measures of reliability and validity are within an acceptable range, lending credibility to the findings. The teacher-student relationship was found to be the most influential factor, highlighting its crucial value in the functioning of social capital inside universities. Along with providing a framework for future studies on the ever-changing nature of social capital in universities, the results highlight the significance of cultivating an interconnected academic community, which enriches the educational organisation as a whole.</p>

Psychometric Properties of the Thai Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and Thai Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents (GADIS-A)

ABSTRACT The present study examined psychometric properties of the Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents (GADIS-A), among Thai university students. A convenience sample of university students (n = 612) completed an online survey. . A one-factor structure for GDT, and a two-factor structure for GADIS-A were confirmed . Omega coefficients for both scales were acceptable. . There were positive significant associations between the assessed scales and other related measures indicating convergent validity. Appropriate fit indices were found (across gender and daily time spent gaming supporting measurement invariance. The GDT and GADIS-A are appropriate instruments to assess gaming disorders among Thai university students. .

Circulating Levels of T-Cell Traits and the Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) represents a rare and potentially fatal neurodegenerative disease. Diverse T-cell subsets could potentially exert diametrically opposite impacts upon ALS development. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between 244 T-cell subsets and ALS risk. Genetic instrumental variables were procured from a standard genome-wide association study (GWAS) that encompassed 244 T-cell subsets in 3757 individuals of European lineage. ALS-related data were collected from a GWAS comprising 20,806 ALS instances and 59,804 European control participants. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed to verify the robustness of the significant results. Reverse MR analysis was used for delineating the effects of ALS on the characteristics of T-cells. After multiple comparison corrections, 24 out of the 244 subtypes demonstrated a potential association with ALS risk. Significantly, 75% of these associations encompassed the expression of the CD3 on diverse T-cell subtypes, revealing a highly consistent inverse relation to ALS risk. The proportion of T regulatory cells (Tregs) in CD4+ T cells and secreting Tregs in CD4+ T cells demonstrated negative associations with the risk of ALS. CCR7 expression on naive CD4+ T cells and CCR7 expression on naive CD8+ T cells showed positive associations with ALS risk. Certain T-cell subsets, particularly those identified by CD3 expression on terminally differentiated CD8+ T cells, proportions of Tregs, and CCR7 expression, indicated an association with ALS risk. These findings harmonize with and extend previous observational studies investigating the involvement of T lymphocyte subset-induced immunological processes in ALS.

Barriers and misconceptions hindering reduction of intestinal schistosomiasis in Mbita Sub-County, Western Kenya

BackgroundCommunity and individual participation are crucial for the success of schistosomiasis control. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of enhanced sanitation, health education, and Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in the fight against schistosomiasis. These approaches rely on the knowledge and practices of the community to be successful; however, where the community knowledge is low and inappropriate, it hinders intervention efforts. Hence, it is essential to identify barriers and misconceptions related to awareness of schistosomiasis, sources of infection, mode of transmission, symptoms, and control measures.MethodsThis was a mixed-method cross-sectional study involving 1200 pre-school children randomly selected and examined for Schistosoma mansoni infection using the Kato-Katz technique. All parents/guardians of selected children were enrolled for a pre-tested questionnaire survey, while 42 were engaged in focus group discussions (FGDs). The level of knowledge and awareness among parents/guardians about schistosomiasis was evaluated in relation to the infection status of their pre-school children.ResultsAmong pre-school children, the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 45.1% (95% CI 41.7–48.5). A majority of parents/guardians (85.5%) had heard about schistosomiasis, and this awareness was associated with the participant’s level of education (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.08, 0.34). In addition, a positive association was observed between higher educational attainment and knowledge of the causative agent (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.49, 0.96). Low education level was significantly associated with limited knowledge of transmission through lake water contact (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.52, 0.97) and infection from the lake (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.19, 0.57). Notably, parents/guardians who have heard of schistosomiasis could not recognize symptoms of S. mansoni infection, such as abdominal pain (91.8%, 815/888) and blood in the stool (85.1%, 756/888). Surprisingly, 49.8% (442/888) incorrectly identified hematuria (blood in urine), a key sign of S. haematobium, but not S. mansoni, in an endemic area for S. mansoni infection. The majority (82.6%, 734/888) of parents/guardians were unaware that dams are potential infection sites, despite 53.9% (479/888) of their pre-school-aged children testing positive for schistosome infection.ConclusionsDespite the high level of awareness of intestinal schistosomiasis in the study area, we identified a low level of knowledge regarding its causes, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms and potential sites of transmission within the community. This study emphasizes the need for targeted educational interventions to address the misconceptions and knowledge gaps surrounding intestinal schistosomiasis through tailored community-based programs.

Associations of the Serum KL-6 with Severity and Prognosis in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

As a biomarker of alveolar-capillary basement membrane injury, Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is involved in the occurrence and development of pulmonary diseases. However, the role of the KL-6 in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) has yet to be elucidated. This prospective study was designed to clarify the associations of the serum KL-6 with the severity and prognosis in patients with AECOPD. This study enrolled 199 eligible AECOPD patients. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded. Follow-up was tracked to evaluate acute exacerbation and death. The serum KL-6 concentration was measured via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum KL-6 level at admission was higher in AECOPD patients than in control subjects. The serum KL-6 concentration gradually elevated with increasing severity of AECOPD. Pearson and Spearman analyses revealed that the serum KL-6 concentration was positively correlated with the severity score, monocyte count and concentrations of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, uric acid, and lactate dehydrogenase in AECOPD patients during hospitalization. A statistical analysis of long-term follow-up data showed that elevated KL-6 level at admission was associated with longer hospital stays, an increased risk of future frequent acute exacerbations, and increased severity of exacerbation in COPD patients. Serum KL-6 level at admission is positively correlated with increased disease severity, prolonged hospital stay and increased risk of future acute exacerbations in COPD patients. There are positive dose-response associations of elevated serum KL-6 with severity and poor prognosis in COPD patients. The serum KL-6 concentration could be a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in AECOPD patients.

Causality of Genetically Determined Metabolites on Chronic Kidney Disease: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study In Silico.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with metabolic disorders. However, the evidence for the causality of circulating metabolites to promote or prevent CKD is still lacking. Methods: The two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to evaluate the latent causal relationship between the genetically proxied 486 blood metabolites and CKD. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for exposures were derived from 7824 European GWAS on metabolite levels, which have been extensively utilized in the medical field to elucidate the mechanisms underlying disease onset and progression. The random inverse variance weighted (IVW) is the primary analysis for causality analysis while MR-Egger and weighted median as complementary analyses. For the further identification of metabolites, reverse MR and linkage disequilibrium score regression were performed for further evaluation. The drug target for N-acetylornithine was subsequently supplemented into the analysis, with MR and colocalization analysis being utilized. Key metabolic pathways were identified via MetaboAnalyst 4.0 (https://www.metaboanalyst.ca/) online website. Results: N-acetylornithine was identified as a reliable metabolite that increases the susceptibility to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decrease (β = 0.047; 95% confidence interval: -0.068 to -0.026; PIVW = 1.5E-5). The "glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism" pathway showed significant relevance to CKD development (P = 6E-4), whereas the "glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism" pathway was also recognized as associated with CKD by general practitioners (P = 7E-4). Colocalization analysis revealed a robust genetic link between N-acetylornithine and both CKD and eGFR, with 85.1% and 99.4% colocalization rates, respectively. IVW-MR analysis substantiated these findings with a significant positive association for CKD (odds ratio = 1.43, P = 4.7E-5) and a negative correlation with eGFR (b = -0.04, P = 1.13E-31). Conclusions: MR was utilized to explore the potential causal links between 61 genetic serum metabolites and CKD. N-acetylornithine and NAT8 were further explored as a potential therapeutic target for CKD treatment.

The impact of nutrition on psycho-affective status in an older Cretan population: a cross-sectional study.

Cognitive and mood status influence both personal and social daily activities, with great impact on life quality, particularly among the elderly population. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the psycho-affective status concerning eating habits within an elderly population of the Chania area in Crete, Greece. Cognitive status was assessed in 101 elderly subjects through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and mood was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Nutritional status was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable statistical analysis, after adjustment for age, marital status, education, and comorbidity, highlighted among males a positive association of the MMSE score with vegetable consumption (RR 1.18; 95%CI 1.03‒1.34) and a negative association with potato consumption (RR 0.83; 95%CI 0.72‒0.95). Conversely, among females, no statistically significant association was observed for any food. Further, among males, a protective effect on affective status was identified for chicken meat (RR 0.45; 95%CI 0.27‒0.77), fish (RR 0.41; 95%CI 0.21‒0.82), fruit (RR 0.70; 95%CI 0.52‒0.94), cereals (RR 0.67; 95%CI 0.53‒0.87), and cheese (RR 0.78; 95%CI 0.63‒0.97) consumption. Among females, the adjusted model showed a significant detrimental effect of vegetable consumption (RR 1.33; 95%CI 1.02‒1.73). A predominantly vegetable-based diet-with the notable exception of fruits and legumes-was associated with better cognitive status in males, albeit not in females. A higher intake of fruit, as well as fish, chicken meat, and cheese among males was associated with a better affective status, indicating that adequate protein supply may play a role in maintaining emotional balance.

Hydrogen gas inhalation ameliorates LPS-induced BPD by inhibiting inflammation via regulating the TLR4–NFκB–IL6/NLRP3 signaling pathway in the placenta

IntroductionHydrogen (H2) is regarded as a novel therapeutic agent against several diseases owing to its inherent biosafety. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has been widely considered among adverse pregnancy outcomes, without effective treatment. Placenta plays a role in defense, synthesis, and immunity, which provides a new perspective for the treatment of BPD. This study aimed to investigate if H2 reduced the placental inflammation to protect the neonatal rat against BPD damage and potential mechanisms.MethodsWe induced neonatal BPD model by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 µg) into the amniotic fluid at embryonic day 16.5 as LPS group. LPS + H2 group inhaled 42% H2 gas (4 h/day) until the samples were collected. We primarily analyzed the neonatal outcomes and then compared inflammatory levels from the control group (CON), LPS group and LPS + H2 group. HE staining was performed to evaluate inflammatory levels. RNA sequencing revealed dominant differentially expressed genes. Bioinformatics analysis (GO and KEGG) of RNA-seq was applied to mine the signaling pathways involved in protective effect of H2 on the development of LPS-induced BPD. We further used qRT-PCR, Western blot and ELISA methods to verify differential expression of mRNA and proteins. Moreover, we verified the correlation between the upstream signaling pathways and the downstream targets in LPS-induced BPD model.ResultsUpon administration of H2, the inflammatory infiltration degree of the LPS-induced placenta was reduced, and infiltration significantly narrowed. Hydrogen normalized LPS-induced perturbed lung development and reduced the death ratio of the fetus and neonate. RNA-seq results revealed the importance of inflammatory response biological processes and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway in protective effect of hydrogen on BPD. The over-activated upstream signals [Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), Caspase1 (Casp1) and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome] in LPS placenta were attenuated by H2 inhalation. The downstream targets, inflammatory cytokines/chemokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, IL-1β, C–C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1)], were decreased both in mRNA and protein levels by H2 inhalation in LPS-induced placentas to rescue them from BPD. Correlation analysis displayed a positive association of TLR4-mediated signaling pathway both proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in placenta.ConclusionH2 inhalation ameliorates LPS-induced BPD by inhibiting excessive inflammatory cytokines and chemokines via the TLR4–NFκB–IL6/NLRP3 signaling pathway in placenta and may be a potential therapeutic strategy for BPD.

Surprise!-Clarifying the link between insight and prediction error.

The AHA experience, a moment of deep understanding during insightful problem-solving involving feelings of certainty, pleasure, and surprise, has captivated psychologists for more than a century. Recently, a new theoretical framework has proposed a link between the AHA experience and prediction error (PE), a popular concept in decision-making and reinforcement learning. This framework suggests that participants maintain a meta-cognitive prediction about the time it takes to solve a problem and the AHA experience arises when the problem is solved earlier than expected, resulting in a meta-cognitive PE. In our preregistered online study, we delved deeper into this idea, investigating whether prediction errors also pertain to participants' predictions regarding the solvability of the problem itself, and which dimension of the AHA experience aligns with the meta-cognitive PE. Utilizing verbal insight problems, we found a positive association between the AHA experience and the meta-cognitive PE, specifically in regards to problem solvability. Specifically, the element of surprise, a critical AHA dimension, emerged as a key indicator of the meta-cognitive PE, while other dimensions-such as pleasure, certainty, and suddenness-showed no signs for similar relationships, with suddenness exhibiting a negative correlation with meta-cognitive PE. This new finding provides further evidence that aspects of the AHA experience, surprise in particular, correspond to a meta-cognitive PE. The finding also underscores the multifaceted nature of this phenomenon, linking insights with learning theories and enhancing our understanding of this intriguing phenomenon.

Dark Tetrad personality traits, paraphilic interests, and the role of impulsivity: an EEG-study using a Go/No-Go paradigm

Maladaptive personality traits, such as ‘dark personalities’ are found to result in a diverse set of negative outcomes, including paraphilic interests and associated (illegal) behaviors. It is however unclear how these are exactly related, and if related, if then only those individuals higher on dark personality traits and higher impulsivity engage in paraphilic behaviors. In the current study, 50 participants were recruited to investigate the relationship between Dark Tetrad personality traits (i.e., narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism and everyday sadism), paraphilic interests (arousal and behavior) and the moderating role of impulsivity. Personality and paraphilic interests were investigated through self-report questionnaires. Impulsivity was measured both through self-reported dysfunctional impulsivity and the P3 event related potential using electroencephalography during the Go/No-Go task (i.e. response inhibition). The results showed that there was a positive association between psychopathy, sadism and paraphilic interests. Whereas everyday sadism was associated with paraphilic (self-reported) arousal, psychopathy was associated with paraphilic behavior. Although P3 amplitude was not associated with paraphilic interests, self-reported dysfunctional impulsivity was associated with paraphilic behavior specifically. However, there was no moderating role of dysfunctional impulsivity and response inhibition (P3) in the relationship between psychopathy and paraphilic behavior. Findings indicate that the relation between specific dark personalities and paraphilic interests may be more complex than initially thought. Nevertheless, risk assessment and intervention approaches for paraphilia and related behavior both may benefit from incorporating Dark Tetrad and impulsivity measurements.

Prognostic and chemotherapeutic implications of a novel four-gene pyroptosis model in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common cancers. Chemotherapy remains one dominant therapeutic strategy, while a substantial proportion of patients may develop chemotherapeutic resistance; therefore, it is particularly significant to identify the patients who could achieve maximum benefits from chemotherapy. Presently, four pyroptosis genes are reported to correlate with the chemotherapeutic response or prognosis of HNSCC, while no study has assessed the combinatorial predicting efficacy of these four genes. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the predictive value of a multi-gene pyroptosis model regarding the prognosis and chemotherapeutic responsiveness in HNSCC. Methods By utilizing RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and the Gene Expression Omnibus database, the pyroptosis-related gene score (PRGscore) was computed for each HNSCC sample by performing a Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) based on four genes (Caspase-1, Caspase-3, Gasdermin D, Gasdermin E). The prognostic significance of the PRGscore was assessed through Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses. Additionally, chemotherapy sensitivity stratified by high and low PRGscore was examined to determine the potential association between pyroptosis activity and chemosensitivity. Furthermore, chemotherapy sensitivity assays were conducted in HNSCC cell lines in vitro. Results As a result, our study successfully formulated a PRGscore reflective of pyroptotic activity in HNSCC. Higher PRGscore correlates with worse prognosis. However, patients with higher PRGscore were remarkably more responsive to chemotherapy. In agreement, chemotherapy sensitivity tests on HNSCC cell lines indicated a positive association between overall pyroptosis levels and chemosensitivity to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil; in addition, patients with higher PRGscore may benefit from the immunotherapy. Overall, our study suggests that HNSCC patients with higher PRGscore, though may have a less favorable prognosis, chemotherapy and immunotherapy may exhibit better benefits in this population.

Associations between anthropometry, body composition, and body image in athletes: a systematic review

IntroductionPoor body image is a potent risk factor for disordered eating and eating disorders. Athletes are a population at increased risk for eating disorders despite reports of lower body image concerns compared to non-athletes. Body size and composition may influence an athlete’s susceptibility to poor body image.MethodsFive electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) were searched to systematically evaluate the literature regarding the association between body measures (i.e., anthropometric and body composition indicators) and body image in athletes. The systematic review was completed following PRISMA guidelines and 27 cross-sectional studies were identified for inclusion and evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies.ResultsStudies differed in methodological assessment of anthropometry or body composition (i.e., self-reported versus researcher-measured), methods for evaluating aspects of body image, geographic location, and sport type. Higher body mass index (BMI) or percent body fat (%BF) was significantly associated with greater body dissatisfaction in 16 of 22 studies (72.7%). Positive associations between body measures and aspects of negative body image were most consistently observed among studies that assessed BMI based on self-reported heights and weights, while significant associations between body composition measures (e.g., %BF, fat mass, fat-free mass) were less common. Four of seven studies assessing relationships between BMI and an aspect of positive body image reported significant inverse relationships, while three revealed insignificant associations.DiscussionOverall, higher BMI and body fat were associated with body dissatisfaction among athletes. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings within focused populations and utilizing body composition methods (e.g., bioelectrical impedance techniques).Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42023446518.

Determinants of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs in Montreal, Canada.

Limited data exists on psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs (PWUD). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of severe psychological distress (PD) among PWUD in Montreal around the beginning of the pandemic. We conducted a rapid assessment study from May to December 2020 among PWUD recruited via a community-based cohort of people who inject drugs in Montreal (Hepatitis C cohort [HEPCO], N = 128) and community organisations (N = 98). We analysed self-reported data on changes in drug use behaviours and social determinants since the declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency, and assessed past-month PD using the Kessler K6 scale. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine correlates of PD distress (score ≥13). Of 226 survey participants, a quarter (n = 56) were screened positive for severe PD. In multivariable analyses, age (1-year increment) (adjusted odds ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval [0.90, 0.98]) and a decrease in non-injection drug use versus no change (0.26 [0.07, 0.92]) were protective against severe PD, while positive associations were found for any alcohol use in the past 6 months (3.73 [1.42, 9.78]), increased food insecurity (2.88 [1.19, 6.93]) and both moving around between neighbourhoods more (8.71 [2.63, 28.88]) and less (3.03 [1.18, 7.74]) often compared to no change. This study documented a high prevalence of severe PD among PWUD during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with pre-COVID-19 data. Social determinants such as food insecurity and mobility issues, alongside demographic and substance use-related factors, were linked to distress. Evidence-based risk mitigation strategies for this population could reduce negative consequences in future pandemics or disruptions.

Assessing the causality of interferon‐γ and its receptor 1/2 with systemic lupus erythematosus risk using genetic data

AbstractBackgroundThe interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) signaling pathway is activated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to assess the causal association between IFN‐γ, IFN‐γ receptor 1 (IFN‐γR1), and IFN‐γR2 and SLE using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) design.MethodsGenetic instruments for exposure to IFN‐γ, IFN‐γR1, and IFN‐γR2 were derived from a large genome‐wide association study (GWAS) that included a sample size of 3301 participants. Instrumental variables for SLE were selected from another independent GWAS analysis comprising 5201 cases and 6099 controls with European ancestry. Bidirectional two‐sample MR was performed using inverse variance weighting, MR‐Egger regression, and weighted median methods. A series of sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results.ResultsThe inverse variance weighting showed that IFN‐γ had a positive causal association with the risk of SLE (odd ratio [OR] = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.47, p = 0.018). IFN‐γR2 levels were not associated with SLE risk after adjustment for multiple comparisons (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73–0.99, p = 0.034). No genetic association was also detected between IFN‐γR1 and SLE (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.79–1.19, p = 0.768). Evidence from bidirectional MR did not support reverse causality. The weighted median regression also showed directionally similar estimates.ConclusionHigher levels of IFN‐γ are significantly associated with an increased risk of SLE, providing insights into the pathogenesis of SLE.

Fever lasting 48 hours as a predictive factor of ESBL-producing bacteria in non-critically ill patients with urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most prevalent urological condition worldwide. Choosing appropriate antibiotics for patients who have fever before receiving a culture result is challenging. This retrospective study enrolled patients 394 patients hospitalized at Gangneung Asan Hospital for UTI from May 2017 to April 2021. Fever at 48 h of hospitalization was the analysis point, as this is when the response to antibiotic therapy manifest, although the results of antibiogram are not available. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the correlation between ESBL producing bacteria (EPB) and fever at 48 h. Overall, 36.3% of patients had EPB and 27.9% had fever at 48 h. In multivariate analysis, a significant positive association was found between EPB and fever (odds ratio 1.17, 95% CI 1.05–1.30, P = 0.004) Female had negative association with multivariate model (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73–0.94, P = 0.004). Diabetes did not demonstrate a significant association with EPB. (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.99–1.22, P = 0.072). Fever at 48 h is associated with EPB and could be considered a predictive factor for EPB infection in patients with UTI. Antibiotic escalation may be considered in patients with fever at 48 h.

Pretransplant Parathyroidectomy in Patients with Severe Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Long-Term Effectiveness After Kidney Transplantation.

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the best option for patients with end-stage renal disease, but recipients still have legacy bone mineral disease from the pretransplant period, especially patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT). Patients who had severe sHPT and underwent KT were analyzed retrospectively. Two groups were identified (patients with severe sHPT who had parathyroidectomy or calcimimetic before KT). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the first year and last follow-up at the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Persistent hyperparathyroidism (perHPT) incidence was significantly higher in the calcimimetic group (75% vs. 40%, p=0.007). In patients with parathyroidectomy, BMDs were higher at femoral neck (0.818±0.114 vs. 0.744±0.134, p=0.04) and lumbar spine (1.005±0.170 vs. 0.897±0.151, p=0.01) at the first assessment. The BMD comparison between patients treated with parathyroidectomy and calcimimetic found a significant difference only in the femoral neck at second evaluation (0.835±0.118 vs. 0.758±0.129; p=0.03). In multivariate, linear regression revealed a positive association between the last BMD of the femoral neck with body mass index (CC: 0.297, 95% CI, 0.002-0.017) and parathyroidectomy (CC: 0.319, 95% CI, 0.021-0.156). Parathyroidectomy is associated with a significantly better femoral neck BMD and a lower incidence of perHPT in patients with severe sHPT.

Work-life balance strategies and employees’ engagement in the food and beverage industry in rivers state

This study explores the nexus between work-life balance (WLB) strategies and employees’ engagement (EE) within the food and beverage (F&B) industry. Employing a quasi-experimental design, data was gathered from 165 employees across selected F&B organizations using a closed-ended Likert-type scale questionnaire. Data analysis via Pearson’s Product Moment correlation (PPMC) statistical technique revealed a positive and significant relationship between the dimensions of work-life balance (WLB) strategies and measures of employees’ engagement (EE) within the food and beverage (F&B) industry. Specifically, the results indicate a robust positive and significant correlation between Work interference with personal life (WIPL) and the measures of employees’ engagement: employees’ emotional engagement (EEE) and employees’ behavioral engagement (EBE), with values ranging from 0.894 to 0.881 respectively. Additionally, personal life interference with work (PLIW) demonstrates a notable positive correlation with the measures of employees’ engagement, attributing to 72.5% to 83.5% of emotional and behavioral engagement, respectively. Furthermore, work enhancement of personal life (WEPL) initiatives and personal life enhancement of work (PLEW) initiatives exhibited very strong positive associations with the measures of employees’ engagement, explaining up to 74% to 85% of emotional and behavioral engagement, respectively. These findings corroborate prior research, highlighting the significance of addressing Work-Life Balance issues to bolster employees’ engagement levels. Practically, the study underscores the importance for managers in the Food and Beverage to prioritize strategies that mitigate work-life interference, such as flexible scheduling and family-friendly policies, to foster higher EE levels. Tailored initiatives and training programs should be implemented to address specific WLB aspects identified within organizations, while fostering open communication channels to identify areas for improvement. By prioritizing WLB and supporting employee well-being, managers can cultivate a more engaged and productive workforce, ultimately contributing to organizational success. Other theoretical and practical implications for promoting WLB and fostering employees’ engagement in the Nigerian workplace are also discussed.

Genetic variations of bread wheat varieties for bread‐making quality traits in moisture stressed areas of Wollo, Ethiopia

AbstractIn Ethiopia, wheat variety development has traditionally prioritized yield and disease resistance over bread‐making quality. To address this gap, our study evaluated 22 Ethiopian bread wheat varieties across six locations during the 2015/2016 season, utilizing a randomized complete block design with three replications. Various quality traits, including 1000‐kernel weight (TKW), hectoliter weight (HLW), Perten hardness index (HI), single kernel weight (SKW), single kernel diameter (SKD), grain protein content (PC), wet gluten (WG), Zeleny value (ZV), and starch content (SC), were analyzed. Significant effects of varieties, locations, and their interactions on these traits were observed (p < 0.01). Madawalabu, Danda'a, and Mekelle‐4 displayed superior TKW (>40 g), while Menze and Bolo exhibited higher HLW. HI values ranged from 82.8% in Sofumar to 35.5% in Mekelle‐3, indicating diverse grain hardness. Favorable milling traits were observed with SKW values exceeding 30 mg and SKD surpassing 2.5 mm. Genotype and location influenced PC (9.5%–11.0%) and WG content (21.6%–25.2%), meeting bread‐making requirements. ZV ranged from 21.9% to 31%, and SC varied from 64% to 68%, reflecting changes in starch concentration between varieties. Varietal performance varied, with Madawalabu, Menze, and Bolo showing promise. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations among HLW, SKD, SKW, TKW, PC, WG, and ZV, and a negative correlation with SC. These insights provide a foundation for targeted breeding strategies to enhance specific attributes crucial for optimal bread quality, contributing valuable information to wheat breeding programs.

Does corporate governance report disclosure increase stock retirement? Evidence from Korea

This study examines the influence of the mandatory disclosure of corporate governance reports on stock retirement in Korea. Given the challenges of applying stock repurchasing to measure shareholder return policy in the Korean stock market, this study focuses on stock retirement as a key indicator to examine the effectiveness of introducing the corporate governance report on shareholder return policy. Employing the Difference-in-Differences approach followed, this paper conducts empirical analyses based on 5,932 observations from 2011 to 2020. The main findings indicate a significant increase in stock retirement by companies implementing mandatory disclosures of corporate governance reports (coef = 0.018, p-value <0.01) compared to companies that do not disclose them. The results of the alternative measures for stock retirement and propensity score matching (PSM) model also present a positive association between mandatory disclosure of corporate governance reports and stock retirement, respectively (coef = 0.400 and 1.421, p-value <0.01; coef = 0.019, p-value < 0.1). This study provides evidence to support the notion that introducing corporate governance reports enhances overall shareholder returns, leading to an increase in stock retirement. Moreover, these findings validate that stock retirement is an adequate proxy for analyzing the level of shareholder returns in Korean firms.

Association between serum vitamin A and body mass index in adolescents from NHANES 1999 to 2006

Vitamin A plays a pivotal role in health, particularly in regulating fat metabolism. Despite its significance, research into the direct relationship between vitamin A levels and obesity, especially among adolescents, is sparse. This study aims to explore this association within the adolescent population in the United States. This cross-sectional study analyzed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999 to 2006, with 8218 participants. The levels of vitamin A in the serum were determined based on utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. The relationship between serum vitamin A concentrations and body mass index (BMI) was evaluated using weighted multiple linear regression models, incorporating subgroup analyses by sex and race/ethnicity to provide nuanced insights. A positive correlation was observed between serum vitamin A levels and BMI, with BMI increasing progressively across vitamin A quartiles (P < 0.001). Using the lowest quartile of serum vitamin A as a reference, the BMI of the highest quartile of serum vitamin A was 1.236 times higher (95% CI 0.888, 1.585). Subgroup analyses revealed that this positive association persisted across different genders and racial/ethnic groups (P < 0.001). Notably, smooth curve fitting and saturation threshold analysis unveiled an inverted U-shaped relationship between serum vitamin A and BMI among female adolescents, non-Hispanic Whites, Mexican Americans, and other races/ethnicities groups. Our study substantiates the association between serum vitamin A levels and the risk of obesity/overweight status in adolescents. The findings suggest the potential serum vitamin A is an early biomarker for identifying obesity risk, although further studies are needed to determine to clarify its role as a contributing factor to obesity. This study contributes to the understanding of nutritional influences on adolescent obesity, highlighting the need for targeted interventions based on serum biomarkers.