Can less be more? Mentoring functions, learning goal orientation, and novice entrepreneurs' self-efficacy

Purpose: One of the main goals of entrepreneurial mentoring programs is to strengthen the mentee's self-efficacy. However, the conditions in which entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) is developed through mentoring are not yet fully explored. The purpose of this paper is to test the combined effects of mentee’s learning goal orientation (LGO) and perceived similarity with the mentor and demonstrates the role of these two variables in mentoring relationships. Design/methodology/approach: The current study is based on a sample of 360 novice Canadian entrepreneurs who completed an online questionnaire. The authors used a cross-sectional analysis as research design. Findings: Findings indicate that the development of ESE is optimal when mentees present low levels of LGO and perceive high similarities between their mentor and themselves. Mentees with high LGO decreased their level of ESE with more in-depth mentoring received. Research limitations/implications: This study investigated a formal mentoring program with volunteer (unpaid) mentors. Generalization to informal mentoring relationships needs to be tested. Practical implications: The study shows that, in order to effectively develop self-efficacy in a mentoring situation, LGO should be taken into account. Mentors can be trained to modify mentees’ LGO to increase their impact on this mindset and mentees’ ESE. Originality/value: This is the first empirical study that demonstrates the effects of mentoring on ESE and reveals a triple moderating effect of LGO and perceived similarity in mentoring relationships. © 2018, © Emerald Publishing Limited

Reporting methodological search filter performance comparisons : a literature review

© 2014 The authors. Health Information and Libraries Journal © 2014 Health Libraries Journal.Peer reviewedPostprin

Choosing and using methodological search filters : searchers' views

© 2014 The authors. Health Information and Libraries Journal © 2014 Health Libraries Group.Peer reviewedPostprin

So many filters, so little time : the development of a search filter appraisal checklist

Objectives: The authors developed a tool to assess the quality of search filters designed to retrieve records for studies with specific research designs (e.g., diagnostic studies). Methods: The UK InterTASC Information Specialists' Sub-Group (ISSG), a group of experienced health care information specialists, reviewed the literature to evaluate existing search filter appraisal tools and determined that existing tools were inadequate for their needs. The group held consensus meetings to develop a new filter appraisal tool consisting of a search filter appraisal checklist and a structured abstract. ISSG members tested the final checklist using three published search filters. Results: The detailed ISSG Search Filter Appraisal Checklist captures relevance criteria and methods used to develop and test search filters. The checklist includes categorical and descriptive responses and is accompanied by a structured abstract that provides a summary of key quality features of a filter. Discussion: The checklist is a comprehensive appraisal tool that can assist health sciences librarians and others in choosing search filters. The checklist reports filter design methods and search performance measures, such as sensitivity and precision. The checklist can also aid filter developers by indicating information on core methods that should be reported to help assess filter suitability. The generalizability of the checklist for non-methods filters remains to be explored.The work of InterTASC members, including the ISSG, is funded through the UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programm

Candidate Proteins, Metabolites and Transcripts in the Biomarkers for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (BforSMA) Clinical Study

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative motor neuron disorder resulting from a homozygous mutation of the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. The gene product, SMN protein, functions in RNA biosynthesis in all tissues. In humans, a nearly identical gene, SMN2, rescues an otherwise lethal phenotype by producing a small amount of full-length SMN protein. SMN2 copy number inversely correlates with disease severity. Identifying other novel biomarkers could inform clinical trial design and identify novel therapeutic targets.To identify novel candidate biomarkers associated with disease severity in SMA using unbiased proteomic, metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches.A cross-sectional single evaluation was performed in 108 children with genetically confirmed SMA, aged 2-12 years, manifesting a broad range of disease severity and selected to distinguish factors associated with SMA type and present functional ability independent of age. Blood and urine specimens from these and 22 age-matched healthy controls were interrogated using proteomic, metabolomic and transcriptomic discovery platforms. Analyte associations were evaluated against a primary measure of disease severity, the Modified Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (MHFMS) and to a number of secondary clinical measures.A total of 200 candidate biomarkers correlate with MHFMS scores: 97 plasma proteins, 59 plasma metabolites (9 amino acids, 10 free fatty acids, 12 lipids and 28 GC/MS metabolites) and 44 urine metabolites. No transcripts correlated with MHFMS.In this cross-sectional study, "BforSMA" (Biomarkers for SMA), candidate protein and metabolite markers were identified. No transcript biomarker candidates were identified. Additional mining of this rich dataset may yield important insights into relevant SMA-related pathophysiology and biological network associations. Additional prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings, demonstrate sensitivity to change with disease progression, and assess potential impact on clinical trial design.Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00756821

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Comparison of motor neuron intrinsic defects in patients with various forms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

La Sclérose Latérale Amyotrophique (SLA) est une maladie neurodégénérative caractérisée par la mort des motoneurones (MNs). Malgré plusieurs hypothèses pouvant expliquer les mécanismes à l’origine de leur mort sélective, l’hétérogénéité de la SLA rend difficile la compréhension des causes exactes de la dégénérescence. Dans ce contexte, les cellules souches pluripotentes induites humaines (iPSC) permettent l’étude des formes familiales de la maladie comme des formes sporadiques. Contrairement à la majorité des travaux publiés à ce jour qui étudient des iPSC de patients porteurs de mutation dans un seul gène de SLA, mon projet a eu pour objectif de comparer plusieurs formes de SLA dans un même contexte expérimental. A partir d’iPSC de patients présentant différentes formes génétiques de SLA (C9ORF72, SOD1, TARDBP), nous avons obtenu des cultures pures de MNs humains. Alors que nous n’avons pas observé de mort des MNs mutants après plusieurs semaines, des études fonctionnelles d’électrophysiologie ont montré une altération tardive de l’excitabilité des MNs en fonction des patients. De façon plus précoce, nous avons observé la présence d’agrégats protéiques communs ou spécifiques aux différentes formes de SLA, avec certaines accumulations localisées au niveau du segment proximal de l’axone, une région importante pour la maintenance de l’identité axonale et le déclenchement des potentiels d’action. Des altérations physiques ou moléculaires ont été mises en évidence au niveau de ce segment dans les MNs mutants, suggérant qu’une perturbation du segment proximal de l’axone pourrait être un évènement très précoce altérant ainsi l’intégrité et la fonctionnalité des MNs de patients.Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor neurons death (MNs). Despite several hypothesis trying to explain this selective loss, the exact reasons of MNs degeneration remain unidentified mainly due to the disease heterogeneity. In this respect, the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are opening up opportunities to model not only familial but also sporadic forms of ALS. In comparison to previously published studies, which focus only on one type of ALS mutation, my thesis had the objective to compare in a same experimental context multiple forms of ALS in order to distinguish similarities and discrepancies inherited by the mutation. Using iPSC obtained from genetic forms of ALS patients (C9ORF72, SOD1, TARDBP) as well as control subjects, we generated pure cultures of human MNs. While ALS MNs were not sensitive to death after few weeks of culture, electrophysiological functional studies revealed a patient-dependent late alteration in MNs excitability. Early defects were also reported, with observations of generic and mutation-specific protein aggregates. Interestingly, some accumulations were localized at the axonal initial segment (AIS) region, which is important for maintaining axonal identity and crucial for action potentials’ initiation. Physical and/or molecular alterations were reported at the AIS in ALS MNs, suggesting that AIS perturbation could be an early event in MN degeneration by disruption of ALS patients’ MNs integrity and functionality

Défauts intrinsèques de motoneurones spinaux dérivés de cellules souches pluripotentes induites issues d’individus atteints de différentes formes de Sclérose Latérale Amyotrophique

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor neurons death (MNs). Despite several hypothesis trying to explain this selective loss, the exact reasons of MNs degeneration remain unidentified mainly due to the disease heterogeneity. In this respect, the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are opening up opportunities to model not only familial but also sporadic forms of ALS. In comparison to previously published studies, which focus only on one type of ALS mutation, my thesis had the objective to compare in a same experimental context multiple forms of ALS in order to distinguish similarities and discrepancies inherited by the mutation. Using iPSC obtained from genetic forms of ALS patients (C9ORF72, SOD1, TARDBP) as well as control subjects, we generated pure cultures of human MNs. While ALS MNs were not sensitive to death after few weeks of culture, electrophysiological functional studies revealed a patient-dependent late alteration in MNs excitability. Early defects were also reported, with observations of generic and mutation-specific protein aggregates. Interestingly, some accumulations were localized at the axonal initial segment (AIS) region, which is important for maintaining axonal identity and crucial for action potentials’ initiation. Physical and/or molecular alterations were reported at the AIS in ALS MNs, suggesting that AIS perturbation could be an early event in MN degeneration by disruption of ALS patients’ MNs integrity and functionality.La Sclérose Latérale Amyotrophique (SLA) est une maladie neurodégénérative caractérisée par la mort des motoneurones (MNs). Malgré plusieurs hypothèses pouvant expliquer les mécanismes à l’origine de leur mort sélective, l’hétérogénéité de la SLA rend difficile la compréhension des causes exactes de la dégénérescence. Dans ce contexte, les cellules souches pluripotentes induites humaines (iPSC) permettent l’étude des formes familiales de la maladie comme des formes sporadiques. Contrairement à la majorité des travaux publiés à ce jour qui étudient des iPSC de patients porteurs de mutation dans un seul gène de SLA, mon projet a eu pour objectif de comparer plusieurs formes de SLA dans un même contexte expérimental. A partir d’iPSC de patients présentant différentes formes génétiques de SLA (C9ORF72, SOD1, TARDBP), nous avons obtenu des cultures pures de MNs humains. Alors que nous n’avons pas observé de mort des MNs mutants après plusieurs semaines, des études fonctionnelles d’électrophysiologie ont montré une altération tardive de l’excitabilité des MNs en fonction des patients. De façon plus précoce, nous avons observé la présence d’agrégats protéiques communs ou spécifiques aux différentes formes de SLA, avec certaines accumulations localisées au niveau du segment proximal de l’axone, une région importante pour la maintenance de l’identité axonale et le déclenchement des potentiels d’action. Des altérations physiques ou moléculaires ont été mises en évidence au niveau de ce segment dans les MNs mutants, suggérant qu’une perturbation du segment proximal de l’axone pourrait être un évènement très précoce altérant ainsi l’intégrité et la fonctionnalité des MNs de patients

Perspective québécoise et canadienne de la pratique pharmaceutique en établissements de santé 2009-2010

Résumé Objectif : Cet article vise à présenter les faits saillants de la 18e édition du Rapport canadien sur la pharmacie hospitalière et les différences observées entre la pratique québécoise et celle de l’ensemble du Canada. Outre les données présentées, cet article passe en revue les principaux événements pharmaceutiques ayant marqué l’actualité des deux dernières années. Mise en contexte : L’enquête présente un portrait général de la situation en précisant le taux de participation, la méthode utilisée, la remise en question du système de santé et la panoplie de normes publiées, les retombées de la création des centres de santé et de services sociaux et la dotation en chefs de départements. Aux fins de comparaison de la situation québécoise à celle du Canada, les données sont présentées en indicateurs de structure, en indicateurs de tâches, en indicateurs de ressources humaines, en indicateurs de dépenses, en indicateurs de clinique et en indicateurs de sécurité dans la prestation des services. Un tableau synthèse présente chaque groupe d’indicateurs. Le thème spécial retenu pour cette édition de l’enquête est l’état de la situation par rapport aux objectifs de la vision 2015 de la Société canadienne des pharmaciens d’hôpitaux. Conclusion : Il s’agit de la cinquième synthèse québécoise de la perspective de la pharmacie hospitalière au Canada. Elle a permis de présenter les faits saillants du rapport de 2009-2010 et les différences observées entre la pratique québécoise et celle de l’ensemble du Canada. Abstract Objective: This article presents the highlights of the 18th edition of the report on Hospital Pharmacy in Canada as well as the differences observed between Quebec practice and that of the rest of Canada. In addition to the data presented, this article reviews the main pharmacy-related events highlighted in the media over the last two years. Context: The survey presents a general picture of the situation by specifying participation rate, method used, questioning the healthcare system and the range of published standards, the advantages and effects of the creation of health and social service centres, and staffing of department heads. In order to compare the Quebec situation with that of the rest of Canada, data in regard to service delivery are presented as structural indicators, task indicators, human resources indicators, expenditure indicators, clinic indicators, and safety indicators. A table presents a summary of each group of indicators. A new section added to this year’s survey edition was an update on achieving the 2015 objectives of the Canadian Society for Hospital Pharmacists. Conclusion: This is the fifth Quebec synthesis of the perspective on hospital pharmacy in Canada. This synthesis presented the highlights of the 2009- 2010 report and the observed differences between Quebec practice and the whole of Canada. Key words: hospital pharmacy practice, survey, Canada, Quebe