Association Between Abundance of Haemophilus in the Gut Microbiota and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Increasing evidence indicates an interaction between dysbiosis of the microbiota and the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, limited information is available on the specific microbial communities associated with symptoms of schizophrenia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate gut microbiota dysbiosis and its relationship with psychopathologies in schizophrenia. We recruited 126 participants and divided them into three groups according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, criteria—acute group (patients with acute schizophrenia), remission group (patients with schizophrenia in remission), and control group (healthy controls). Psychotic symptoms were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Microbiota compositions, diversity and community structure were evaluated using 16S rRNA sequencing. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to evaluate the association between bacterial taxa and psychotic symptoms. The beta-diversity of microbiota composition in the acute group was distinct from that in the remission and control groups (PC1 = 21.11% vs. PC2 = 12.86%, P = 0.021). Furthermore, Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that abundance of Haemophilus was positively correlated with negative psychiatric symptoms (r = 0.303, P = 0.021), while abundance of Coprococcus was negatively correlated with negative psychiatric symptoms (r = −0.285, P = 0.025). Moreover, abundance of Haemophilus was positively correlated with cognition (r = 0.428, P = 0.009), excitement (r = 0.266, P = 0.037), and depression (r = 0.295, P = 0.020). The study findings suggest that alterations in certain gut microbiota may interfere with psychological symptoms in schizophrenia. Our results provide evidence that may help in the development of therapeutic strategies using microbial-based targets. The data that support the findings of this study have been deposited in the NCBI (https://submit.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) with accession number SUB9453991.

Remote administration of the symbol digit modalities test to individuals with multiple sclerosis is reliable: A short report

Background The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is the gold standard for cognitive screening in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the increased need for virtual clinical visits, we examined the reliability of remote administration of the SDMT vs. standard in-person administration to individuals with MS. Methods Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed between SDMT scores on the in-person and remote administrations. Results For n = 132 participants, remote and in-person SDMT scores were strongly correlated (r = .80, p = .000). Conclusion Remote administration of the SDMT is a reliable cognitive screening approach in MS.

CAREER MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS IN TERMS OF AGE

Business career enables human resources to increase qualification opportunities and become recognizable at the same time. In the course of the research, we got interested what kind of attitude towards career issues was in different age groups. What the manner was by which the career of different generation respondents was managed, what the respondents’ attitude is to the career, how they perceive the career management policies implemented by the executives of the organization. The research was conducted in the «Human Potential Management» laboratory at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. 560 respondents participated in the survey. The questionnaire included 32 questions and 125 options for an answer. SPSS statistical software package was used for statistical processing and data analysis. As a result of the research we have developed the hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Age Q3 affects how people are accepted at work Q5. We used Pearson’s Correlation Analysis to determine the strength of the connection between the variables of this hypothesis. We got the correlation coefficient 0.415. By means of the correlation, it was shown that between these variables there is a moderate positive attitude. To test the reliability of hypothesis we used Chi-square test that indicates that the statistical significance level P (Sig.) does not exceed 0.001. Accordingly, the first hypothesis is reliable. According to both indicators, hypothesis 1: Age Q3 affects how people are accepted at work Q5 has been confirmed. Hypothesis 2: Age Q3 affects working experience Q4. We used Pearson’s Correlation Analysis to determine the strength of the connection between the variables of this hypothesis. We got the correlation coefficient 0.122. By means of the correlation, it was shown that between these variables there is a weak positive attitude. To test the reliability of hypothesis we used Chi-square test that indicates that the statistical significance level P (Sig.) does not exceed 0.001. Accordingly, the first hypothesis is reliable. Consequently, the hypothesis 4 Age Q3 affects whether you were promoted in a career over the last 5 years has been confirmed Hypothesis 5: Age Q3 affects whether a person is searching for a job in a parallel mode Q34. We used Pearson’s Correlation Analysis to determine the strength of the connection between the variables of this hypothesis. We got the correlation coefficient 0.131. By means of the correlation, it was shown that between these variables there is a weak positive attitude. To test the reliability of hypothesis we used Chi-square test that indicates that the statistical significance level P (Sig.) equal to 0.082. Which means that hypothesis 5 is not reliable. Consequently, the hypothesis 5 Q3 Age affects whether a person is searching for a job in a parallel mode Q34 has not been confirmed. Some recommendations were worked out based on the research

The influence of Organizational Climate and Organizational Socialization on Knowledge Management: An empirical study in banking sector of Pakistan

The basic objective of the empirical study is to identify the influence of organizational socialization (OS) and organizational climate (OC) on knowledge management (KM) among the banking sector of Pakistan. The above said sector is selected as population of the current research. By using the simple random sampling technique, different branches of public banks and private banks are selected as a sample. 270 questionnaires were circulated to top level managers and middle level managers. 240 questionnaires were filled by employees and used for analysis. The overall response rate was 89%. Different statistical techniques i.e. Pearson’s correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis and reliability analysis are applied on collected data. The results of Pearson’s correlation analysis shows that there is positive relationship between organizational climate (OC), organizational socialization (OS), knowledge management (KM), its dimensions i.e. knowledge sharing (KS) and knowledge application (KA). Moreover, regression analysis’s results explain that organizational socialization is strong predictor of knowledge management as compare to organizational climate. From the management point of view, the results give clear clue to Pakistan’s banking sector must understand the importance of organizational socialization, organizational climate for the purpose of knowledge management. In future researches, data may be collected to other sectors like telecom industry, textile industry and education sector etc. for more generalizing the results. Moreover, researches some other variables like social interaction, perceived organizational support, and perceived supervisor support may also be conducted.

Do height and weight play an important role in block and attack efficiency in high-level men's volleyball?

The research objective was to study the relationships of players’ efficiency in attack and block with their anthropometric characteristics. Data on men’s weight and height and their proficiency in the game were used. The subjects were the members of the Estonian, Italian, French and Croatian national volleyball teams who participated in Pool B of the European Championship. Data are given on men’s height, weight, age, total number of spikes, attack errors, attacks won, efficiency of attack, total number of blocks, block errors, blocks won, and efficiency of block. In addition, the number of points won by men and their positions in the game are given. Minimums, maximums, standard deviations and means were calculated. To find correlations, Pearson’s correlation analysis (p<0.05) was used. In our study, taller and heavier players proved to be more efficient at attack. Comparison of positions showed that middle blockers were taller and performed more blocks, setters were shorter and performed the least of attacks, and outside attackers and opposite attackers were of medium height and carried the greatest load of attack. As a conclusion, it was found that, in professional volleyball, height correlated with the efficiency of attack (r= 0.534; p<0.05), and weight also correlated with the efficiency of attack (r= 0.518; p<0.05). There was no correlation between the anthropometric characteristics and block in volleyball at the professional level in our study. In volleyball, the greatest load at attack is carried by outside attackers and opposite attackers, while middle blockers have the greatest load at block. Setters perform the smallest number of attacks.

Differentiation between Phyllodes Tumors and Fibroadenomas Based on Mammographic Sonographic and MRI Features

Background: This study was performed to compare the mammographic, sonographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of phyllodes tumors and fibroadenomas, which may resemble each other. Methods: Preoperative mammograms, B-mode and Doppler sonograms, and dynamic breast MRIs of 72 patients with pathologically proven fibroadenomas and 70 patients with pathologically proven phyllodes tumor were evaluated in this retrospective study. Statistical significance was evaluated using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Correlations in lesion size among radiological methods were examined by Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: The features that differed on mammogram were size, shape, and margin of the mass. Sonograms showed significant differences in size, shape, margin, echo pattern, and vascularization of the mass. Pearson's correlation analysis showed strong agreement among radiological methods in terms of assessment of size. Tumor size ≥ 3 cm, irregular shape, microlobulated margins, complex internal echo pattern, and hypervascularity were significant findings of phyllodes tumors. Internal cystic areas on MRI were frequently associated with phyllodes tumors. Conclusion: Mammographic, sonographic, and MRI findings of fibroadenomas and phyllodes tumors could help radiologists to ascertain imaging-histological concordance and guide clinicians in their decision making regarding adequate follow-up or the necessity of biopsy.