bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel approach for wild fish monitoring at aquaculture sites: wild fish presence analysis using computer vision
Authors: Banno K , Kaland H , Crescitelli AM , Tuene SA , Aas GH , Gansel LC
Published: March 2022

Aquaculture in open sea-cages attracts large numbers of wild fish. Such aggregations may have various impacts on farmed and wild fish, the environment, fish farming, and fisheries activities. Therefore, it is important to understand the patterns and amount of wild fish aggregations at aquaculture sites. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for automated detection of fish has seen major advancements, and this technology can be applied to wild fish abundance monitoring. We present a monitoring procedure that uses a combination of multiple cameras and automatic fish detection by AI. Wild fish in images collected around commercial salmon cages in Norway were automatically identified and counted by a system based on the real-time object detector framework YOLOv4, and the results were compared with manual human counts. Overall, the automatic system resulted in higher fish numbers than the manual counts. The performance of the system was satisfactory regarding false negatives (i.e. non-detected fish), while the false positive (i.e. objects wrongly detected as fish) rate was above 7%, which was considered an acceptable limit of error in comparison with the manual counts. The main causes of false positives were confusing backgrounds and mismatches between detection thresholds for automated and manual counts. However, these issues can be overcome by using training images that represent real scenarios (i.e. various backgrounds and fish densities) and setting proper detection thresholds. We present here a procedure with great potential for autonomous monitoring of wild fish abundance at aquaculture sites.
Time Optimal Trajectory Planing Based on Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Xiao Fan , Tong XiLiang , Yun Juntong , Liu Ying , Sun Ying , Tao Bo , Kong Jianyi , Xu Manman , Chen Baojia
Published: March 2022

Complete trajectory planning includes path planning, inverse solution solving and trajectory optimization. In this paper, a highly smooth and time-saving approach to trajectory planning is obtained by improving the kinematic and optimization algorithms for the time-optimal trajectory planning problem. By partitioning the joint space, the paper obtains an inverse solution calculation based on the partitioning of the joint space, saving 40% of the inverse kinematics solution time. This means that a large number of computational resources can be saved in trajectory planning. In addition, an improved sparrow search algorithm (SSA) is proposed to complete the solution of the time-optimal trajectory. A Tent chaotic mapping was used to optimize the way of generating initial populations. The algorithm was further improved by combining it with an adaptive step factor. The experiments demonstrated the performance of the improved SSA. The robot’s trajectory is further optimized in time by an improved sparrow search algorithm. Experimental results show that the method can improve convergence speed and global search capability and ensure smooth trajectories.
Case Report: Early Resection of Pheochromocytoma in a Patient With Cardiogenic Shock Due to Pheochromocytoma-Induced Cardiomyopathy With Extracorporeal Life Support
Authors: Lyu Ting , Niu Jianhua , Liu Zhihai , Li Tong
Published: March 2022

Background

Pheochromocytoma-induced cardiomyopathy is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of pheochromocytoma. It mimics the patterns of stress-induced cardiomyopathy. In severe cases, patients can develop refractory cardiogenic shock, which might require mechanical circulatory support.

Case Presentation

We presented a case of 54-year-old female who developed refractory cardiogenic shock, following an elective orthopaedic surgery complicated by cardiac arrest, requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support. After urgent coronary catheterisation revealed normal coronary arteries, further evaluation of the aetiology of cardiogenic shock revealed pheochromocytoma. With a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma-induced cardiomyopathy, the patient had accelerated preoperative alpha adrenergic blockade preparation for a total of 6 days and subsequently had the tumour removed under VA-ECMO support. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well and was off ECMO support and extubated a few days later.

The optimal management of pheochromocytoma-induced cardiomyopathy, especially for severe cases, is still unclear. Indeed, some cases will require mechanical circulatory support to allow left ventricular function recovery. But our case also showed that it was possible to introduce alpha blockade safely whilst the patient is on VA-ECMO and has the pheochromocytoma removed with VA-ECMO support after accelerated preoperative preparation.
Characterizing and Defining of Designing Sustainable Product-Service Systems Applied to Distributed Water-Energy-Food Nexus
Authors: Gao Meng , He Renke , Vezzoli Carlo , Ma Ke , Zhang Yuting
Published: March 2022

The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus significantly and effectively address sustainability issues internationally. However, there has been little attention paid to the WEF Nexus challenges related to sustainable livelihoods, such as resource access, resource security, and resource utilization. Given the need to establish design research, policy formulation, and resource management based on end-user needs, new research hypotheses and available models must be proposed on a small-scale scale of households and communities. This paper combines the Sustainable Product-Service System (SPSS) and Distributed Economies (DE), two prospective and intertwined models combining environmental, social, and economic sustainability with the WEF Nexus approach, to emphasize the shift to small-scale and highly localized WEF systems and the product and service system based on the satisfaction unit, i.e., designing SPSS applied to Distributed WEF Nexus. This paradigm shift is presented and detailed in an 11-dimensional canvas with an analytical, conceptual research approach to help to define and analyze the characteristics of existing solutions and promote innovative ideas or scenarios in a sustainable WEF nexus. The new 11-dimensional canvas tool, in particular, is thought to have the potential to become a basic research analysis and innovative strategic tool in this field after being tested and evaluated by forty companies, experts, and designers in China and Italy. Finally, despite considerable implementation obstacles, this innovative application of multi-mode integration still has the potential for win-win sustainability, to meet human needs for clean water, safe energy, and sufficient food, ultimately accelerating the transition to a sustainable society.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Urbanization: Response of a Bird Community in the Neotropical Andes
Authors: Ordóñez-Delgado Leonardo , Iñiguez-Armijos Carlos , Díaz Mario , Escudero Adrián , Gosselin Elyce , Waits Lisette P. , Espinosa Carlos Iván
Published: March 2022

Urbanization constitutes one of the most aggressive drivers of habitat and biodiversity loss worldwide. However, studies focused on determining the response of local biodiversity to urbanization are still scarce, especially in tropical ecosystems. Urban ecosystems are characterized by low biological productivity which in turn leads to a reduction in biodiversity. However, the responses to urbanization should be species dependent. For instance, changes in the availability of resources can favor certain species with specific characteristics. We assessed the effects of the urbanization process on a bird community in a city located in the Tropical Andes of southern Ecuador, a region widely recognized for its diversity and endemism of birds. We selected three independent localities in each of the four levels of the urbanization gradient in the study area (forest, forest-pasture, pasture, and urban). In each locality, we sampled the bird community by visual and auditory surveys along 1 km transects between 2016 and 2017. We recorded a total of 1,257 individuals belonging to 74 bird species. We evaluated if the responses of richness and abundance of birds are dependent on trophic guild and foraging strata. We found a significant decrease in bird species richness and abundance from forest to urban sites. However, the response of birds was dependent on the trophic guild and foraging strata. Granivorous birds showed a positive response associated with the urbanization gradient while insectivorous birds showed a negative response. Insectivorous birds were more abundant in forest sites and decreased in abundance across the urbanization gradient. We found that the proportion of birds using different foraging strata drastically changed along urban gradient. Forest sites exhibited a bird community using a variety of habitats, but the bird community became simpler toward the most urbanized sites. Our findings showed different effects of urbanization on bird communities. The ugly: urbanization leads to a dramatic reduction in the diversity of birds, which is consistent in cities with different characteristics and ecological contexts. On the other hand, the responses of bird guilds to urbanization are species dependent. Some guilds are positively impacted by urbanization and show increases in species richness and abundance while other guilds are negatively impacted.
“There Are Things We Can Do and There Are Things We Cannot Do.” A Qualitative Study About Women's Perceptions on Empowerment in Relation to Fertility Intentions and Family Planning Practices in Mozambique
Authors: Castro Lopes Sofia , Constant Deborah , Fraga Sílvia , Osman Nafissa Bique , Harries Jane
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The restrictive socio-cultural norms in Mozambique limit the power of women to decide, voice, and act on their reproductive choices. This study aimed to explore women's perceptions and experiences of empowerment relating to fertility intentions and family planning practices in Mozambique, focusing on facilitators and barriers toward reproductive empowerment.

Methods

Qualitative in-depth interviews were undertaken with women of reproductive age (18–49 years) in Nampula and Maputo provinces and Maputo city, Mozambique. Data collection took place between February and March 2020 in Maputo region and during August 2020 in Nampula Province. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from both urban and rural healthcare facilities and from within the communities serving the healthcare facilities. In Maputo city, a snowball sampling technique was used to recruit women from the community. A total of 64 women were interviewed, 39 from Maputo and 25 from Nampula. A thematic analysis was conducted with the support of NVivo12 software.

Results

Several factors that hinder and facilitate women's empowerment toward fertility and family planning practices in Mozambique were identified and were interpreted within the socio-ecological model. The identified barriers included women's lack of critical consciousness and oppressive relationships. At the community and societal levels, the role of traditions, culture and gender expectations and limited access to family planning and misinformation were also important hindering factors. The facilitators of reproductive empowerment included building critical consciousness and access to economic resources at the individual level. Negative experiences at the household level were triggers of women's empowerment for family planning. Building collective power and access to information, including education, were key at the community and societal levels.

Conclusions

This study identified various factors that positively or negatively influence women's empowerment journeys in Mozambique. The role of tradition, culture, and gender expectations, and oppressive relationships, were important barriers in both provinces. Women from rural areas would benefit from building of consciousness about their rights, and power to decide on their reproductive lives. Interactions with the health providers offer an opportunity to do this by favoring controlling behaviors concerning their reproductive lives, promoting social networking and levering collective power.
Development of Potent Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses in Long-Term Hemodialysis Patients After 1273-mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination
Authors: Gonzalez-Perez Maria , Montes-Casado Maria , Conde Patricia , Cervera Isabel , Baranda Jana , Berges-Buxeda Marcos J. , Perez-Olmeda Mayte , Sanchez-Tarjuelo Rodrigo , Utrero-Rico Alberto , Lozano-Ojalvo Daniel , Torre Denis , Schwarz Megan , Guccione Ernesto , Camara Carmen , Llópez-Carratalá M Rosario , Gonzalez-Parra Emilio , Portoles Pilar , Ortiz Alberto , Portoles Jose , Ochando Jordi
Published: March 2022

Long-term hemodialysis (HD) patients are considered vulnerable and at high-risk of developing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to their immunocompromised condition. Since COVID-19 associated mortality rates are higher in HD patients, vaccination is critical to protect them. The response towards vaccination against COVID-19 in HD patients is still uncertain and, in particular the cellular immune response is not fully understood. We monitored the humoral and cellular immune responses by analysis of the serological responses and Spike-specific cellular immunity in COVID-19-recovered and naïve HD patients in a longitudinal study shortly after vaccination to determine the protective effects of 1273-mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in these high-risk patients. In naïve HD patients, the cellular immune response measured by IL-2 and IFN-ɣ secretion needed a second vaccine dose to significantly increase, with a similar pattern for the humoral response. In contrast, COVID-19 recovered HD patients developed a potent and rapid cellular and humoral immune response after the first vaccine dose. Interestingly, when comparing COVID-19 recovered healthy volunteers (HV), previously vaccinated with BNT162b2 vaccine to HD patients vaccinated with 1273-mRNA, these exhibited a more robust immune response that is maintained longitudinally. Our results indicate that HD patients develop strong cellular and humoral immune responses to 1273-mRNA vaccination and argue in favor of personalized immune monitoring studies in HD patients, especially if COVID-19 pre-exposed, to adapt COVID-19 vaccination protocols for this immunocompromised population.
Cyclic Axial Compression Behavior of FRP-Confined Seawater Sea-Sand Concrete-Filled Stainless Steel Tube Stub Columns
Authors: Zeng Jun-Jie , Liao JinJing , Liang Wen-Feng , Guo Yong-Chang , Zhou Jie-Kai , Lin Jia-Xiang , Yan Kang
Published: March 2022

Concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns have been widely used in onshore constructions. To extend its applications to coastal/offshore structures and meanwhile relieve the overexploitation on freshwater and river sand, an FRP-confined seawater sea-sand concrete-filled stainless steel tube (F-SSCFSST) column is proposed. The cyclic axial compressive behavior of this newly proposed column was investigated in this study. A total of 22 specimens (including nine pairs of specimens for cyclic compression and four individual specimens for monotonic compression) were tested. Most importantly, the influences of three loading patterns (i.e., single full unloading/reloading, repeated full unloading/reloading, and mixed of repeated full and partial unloading/reloading) were studied. The results showed that although all F-SSCFSST specimens failed from FRP rupture in the mid-height area, the FRP rupture was less fierce for specimens with repeated internal unloading/reloading cycles. Similar to the FRP-confined concrete, the envelope curve of cyclic axial load–strain response matched closely with the monotonic compression curve for a particular specimen. However, the unloading curve was less curly compared with that of a typical FRP-confined concrete. The confinement effect provided by the FRP jacket was much stronger than that by the stainless steel tube. Although Lam and Teng’s model, which is proposed for the FRP-confined concrete, could provide satisfactory estimations for strain recovery ratios and stress deterioration ratios, it underestimated the envelope plastic strains by 20%.
A Proteomic Analysis Indicates That Oxidative Stress Is the Common Feature Triggering Antibiotic Production in Streptomyces coelicolor and in the pptA Mutant of Streptomyces lividans
Authors: Lejeune Clara , Sago Laila , Cornu David , Redeker Virginie , Virolle Marie-Joelle
Published: March 2022

In most Streptomyces species, antibiotic production is triggered in phosphate limitation and repressed in phosphate proficiency. However, the model strain, Streptomyces coelicolor, escapes this general rule and produces actinorhoddin (ACT), a polyketide antibiotic, even more abundantly in phosphate proficiency than in phosphate limitation. ACT was shown to bear “anti-oxidant” properties suggesting that its biosynthesis is triggered by oxidative stress. Interestingly, Streptomyces lividans, a strain closely related to S. coelicolor, does not produce ACT in any phosphate condition whereas its pptA/sco4144 mutant produces ACT but only in phosphate limitation. In order to define the potentially common features of the ACT producing strains, these three strains were grown in condition of low and high phosphate availability, and a comparative quantitative analysis of their proteomes was carried out. The abundance of proteins of numerous pathways differed greatly between S. coelicolor and the S. lividans strains, especially those of central carbon metabolism and respiration. S. coelicolor is characterized by the high abundance of the complex I of the respiratory chain thought to generate reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and by a weak glycolytic activity causing a low carbon flux through the Pentose Phosphate Pathway resulting into the low generation of NADPH, a co-factor of thioredoxin reductases necessary to combat oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is thus predicted to be high in S. coelicolor. In contrast, the S. lividans strains had rather similar proteins abundance for most pathways except for the transhydrogenases SCO7622-23, involved in the conversion of NADPH into NADH. The poor abundance of these enzymes in the pptA mutant suggested a deficit in NADPH. Indeed, PptA is an accessory protein forcing polyphosphate into a conformation allowing their efficient use by various enzymes taking polyphosphate as a donor of phosphate and energy, including the ATP/Polyphosphate-dependent NAD kinase SCO1781. In phosphate limitation, this enzyme would mainly use polyphosphate to phosphorylate NAD into NADP, but this phosphorylation would be inefficient in the pptA mutant resulting in low NADP(H) levels and thus high oxidative stress. Altogether, our results indicated that high oxidative stress is the common feature triggering ACT biosynthesis in S. coelicolor and in the pptA mutant of S. lividans.
QitanTech Nanopore Long-Read Sequencing Enables Rapid Resolution of Complete Genomes of Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens
Authors: Peng Kai , Yin Yi , Li Yan , Qin Shangshang , Liu Yuan , Yang Xiaorong , Wang Zhiqiang , Li Ruichao
Published: March 2022

Advancement of novel sequencing technologies facilitates modern life science and medicine unprecedentedly. Exploring complete genome sequences of bacteria by long-read sequencing technology is significant for microbial genomics research. However, third-generation long-read sequencing technologies are available with limited choices, which generate technological barrier to scientific research. Recently, a novel QitanTech nanopore long-read sequencing technology has emerged in China, but the potential application and performance were unexplored. Herein, we comprehensively evaluated the feasibility of the emerging sequencing technology in assembling complete genomes of MDR pathogens. The results showed that 500 Mbp QitanTech nanopore sequencing data could be generated within 8 h in one flow cell with the standard library preparation method. The mean read length, longest read length, and mean read-level accuracy of QitanTech sequencing data were 6,041 bp, 57,037 bp, and 81.50% (LAST)/81.40% (Minimap2), respectively. Two routine assembly strategies including long-read assembly and hybrid assembly enable the achievement of complete bacterial genomes. The accuracy of assembled draft bacterial genomes with QitanTech long-read data could be improved up to 99.9% dramatically by polishing using accurate short-read data. Furthermore, the assembled bacterial genomes cover accurate structures of complex resistance plasmids harboring critical resistance genes such as tet(X), tmexCD-toprJ, and blaVIM–2, even the complex fusion MDR plasmid generated from homologous recombination. In conclusion, QitanTech nanopore sequencing, as a nanopore long-read sequencing technology launched in China, could be a good option for investigation of complex bacterial genomes. More potential applications based on this novel platform warrant investigations.
Association Between Antibiotic Treatment of Leptospirosis Infections and Reduced Risk of Dementia: A Nationwide, Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Chao Pei-Chun , Chien Wu-Chien , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Huang Chih-Kang , Li Hao-Ming , Tzeng Nian-Sheng
Published: March 2022

Background

To explore the association between leptospirosis, the risk of dementia, and the potential protective role of antibiotic treatment.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort nationwide, population-based study, from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). We enrolled 1,428 subjects aged 50 years or above, in the index year of 2000, which included those retrieved from the NHIRD record. Dementia diagnosis and incidence over 16 years follow-up was retrieved from the NHIRD records. The Fine and Gray survival analysis was used to determine the risk of dementia, and the results were presented as a sub-distribution hazard ratio (SHR) with a 95% confidence interval.

Results

In the study period, 43 of the 357 leptospirosis patients developed dementia, as compared to 103 of the control group (930.90 vs. 732.49 per 105 person-years). By the Fine and Gray survival analysis, the leptospirosis was associated with the risk of dementia, and the adjusted SHR was 1.357 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.213–1.519, P < 0.001), across 16-year of the follow-up period. To exclude the protopathic bias, the sensitivity analysis was conducted. This analysis revealed that the leptospirosis was associated with the increased risk of dementia, even after excluding the dementia diagnosis within the first year (adjusted SHR = 1.246, 95%CI: 1.114–1.395, P < 0.001) or within the first 5 years (adjusted SHR = 1.079, 95%CI: 1.023–1.152, P = 0.028), antibiotic treatment for leptospirosis was associated with the reduced risk of dementia (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Leptospirosis was associated with an increased risk for dementia, and antibiotic treatment was associated with a reduced risk. Further research will be necessary to explore the underlying mechanisms of this association.
Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Associated Disease
Authors: Dinoto Alessandro , Sechi Elia , Flanagan Eoin P. , Ferrari Sergio , Solla Paolo , Mariotto Sara , Chen John J.
Published: March 2022

The term neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) describes a group of clinical-MRI syndromes characterized by longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, brainstem dysfunction and/or, less commonly, encephalopathy. About 80% of patients harbor antibodies directed against the water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG), expressed on astrocytes, which was found to be both a biomarker and a pathogenic cause of NMOSD. More recently, antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG), have been found to be a biomarker of a different entity, termed MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), which has overlapping, but different pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment response, and prognosis when compared to AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD. Despite important refinements in the accuracy of AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG testing assays, a small proportion of patients with NMOSD still remain negative for both antibodies and are called “seronegative” NMOSD. Whilst major advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, biomarkers that could help predict the risk of relapses, disease activity, and prognosis are still lacking. In this context, a number of serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers are emerging as potentially useful in clinical practice for diagnostic and treatment purposes. These include antibody titers, cytokine profiles, complement factors, and markers of neuronal (e.g., neurofilament light chain) or astroglial (e.g., glial fibrillary acidic protein) damage. The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence regarding the role of emerging diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in patients with NMOSD and MOGAD.
Neuroprotective Effect of Otostegia limbata Against PTZ-Induced Mice Model of Epilepsy by Attenuated Expression of p-NFκB and TNF-α
Authors: Amin Farhana , Tabassum Sobia , Sarwar Sadia , Qureshi Rahmatullah , Sohaib Khalid Muhammad , Riaz Naveeda , Al-Qahtani Wahidah H. , Murtaza Iram
Published: March 2022

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Currently available antiepileptic drugs have severe side effects and do not offer complete cure. Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat many neurodegenerative disorders. Otostegia limbata L. belongs to the largest and medicinally important family Lamiaceae and is distributed in hilly areas of Pakistan. This study was designed to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant potential of O. limbata. The methanolic extract showed significant antioxidant activity assessed by (1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl) free-radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging, and iron chelation antioxidant assays. The methanolic extract was evaluated for its anticonvulsant effect, employing the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced mice model of epilepsy. Three different doses of O. limbata (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) were administered orally 30 min before PTZ [50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)] injection, while diazepam was used as a positive control. The extract at 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the duration and increased the latency of the PTZ-induced seizures. The expression of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (p-TNF-α) and phosphorylated transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (p-NF-κB), in the cortex and hippocampus of the brains of treated mice were analyzed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis. The morphological changes and number of surviving neurons were recorded through hematoxylin and eosin staining. The seizure score and survival rate of the treated group showed considerable differences as compared to the PTZ group. TNF-α and p-NF-K b expression were downregulated as compared to the PTZ group. The anticonvulsant effect may be the outcome of the antioxidant potential and high levels of phenols and flavonoids detected in the methanolic plant extract through Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis.
Carbohydrate-Energy Replacement Following High-Intensity Interval Exercise Blunts Next-Day Glycemic Control in Untrained Women
Authors: Estafanos Stephanie , Friesen Beata , Govette Alexa , Gillen Jenna B.
Published: March 2022

Background

Improved glycemic control has been reported for ∼24 h following low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), but it is unclear if this is a direct effect of exercise or an indirect effect of the exercise-induced energy deficit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of carbohydrate-energy replacement after low-volume HIIE on 24 h glycemic control in women.

Methods

Seven untrained women (age: 22 ± 2 yr; BMI: 22 ± 3 kg/m2; VO2peak: 33 ± 7 ml/kg/min) completed three 2-day trials in the mid-follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Continuous glucose monitoring was used to measure blood glucose concentrations during, and for 24 h following three conditions: (1) HIIE followed by a high-carbohydrate energy replacement drink (EX-HC); (2) HIIE followed by a non-caloric taste-matched placebo drink (EX-NC); and (3) seated control with no drink (CTL). HIIE involved an evening session (1,700 h) of 10 × 1-min cycling efforts at ∼90% maximal heart rate with 1 min recovery. Diet was standardized and identical across all three 2-day trials, apart from the post-exercise carbohydrate drink in EX-HC, which was designed to replenish the exercise-induced energy expenditure. Postprandial glycemic responses to the following days breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner, as well as 24 h indices of glycemic control, were analyzed.

Results

The day after HIIE, postprandial glycemia following breakfast and snack were reduced in EX-NC compared to EX-HC, as reflected by lower 3 h glucose mean (breakfast: 5.5 ± 0.5 vs. 6.7 ± 1, p = 0.01, Cohen’s d = 1.4; snack: 4.9 ± 0.3 vs. 5.7 ± 0.8 mmol/L, p = 0.02, d = 1.4) and/or area under the curve (AUC) (breakfast: 994 ± 86 vs. 1,208 ± 190 mmol/L x 3 h, p = 0.01, d = 1.5). Postprandial glycemic responses following lunch and dinner were not different across conditions (p > 0.05). The 24 h glucose mean (EX-NC: 5.2 ± 0.3 vs. EX-HC: 5.7 ± 0.7 mmol/L; p = 0.02, d = 1.1) and AUC (EX-NC: 7,448 ± 425 vs. EX-HC: 8,246 ± 957 mmol/L × 24 h; p = 0.02, d = 1.1) were reduced in EX-NC compared to EX-HC.

Conclusion

Post-exercise carbohydrate-energy replacement attenuates glycemic control the day following a single session of low-volume HIIE in women.
Proof-of-Concept Pilot Study on Comprehensive Spatiotemporal Intra-Patient Heterogeneity for Colorectal Cancer With Liver Metastasis
Authors: Kyrochristos Ioannis D. , Glantzounis Georgios K. , Goussia Anna , Eliades Alexia , Achilleos Achilleas , Tsangaras Kyriakos , Hadjidemetriou Irene , Elpidorou Marilena , Ioannides Marios , Koumbaris George , Mitsis Michail , Patsalis Philippos C. , Roukos Dimitrios
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The mechanisms underlying high drug resistance and relapse rates after multi-modal treatment in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and liver metastasis (LM) remain poorly understood.

Objective

We evaluate the potential translational implications of intra-patient heterogeneity (IPH) comprising primary and matched metastatic intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) coupled with circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) variability.

Methods

A total of 122 multi-regional tumor and perioperative liquid biopsies from 18 patients were analyzed via targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Results

The proportion of patients with ITH were 53% and 56% in primary CRC and LM respectively, while 35% of patients harbored de novo mutations in LM indicating spatiotemporal tumor evolution and the necessity of multiregional analysis. Among the 56% of patients with alterations in liquid biopsies, de novo mutations in cfDNA were identified in 25% of patients, which were undetectable in both CRC and LM. All 17 patients with driver alterations harbored mutations targetable by molecularly targeted drugs, either approved or currently under evaluation.

Conclusion

Our proof-of-concept prospective study provides initial evidence on potential clinical superiority of IPH and warrants the conduction of precision oncology trials to evaluate the clinical utility of I PH-driven matched therapy.
Combining Electrodermal Activity With the Peak-Pain Time to Quantify Three Temporal Regions of Pain Experience
Authors: Bhatkar Viprali , Picard Rosalind , Staahl Camilla
Published: March 2022

Background

Self-reported pain levels, while easily measured, are often not reliable for quantifying pain. More objective methods are needed that supplement self-report without adding undue burden or cost to a study. Methods that integrate multiple measures, such as combining self-report with physiology in a structured and specific-to-pain protocol may improve measures.

Method

We propose and study a novel measure that combines the timing of the peak pain measured by an electronic visual-analog-scale (eVAS) with continuously-measured changes in electrodermal activity (EDA), a physiological measure quantifying sympathetic nervous system activity that is easily recorded with a skin-surface sensor. The new pain measure isolates and specifically quantifies three temporal regions of dynamic pain experience: I. Anticipation preceding the onset of a pain stimulus, II. Response rising to the level of peak pain, and III. Recovery from the peak pain level. We evaluate the measure across two pain models (cold pressor, capsaicin), and four types of treatments (none, A=pregabalin, B=oxycodone, C=placebo). Each of 24 patients made four visits within 8 weeks, for 96 visits total: A training visit (TV), followed by three visits double-blind presenting A, B, or C (randomized order). Within each visit, a participant experienced the cold pressor, followed by an hour of rest during which one of the four treatments was provided, followed by a repeat of the cold pressor, followed by capsaicin.

Results

The novel method successfully discriminates the pain reduction effects of the four treatments across both pain models, confirming maximal pain for no-treatment, mild pain reduction for placebo, and the most pain reduction with analgesics. The new measure maintains significant discrimination across the test conditions both within a single-day's visit (for relative pain relief within a visit) and across repeated visits spanning weeks, reducing different-day-physiology affects, and providing better discriminability than using self-reported eVAS.

Conclusion

The new method combines the subjectively-identified time of peak pain with capturing continuous physiological data to quantify the sympathetic nervous system response during a dynamic pain experience. The method accurately discriminates, for both pain models, the reduction of pain with clinically effective analgesics.
Serial Exercise Testing and Echocardiography Findings of Patients With Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Lin Ko-Long , Liou I-Hsiu , Chen Guan-Bo , Sun Shu-Fen , Weng Ken-Pen , Li Chien-Hui , Tuan Sheng-Hui
Published: March 2022

Objective

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common form of pediatric vasculitis. We evaluated the influence of KD on cardiopulmonary function and analyzed the echocardiographic findings of patients with KD through serial follow-ups from childhood to adolescence.

Methods

This was a retrospective study. We recruited patients with KD after the acute stage who underwent at least two (with >1-year interval between visits) cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and echocardiographic examinations in the last 10 years. Cardiopulmonary function was determined through CPET on a treadmill. The maximum Z score (Max-Z) of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery or right coronary artery was determined using echocardiography. Healthy peers matched for age, sex, and body mass index with serial CPET and echocardiographic data were recruited as a control group.

Results

Each group consisted of 30 participants with comparable basic characteristics. No significant differences in the variables of the first CPET were observed between the two groups. In the final CPET, the control group had a higher percentage of measured oxygen consumption (Vo2) at the anaerobic threshold (AT) to the predicted peak Vo2 (p = 0.016), higher percentage of measured peak Vo2 to the predicted peak Vo2 (p = 0.0004), and higher Vo2 at AT (p < 0.0001) than those of the KD group. No significant difference in the percentage of distribution of Max-Z was observed between the first and final echocardiographic examinations.

Conclusions

Children with a history of KD had comparable exercise capacity to their healthy peers. However, in the follow-up, the aerobic metabolism and peak exercise load capacities of adolescents with KD were significantly lower than those of control adolescents.
Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Might Mitigate Radiation-Induced Heart Damage at an Early Stage in Rats
Authors: Wu Yajing , Liu Lina , Lv Shengliang , Wang Yi , Wang Shuai , Wang Sheng , Zhang Jiandong , Wang Jun
Published: March 2022

Objective: Radiation-induced heart damage (RIHD) is becoming an increasing concern due to offsetting clinical benefits of radiotherapy to a certain extent. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) as an antioxidant has been implicated in cardioprotective effects. We aimed to investigate whether pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate could attenuate heart damage at an early stage post-irradiation and unveil the potential mechanisms.

Methods: A total of 15 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into the control, irradiation (IR), and PDTC plus irradiation (PDTC + IR) groups. Hearts were irradiated with a single fraction of 20.0 Gy. Rats received daily intraperitoneal injection of PDTC for 14 days. At the 14th day post-irradiation, echocardiography was performed, and rats were killed. Morphological damage was examined by hematoxylin–eosin (HE) stain and Masson’s trichrome stain. The collagen volume fraction (CVF) was applied for semi-quantitative analysis. The protein levels were analyzed by Western blot and mRNA levels by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results: No significant damage to systolic function of left ventricular was induced at an early stage post-irradiation. HE staining of cardiac tissue showed that the disordered arrangement of myocardial cells and abnormal cell infiltration were alleviated in the PDTC + IR group. The increased CVF in the irradiation group was inhibited in the PDTC + IR group (22.05 ± 2.64% vs. 9.99 ± 1.65%, p < 0.05). The protein levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and COL-1 were downregulated after treatment with PDTC (p < 0.05), and there was a declining trend in the protein of the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). The mRNA expression of NF-κB and HIF-1α in the PDTC plus irradiation group was lower than that in the irradiation group (p < 0.05), and there was a declining trend in the mRNA expression of the connective tissue growth factor and COL-1.

Conclusion: PDTC alleviates myocardial cell disordered arrangement, abnormal cell infiltration, and pro-fibrotic change at an early stage in rats with radiation-induced heart damage. Such a protective effect is closely associated with the downregulation of NF-κB.
Who Can Get More Happiness? Effects of Different Self-Construction and Experiential Purchase Tendency on Happiness
Authors: Xie Aili , Liu Lianhua , Lyu Shiqi , Wu Lijuan , Pan Wen Tsao
Published: March 2022

This study introduces the self-construction methods of consumers and the tendency characteristics of experiential purchase to study the effects of physical purchase and experiential purchase on wellbeing. The dependent self-builders obtain higher happiness from experiential purchase; however, the independent self-builders get higher happiness from physical purchase. Furthermore, consumers with a high purchase experience get higher happiness from experiential purchase. Consumers with high material consumption tendency get significantly higher happiness than physical purchase from experiential purchase. Consumers with high materialism tendency gain higher happiness in experiential purchase, which is in line with the expectations of self-construction and consumption theories. This study provides the first evidence for the impact of self-construction methods on wellbeing with different consumption choices.
Moderating Role of Information Asymmetry Between Cognitive Biases and Investment Decisions: A Mediating Effect of Risk Perception
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Nazir Mian Sajid , Farooqi Rabia , Ishfaq Muhammad
Published: March 2022

Behavioral Finance is an evolving field that studies how psychological factors affect decision making under uncertainty. This study seeks to find the influence of certain identified behavioral financial biases on the decision-making process of investors in developing countries. This research examines the moderating effect of Information asymmetry on the two most important and commonly used cognitive biases, namely Anchoring bias and Optimism bias and decision making and investigates whether Risk perception mediates the relationship between them or not. Quantitative research has been conducted using a structured questionnaire for data collection. After completing the pilot study, a questionnaire was designed and sent to investors via online channels. Data has been collected from 317 real estate investors. Mediation analysis has been performed using model 4 and moderation analysis by applying model 15 of Process Macros (Hayes, 2017) for the interaction effect. The study investigated that both cognitive biases have a significant positive effect on investors’ decisions and Risk perception also significantly mediates the relationship between them. Consistency with other studies suggests that Information asymmetry has a significant moderating effect. The proposed conceptual model provides insight into how investors’ decisions are influenced by behavioral biases in the real estate sector and enhances the understanding of cognitive biases in the real estate sector. This study is recommended for real estate investors and policymakers of emerging and developed countries. The current study is the first of its kind, focusing on cognitive biases on investment decisions with mediating role of Risk perception and the moderating effect of Information asymmetry.
Emotion and International Business: Theorising Fear of Failure in the Internationalisation
Authors: Dong Rebecca Kechen
Published: March 2022

The road to internationalisation is paved with risk, uncertainty, the possibility of failure, and the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) phenomenon. However, the process of internationalisation (IP) theory treats an individual decision-maker as a “black box.” Emotions are largely ignored by international business (IB) researchers. This study offers conceptual thoughts on the role of fear of failure in the process of internationalisation. It argues that managers experience this emotion in making internationalisation decisions for a firm, which is an area of study that requires further understanding. Following the content analysis method in the literature review and a theory-based adaptation approach to complete the conceptualisation, this manuscript joins the scholarly conversations on “connecting the IP model to people” and “emotion and internationalisation.” Focussing on fear of failure as a new perspective, this manuscript contributes to IB literature by suggesting new avenues in understanding decision-making about international activities by embracing psychological insights. It also contributes to IB practitioners by offering implications for understanding one’s emotional state and its effect on decision-making about internationalising ventures.
Burnout and Cognitive Functioning: Are We Underestimating the Role of Visuospatial Functions?
Authors: Koutsimani Panagiota , Montgomery Anthony
Published: March 2022

Job burnout is a psychological syndrome which results from chronic occupational stress and cognitive impairments are among its negative consequences. The demands of the COVID-19 pandemic have challenged the healthcare system increasing the risk of job burnout among healthcare professionals. The studies conducted so far have mainly focused on the effects of job burnout on executive functions. Visuospatial functions are a cognitive domain which plays an important role in healthcare workers' optimal performance. Healthcare workers are constantly relying on their visuospatial abilities in order to care for their patients as they are required to use techniques that involve manipulation of medical instruments, they need to have excellent hand-eye coordination and great perception of spatial anatomy, factors that can affect healthcare workers' performance is of significance and can put patient safety at risk. However, our understanding of how visuospatial functions are being affected in job burnout is limited. The scope of this mini-review is to examine the evidence concerning the relationship of job burnout with visuospatial functions. The sparsity of the relevant empirical evidence does not allow for definite conclusions. However, given the implications of diminished visuospatial abilities in patient safety we highlight the need for studies exploring the effects of job burnout on visuospatial functions. Limitations of studies are discussed.
Particulate Matter Pollution in Urban Cities of India During Unusually Restricted Anthropogenic Activities
Authors: Yadav Ravi , Vyas Pushpendra , Kumar Praveen , Sahu Lokesh Kumar , Pandya Umangkumar , Tripathi Nidhi , Gupta Mansi , Singh Vikram , Dave Pragnesh N. , Rathore Devendra Singh , Beig Gufran , Jaaffrey S. N. A.
Published: March 2022

The outbreak of COVID-19 is a global public health challenge and has affected many countries, including India. The nationwide lockdown was imposed in India from March 25 to May 31, 2020 to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The study intends to assess the impact of the absence of major anthropogenic activities during the various phases of the COVID-19 lockdown (LDN) period on the daily mean concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in six populated cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer, and Alwar in the state of Rajasthan. Investigation has been done for the different periods, including the pre-lockdown—PRELD (January 1–March 4, 2020), partial lockdown—PLDN (March 5–24, 2020), COVID-19 lockdown—LDN (March 25–May 31, 2020), and unlocking—ULC (June 1–August 31, 2020) phases. We have also compared the mean concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 with the same period of the year 2019. A significant improvement in air quality during the COVID-19 LDN period was noticed in all cities compared to 2019 and for the same period of the year 2020. However, the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 were seen to rise during the second, third, and fourth LDN phases compared to the first LDN, indicating that the subsequent lockdowns started with some relaxations and dusty conditions. On the other hand, wind-blown dust is another vital source of PM10, resulting in high concentrations in the summer months (April–May). Significant reductions in PM2.5 (~25–50%) and PM10 (20–37%) in all six cities during the LDN period compared with PRELD were estimated. However, with significant variations from city to city, the lowest reductions in PM2.5 (~25%) and PM10 (~20%) were measured in Jodhpur and Ajmer, respectively. It was noticed that the episodes of rainfall and transport of oceanic air masses resulted in a reduction of particles during the ULC period compared to the LDN period. The air quality index was, more or less, in the “good to satisfactory” category during the first 3 LDN periods, whereas it was moderate for Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Ajmer during the last LDN period. The study will be helpful to determine mitigation policies to minimize air pollution, especially in developing regions.