The centrality of organisational factors in the growth of new technology-based firms

PurposeNew technology-based firms (NTBFs) are a great potential source of job creation and economic growth. In France, strong heterogeneity of their growth trajectories is observed yet many of them remain small. A better understanding of these trajectories is thus necessary. The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of individual and organisational factors on 253 growth trajectories of NTBFs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a Heckman ordered probit model to study explanatory factors of growth trajectories in NTBFs created between 1999 and 2012. This method allows them to study the determinants of the presence of a growth dynamics at the same time as the determinants of growth intensity.FindingsThe model shows that entrepreneurs play a weak role in understanding the growth trajectories of their company. Rather, it is organisational factors – such as the level of innovation and the governance structure – that explain initiation of a growth trajectory and the intensity of the growth.Originality/valueBy using an original methodology, the authors highlight the importance of organisational factors and encourage entrepreneurs to develop a governance structure focused on internal stakeholders to support growth.

Reduced infant rhesus macaque growth rates due to environmental enteric dysfunction and association with histopathology in the large intestine

Environmental enteric dysfunction is associated with malnutrition as well as infant growth stunting and has been classically defined by villous blunting, decreased crypt-to-villus ratio, and inflammation in the small intestine. Here, we characterized environmental enteric dysfunction among infant rhesus macaques that are naturally exposed to enteric pathogens commonly linked to human growth stunting. Remarkably, despite villous atrophy and histological abnormalities observed in the small intestine, poor growth trajectories and low serum tryptophan levels were correlated with increased histopathology in the large intestine. This work provides insight into the mechanisms underlying this disease and indicates that the large intestine may be an important target for therapeutic intervention.

Maternal BMI, breastfeeding and perinatal factors that influence early childhood growth trajectories: a scoping review

Obesity rates among children are rapidly rising internationally and have been linked to noncommunicable diseases in adulthood. Individual preventive strategies have not effectively reduced global obesity rates, leading to a gap in clinical services regarding the development of early perinatal interventions. The objective of this scoping review is to explore the relationship between maternal BMI and breastfeeding behaviors on child growth trajectories to determine their relevance in developing interventions aimed at preventing childhood obesity. The scoping review was guided and informed by the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) framework. A systematic search was performed in four databases. Studies included in the final review were collated and sorted into relevant themes. A systematic search yielded a total of 5831 records (MEDLINE: 1242, EMBASE: 2629, CINAHL: 820, PubMed: 1140). Results without duplicates (n = 4190) were screened based on relevancy of which 197 relevant-full-text articles were retrieved and assessed for eligibility resulting in 14 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and charted for the studies and six themes were identified: (1) healthy behaviors, lifestyle, and social economic status; (2) parental anthropometrics and perinatal weight status; (3) genetics, epigenetics, and fetal programming; (4) early infant feeding; (5) infant growth trajectories; and (6) targeted prevention and interventions. Early life risk factors for child obesity are multifactorial and potentially modifiable. Several at-risk groups were identified who would benefit from early preventative interventions targeting the importance of healthy weight gain, exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months, and healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Low length/weight growth trajectories of early-term infants during the first year: evidence from a longitudinal study in China

ObjectiveTo identify common length, weight and body mass index (BMI) growth trajectories of term infants during infancy, and to determine their association with early-term infants.DesignProspective longitudinal study.SettingWuhan, China.PatientsA total of 4308 term infants (born at 37–41 weeks of gestation) were included. All term infants were single live birth with no defects and birth weight ≥2500 g, and their mothers were permanent residents of Wuhan for more than 2 years. After excluding 887 infants, a total of 3421 term infants (1028 early-term infants born at 37–38 weeks of gestation and 2393 full-term infants born at 39–41 weeks of gestation) entered the statistical analysis stage.Main outcome measuresPatterns of length, weight and BMI growth trajectories by using group-based trajectory modelling.ResultsThree distinct physical growth trajectories were identified as follows: length: low stable (1056, 30.9%), moderate stable (1887, 55.2%) and high increasing (477, 13.9%); weight: low stable (1031, 30.1%), moderate stable (1884, 55.1%) and high increasing (505, 14.8%); BMI: low stable (689, 20.1%), moderate stable (2167, 63.4%) and high increasing (564, 16.5%). Compared with the full-term infants, early-term infants were more likely to remain at low-stable trajectory in length (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.66) and weight (OR:1.29; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.53). These associations were still statistically significant after adjusting potential confounders and were more evident among girls in the stratified analysis. There was no statistical association between BMI trajectory patterns and gestational age categories.ConclusionOur results suggested the heterogeneity of term infants existed in length, weight and BMI growth trajectories of early childhood. Compared with full-term birth, early-term birth was related to low length and weight trajectories rather than BMI trajectory. Further research is needed to evaluate the duration of these low trajectories and their possible long-term health effects.

Postnatal Growth Restriction in Preterm Infants: A Major Impact of Nutritional Practices and Methods of Assessment

Background: Nutritional management of preterm infants represents a significant challenge for most practitioners caring for sick and/or premature babies. Despite aggressive parenteral and enteral alimentation, a considerable number of preterm infants continue to fall far short of expected growth trajectories that match infants of similar gestation in-utero. Postnatal growth failure may be associated with future neurodevelopmental and cognitive impairments. Objective: The aim of the research is to investigate the incidence of postnatal growth restriction (PNGR) and characteristics of nutritional practices and growth parameters in a cohort of preterm infants born <32 weeks’ gestational age (GA) in a single neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methodology: This prospective study included 130 preterm infants born <32 weeks’ GA and admitted to the NICU between February 2018 and January 2020. The infants were divided into two groups: A (GA 23–26+6 weeks [n=50]) and B (27–31+6 weeks [n=80]). The association between PNGR and predicting risk factors was evaluated using logistic regression models. Results: PNGR was found in 62 (47%) infants at 28 days of life and increased to 73% of infants at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. Low birth weight and GA were independent factors predicting growth failure. PNGR was significantly correlated with birth weight (p < 0.01), length (p < 0.002), and GA (p < 0.03) at birth; however, HC was not a predictor of PNGR at 28 days. At 36 weeks’ PMA or discharge, PNGR was more pronounced in length, with a mean Z-score of -3.0, followed by weight, with a mean Z-score of -2.1, and an HC Z-score of -1.4. Conclusion : PNGR was significantly high in preterm infants <32 weeks’ gestation. A significant nutritional gap still exists between the recommended and actual caloric and protein supplementation, especially in the first few days after birth. Delayed optimization of caloric intake may be insufficient to promote growth trajectories, especially in preterm infants with significant morbidities.

Personality and Socioeconomic Predictors of Midlife Cognitive Functioning in Mexican-Origin Adults

The present study aims to identify personality and socioeconomic (e.g., education, per capita income, economic stress) factors that contribute to midlife cognitive functioning across middle adulthood. Specifically, we examined how the growth trajectories of personality and socioeconomic factors across 12 years predict subsequent cognitive functioning, using data from a large sample of Mexican-origin adults (N=1,110; median age at Time 1=37 years, age range at Time 1=26-65). Personality was assessed using the Big Five Inventory, which assesses the Big Five domains as well as specific facets of each domain; economic stress was assessed using measures of negative economic events (e.g., job loss) and economic hardship (e.g., difficulty paying bills). Cognitive functioning was assessed using the NIH Cognitive Toolbox with measures of memory, language, and executive function. Findings from this work will help identify intervention targets for promoting healthy cognitive aging in midlife and beyond in Mexican-origin adults.