2,126 research outputs found

    The Effect of Dysfunctional Organizational Culture on Burnout in Academic Libraries

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    This chapter explores the high incidence of dysfunctional organizational cultures among academic libraries and how these cultures accelerate burnout among librarians, particularly newer librarians. Our data show that there are a variety of factors that lead to dysfunctional organizational cultures in libraries, including generational conflict, salary inequities, lack of representation of women and people of color in leadership positions, and poor leadership. In combating dysfunction and burnout, we recognize the idea that individuals are responsible for managing their burnout through various means of self-care or saying “no.” However, in this book chapter, we assert that it is both the organization’s responsibility to nurture an environment that allows librarians to create productive working ecosystems and the individual’s responsibility to proactively address workplace dysfunction by leaving or making needed changes within the organization

    Applying Spatial Literacy to Transform Library Space: A Selected Literature Review

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    Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review a selection of articles and books that highlight aspects of spatial theory and literacy from various disciplinary perspectives, along with a review of library space studies. Design/methodology/approach This study reviews library literature that uses spatial literacy and its related tools. The authors searched in two databases: Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, and SCOPUS. The paper records were analyzed to find primary research studies, published between 2010 and 2017, which study patron use of library space using various single and hybrid methodologies. Findings The findings of the literature reveal that of the 26 studies reviewed, 23 have a descriptive research question and three have a relational research question. Based on the analysis of the research methodologies used, there is more that can be done in support of a librarian’s research efforts as well as the arenas in which research is conducted. Practical implications These findings highlight ways in which library and information science researchers and those who educate them can broaden knowledge within the profession regarding spatial theory, literacy and applicable research methodologies for studying library space. Originality/value Current and best practices for designing library space studies that use spatial literacy to collect and analyze data are identified along with a discussion of future directions for researchers to better assess space and communicate the value of physical space in libraries

    The use of routinely collected electronic prescribing data to benchmark intravenous antibiotic use between two tertiary paediatric haematology-oncology inpatient units: a retrospective study

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    Background: High-quality systematic data on antimicrobial use in UK inpatient paediatric haematology-oncology services are lacking, despite this population being at high risk from antimicrobial exposure and resistance. Objectives: We conducted a retrospective study to demonstrate how routinely collected electronic prescribing data can address this issue. Patients and methods: This retrospective study describes and compares IV antibiotic consumption between two UK paediatric haematology-oncology inpatient units, between 2018 and 2022. Both sites provide similar services and receive proactive antimicrobial stewardship input. Data were extracted from each site’s antimicrobial surveillance system, which report monthly days of therapy (DOT) per 100 patient-days (PD). Consumption was reported for specific and total antibiotics. Trends were modelled using linear regression and autoregressive moving average models. Results: Total IV antibiotic consumption at each site was similar. Median monthly DOT per 100 PD were 25.9 (IQR: 22.1–34.0) and 29.4 (24.2–34.9). Total antibiotic use declined at both sites, with estimated annual yearly reductions of 3.52 DOT per 100 PD (95% CI: 0.46–6.59) and 2.57 (1.30–3.85). Absolute consumption was similar for carbapenems, piperacillin/tazobactam and aminoglycosides, whilst ceftriaxone and teicoplanin demonstrated approximately 3-fold relative differences in median monthly consumption. Meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, teicoplanin, vancomycin and gentamicin all demonstrated statistically significant reductions in use over time at either one or both sites, although this was most marked for piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin. Conclusions: Routinely collected electronic prescribing data can aid benchmarking of antibiotic use in paediatric haematology-oncology inpatients, highlighting areas to target stewardship strategies, and evaluating their impact. This approach should be rolled out nationally, and to other high-risk groups

    The experiences of parenting a child with an acquired brain injury:a metasynthesis of the qualitative literature

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    Objective. To systematically review and then synthesize the qualitative literature on the experience of parenting a child with an acquired brain injury (ABI). Design. Systematic literature review and meta-synthesis Methods. A systematic search of the literature was conducted in four databases. Papers which met the inclusion criterion were assessed for quality using the Critical Skills Appraisal Programme (CASP) tool and then synthesized according to Noblit and Hare’s (1988) guidelines for meta-ethnography. Results. Of the 4855 papers retrieved, 17 met the inclusion criteria. Synthesis resulted in three themes: (1) Disconnection: Cut off from internal emotions and isolated from others; (2) Seeking understanding and support to manage in an insecure world; and (3) New parent to a different child. Conclusions. Having a child with an ABI leads to many challenges for parents. These include feeling insecure, isolated from others and struggling to adapt to the different roles required to parent their different child. Clinical implications highlight the need for specialist support that is ongoing after discharge, including specialist knowledge and understanding of ABI and opportunities for peer support

    Equity in vaccine trials for higher weight people? A rapid review of weight-related inclusion and exclusion criteria for COVID-19 clinical trials

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    Higher weight status, defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2, is frequently described as a risk factor for severity and susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coron-avirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (known as COVID-19). Therefore, study groups in COVID-19 vaccine trials should be representative of the weight spectrum across the global population. Appropriate subgroup analysis should be conducted to ensure equitable vaccine outcomes for higher weight people. In this study, inclusion and exclusion criteria of registered clinical trial protocols were reviewed to determine the proportion of trials including higher weight people, and the proportion of trials conducting subgroup analyses of efficacy by BMI. Eligibility criteria of 249 trial protocols (phase I, II, III and IV) were analysed; 51 protocols (20.5%) specified inclusion of BMI > 30, 73 (29.3%) specified exclusion of BMI > 30, and 125 (50.2%) did not specify whether BMI was an inclusion or exclusion criterion, or if BMI was included in any ‘health’ screenings or physical examinations during recruitment. Of the 58 protocols for trials in phase III and IV, only 2 (3.4%) indicated an intention to report subgroup analysis of vaccine efficacy by weight status. Higher weight people appear to be significantly under-represented in the majority of vaccine trials. This may result in reduced efficacy and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines for higher weight people and exacerbation of health inequities within this population group. Explicit inclusion of higher weight people in COVID-19 vaccine trials is required to reduce health inequities

    Integrated re-analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic datasets reveals potential mechanisms for Zika viral-based oncolytic therapy in neuroblastoma [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]

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    Background Paediatric neuroblastoma and brain tumours account for a third of all childhood cancer-related mortality. High-risk neuroblastoma is highly aggressive and survival is poor despite intensive multi-modal therapies with significant toxicity. Novel therapies are desperately needed. The Zika virus (ZIKV) can access the nervous system and there is growing interest in employing ZIKV as a potential therapy against paediatric nervous system tumours, including neuroblastoma. Methods Here, we perform extensive data mining, integration and re-analysis of ZIKV infection datasets to highlight molecular mechanisms that may govern the oncolytic response in neuroblastoma cells. We collate infection data of multiple neuroblastoma cell lines by different ZIKV strains from a body of published literature to inform the susceptibility of neuroblastoma to the ZIKV oncolytic response. Integrating published transcriptomics, interaction proteomics, dependency factor and compound datasets we propose the involvement of multiple host systems during ZIKV infection. Results Through data mining of published literature, we observed most paediatric neuroblastoma cell lines to be highly susceptible to ZIKV infection and propose the PRVABC59 ZIKV strain to be the most promising candidate for neuroblastoma oncolytic virotherapy. ZIKV induces TNF signalling, lipid metabolism, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), and downregulates cell cycle and DNA replication processes. ZIKV infection is dependent on sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-regulated lipid metabolism and three protein complexes; V-ATPase, ER Membrane Protein Complex (EMC) and mammalian translocon. We propose ZIKV non-structural protein 4B (NS4B) as a likely mediator of ZIKVs interaction with IRE1-mediated UPR, lipid metabolism and mammalian translocon. Conclusions Our work provides a significant understanding of ZIKV infection in neuroblastoma cells, which will facilitate the progression of ZIKV-based oncolytic virotherapy through pre-clinical research and clinical trials

    Leadership in Compassionate Care: Final Report 2012

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    This report reflects the initiation, planning, running and the important outcomes emerging from the Leadership in Compassionate Care Programme. The team worked in close partnership across the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University and NHS Lothian. This report also shares the highlights, challenges and solutions to embed compassionate care education and nursing practice.Additional co-authors: Fiona Smith, Stephen DM Smith, Ria Tocher, and Anne Waug

    Integrative analysis of neuroblastoma by single-cell RNA sequencing identifies the NECTIN2-TIGIT axis as a target for immunotherapy

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    Pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma have poor survival rates and urgently need more effective treatment options with less side effects. As novel and improved immunotherapies may fill this need, we dissected the immunoregulatory interactions in neuroblastoma by single-cell RNA-sequencing of 25 tumors (10 pre- and 15 post-chemotherapy, including 5 pairs) to identify strategies for optimizing immunotherapy efficacy. Neuroblastomas were infiltrated by NK, T and B cells, and immunosuppressive myeloid populations. NK cells showed reduced cytotoxicity and T cells had a dysfunctional profile. Interaction analysis revealed a vast immunoregulatory network and identified NECTIN2-TIGIT as a crucial immune checkpoint. Combined blockade of TIGIT and PD-L1 significantly reduced neuroblastoma growth, with complete responses in vivo. Moreover, addition of TIGIT blockade to standard relapse treatment in a chemotherapy-resistant Th-ALKF1174L/MYCN 129/SvJ syngeneic model significantly improved survival. Concluding, our integrative analysis of neuroblastoma’s vast immunoregulatory network provides novel targets and a rationale for immunotherapeutic combination strategies

    Tuning microtubule dynamics to enhance cancer therapy by modulating FER-mediated CRMP2 phosphorylation

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    Though used widely in cancer therapy, paclitaxel only elicits a response in a fraction of patients. A strong determinant of paclitaxel tumor response is the state of microtubule dynamic instability. However, whether the manipulation of this physiological process can be controlled to enhance paclitaxel response has not been tested. Here, we show a previously unrecognized role of the microtubule-associated protein CRMP2 in inducing microtubule bundling through its carboxy terminus. This activity is significantly decreased when the FER tyrosine kinase phosphorylates CRMP2 at Y479 and Y499. The crystal structures of wild-type CRMP2 and CRMP2-Y479E reveal how mimicking phosphorylation prevents tetramerization of CRMP2. Depletion of FER or reducing its catalytic activity using sub-therapeutic doses of inhibitors increases paclitaxel-induced microtubule stability and cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells and in vivo. This work provides a rationale for inhibiting FER-mediated CRMP2 phosphorylation to enhance paclitaxel on-target activity for cancer therapy
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