YKL-40 as a biomarker in various inflammatory diseases: A review.

YKL-40 or Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 (CHI3L1) is a highly conserved glycoprotein that binds heparin and chitin in a non-enzymatic manner. It is a member of the chitinase protein family 18, subfamily A, and unlike true chitinases, YKL-40 is a chitinase-like protein without enzymatic activity for chitin. Although its accurate function is yet unknown, the pattern of its expression in the normal and disease states suggests its possible engagement in apoptosis, inflammation and remodeling or degradation of the extracellular matrix. During an inflammatory response, YKL-40 is involved in a complicated interaction between host and bacteria, both promoting and attenuating immune response and potentially being served as an autoantigen in a vicious circle of autoimmunity. Based on its pathophysiology and mechanism of action, the aim of this review was to summarize research on the growing role of YKL-40 as a persuasive biomarker for inflammatory diseases' early diagnosis, prediction and follow-up (e.g., cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrinological, immunological, musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, urinary, infectious) with detailed structural and functional background of YKL-40.

Teleworking Components and Scientific Productivity in Spanish ERC-Granted Teams: The Mediating Role of Climate and Well-Being / [Los componentes del teletrabajo y la productividad científica en los equipos españoles financiados por el ERC: el papel mediador del clima y el bienestar]

The practice of teleworking is being consistently and unprecedently used across multiple work sectors, including the research one, yet the direct and mediated links of specific telework designs with productivity are unclear, and analyses at multiple levels missing. Accordingly, this study aims at exploring the mediating role of the climate for well-being and well-being outcomes in the relationship between multiple components of teleworking and scientific productivity, both at the individual and team level. Data were collected from 358 members of 48 Spanish European Research Council (ERC)-granted teams. Analyses were conducted both at the individual and team level, after checking for the relevant aggregation indexes. Telework components of quantity, frequency, flexibility, and voluntariness were found to have direct and mediated significant relationships with scientific productivity, confirming the need to investigate telework with a closer focus on how it is designed and implemented in the different teams. Specifically, climate for well-being, eudaimonic well-being, and negative emotions were found to play a relevant role in mediating the relationship between some telework components (i.e., telework flexibility and voluntariness) and scientific productivity. Also, telework quantity and frequency were found to have, respectively, positive and negative relationship with scientific productivity. Practical and theoretical implications are further discussed in the article.(AU)

La práctica del teletrabajo se está utilizando de manera consistente y sin precedentes en múltiples sectores laborales, también en el de la investigación. No obstante, todavía quedan cuestiones que dilucidar sobre la relación entre aspectos específicos del diseño del teletrabajo y la productividad, así como los posibles mecanismos mediadores entre ambos a distintos niveles de análisis (individual, equipo). El trabajo tiene como objetivo explorar el papel mediador del clima para el bienestar y sus consecuencias en la relación entre múltiples componentes del teletrabajo y la productividad científica, tanto a nivel individual como de equipo. Se han recogido datos de 358 miembros de 48 equipos españoles subvencionados por el Consejo Europeo de Investigación (ERC). Los análisis se han realizado a ambos niveles tras comprobar los índices de agregación pertinentes. Cuatro componentes del teletrabajo (intensidad, frecuencia, flexibilidad y voluntariedad) presentaban relaciones significativas, directas e indirectas, con la productividad científica, confirmando la necesidad de investigar cómo se diseña e implementa en los equipos el teletrabajo. Se ha visto que el clima para el bienestar, el bienestar eudaimónico y las emociones negativas mediaban la relación entre algunos componentes del teletrabajo (la flexibilidad y la voluntariedad del teletrabajo) y la productividad científica. Además, la intensidad y la frecuencia del teletrabajo tenían, respectivamente, una relación positiva y negativa con la productividad científica. Las implicaciones prácticas y teóricas se analizan con más detalle en el artículo.(AU)

A Call-In for Allyship and Anti-Ableism in Intellectual Disability Research.

Provoked by decades of grassroots activism, anti-ableist work is underway to advance disability rights. Intellectual disability (ID) researchers can integrate these social changes into their work by interrogating and transforming the beliefs and practices that underpin ID research. We share actionable ideas to foster anti-ableism and allyship in ID research. These include: (1) Learn from and nurture long-term, mutual relationships with people with ID; (2) Amplify the voices of people with ID in institutional structures that influence research; (3) Infuse anti-ableist frameworks into our own research; and (4) Embody a career-long commitment to disability rights, reflexive practice, and growth.