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The third opinion on fern phylogenetics with novel insights into their mitogenome evolution
No full textThe current understanding of fern phylogeny is primarily based on plastid and nuclear sequences, but the third genome—the mitogenome—has remained practically unstudied. We inferred the first broad scale fern phylogeny based on mitogenomic data, obtained from the One Thousand Plant Transcriptomes Initiative project, and compared it with the plastid phylogeny. The trees were mostly congruent and corresponded to the current understanding of the fern phylogeny, but we observed different evolutionary patterns between the two genomes. Protein-coding markers located in the plastome had, on average, over two times higher substitution rate than the markers from the mitogenome. The similar rate variation pattern between the genomes in different fern lineages supports the idea that a common mechanism, like life history traits, drives the rates of molecular evolution. The few conflicting nodes we observed have also been difficult to resolve in other studies, suggesting that even genomic data may not suffice to resolve them.</p
Transnational digital entrepreneurship and enterprise effectiveness: A micro-foundational perspective
No full textTransnational digital entrepreneurship (TDE), the establishment of digital enterprises by combining home- and host-country value creation to serve domestic and foreign customers, is increasing. In order to understand the role of entrepreneurs in transnational digital enterprise effectiveness, we investigate how the competencies of transnational digital entrepreneurs influence social interactions among stakeholders that contribute to enterprise effectiveness. We apply the micro-foundations perspective of management and entrepreneurship and semi-structured interview data from transnational entrepreneurs from six countries—Finland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, and the USA—and their partners in Pakistan. We find that entrepreneurs’ digital knowledge, skills, and abilities—versatile cognitive capabilities, digital managerial capabilities, and multicultural capabilities—affect social interactions through four socio-structural mechanisms—structural support, trust-building, knowledge sharing, and resource configuration—that enhance enterprise effectiveness. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications for transnational entrepreneurship, policymakers, and migrant entrepreneurs.</p
Approach to prolonged viral pneumonia in immunocompromised patients with COVID-19
No full textAbstract / fact sheet Incidence and clinical relevance In immunocompromised patients, infection with SARS-CoV-2 may cause prolonged viral pneumonia. Due to limited clinical evidence, this phenotype is poorly addressed in guidelines and may therefore remain undiagnosed or inadequately treated. Etiologies/ differential diagnosis For clinical diagnosis of prolonged COVID-19 pneumonia, we propose the following diagnostic criteria: prolonged respiratory symptoms and/or fever beyond 30 days after symptom onset of COVID-19, in the presence of persistent radiologic features and persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR and the absence of another apparent explanation. A negative PCR from the upper respiratory tract may not suffice to rule out prolonged viral pneumonia, as viral replication may be restricted to the lower respiratory tract. Alternative diagnoses should be considered in case of no response to empiric treatment. The differential diagnosis includes (co-)infection with a respiratory viral, bacterial or fungal pathogen, organizing pneumonia and other lung diseases. Recommended treatment options and durations In case of prolonged mild symptoms in combination with radiologic evidence and persistently positive SARS-CoV-2, we propose a 5- or 10-day course of antiviral treatment followed by antibody treatment as the primary treatment option. However, the availability of these drugs may be limited and effectiveness strongly dependent on the variant of SARS-CoV-2. Successful repeated or combination courses with antivirals have also been described. Conclusion Even though the phenotype of prolonged viral pneumonia in COVID-19 is described in literature, its epidemiology and mechanisms are still poorly understood. Therefore, our approach to this clinical problem is largely based on anecdotal evidence and expert opinion
Coolest Student Papers at Finland Futures Research Centre 2022-2023 - Tulevaisuuden tutkimuskeskuksen valittuja opiskelijatöitä 2022–2023
No full textWe are proud to present a selection of our finest student papers from the academic year 2022–2023. The Coolest Student Papers publication has already been published since 2016 and it has shown our students’ capability to academic working and writing. The aim of this publication is both to give an example of a good student work to others and provide a publication forum for the students.This issue covers courses from different study programs that are all coordinated by the Finland Futures Research Centre. It includes the international Master’s Degree Programme in Futures Studies, the interdisciplinary team work course of Sustainable Development Studies and courses organised by Finland Futures Academy (taught in Finnish). Each course forms its own section with a description of intended learning out-comes, an introduction by the teacher(s), followed by the papers.The topics range from health data ownership and healthcare scenarios to Disaggregative Delphi Approach and from method comparison to the frameworks of social sustainability and forest utilisation. All the selected papers present good quality academic thinking and writing.I wish you get inspired while reading!</p
Effects of filial piety belief on cyberbullying perpetration of Chinese university students
No full textCyberbullying has become a worldwide phenomenon. Although the topic has drawn decent academic attention and many studies have been conducted on Chinese samples, variable interests in these studies have not captured the thinking and behavioral characteristics of Chinese people. Based on the dual filial piety model and self-determination theory, this study examined the effect of filial piety belief on cyberbullying perpetration and tested the mediation of relatedness need satisfaction. A total of 856 university students completed the questionnaires, including dual filial piety scale, relatedness need satisfaction scale and cyberbullying perpetration scale. The regression results found that reciprocal filial piety negatively predicted and authoritarian filial piety positively predicted cyberbullying perpetration. The SEM results showed that reciprocal filial piety and authoritarian filial piety impacted cyberbullying perpetration through the mediating effect of relatedness need satisfaction. Reciprocal filial piety was positively while authoritarian filial piety negatively correlated with relatedness need satisfaction and relatedness need satisfaction was negatively correlated with cyberbullying perpetration. The results provide a new position to understand the effect of family factors on cyberbullying perpetration by placing the topic within traditional Chinese family value.</p
Recurrent pelvic organ prolapse after hysterectomy : a 10-year national follow-up study
No full textPurposeHysterectomy may be a risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We assessed the risk of recurrent POP (operations and visits) after hysterectomy among women with previous POP. We also studied patient and operation related risk factors for POP recurrence.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 1697 women having previous POP diagnosis or POP at the time of hysterectomy (FINHYST 2006 cohort). Follow-up was until the end of 2016. The data was derived from the Finnish National Care register linked to the cohort. Hysterectomy approaches and other demographics were compared to the risk of a prolapse diagnosis and/or surgery. Cox regression model was used to identify hazard ratios.ResultsFollowing hysterectomy, a total of 280 women (16.5%) had a POP reoperation and 359 (21.2%) had an outpatient visit due to POP. Vaginal vault prolapse repair was the most common POP reoperation (n = 181, 10.7%), followed by anterior wall repair (n = 120, 7.1%). Median time to POP reoperation was 3.7 years. Hysterectomy approach did not affect reoperations or visits. Previous cesarean section and anterior repair during hysterectomy were associated with decreased risk, whereas concomitant sacrospinous fixation and uterus prolapse as the main indication led to increased risk of anterior/vault prolapse reoperations. Concomitant posterior repair decreased posterior reoperations and visits, but uterus weight over 500 g caused a fivefold increased risk of posterior prolapse visit. Residential status was associated with elevated risk of any POP reoperations and visits.ConclusionsApproximately one out of five women suffering from POP ensue POP reoperation or visit after hysterectomy. These high rates are independent on hysterectomy approach, but probably indicate that hysterectomy may worsen previous pelvic floor dysfunction.</p
Constructing the accurate forecast: an actor-network theory approach
No full textPurposeThis paper empirically demonstrates the major organizational events of a rolling forecasting process and the roles of controllers therein. In particular, this study aims to investigate how the understanding of a “realistic forecast” is translated and questioned by various mediators in the rolling forecasting process and how it affects the quality of planning as the ultimate accuracy of forecasts is seen as important.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows an actor-network theory (ANT) approach and maps the key points of translation in the rolling forecasting process by inspecting the roles of mediators. This qualitative case study is based on interviews with controllers and managers involved in the forecasting process in a single manufacturing company.FindingsThe paper identified two episodes of translation in the forecasting process, in which the forecast partially stabilized to create room for managerial discussion and debate. The abilities of controllers to infiltrate various functional groups and calculative practices appeared to be one way to control the accuracy of forecasting, although this was built on a façade of neutrality.Originality/valuePrior literature identifies the aims of interactive planning processes as being to improve the quality of planning. The authors apply ANT to better understand the nature of mediators in constructing an entity called a “realistic rolling forecast”.</div
Improved professional competencies and leadership in PhD-prepared nurses and doctoral students after participating in the cross-national and web-based Nurse-Lead program
No full textBackground: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)-prepared nurses are expected to exercise leadership in their various roles. Therefore, European nurse scholars developed a cross-national web-based Nursing Leadership and Mentoring Educational (Nurse-Lead) program.Purpose: To evaluate changes in leadership practices, professional and research competencies as well as career development of PhD-prepared nurses and doctoral nursing students after participation in the Nurse-Lead program.Methods: A pre-post-test evaluation was conducted. Surveys addressed leadership, professional and research competencies, and career development. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests. Content analysis was used for qualitative data.Discussion: The 30 participants showed significant improvements in all leadership practices, professional competencies, and most research competencies. Participants reported increased confidence in decision-making, taking on new responsibilities, and becoming more visible within research teams.Conclusion: Web-based, international leadership and mentoring programs are promising tools for the leadership and professional development of PhD-prepared nurses and doctoral nursing students.</p
Associations of polygenic risk scores for preeclampsia and blood pressure with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
No full textBackground: Preexisting hypertension increases risk for preeclampsia. We examined whether a generic blood pressure polygenic risk score (BP-PRS), compared with a preeclampsia-specific polygenic risk score (PE-PRS), could better predict hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Methods: Our study sample included 141 298 genotyped FinnGen study participants with at least one childbirth and followed from 1969 to 2021. We calculated PRSs for SBP and preeclampsia using summary statistics for greater than 1.1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms.Results: We observed 8488 cases of gestational hypertension (GHT) and 6643 cases of preeclampsia. BP-PRS was associated with GHT [multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for 1SD increase in PRS (hazard ratio 1.38; 95% CI 1.35–1.41)] and preeclampsia (1.26, 1.23–1.29), respectively. The PE-PRS was also associated with GHT (1.16; 1.14–1.19) and preeclampsia (1.21, 1.18–1.24), but with statistically more modest magnitudes of effect (P = 0.01). The model c-statistic for preeclampsia improved when PE-PRS was added to clinical risk factors (P = 4.6 × 10–15). Additional increment in the c-statistic was observed when BP-PRS was added to a model already including both clinical risk factors and PE-PRS (P = 1.1 × 10–14).Conclusion: BP-PRS is strongly associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Our current observations suggest that the BP-PRS could capture the genetic architecture of preeclampsia better than the current PE-PRSs. These findings also emphasize the common pathways in the development of all BP disorders. The clinical utility of a BP-PRS for preeclampsia prediction warrants further investigation.</p
Focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures and High-grade CMV-infection are poor survival predictors in Tumor-related Epilepsy Adult-type diffuse gliomas: A single-center study and literature review
No full textIntroduction: Previous studies have reported a correlation between a high-grade CMV-infection and an unfavorable prognosis in glioblastoma (GB). Coversely, epilepsy has been associated with a more favorable outcome in GB patients. Despites epilepsy and CMV share similar molecular mechanisms in GB tumoral microenvironment, the correlation between Tumor-Related-Epilepsy (TRE) and CMVinfection remains unexplored. The aim of our study is to examine the correlation between the dregree of CMV infection and seizure types on the survival of TRE Adult-type-diffuse-glioma. To achieve this objective, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to assess our results regarding previous publications.Methods: We conducted a retrospective-observational study on TRE Adult-type-diffuse-gliomas treated at a single center in Mexico from 2010 to 2018. Tumor tissue and cDNA were analyzed by immunochemistry (IHC) for CMV (IE and LA antigens) at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and RT-PCR for CMV-gB in Torreon Mexico, respectively. Bivariate analysis (X2-test) was performed to evaluate the association between subtypes of Adult-type-diffuse-glioma (IDH-mut grade 4 astrocytoma vs. IDH-wt glioblastoma) and the following variables: type of hemispheric involvement (mesial vs. neocortical involvement), degree of CMV infection (25% infected-tumoral cells) and seizure types [Focal awareness, focal impaired awareness, and FBTCS]. Kaplan Meier and Cox analyses were performed to determine the risk, p Results: Sixty patients with TRE Adult type diffuse gliomas were included (80% IDH-wt glioblastoma and 20% IDH-mut grade 4astrocytomas). The mean age was 61.5 SD ± 18.4, and 57% were male. Fifty percent of the patients presented with mesial involvement of the hemysphere. Seizure types included focal awareness (15%), focal impaired awareness (43.3%), and FBTCS (41.7%). Ninety percent of cases were treated with Levetiracetam and 33.3% presented Engel-IA postoperative seizure control. More than 90% of samples were positive for CMV-immunohistochemistry (IHC). However, all cDNA analyzed by RT-PCR return negative results. The median of overall survival (OS) was 15 months. High-grade CMV-IE infection (14 vs. 25 months, pConclusions: CMV induces a proinflammatory tumoral microenvironment that contributes to the developmet of epilepsy. Tumor progression could be associated not only with a higher degree of CMV infection but also to epileptogenesis, resulting in a seizure phenotype chracterized by FBTCS and poor survival outcomes. This study represents the first survival analysis in Latin America to include a representative sample of TRE Adult-type diffuse gliomas considering CMV-infection-degree and distinguishing features (such as FBTCS) that might have potential clinical relevance in this group of patients. Further prospective studies are required to validate these results.</p