bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Pain and Agitation Through System Analysis Algorithms in People With Dementia. A Novel Explorative Approach by the DIGI.PAIN Study
Authors: Husebo Bettina S. , Vislapuu Maarja , Cyndecka Malgorzata A. , Mustafa Manal , Patrascu Monica
Published: March 2022

Background

Many people with dementia (PwD) live and die with undiagnosed and untreated pain and are no longer able to report their suffering. Several pain assessment tools have been developed, tested, and implemented in clinical practice, but nursing home patients are reported to be still in pain. Clinicians and research groups worldwide are seeking novel approaches to encode the prediction, prevalence, and associations to pain in PwD.

Participants

The data in this analysis are acquired from the COSMOS study, a cluster-randomized controlled trial (2014 to 2015), aimed to improve the quality of life in nursing home patients (N = 723) through the implementation of a multicomponent intervention. We utilize baseline data of PwD (N = 219) with complete datasets of pain and agitation.

Method

Systems analysis explores the relationship between pain and agitation using the Mobilization-Observation-Behavior-Intensity-Dementia (MOBID-2) Pain Scale, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home version (NPI-NH). For each patient, the individualized continuous time trajectory, and rates of change of pain and agitation are estimated. We determine the relationship between these rates by analyzing them across the entire group.

Results

We found that the new analysis method can generate individualized estimations for pain and agitation evolution for PwD, as well as their relationship. For 189 of 219 PwD, results show that whenever pain increases or decreases, agitation does too, with the same rate. The method also identifies PwD for whom pain or agitation remains constant while the other varies over time, and patients for whom agitation and pain do not change together. The algorithm is scalable to other variables and compatible with wearable devices and digital sensors.

Conclusion

We presented a new approach to clinical data analysis using systems concepts and algorithms. We found that it is possible to quantify and visualize relationships between variables with a precision only dependent on the precision of measurements. This method should be further validated, but incipient results show great potential, especially for wearable-generated continuous data.
Participation in After-School Extracurricular Activities and Cognitive Ability Among Early Adolescents in China: Moderating Effects of Gender and Family Economic Status
Authors: Pan Yangu , Zhou Di , Shek Daniel Tan Lei
Published: March 2022

Although theories and research suggest that participation in extracurricular activities plays an important role in adolescents’ cognitive development, few studies have addressed this issue among early adolescents in China. Based on the responses of 9,830 Chinese junior high school students (Mage = 14.54 years, SD = 0.70 years), we investigated the relationships between different types of extracurricular activities and cognitive ability among junior high school students and the moderating effects of gender and family economic status. Using multi-level multiple regression analyses, results indicated that while time spent completing homework and physical exercise was positively associated with students’ cognitive ability, time spent on extracurricular tutoring, interest classes, watching TV, and surfing online and playing games was negatively related to students’ cognitive ability. The observed relationships were also moderated by gender and family economic status. Specifically, time spent on completing homework had a stronger positive relationship with boys’ cognitive ability, whereas time spent attending extracurricular tutoring on weekdays had a stronger negative relationship with girls’ cognitive ability, and time spent on physical exercise was more strongly related to girls’ cognitive ability in a positive manner. Besides, time spent attending interest classes on weekdays had a stronger negative relationship with cognitive ability among students from wealthy families, and time spent watching TV and physical exercise had stronger negative and positive effects on the cognitive ability among students from economically disadvantaged families, respectively. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings regarding the role of extra-curricular activities on adolescent development are discussed.
Emodin Protects Against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury via the JNK/Nur77/c-Jun Signaling Pathway
Authors: Xie Pei , Yan Li-Jun , Zhou Hong-Ling , Cao Hui-Hui , Zheng Yuan-Ru , Lu Zi-Bin , Yang Hua-Yi , Ma Jia-Mei , Chen Yu-Yao , Huo Chuying , Tian Chunyang , Liu Jun-Shan , Yu Lin-Zhong
Published: March 2022

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious inflammatory disease with clinical manifestations of hypoxemia and respiratory failure. Presently, there is no effective treatment of ALI. Although emodin from Rheum palmatum L. exerts anti-ALI properties, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully explored.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of emodin on LPS-induced ALI in mice.

Methods: RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish larvae were stimulated by LPS to establish inflammatory models. The anti-inflammatory effect of emodin was assessed by ELISA, flow cytometric analysis, and survival analysis. In vitro mechanisms were explored by using Western blotting, luciferase assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and small interfering RNA (siRNA) approach. The acute lung injury model in mice was established by the intratracheal administration of LPS, and the underlying mechanisms were assessed by detecting changes in histopathological and inflammatory markers and Western blotting in lung tissues.

Results: Emodin inhibited the inflammatory factor production and oxidative stress in RAW264.7 cells, and prolonged the survival of zebrafish larvae after LPS stimulation. Emodin suppressed the expression levels of phosphorylated JNK at Thr183/tyr182 and phosphorylated Nur77 at Ser351 and c-Jun, and increased the expression level of Nur77 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, while these regulatory effects of emodin on Nur77/c-Jun were counteracted by JNK activators. The overexpression of JNK dampened the emodin-mediated increase in Nur77 luciferase activity and Nur77 expression. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of emodin on c-Jun can be attenuated by Nur77 siRNA. Furthermore, emodin alleviated LPS-induced ALI in mice through the regulation of the JNK/Nur77/c-Jun pathway.

Conclusions: Emodin protects against LPS-induced ALI through regulation on JNK/Nur77/c-Jun signaling. Our results indicate the potential of emodin in the treatment of ALI.
Acute Ketamine Facilitates Fear Memory Extinction in a Rat Model of PTSD Along With Restoring Glutamatergic Alterations and Dendritic Atrophy in the Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Sala Nathalie , Paoli Caterina , Bonifacino Tiziana , Mingardi Jessica , Schiavon Emanuele , La Via Luca , Milanese Marco , Tornese Paolo , Datusalia Ashok K. , Rosa Jessica , Facchinetti Roberta , Frumento Giulia , Carini Giulia , Salerno Scarzella Floramarida , Scuderi Caterina , Forti Lia , Barbon Alessandro , Bonanno Giambattista , Popoli Maurizio , Musazzi Laura
Published: March 2022

Stress represents a major risk factor for psychiatric disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recently, we dissected the destabilizing effects of acute stress on the excitatory glutamate system in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Here, we assessed the effects of single subanesthetic administration of ketamine (10 mg/kg) on glutamate transmission and dendritic arborization in the PFC of footshock (FS)-stressed rats, along with changes in depressive, anxious, and fear extinction behaviors. We found that ketamine, while inducing a mild increase of glutamate release in the PFC of naïve rats, blocked the acute stress-induced enhancement of glutamate release when administered 24 or 72 h before or 6 h after FS. Accordingly, the treatment with ketamine 6 h after FS also reduced the stress-dependent increase of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) amplitude in prelimbic (PL)-PFC. At the same time, ketamine injection 6 h after FS was found to rescue apical dendritic retraction of pyramidal neurons induced by acute stress in PL-PFC and facilitated contextual fear extinction. These results show rapid effects of ketamine in animals subjected to acute FS, in line with previous studies suggesting a therapeutic action of the drug in PTSD models. Our data are consistent with a mechanism of ketamine involving re-establishment of synaptic homeostasis, through restoration of glutamate release, and structural remodeling of dendrites.
Rhein Protects Against Severe Acute Pancreatitis In vitro and In vivo by Regulating the JAK2/STAT3 Pathway
Authors: Yang Xiaofang , Geng Huan , You Lijiao , Yuan Lin , Meng Jialei , Ma Yuhui , Gu Xuelian , Lei Ming
Published: March 2022

Rhein is widely used in inflammation treatment in China, but its effects on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) have not been studied closely. This study investigated rhein’s protective effects against SAP using in vitro and in vivo models to determine whether its protective mechanism regulated the Janus kinase two and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signalling pathway. Thirty-six male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomised into sham operation, SAP and rhein groups. The SAP model was induced by retrograde pancreatic bile duct injection of sodium taurocholate. Serum TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were determined by ELISA, whereas serum amylase and lipase concentrations were measured using test kits. Western blot and/or immunohistochemistry quantified JAK2 and STAT3 expression. Furthermore, histopathological pancreatic changes were detected by haematoxylin and eosin staining. AR42J cells were randomly divided into the control, cerulein and rhein groups. Amylase activity was assessed using an amylase test kit; the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). JAK2 and STAT3 protein expression were evaluated by western blot. SAP was concomitant with increased JAK2 and STAT3 expressions in vivo. Pre-treatment with rhein attenuated serum TNF–α and IL-6 levels effectively, and notably reduced p-JAK2, p-STAT3, JAK2 and STAT3 protein expression. Rhein significantly alleviated pancreatic histopathology. Compared to untreated groups, rhein significantly reduced amylase activity in supernatants of AR42J cells induced by cerulein in vitro. Furthermore, rhein altered JAK2 and STAT3 protein levels in AR42J cells after cerulein induction. Overall, rhein exerted protective effect on SAP in vitro and in vivo, possibly through the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.
Natural Antibacterial and Antivirulence Alkaloids From Macleaya cordata Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Liu Zhi-Hai , Wang Wei-Mei , Zhang Zhen , Sun Liang , Wu Shuai-Cheng
Published: March 2022

The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), underly the urgent need to develop novel antibacterial drugs. Macleaya cordata, a traditional medicinal plant, has been widely used in livestock animals, plants, and humans. Alkaloids are the primary bioactive compounds of Macleaya cordata and exhibit antibacterial, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Nevertheless, the antibacterial compounds and mode of action of Macleaya cordata remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity and mode of action of alkaloids from Macleaya cordata. Sanguinarine, 6-ethoxysanguinarine (6-ES), 6-methoxydihydrosanguinarine (6-MS), chelerythrine (CH), and dihydrochelerythrine (DICH) exhibited good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA. 6-ES rapidly killed MRSA, possibly by interfering with membrane and metabolic functions including ROS production by targeting the membrane and FtsZ in S. aureus. Additionally, 6-ES directly suppressed the hemolytic activity of α-hemolysin, alleviated inflammatory responses, and eliminated intracellular MRSA, as well as displayed low development of drug resistance, in vitro. Finally, a 6-ES-loaded thermosensitive hydrogel promoted wound healing in mice infected with MRSA. These results supported 6-ES as a novel potential candidate or leading compound with antibacterial, antivirulence, and host immunomodulatory activities in fighting against bacterial infections.
The Regulatory Role of Non-coding RNA in Autophagy in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Wang Dan , Niu Zhenchao , Wang Xiaolong
Published: March 2022

Following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), thrombolysis, coronary artery bypass grafting and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) are the best interventions to restore reperfusion and relieve the ischemic myocardium, however, the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) largely offsets the benefits of revascularization in patients. Studies have demonstrated that autophagy is one of the important mechanisms mediating the occurrence of the MIRI, while non-coding RNAs are the main regulatory factors of autophagy, which plays an important role in the autophagy-related mTOR signaling pathways and the process of autophagosome formation Therefore, non-coding RNAs may be used as novel clinical diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in the diagnosis and treatment of the MIRI. In this review, we not only describe the effect of non-coding RNA regulation of autophagy on MIRI outcome, but also zero in on the regulation of non-coding RNA on autophagy-related mTOR signaling pathways and mitophagy. Besides, we focus on how non-coding RNAs affect the outcome of MIRI by regulating autophagy induction, formation and extension of autophagic vesicles, and the fusion of autophagosome and lysosome. In addition, we summarize all non-coding RNAs reported in MIRI that can be served as possible druggable targets, hoping to provide a new idea for the prediction and treatment of MIRI.
Sex- and Dose-Dependent Differences in the Development of an Addiction-Like Phenotype Following Extended-Access Fentanyl Self-Administration
Authors: Towers Eleanor Blair , Setaro Ben , Lynch Wendy J.
Published: March 2022

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major epidemic in the United States, and fentanyl is a major culprit. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has highlighted an urgent need for research on the risks and outcomes of OUD with fentanyl; a better understanding of sex/gender differences is also critically needed given that the opioid epidemic has been particularly impactful on women. In response to this need, we developed a rat model of OUD with fentanyl and showed that sex impacts relapse vulnerability following extended-access self-administration under a low fentanyl dose. Here, our goal was to determine sex differences across a broad dose range, including high doses expected to maximize the expression of addiction-like features (e.g., vulnerability to relapse and physical dependence). Male and female rats were assigned to self-administer one of four fentanyl doses (0.25, 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 µg/kg/infusion), and once they acquired, they were given extended (24-h/day), intermittent access (2, 5 min trials/h, fixed-ratio 1) to fentanyl for 10 days. Physical dependence (spontaneous weight loss) was assessed during early withdrawal, and relapse vulnerability was assessed on withdrawal day 15 using an extinction/cue-induced reinstatement procedure. Despite markedly higher intake in the high- versus low-dose groups, each group responded similarly during relapse testing (extinction and cue-induced reinstatement). However, number of infusions, or frequency of use, during extended access was predictive of later vulnerability to relapse, whereas total intake impacted physical dependence given that weight loss only occurred following the discontinuation of fentanyl self-administration at the three highest doses. Females self-administered more fentanyl each day and within each binge (active trial), and had longer lasting weight loss during withdrawal than males. Relapse vulnerability was also higher in females than males and highest in females tested during estrus. These findings indicate that sex is an important risk factor for patterns and levels of fentanyl intake, relapse, and physical dependence, and while fentanyl intake predicts physical dependence, frequency of use predicts relapse.
Sigesbeckia orientalis L. Derived Active Fraction Ameliorates Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders Through Alleviating Hippocampal Neuroinflammation
Authors: Chu John Man Tak , Abulimiti Amina , Wong Brian Shing Hei , Zhao Guan Ding , Xiong Shi Hang , Zhao Ming Ming , Wang Yingyi , Chen Ying , Wang Jiaqi , Zhang Yan , Chang Raymond Chuen Chung , Yu Hua , Wong Gordon Tin Chun
Published: March 2022

Neuroinflammation is closely related to the pathogenesis of perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs), which is characterized by the activation of microglia, inflammatory pathways and the release of inflammatory mediators. Sigesbeckia orientalis L. (SO) is a traditional Chinese medicine which demonstrates anti-inflammatory activities in different models. In this study, we aim to isolate the active fraction from the extract of SO with higher anti-inflammatory potential and confirm if the selected fraction exerts neuroprotection against the development of PND in an animal model. Moreover, the components in the selected fraction would be determined by UPLC-PDA analysis. Three fractions were prepared by column chromatography packed with three different macroporous resins. Anti-inflammatory activities of prepared fractions were accessed in microglial BV2 cultures by nitric oxide release, gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and activation of inflammatory JNK and NF-kB pathway molecules. Our results demonstrated that the fraction prepared from D101 macroporous resin (D101 fraction) exhibited a more potent anti-neuroinflammatory effect. The neuroprotective effect of D101 fraction was further examined in postoperative mice. Our results showed that surgery-induced cognitive dysfunction was attenuated by the D101 fraction treatment. This fraction also reduced microglial activation, inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting JNK and NF-kB pathway molecules in the hippocampus. In addition, surgery induced dendritic spine loss while D101 fraction ameliorated the spine loss in the hippocampus. For safety concerns, anti-thrombotic effect was examined by tail bleeding assay and no significant change of the bleeding pattern was found. UPLC-PDA analysis indicated that flavonoids (rutin, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid C) and terpenoid (darutoside) were the most important components in the D101 fraction. Our results support a therapeutic, as well as the translational potential for D101 fraction in ameliorating postoperative neuroinflammation and subsequent PND in the clinical setting without increasing bleeding tendencies.
Post-treatment With Irisin Attenuates Acute Kidney Injury in Sepsis Mice Through Anti-Ferroptosis via the SIRT1/Nrf2 Pathway
Authors: Qiongyue Zhang , Xin Yang , Meng Peng , Sulin Mi , Yanlin Wang , Xinyi Li , Xuemin Song
Published: March 2022

Kidney is one of the most vulnerable organs in sepsis, resulting in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI), which brings about not only morbidity but also mortality of sepsis. Ferroptosis is a new kind of death type of cells elicited by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, which participates in pathogenesis of sepsis. The aim of this study was to verify the occurrence of ferroptosis in the SA-AKI pathogenesis and demonstrate that post-treatment with irisin could restrain ferroptosis and alleviate SA-AKI via activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. We established a SA-AKI model by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) operation and an in vitro model in LPS-induced HK2 cells, respectively. Our result exhibited that irisin inhibited the level of ferroptosis and ameliorated kidney injury in CLP mice, as evidenced by reducing the ROS production, iron content, and MDA level and increasing the GSH level, as well as the alteration of ferroptosis-related protein (GPX4 and ACSL4) expressions in renal, which was consistent with the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1). Additionally, we consistently observed that irisin inhibited ROS accumulation, iron production, and ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction in LPS-stimulated HK-2 cells. Furthermore, our result also revealed that irisin could activate SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathways both in vivo and vitro. However, the beneficial effects of irisin were weakened by EX527 (an inhibitor of SIRT1) in vivo and by SIRT1 siRNA in vitro. In conclusion, irisin could protect against SA-AKI through ferroptotic resistance via activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
CryoETGAN: Cryo-Electron Tomography Image Synthesis via Unpaired Image Translation
Authors: Wu Xindi , Li Chengkun , Zeng Xiangrui , Wei Haocheng , Deng Hong-Wen , Zhang Jing , Xu Min
Published: March 2022

Cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) has been regarded as a revolution in structural biology and can reveal molecular sociology. Its unprecedented quality enables it to visualize cellular organelles and macromolecular complexes at nanometer resolution with native conformations. Motivated by developments in nanotechnology and machine learning, establishing machine learning approaches such as classification, detection and averaging for Cryo-ET image analysis has inspired broad interest. Yet, deep learning-based methods for biomedical imaging typically require large labeled datasets for good results, which can be a great challenge due to the expense of obtaining and labeling training data. To deal with this problem, we propose a generative model to simulate Cryo-ET images efficiently and reliably: CryoETGAN. This cycle-consistent and Wasserstein generative adversarial network (GAN) is able to generate images with an appearance similar to the original experimental data. Quantitative and visual grading results on generated images are provided to show that the results of our proposed method achieve better performance compared to the previous state-of-the-art simulation methods. Moreover, CryoETGAN is stable to train and capable of generating plausibly diverse image samples.
Modified Gene Editing Systems: Diverse Bioengineering Tools and Crop Improvement
Authors: Zhu Guoning , Zhu Hongliang
Published: March 2022

Gene-editing systems have emerged as bioengineering tools in recent years. Classical gene-editing systems include zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) with CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) (CRISPR/Cas9), and these tools allow specific sequences to be targeted and edited. Various modified gene-editing systems have been established based on classical gene-editing systems. Base editors (BEs) can accurately carry out base substitution on target sequences, while prime editors (PEs) can replace or insert sequences. CRISPR systems targeting mitochondrial genomes and RNA have also been explored and established. Multiple gene-editing techniques based on CRISPR/Cas9 have been established and applied to genome engineering. Modified gene-editing systems also make transgene-free plants more readily available. In this review, we discuss the modifications made to gene-editing systems in recent years and summarize the capabilities, deficiencies, and applications of these modified gene-editing systems. Finally, we discuss the future developmental direction and challenges of modified gene-editing systems.
LUX ARRHYTHMO Interacts With ELF3a and ELF4a to Coordinate Vegetative Growth and Photoperiodic Flowering in Rice
Authors: Cai Zhengzheng , Zhang Yudan , Tang Weiqi , Chen Xuequn , Lin Chenchen , Liu Yang , Ye Yanfang , Wu Weiren , Duan Yuanlin
Published: March 2022

The evening complex (EC) plays a critical role in photoperiod flowering in Arabidopsis. Nevertheless, the underlying functions of individual components and coordinate regulation mechanism of EC genes in rice flowering remain to be elucidated. Here, we characterized the critical role of LUX ARRHYTHMO (LUX) in photoperiod perception and coordinating vegetative growth and flowering in rice. Non-functional alleles of OsLUX extremely extended vegetative phase, leading to photoperiod-insensitive late flowering and great increase of grain yield. OsLUX displayed an obvious diurnal rhythm expression with the peak at dusk and promoted rice flowering via coordinating the expression of genes associated with the circadian clock and the output integrators of photoperiodic flowering. OsLUX combined with OsELF4a and OsELF3a or OsELF3b to form two ECs, of which the OsLUX-OsELF3a-OsELF4a was likely the dominant promoter for photoperiodic flowering. In addition, OsELF4a was also essential for promoting rice flowering. Unlike OsLUX, loss OsELF4a displayed a marginal influence under short-day (SD) condition, but markedly delayed flowering time under long-day (LD) condition. These results suggest that rice EC genes share the function of promoting flowering. This is agreement with the orthologs of SD plant, but opposite to the counterparts of LD species. Taken together, rice EC genes display similar but not identical function in photoperiodic flowering, probably through regulating gene expression cooperative and independent. These findings facilitate our understanding of photoperiodic flowering in plants, especially the SD crops.
Interactive Effects of Situational Variables Regarding Teams’ Technical Performance in the UEFA Champions League
Authors: Yi Qing , Yang Jingyong , Wang Xinlei , Gai Yang , Gómez-Ruano Miguel-Ángel
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to examine the interactive effects of situational variables (competition stage, match location, and match outcome) on teams’ technical performance in the UEFA Champion League. Match data of 19 technical actions and events were collected and classified into three groups (variables related to goal scoring, offense, and defense) during eight seasons (2009/2010–2016/2017). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA) was used to identify the differences in the technical performances among teams. Results showed that the significant differences in the technical performance between the group stage and the knockout stage were only found in dribble and yellow card. However, differences in the variables related to goal scoring and offense were more significant than in the variables related to defense under the comparisons across competition situations, and the differences in the variables related to defense were mainly detected in the yellow card. The number of variables that showed significant differences among match location and match outcome in the group stage were less than in the knockout stage. Therefore, the identified key performance indicators by considering the interactive effects of situational variables may provide detailed and practical insights for coaches to develop useful training interventions and match strategies for upcoming match playing in specific competition situations.
Factors Affecting Intention of Consumers in Using Face Recognition Payment in Offline Markets: An Acceptance Model for Future Payment Service
Authors: Nan Dongyan , Kim Yerin , Huang Jintao , Jung Hae Sun , Kim Jang Hyun
Published: March 2022

Face recognition payment (FRP), an innovative financial technology service, is a recently developed mode of payment service that has garnered attention in the offline market, particularly in China. However, studies examining the adoption of FRP by consumers are scarce. Therefore, this study proposed a causal model built on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, and key predictors related to the intention of using FRP were identified. The structural equation model-based results obtained from 305 Chinese participants demonstrated that the intention was most affected by relative advantage. In addition, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and perceived risk also had a significant impact. However, trust was found to not significantly affect consumers’ intentions, despite it negatively influencing perceived risk. Thus, the results of this study are expected to provide a set of guidelines for companies regarding the implementation of FRP.
A Perspective on Implementation of Technology-Driven Exergames for Adults as Telerehabilitation Services
Authors: Meulenberg Cécil J. W. , de Bruin Eling D. , Marusic Uros
Published: March 2022

A major concern of public health authorities is to also encourage adults to be exposed to enriched environments (sensory and cognitive-motor activity) during the pandemic lockdown, as was recently the case worldwide during the COVID-19 outbreak. Games for adults that require physical activity, known as exergames, offer opportunities here. In particular, the output of the gaming industry nowadays offers computer games with extended reality (XR) which combines real and virtual environments and refers to human-machine interactions generated by computers and wearable technologies. For example, playing the game in front of a computer screen while standing or walking on a force plate or treadmill allows the user to react to certain infrastructural changes and obstacles within the virtual environment. Recent developments, optimization, and minimizations in wearable technology have produced wireless headsets and sensors that allow for unrestricted whole-body movement. This makes the virtual experience more immersive and provides the opportunity for greater engagement than traditional exercise. Currently, XR serves as an umbrella term for current immersive technologies as well as future realities that enhance the experience with features that produce new controllable environments. Overall, these technology-enhanced exergames challenge the adult user and modify the experience by increasing sensory stimulation and creating an environment where virtual and real elements interact. As a therapy, exergames can potentially create new environments and visualizations that may be more ecologically valid and thus simulate real activities of daily living that can be trained. Furthermore, by adding telemedicine features to the exergame, progress over time can be closely monitored and feedback provided, offering future opportunities for cognitive-motor assessment. To more optimally serve and challenge adults both physically and cognitively over time in future lockdowns, there is a need to provide long-term remote training and feedback. Particularly related to activities of daily living that create opportunities for effective and lasting rehabilitation for elderly and sufferers from chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs). The aim of the current review is to envision the remote training and monitoring of physical and cognitive aspects for adults with limited mobility (due to disability, disease, or age), through the implementation of concurrent telehealth and exergame features using XR and wireless sensor technologies.
COVID-19 and Stressful Adjustment to Work: A Long-Term Prospective Study About Homeworking for Bank Employees in Italy
Authors: Orfei Maria Donata , Porcari Desirée Estela , D’Arcangelo Sonia , Maggi Francesca , Russignaga Dario , Lattanzi Nicola , Malizia Andrea Patricelli , Ricciardi Emiliano
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 evolution has forced the massive introduction of homeworking (HW) for most employees in the initial stages of the pandemic and then return to work, mainly due to the vaccination campaign. These multiple abrupt adjustment demands in work may be a source of intense stress for office workers with consequences on wellbeing and the quality of life. This long-term prospective study aimed at investigating the effect of adaptation demands on a broad population of employees of a large Italian banking group in the job-related stress framework. We administered a web-based survey to 1,264 participants in Reopening after the first lockdown, from June to October 2020, at 841 subjects in Second Wave, corresponding to the rise of contagions from November 2020 to January 2021, and to 491 individuals in Vaccination Round, which ranged from February to June 2021. We assessed workaholism by using the Dutch Work Addiction Scale (DUWAS-10), work-family conflicting overlap by using the Work and Family Conflict Scale (WAFCS), and concern for back to work (BW) and for HW by specific questions. Higher WAFCS scores characterized Reopening and Vaccination Round while Second Wave had the highest level of concern for HW. Women and younger individuals showed the highest concern for BW, WAFCS, and DUWAS-10 scores regardless of the pandemic stage. HW days per week were related to more heightened concern for BW and lower concern for HW, DUWAS, and WAFCS scores. The number of children was related to lower Concern for BW and higher WAFCS scores in Reopening and Second Wave. Our data showed that massive adjustment demands in work and family routine represented a significant source of stress for employees, regardless of the different pandemic stages. The highest level of fatigue emerged in women and younger subjects. These results shed light on the need for a road map to promote a gradual and structured adjustment for workers and encourage organizations to consider homeworking as a valid stable alternative.
How Social Support Impact Teachers’ Mental Health Literacy: A Chain Mediation Model
Authors: Li Sihui , Sheng Youyu , Jing Yumei
Published: March 2022

Teachers have an important social role, and their mental health literacy is very important to their own abilities as educators and to the growth and development of those they educate. This study explored the mechanism underlying the influence of social support on teachers’ mental health literacy by conducting a questionnaire survey of 573 teachers. The results showed that social support can influence teachers’ mental health literacy not only through the separate effects of life satisfaction and coping tendency but also through the chain mediation effect of life satisfaction and coping tendency; however, the direct effect of social support on the teachers’ mental health literacy is not significant. This study is conducive to understanding the internal mechanism underlying the relationship between social support and mental health literacy. It reminded us that when formulating mental health literacy promotion programs for teachers, we should not only provide adequate social support to improve but also should pay attention to improvements in their coping tendencies and life satisfaction.
Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Supply in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Akkermann Steffen , Halling Tim , Löffler Friederike , Silber-Peest Ann S. , Krüger Tillmann , Bleich Stefan , Bauersachs Johann , Kahl Kai G. , Westhoff-Bleck Mechthild
Published: March 2022

Introduction

In March 2020, the World Health organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. One year later, the direct and indirect burden of the COVID-19 pandemic become more visible. In this context, there is concern about the allocation of medical resources and medical treatment of other diseases than COVID-19. Particularly, patients with chronic diseases need constant medical and pharmacological treatment. Therefore, we evaluated a large cohort of patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) regarding postponed medical appointments and their possibilities to receive medical treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 559 patients with ACHD (mean age 37.32 ± 11.98; 47% female). Clinical characteristics, answers to questionnaires concerning lifestyle, psychological well-being, addictive behavior and adherence were related to postponed medical appointments and limited access to medical care.

Results

One hundred and nine patients (19.5%) reported problems getting necessary medical treatment or visiting a physician. Higher anxiety levels (p = 0.004) emerged as the main factor associated with medical undertreatment. The main risk factors for postponement of least one medical appointment (n = 91) were higher depression (p = 0.013) and anxiety (p = 0.05) symptoms as well as female sex (p ≤ 0.0001) and documented arrhythmias (p = 0.007) indicating a particular risk group of cardiovascular complications. In contrast, frequent physical activity identified patients at lower risk.

Conclusion

In ACHD anxiety and depressive symptoms handicap patients to receive medical care. Postponement of medical appointments additionally relates to female sex and documented arrhythmias. The latter indicates that patients at high risk of adverse cardiac outcome avoid routine medical care. Our data may lead policy makers to develop strategies for the provision of medical services to particular vulnerable patient groups, and to optimize management of both future pandemics and daily routine.
Case Report: Treatment of Delusions of Theft Based on the Assessment of Photos of Patients' Homes
Authors: Ishimaru Daiki , Kanemoto Hideki , Hotta Maki , Nagata Yuma , Satake Yuto , Taomoto Daiki , Ikeda Manabu
Published: March 2022

Background

The occurrence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia is affected by individualized context. However, details regarding delusion of theft have been poorly documented. This report describes a useful assessment to understand the environmental context of delusion through two cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Familial interview was conducted to assess the phenomenological features. Photos of patients' homes were used to increase the assessment accuracy and check the individualized environmental contexts; this is known as Photo Assessment of Living Environment (PA-LE).

Case Description

Case 1 was of an 88-year-old woman whose Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 23/30. She believed that one neighbor stole her wallet and stored it on a shelf in the living room. She sometimes placed it in other places, such as under the bed as safekeeping. The delusion often occurred when getting ready to go shopping. PA-LE confirmed that the room and shelf were not cluttered, although the incorrect storage place seemed to be hard-to-find.

Case 2 was of a 78-year-old woman. The MMSE score was 20/30. She believed that some neighbors stole her garden items. The delusion was limited to her garden, yet the items were varied. Auditory hallucinations exacerbated her belief that the neighbors intruded the garden. PA-LE confirmed that the garden was cluttered with several duplicated items. Moreover, the patient inaccurately remembered the condition of the garden.

Non-pharmacological approaches were tailored to the patients' environmental and psychological states, referring to the interview and PA-LE. This included environmental adjustment or increasing self-esteem. Antipsychotics were also prescribed. Environmental and psychological triggers of delusion were improved by the interventions, and the patients had uneventful courses without active delusions.

Conclusion

Evaluating patients' homes using photos could detect the environmental context of delusion of theft among patients with AD and assist in the management.
Income Disparities in Cancer Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2019
Authors: Rajaguru Vasuki , Kim Tae Hyun , Shin Jaeyong , Lee Sang Gyu
Published: March 2022

Background

Cancer is one of the leading chronic diseases, which causes premature mortality in Korea. Early detection has been reported to be associated with reduced mortality and morbidity. Consistent evidence reports that lower screening rates are associated with socioeconomic-based disparities. This study aimed to examine income-related disparities in cancer screening services and to analyze the association between utilization of cancer screening and individual characteristics, including income levels.

Methods

This study utilized the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a population-based survey from 2013 to 2019. The study population included individuals aged 40 years or over. The variables were socioeconomic characteristics and perceived health status. Household income was categorized into quartiles from Q1 (the lowest income group) to Q4 (the highest income group). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between cancer screening and individual characteristics and household income levels.

Results

There were 20,347 individuals included in this study. Among these, 14,741 (72.4%) had undergone cancer screening. There existed a gap in the utilization of cancer screening between the lowest (Q1) and highest (Q4) income quintiles owing to evident income disparities; Q4 thus had a significantly higher likelihood of undergoing cancer screening than other quintiles. Female sex, university and over education, number of chronic diseases, and private insurance coverage were positively associated with cancer screening (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that policymakers should develop and design strategies to increase awareness and efforts to improve the education and promotion of cancer screening among lower-income target groups.
A Machine-Learning-Based Medical Imaging Fast Recognition of Injury Mechanism for Athletes of Winter Sports
Authors: Liu Peihua , Yue Nan , Chen Jiandong
Published: March 2022

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will begin soon, which is mainly focused on winter sports. Athletes from different countries will arrive in Beijing one after another for training and competition. The health protection of athletes of winter sports is very important in training and competition. The occurrence of sports injury is characterized by multiple factors, uncertainty, and accidents. This paper mainly pays attention to the head injury with the highest severity. Athletes' high safety awareness is a part of reducing injury, but safety awareness cannot effectively reduce the occurrence of injury in competition, and timely treatment of injured athletes is particularly important. After athletes are injured, a telemedicine image acquisition system can be built, so that medical experts can identify athletes' injuries in time and provide the basis for further diagnosis and treatment. In order to improve the accuracy of medical image processing, a C-support vector machine (SVM) medical image segmentation method combining the Chan-Vese (CV) model and SVM is proposed in this paper. After segmentation, the edge and detail features of the image are more prominent, which meet the requirements of high precision for medical image segmentation. Meanwhile, a high-precision registration algorithm of brain functional time-series images based on machine learning (ML) is proposed, and the automatic optimization of high-precision registration of brain function time-series images is performed by ML algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has higher segmentation accuracy above 80% and less registration time below 40 ms, which can provide a reference for doctors to quickly identify the injury and shorten the time.
Has Tourism Industry Agglomeration Improved the Total Factor Productivity of Chinese Urban Agglomerations?—The Moderating Effect of Public Epidemic
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Ma Junwei
Published: March 2022

Industry agglomeration has become a prominent feature of tourism industry development in developed and developing countries and regions in the world. According to the literature analysis, the development of industrial agglomeration has both agglomeration effect and congestion effect. This paper constructs a theoretical and empirical analysis framework for the impact of tourism industry agglomeration on the total factor productivity of Chinese urban agglomerations, and analyze the moderating effect of the public epidemic on this impact. From results of empirical analysis, a U-shaped relationship exists between tourism industry agglomeration and the total factor productivity of Chinese urban agglomerations. The public epidemic positively moderated (enhanced) the negative effect (congestion effect) of tourism industry agglomeration on total factor productivity, and negatively moderated (weakened) the positive effect (agglomeration effect) of tourism industry agglomeration on total factor productivity.
Development and Preliminary Validation of the Physical Education-Study Process Questionnaire : Insights for Physical Education University Students
Authors: Tannoubi Amayra , Guelmami Noomen , Bonsaksen Tore , Chalghaf Nasr , Azaiez Fairouz , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi
Published: March 2022

Background

The Revised Two Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) is used to examine students' study approaches in higher education. The questionnaire is designed to measure two factors: deep and surface approaches. In order to measure these approaches for students in physical education and sport, a new measurement instrument should take into consideration the practical context of this field of education that makes it specific to other fields.

Objective

The present study aims (a) to develop and empirical test of a new instrument for measuring the study process in physical education and sports students, and (b) to test psychometric properties of the tool.

Methods

Two exploratory and confirmatory samples of physical education students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in physical education at the High Institute of Physical Education and Sports of Kef-Tunisia, aged 19–26 years, were recruited online among female students (n = 414) and male students (n = 393). The participants filled in Google Form survey including Physical Education-Study Process Questionnaire (PE-SPQ) and the Arabic version of the Revised Study Process Questionnaire-2 Factors (R-SPQ-2F).

Results

Exploratory factor analysis showed a suitable four factors solution, which is approved by confirmatory factor analysis indices [χ2 = 466.47, TLI = 0.94, CFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.56 IC 90% (0.050–0.062)]. Internal consistency of the PE-SPQ simultaneously checked by McDonald's ω, Cronbach's α and Gutmann's λ6 showed good reliability of the PE-SPQ. Convergent validity examined by Average variance extracted (AVE) was good. The comparison between the AVE root mean square and Pearson correlation coefficients of each factor with his indicators reveals the discriminant validity of the PE-SPQ. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation between the PE-SPQ factors and the R-SPQ-2F establishes the concurrent validity of the new scale.

Conclusion

The PE-SPQ scale is valid and reliable and can be used to assess study process factors in physical education students.