bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is endoscopy beneficial in pediatric laparoscopic gastrostomy insertion; A 9-year comparative study
Authors: Bitar Rana , Syed Ajia , Azaz Amer , Rawat David , Hobeldin Mohamed , Miqdady Mohamad , Abdelsalam Seifeleslam
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Advancements in pediatric percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement (PEG), laparoscopic-assisted gastrostomy (LAG) technique, and laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (LAPEG) procedure have opened up new options for gastrostomy tube placement. LAPEG utilizes endoscopy and laparoscopy for gastrostomy insertion. This review compares the outcomes and complications of LAG and LAPEG techniques in children.

Methods

All LAG and LAPEG gastrostomy tube placements in children from September 2010 to September 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Patient demographic, along with procedural and 1-year complication data, were collected.

Results

In total, 92/181 of gastrostomies were LAG and 89/181 were LAPEG. The mean age, weight and patient characteristics were comparable. Conversion rate was 1% in both groups (p= 0.74), there was no peritoneal leak in either group, a minor serosal injury to the stomach was seen in 1 patient in LAG with no bowel injury in LAPEG cohort (p= 0.51), need for re-operation was 1 and 2% in LAG and LAPEG, respectively (p= 0.49), early tube dislodgement was in 8 (9%) patients in LAG and 7 (6%) in LAPEG (p= 0.53) and wound infection was 13/92 in LAG and 11/89 in LAPEG (p= 0.8). The median operative time for LAPEG was less than LAG (p< 0.001) by 11 min but the median length of hospital stay was not significantly different (p< 0.096).

Conclusion

Both LAG and LAPEG techniques in children are safe with comparable complication rates and length of hospital stay, the addition of endoscopy to LAG allowed for shorter operative time in the LAPEG technique.
Treatment outcome of pediatric tuberculosis in eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Weldegebreal Fitsum , Teklemariam Zelalem , Mitiku Habtamu , Tesfaye Tamrat , Abrham Roba Aklilu , Tebeje Fikru , Asfaw Abiyot , Naganuri Mahantash , Jinnappa Geddugol Bahubali , Mesfin Frehiwot , Abdulahi Ibsa Mussa , Befikadu Hilina , Tesfaye Eden
Published: August 2022

Background

Children are more vulnerable to developing active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection which causes significant morbidity and mortality. However, the contribution of childhood tuberculosis and its treatment outcomes have not been well documented, and no research has been conducted in eastern Ethiopia.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the treatment outcome and its predictors of pediatric tuberculosis in eastern Ethiopia from September 1, 2017 to January 30, 2018.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in eight selected hospitals in eastern Ethiopia. Data on 2002 children with tuberculosis was extracted by using the standard checklist of the national tuberculosis treatment format. Treatment outcomes were determined according to the standard definitions of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme. Data were entered into Epi Data software version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable regression analyses were carried out to examine the associations between dependent and independent variables. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result

The overall successful treatment rate was 1,774 (88.6%) [95% confidence interval (CI): (80.59–97.40)]. A total of 125 (6.2%), 1,648 (82.3%), 59 (2.9%), and 19 (0.9%) children with tuberculosis (TB) were cured, completed, defaulted, and died, respectively. A high number of defaulters and deaths were reported in the age group <10 years. More children with smear-positive pulmonary TB (74.4%) were cured, while smear-negative tuberculosis had higher treatment completion rates. Being male in sex (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.96) and those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive sero status (AOR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.90) had a lower chance of a successful treatment outcome.

Conclusion

In this study, thee treatment success rate was higher than the recent World Health Organization report. Those males and HIV seropositive status were less likely to have a successful treatment outcome. Therefore, efforts should be made by each health institution in eastern Ethiopia by giving emphasis on male and HIV-positive individuals.
Analgesic Action of Catechin on Chronic Constriction Injury–Induced Neuropathic Pain in Sprague–Dawley Rats
Authors: Foudah Ahmed I. , Alqarni Mohammed H. , Devi Sushma , Singh Akanksha , Alam Aftab , Alam Pravej , Singh Sima
Published: August 2022

Chronic neuropathy is a common and debilitating problem that poses a significant challenge to health care worldwide. Natural compounds have received considerable attention as potential sources of new drugs for the treatment of neuropsychiatric pain. Catechin is a well-known novel flavonoid with several therapeutic properties, notably in neurodegenerative diseases. The current study is designed to investigate the role of catechin in neuroprotective activity in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. Apparently, healthy adult male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 160–190 g (8 weeks old) were selected and grouped into the following: sham (distilled water), CCI group (CCI), standard [CCI + pregabalin (10 mg/kg, p.o.)], and test catechin [CCI + catechin (50 and 100 μg/kg p.o.)] for 28 days. Behavioral, thermal, and mechanical changes were evaluated. The results showed that mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were reduced in the catechin-treated group when compared with the CCI group. In addition, the relationship between the analgesic effect of catechin and the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-β was established. The results showed that catechin reversed the signs of neuropathic pain. It also decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-β in the rat brain. Therefore, the results suggested that catechin has promising potential in the treatment and management of neuropathic pain by decreasing the levels of NF-κβ–regulated inflammatory cytokines in the chronic constriction injury model.
Artemisinin relieves myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via modulating miR-29b-3p and hemicentin 1
Authors: Han Junyu , Zhang Ziguan , Zhang Zhonghe , Yang Shuyu
Published: August 2022

Objective: To explore the impact of artemisinin (ARS) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and the underlying mechanism.

Methods: Myocardial I/R rat model and cell model were used in this study. The cell viability, morphological changes, apoptosis, and oxidative stress were evaluated in cardiomyocytes H9c2 cells in vitro by using cell counting kit-8, microscope, flow cytometry, and commercial kits. High throughput sequencing is used to identify molecular targets of ARS on myocardial I/R injury, and then the gene-gene interaction network was constructed. MiR-29b-3p, hemicentin 1 (HMCN1), and apoptosis-related genes were tested by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. In the myocardial I/R rat model, echocardiography, (Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride) TTC staining, Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, Masson Trichrome staining, and TUNEL staining are applied to evaluate the protective effect of ARS on the myocardial injury.

Results:In vitro, we demonstrated that ARS alleviated H2O2-induced myocardial I/R injury, manifested by increased H9c2 viability, decreased pathological changes, apoptosis, and oxidative stress biomarker ROS, LDH, and CK-MB. Then, sequencing analysis revealed that miR-29b-3p/HMCN1 was the target of ARS for myocardial I/R injury. Notably, rescue experiments indicated that ARS inhibited myocardial I/R injury through targeted regulation miR-29b-3p/HMCN1. In vivo, we confirmed that ARS reduced myocardial injury, fibrosis, and apoptosis via modulation of miR-29b-3p/HMCN1.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the functional role of the ARS/miR-29b-3p/HMCN1 axis in alleviating myocardial I/R injury, which provided a new direction for myocardial I/R injury therapy.
Phaseolus vulgaris extract ameliorates high-fat diet-induced colonic barrier dysfunction and inflammation in mice by regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor expression and butyrate levels
Authors: Avagliano Carmen , De Caro Carmen , Cuozzo Mariarosaria , Liguori Fabrizio Maria , La Rana Giovanna , Micheli Laura , Di Cesare Mannelli Lorenzo , Ghelardini Carla , Paciello Orlando , Russo Roberto
Published: August 2022

Obesity is a health concern worldwide, and its onset is multifactorial. In addition to metabolic syndrome, a high-fat diet induces many deleterious downstream effects, such as chronic systemic inflammation, a loss of gut barrier integrity, and gut microbial dysbiosis, with a reduction of many butyrate-producing bacteria. These conditions can be ameliorated by increasing legumes in the daily diet. White and kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and their non-nutritive bioactive component phaseolamin were demonstrated to mitigate several pathological features related to a metabolic syndrome-like condition. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular pathways involved in the protective effects on the intestinal and liver environment of a chronic oral treatment with P. vulgaris extract (PHAS) on a murine model of the high-fat diet. Results show that PHAS treatment has an anti-inflammatory effect on the liver, colon, and cecum. This protective effect was mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and γ. Moreover, we also observed that repeated PHAS treatment was able to restore tight junctions’ expression and protective factors of colon and cecum integrity disrupted in HFD mice. This improvement was correlated with a significant increase of butyrate levels in serum and fecal samples compared to the HFD group. These data underline that prolonged treatment with PHAS significantly reduces some pathological features related to the metabolic syndrome-like condition, such as inflammation and intestinal barrier disruption; therefore, PHAS could be a valid tool to be associated with the therapeutic strategy.
Molecular mechanisms and physiological functions of autophagy in kidney diseases
Authors: Yang Jingchao , Yuan Longhui , Liu Fei , Li Lan , Liu Jingping , Chen Younan , Lu Yanrong , Yuan Yujia
Published: August 2022

Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular progress for the degradation of cytoplasmic contents including micromolecules, misfolded proteins, and damaged organelles that has recently captured attention in kidney diseases. Basal autophagy plays a pivotal role in maintaining cell survival and kidney homeostasis. Accordingly, dysregulation of autophagy has implicated in the pathologies of kidney diseases. In this review, we summarize the multifaceted role of autophagy in kidney aging, maladaptive repair, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and discuss autophagy-related drugs in kidney diseases. However, uncertainty still remains as to the precise mechanisms of autophagy in kidney diseases. Further research is needed to clarify the accurate molecular mechanism of autophagy in kidney diseases, which will facilitate the discovery of a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases.
Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal the adaptation of Antarctic moss Pohlia nutans to drought stress
Authors: Fang Shuo , Li Tingting , Zhang Pengying , Liu Chenlin , Cong Bailin , Liu Shenghao
Published: August 2022

Most regions of the Antarctic continent are experiencing increased dryness due to global climate change. Mosses and lichens are the dominant vegetation of the ice-free areas of Antarctica. However, the molecular mechanisms of these Antarctic plants adapting to drought stress are less documented. Here, transcriptome and metabolome analyses were employed to reveal the responses of an Antarctic moss (Pohlia nutans subsp. LIU) to drought stress. We found that drought stress made the gametophytes turn yellow and curled, and enhanced the contents of malondialdehyde and proline, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Totally, 2,451 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were uncovered under drought treatment. The representative DEGs are mainly involved in ROS-scavenging and detoxification, flavonoid metabolism pathway, plant hormone signaling pathway, lipids metabolism pathway, transcription factors and signal-related genes. Meanwhile, a total of 354 differentially changed metabolites (DCMs) were detected in the metabolome analysis. Flavonoids and lipids were the most abundant metabolites and they accounted for 41.53% of the significantly changed metabolites. In addition, integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed co-expression patterns of flavonoid and long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis genes and their metabolites. Finally, qPCR analysis demonstrated that the expression levels of stress-related genes were significantly increased. These genes included those involved in ABA signaling pathway (NCED3, PP2C, PYL, and SnAK2), jasmonate signaling pathway (AOC, AOS, JAZ, and OPR), flavonoid pathway (CHS, F3’,5’H, F3H, FLS, FNS, and UFGT), antioxidant and detoxifying functions (POD, GSH-Px, Prx and DTX), and transcription factors (ERF and DREB). In summary, we speculated that P. nutans were highly dependent on ABA and jasmonate signaling pathways, ROS scavenging, flavonoids and fatty acid metabolism in response to drought stress. These findings present an important knowledge for assessing the impact of coastal climate change on Antarctic basal plants.
Protein Engineering of a Germacrene A Synthase From Lactuca sativa and Its Application in High Productivity of Germacrene A in Escherichia coli
Authors: Chen Rong , Liu Yuheng , Chen Shu , Wang Ming , Zhu Yao , Hu Tianyuan , Wei Qiuhui , Yin Xiaopu , Xie Tian
Published: August 2022

Germacrene A (GA) is a key intermediate for the synthesis of medicinal active compounds, especially for β-elemene, which is a broad-spectrum anticancer drug. The production of sufficient GA in the microbial platform is vital for the precursors supply of active compounds. In this study, Escherichia coli BL21 Star (DE3) was used as the host and cultivated in SBMSN medium, obtaining a highest yield of FPP. The GA synthase from Lactuca sativa (LTC2) exhibited the highest level of GA production. Secondly, two residues involved in product release (T410 and T392) were substituted with Ser and Ala, respectively, responsible for relatively higher activities. Next, substitution of selected residues S243 with Asn caused an increase in activity. Furthermore, I364K-T410S and T392A-T410S were created by combination with the beneficial mutation, and they demonstrated dramatically enhanced titers with 1.90-fold and per-cell productivity with 5.44-fold, respectively. Finally, the production titer of GA reached 126.4 mg/L, and the highest productivity was 7.02 mg/L.h by the I364K-T410S mutant in a shake-flask batch culture after fermentation for 18 h. To our knowledge, the productivity of the I364K-T410S mutant is the highest level ever reported. These results highlight a promising method for the industrial production of GA in E. coli, and lay a foundation for pathway reconstruction and the production of valuable natural sesquiterpenes.
Measuring the frequency and distribution of meiotic crossovers in homozygous barley inbred lines
Authors: Schreiber Miriam , Chen Yun-Yu , Ramsay Luke , Waugh Robbie
Published: August 2022

We report a novel approach for establishing the number and position of CO events in individual homozygous inbred plants by combining low level EMS mutagenesis, speed breeding, whole genome shotgun sequencing and sliding window analysis of the induced molecular variant data. We demonstrate the approach by exploring CO frequency and distribution in self-fertilised progeny of the inbred barley cultivar Bowman and compare these observations to similar data obtained from a Bowman nearly isogenic line (BW230 Hvmlh3) containing a mutation in the DNA mismatch repair gene HvMLH3. We have previously shown that Hvmlh3 decreases both plant fertility and recombination by ~50%. We compare our results to those from previously published traditional genetic analysis of F3 families derived from multiple F2 lines containing WT or mutant alleles of HvMLH3, revealing a high level of correspondence between analyses. We discuss possible applications of the approach in streamlining the assessment of recombination in plant meiosis research.
Exogenous tryptophan application improves cadmium tolerance and inhibits cadmium upward transport in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
Authors: Jiang Jia , Wang Ze , Kong Xiangzhou , Chen Yajun , Li Jing
Published: August 2022

Cadmium (Cd) pollution not only reduces crop yields, but also threatens human health and food safety. It is of great significance for agricultural production to improve plant Cd resistance and reduce Cd accumulation. In Arabidopsis, tryptophan (Trp) has been found to play a role in Cd resistance. However, studies on the role of exogenous Trp on Cd tolerance in crops are limited. Here, we report that exogenous Trp application can effectively alleviate biomass decline induced by Cd stress and inhibit Cd transport from roots to shoots in Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli). Compared to Cd stress alone, the fresh weight of shoots and roots of B. oleracea seedlings treated with Cd and Trp increased by 25 and 120%, respectively, and the Cd content in shoots decreased by 51.6%. In combination with physiological indices and transcriptome analysis, we preliminarily explored the mechanism of Trp alleviating Cd stress and affecting Cd transport. Trp inhibited Cd-induced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) conjugation, thereby providing enough free IAA to sustain growth under Cd stress; Trp inhibited the indolic glucosinolate (IGS) biosynthesis induced by Cd. Considering that the synthesis of IGS consumes glutathione (GSH) as a sulfur donor, the inhibition of Trp in IGS synthesis may be conducive to maintaining a high GSH content to be against Cd stress. Consistent with this, we found that GSH content under Cd stress with Trp application was higher than that of Cd alone. In addition to alleviating the damage caused by Cd, Trp can also inhibit the upward transport of Cd from roots to shoots, possibly by repressing the expression of HMA4, which encodes a transporter responsible for the xylem loading and Cd upward transport.
The genus Chrysanthemum: Phylogeny, biodiversity, phytometabolites, and chemodiversity
Authors: Hao Da-Cheng , Song Yanjun , Xiao Peigen , Zhong Yi , Wu Peiling , Xu Lijia
Published: August 2022

The ecologically and economically important genus Chrysanthemum contains around 40 species and many hybrids and cultivars. The dried capitulum of Chrysanthemum morifolium (CM) Ramat. Tzvel, i.e., Flos Chrysanthemi, is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and folk medicine for at least 2,200 years. It has also been a popular tea beverage for about 2,000 years since Han Dynasty in China. However, the origin of different cultivars of CM and the phylogenetic relationship between Chrysanthemum and related Asteraceae genera are still elusive, and there is a lack of comprehensive review about the association between biodiversity and chemodiversity of Chrysanthemum. This article aims to provide a synthetic summary of the phylogeny, biodiversity, phytometabolites and chemodiversity of Chrysanthemum and related taxonomic groups, focusing on CM and its wild relatives. Based on extensive literature review and in light of the medicinal value of chrysanthemum, we give some suggestions for its relationship with some genera/species and future applications. Mining chemodiversity from biodiversity of Chrysanthemum containing subtribe Artemisiinae, as well as mining therapeutic efficacy and other utilities from chemodiversity/biodiversity, is closely related with sustainable conservation and utilization of Artemisiinae resources. There were eight main cultivars of Flos Chrysanthemi, i.e., Hangju, Boju, Gongju, Chuju, Huaiju, Jiju, Chuanju and Qiju, which differ in geographical origins and processing methods. Different CM cultivars originated from various hybridizations between multiple wild species. They mainly contained volatile oils, triterpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, amino acids and other phytometabolites, which have the activities of antimicrobial, anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-aging, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and closely related taxonomic groups could also be useful as food, medicine and tea. Despite some progresses, the genetic/chemical relationships among varieties, species and relevant genera have yet to be clarified; therefore, the roles of pharmacophylogeny and omics technology are highlighted.
Within-species variation of seed traits of dune engineering species across a European climatic gradient
Authors: Del Vecchio Silvia , Sharma Shivam Kumar , Pavan Mario , Acosta Alicia Teresa Rosario , Bacchetta Gianluigi , de Bello Francesco , Isermann Maike , Michalet Richard , Buffa Gabriella
Published: August 2022

Within-species variation is a key component of biodiversity and linking it to climatic gradients may significantly improve our understanding of ecological processes. High variability can be expected in plant traits, but it is unclear to which extent it varies across populations under different climatic conditions. Here, we investigated seed trait variability and its environmental dependency across a latitudinal gradient of two widely distributed dune-engineering species (Thinopyrum junceum and Calamagrostis arenaria). Seed germination responses against temperature and seed mass were compared within and among six populations exposed to a gradient of temperature and precipitation regimes (Spiekeroog, DE; Bordeaux, FR; Valencia, ES; Cagliari, IT, Rome, IT; Venice, IT). Seed germination showed opposite trends in response to temperature experienced during emergence in both species: with some expectation, in populations exposed to severe winters, seed germination was warm-cued, whereas in populations from warm sites with dry summer, seed germination was cold-cued. In C. arenaria, variability in seed germination responses disappeared once the seed coat was incised. Seed mass from sites with low precipitation was smaller than that from sites with higher precipitation and was better explained by rainfall continentality than by aridity in summer. Within-population variability in seed germination accounted for 5 to 54%, while for seed mass it was lower than 40%. Seed trait variability can be considerable both within- and among-populations even at broad spatial scale. The variability may be hardly predictable since it only partially correlated with the analyzed climatic variables, and with expectation based on the climatic features of the seed site of origin. Considering seed traits variability in the analysis of ecological processes at both within- and among-population levels may help elucidate unclear patterns of species dynamics, thereby contributing to plan adequate measures to counteract biodiversity loss.
Six- to eight-year-olds’ performance in the Heart and Flower task: Emerging proactive cognitive control
Authors: Roebers Claudia M.
Published: August 2022

The Heart and Flower task is used worldwide to measure age-dependent and individual differences in executive functions and/or cognitive control. The task reliably maps age and individual differences and these have consistently been found to be predictive for different aspects of school readiness and academic achievement. The idea has been put forward that there is a developmental shift in how children approach such a task. While 6-year-olds’ tend to adapt their task strategy ad hoc and reactively, older children increasingly engage in proactive cognitive control. Proactive cognitive control entails finding the right response speed without risking errors, always dependent on the cognitive conflict. The main goal of the present contribution was to examine children’s adjustments of response speed as a function of age and cognitive conflict by addressing RTs surrounding errors (i.e., errors and post-error trials). Data from a large sample with three age groups was used (N = 106 6-year-olds’ with a mean age of 6 years; 3 months; N = 108 7-year-olds’ with a mean age of 7 years; 4 months; N = 78 8-year-olds’ with a mean age of 8 years; 1 month). Response speed adjustments and the development thereof were targeted both across the Flower and Mixed block, respectively, and within these blocks focusing on errors and post-error slowing. Results revealed evidence for a developmental shift toward more efficient proactive cognitive control between 6 and 8 years of age, with the older but not the younger children strategically slowing down in the Mixed block and smoother post-error slowing. At the same time, we found that even the youngest age group has emerging proactive cognitive control skills at their disposal when addressing post-error slowing in the Flower block. The present study thus tracks the early roots of later efficient executive functions and cognitive control, contributes to a better understanding of how developmental progression in cognitive control is achieved, and highlights new avenues for research in this domain.
The application of artificial intelligence assistant to deep learning in teachers' teaching and students' learning processes
Authors: Liu Yi , Chen Lei , Yao Zerui
Published: August 2022

With the emergence of big data, cloud computing, and other technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has set off a new wave in the field of education. The application of AI technology to deep learning in university teachers' teaching and students' learning processes is an innovative way to promote the quality of teaching and learning. This study proposed the deep learning-based assessment to measure whether students experienced an improvement in terms of their mastery of knowledge, development of abilities, and emotional experiences. It also used comparative analysis of pre-tests and post-tests through online questionnaires to test the results. The impact of technology on teachers' teaching and students' learning processes, identified the problems in the teaching and learning processes in the context of the application of AI technology, and proposed strategies for reforming and optimizing teaching and learning. It recommends the application of software and platforms, such as Waston and Knewton, under the orientation of AI technology to improve efficiency in teaching and learning, optimize course design, and engage students in deep learning. The contribution of this research is that the teaching and learning processes will be enhanced by the use of intelligent and efficient teaching models on the teachers' side and personalized and in-depth learning on the students' side. On the one hand, the findings are helpful for teachers to better grasp the actual conditions of in-class teaching in real time, carry out intelligent lesson preparations, enrich teaching methods, improve teaching efficiency, and achieve personalized and precision teaching. On the other hand, it also provides a space of intelligent support for students with different traits in terms of learning and effectively improves students' innovation ability, ultimately achieving the purpose of “artificial intelligence + education.”
The reward and punishment responsivity and motivation questionnaire (RPRM-Q): A stimulus-independent self-report measure of reward and punishment sensitivity that differentiates between responsivity and motivation
Authors: Jonker Nienke C. , Timmerman Marieke E. , de Jong Peter J.
Published: August 2022

Reward and punishment sensitivity seem important traits in understanding behavior in general and psychopathology in particular. Though the definitions used for reward and punishment sensitivity differentiate between responsivity and motivation, the measures thus far used to assess these constructs do not. Further, specificity of the type of reward (e.g., drugs) and punishment (e.g., spiders) in questionnaires might result in measurement bias especially when examining the relationship with psychopathology. Therefore, we developed a stimulus-independent multidimensional questionnaire of reward and punishment sensitivity that differentiates between responsivity and motivation. This study addresses the psychometric qualities of this newly developed reward and punishment responsivity and motivation questionnaire (RPRM-Q). On the basis of exploratory ordinal factor analysis (N = 273) that was used to examine the quality of the initial pool of 39 items, the number of items was reduced to 18. Confirmatory ordinal factor analysis on the remaining items in an independent sample (N = 328) supported a 18-item four-factor model, and showed acceptable to good internal reliability. The relationship between the subscales of the RPRM-Q and often used questionnaires was examined in the combined sample (N = 601), which showed some first support for the ability of the new questionnaire to differentiate between responsivity and motivation to approach/avoid. The findings indicate that the RPRM-Q might be a helpful instrument to further test the relevance of punishment and reward sensitivity in psychopathology.
Survey on the tourist satisfaction of rural homestay based on the theory of importance–performance analysis
Authors: Zhou Xiaorui , Wang Yanan , Ma Pingping
Published: August 2022

Guilin rural homestays are an important support for rural tourism destinations, serving not only as accommodation but also as a representative of the local culture of the town. To improve satisfaction with rural homestays among tourists, enhance destination attractiveness, and better meet tourist demands for accommodation conditions, this study combines literature and network text analysis to construct an evaluation index system for Guilin rural homestay tourist satisfaction. The data collected by a questionnaire survey based on importance–performance analysis (IPA) are analyzed. The results show that actual tourist satisfaction with the experience in the 21 indexes is lower than the pre-consumption expectation, due to the imperfect facilities, lack of special service development, relative optimization of basic road construction, and the need for improvement in the internal and external environment, among other factors. Through the improvement of the above factors, the satisfaction of tourists to the rural homestay can be improved.
Women academics and the changing psychological contract during COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Ronnie Linda , du Plessis Marieta , Walters Cyrill
Published: August 2022

This study examines the psychological contract between academics and their institutions during a time of great stress—the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that relationships between these parties have been found to be deteriorating prior to the pandemic, we believed it pertinent to explore how environmental changes brought about through lockdown conditions may have shifted the academic-institution relationship. Through a qualitative research design, our data is from 2029 women academics across 26 institutions of higher learning in South Africa. The major shifts in the psychological contract were found to be workload and pressure, provision of resources, top-down communication, as well as trust and support. Whilst these shifts altered the transactional and interactional nature of the psychological contract, violation, rather than breach, occurred since the emotional responses of participants point to incongruence or misalignment of expectations between academics and their institutions during this time of crisis. We offer recommendations for rebuilding trust and negotiating the psychological contract to re-engage academics in the institution.
Multi-wave analyses of coping, athlete burnout, and well-being among F. A. Premier League academy players
Authors: Nicholls Adam R. , Madigan Daniel J. , Earle Keith
Published: August 2022

Being a player with an F. A. Premier football academy is very prestigious for young players, but it can also be very stressful too. Coping with stress is particularly important given that one of the undesirable consequences linked to chronic stress is athlete burnout, which may also negatively impact psychological well-being. Understanding the most effective ways to cope with stress, therefore, is important for optimizing academy athlete education. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to examine whether coping predicted changes in athlete burnout, and whether athlete burnout predicted changes in well-being across 14 weeks of the competitive season. A sample of 26, under-18 and under-23, male F.A. Premier academy athletes completed weekly assessments of coping (task-, distraction-, and disengagement-oriented), athlete burnout, and psychological well-being on 14 separate occasions. The results of within-person analyses revealed that task-oriented coping predicted decreases in athlete burnout, which in turn predicted decreased well-being. Teaching high-level academy athletes task-oriented coping strategies may be useful in reducing athlete burnout, which may additionally protect athletes' well-being.
To adjust or not to adjust: Cut-off scores in performance validity testing in Portuguese older adults with dementia
Authors: Fernandes Sandra , Ferreira Inês , Querido Luís , Daugherty Julia C.
Published: August 2022

The rising demographic of older adults worldwide has led to an increase in dementia cases. In order to ensure the proper allocation of care and resources to this clinical group, it is necessary to correctly distinguish between simulated versus bona-fide cognitive deficits typical of dementia. Performance Validity Tests (PVTs) are specifically designed to assess a lack of effort and the possible simulation of cognitive impairment. Previous research demonstrates that PVTs may be sensitive to dementia, thus inaccurately classifying real memory impairment as simulation. Here, we analyzed the sensitivity of PVTs in discriminating between dementia and simulation using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Further, we examined the potential need for adjusting cut-off scores for three stand-alone (Test of Memory Malingering, Rey-15 Item Memory Test, and Coin in Hand-Extended Version) and one embedded (Reliable Digit Span) PVT for Portuguese older adults with dementia. The results showed that (1) all measures, except for the Coin in Hand— Extended version (CIH-EV), were sensitive to one or more sociodemographic and/or cognitive variables, and (2) it was necessary to adjust cut-off points for all measures. Additionally, the Rey-15 Item Memory Test did not demonstrate sufficient discriminating capacity for dementia. These results present important implications for clinical practice and the daily life of patients, as the use of incorrect cut-off points could impede patients from getting the resources they need.
Feasibility and acceptability of saliva-based testing for the screening of SARS-CoV-2 infection in prison
Authors: Parodi Chiara , Ottaviano Emerenziana , Cocco Nicola , Ancona Silvia , Bianchi Silvia , Massa Valentina , Bartolotti Raffaella , Pezzoni Barbara , Giuliani Ruggero , Borghi Elisa , Ranieri Roberto
Published: August 2022

Background

Saliva molecular tests have shown a similar sensitivity and specificity compared to nasopharyngeal test for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affected Lombardy prisons, generating the need for extensive contact tracing activities and for detecting asymptomatic carriers. The availability of a less invasive test in a setting that hosts a high-risk and often hard-to-reach population, suggests its possible use in prisons.

Methods

The study was carried out on a population of new incomers in Milan San Vittore pre-trial prison. All the new incomers were submitted to quarantine and to saliva test and nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) for SARS-CoV-2 detection at the entry and at the end of quarantine before their admission in community (Protocol 1–February 2nd to March 5th, 2021). Starting from March 8th to July 30th, 2021, the screening protocol was adjusted to avoid biases in sample collection (Protocol II), and saliva testing was performed at entrance.

Results

12/1,120 enrolled subjects were excluded from the study. Among the 1,080 processed samples, 1 tested positive, 5 weakly positive, 1,069 negative, 3 were invalid, and 2 samples tested positive for the viral gene N2 only, with Ct value above 38. During Protocol I, 6/156 coupled saliva/NPS tests were discordant due to food ingestion prior saliva collection, prompting us to establishing Protocol II.

Conclusions

Saliva molecular testing is feasible in prison setting, being less invasive and easier to use, and reliable. Acceptability was very high even in a complex context as that of newly incarcerated persons.
Prevalence of burnout and associated factors among health professionals working in public health facilities of Dire Dawa city administration, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Ahmed Fila , Hawulte Behailu , Yuya Mohammed , Birhanu Simon , Oljira Lemessa
Published: August 2022

Background:

Burnout is a common condition among health workers, characterized by emotional tiredness, depersonalization, and a sense of low personal accomplishment. Ethiopia has major health workforce management challenges, including shortages, poor motivation, retention, and performance, and research evidence is limited for health professionals' burnout status, particularly in Eastern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of burnout and associated factors among health professionals working at governmental health facilities in Eastern Ethiopia.

Method

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among health professionals using structured self-administered validated questionnaires using the Maslach Burnout Inventory scale. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between burnout and its predictors.

Results

A total of 508 health professionals were approached, out of which 501 participated (a response rate of 98.4%). The magnitude of burnout was 54.1 with a 95% confidence interval of 49.9–58.0%. Working in a hospital (AOR = 3.55, 95%CI: 2.00, 6.33), age >/= 40 (AOR = 3.98, 95%CI:1.60, 9.89) and 30–39 years (AOR = 1.90, 95%CI:1.08, 3.34), being female(AOR = 2.41, 95%CI: 1.37, 4.25), being widowed (AOR = 3.39, 95%CI: 1.13, 10.18), having intention of leaving work (AOR = 2.28, 95%CI: 1.35, 3.87), using at least one substance (AOR = 2.24, 95%CI: 1.36, 3.69), having a 6–11 years of experience (AOR = 2.17, 95%CI: 1.15, 4.06), having no job supervision (AOR = 4.65, 95%CI: 2.07, 10.43), monthly payment <10,000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 5.69, 95%CI: 2.30, 14.07) and between 10,000 to 15,000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.74, 95%CI: 1.22, 6.15), working in Pediatric Unit (AOR = 3.28, 95%CI: 1.24, 8.70), and profession type (Midwifery, Public health officer, Medical Laboratory professionals) were factors significantly associated with burnout.

Conclusion

Burnout affected more than half of the health professionals working in governmental health facilities in Dire Dawa. Health facility type, age, sex, marital status, intention to leave work, substance use, work experience, job supervision, monthly payment, profession type, and working unit were significantly associated predictors of burnout.
Outcomes and eye care knowledge in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment patients with a history of laser refractive surgery for myopia
Authors: Lan Chieh , Chen Yi-Hao , Chen Yung-Jen , Lee Jong-Jer , Kuo Hsi-Kung , Wu Pei-Chang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To investigate the surgical outcomes and eye care knowledge of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) who had previously undergone laser refractive surgery (LRS) for myopia in a myopia epidemic area.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with primary RRD who underwent surgery and had a history of LRS for myopia at a tertiary medical center. Data were reviewed from medical charts to analyse the surgical outcomes. Questions about eye care knowledge and attitude toward myopia and LRS were obtained.

Results

A total of 774 patients underwent RRD surgery, among whom 341 (44%) had myopia > −3 dioptres, 66% of whom had high myopia. Thirty eyes of 26 patients had a history of LRS for myopia. The mean age of patients with a history of LRS was significantly lower than that of those without a history of LRS (45.7 ± 2.9 years vs. 53.8 ± 1.0, p < 0.001). The mean pre-LRS spherical equivalent was −8.66 ± 0.92 (range: −3.00–−12.00) dioptres. In more than half the patients (n = 15, 57.7%), the interval between LRS and RRD was more than 10 years. The primary retinal reattachment rate was only 60%, whereas the final retinal reattachment rate was 93%. The mean final visual acuity (VA) improved from a 20/286 to 20/105 (p = 0.006). Linear mixed model analysis showed factors of male sex and macular detachment were significant with poor visual outcome (p = 0.046 and 0.008) Eye care knowledge obtained from the 19 RRD patients with history of LRS, 47% of patients (9/19) mistakenly thought that LRS could cure myopia and its complications, and 63% of patients were less willing to visit an ophthalmologist because uncorrected VA improvement after LRS. Eighty-four percent thought that proper knowledge and more education about LRS and myopia for the public are important.

Conclusion

In the RRD patients with a history of LRS for myopia, their age was relative younger. Male sex and macular detachment were associated with poor visual outcome. More education with proper knowledge of LRS, myopia and RRD is recommended for the patients to prevent or early detect the occurrence of RRD.
Audit and feedback in cardio– and cerebrovascular setting: Toward a path of high reliability in Italian healthcare
Authors: Ciurleo Rosella , De Cola Maria Cristina , Agabiti Nera , Di Martino Mirko , Bramanti Placido , Corallo Francesco
Published: August 2022

Adopting audit and feedback (A&F) strategies could be a suitable healthcare intervention to fulfill the challenge of monitoring and improving clinical guidelines in evidence-based medicine. Indeed, A&F is used to encourage professionals to better adhere to standard guidelines to improve healthcare performance. Briefly, an audit is an inspection of professional practice in comparison to professional standards or targets whose results are subsequently communicated to professionals in a structured manner. Although A&F strategies have been adopted in several time-dependent settings, such as for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke, interest of audits in rehabilitation care is also emerging. Recently, the Italian Ministry of Health has funded a national network project called EASY-NET, whose main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of A&F strategies to improve healthcare practice and equity in various clinical and organizational settings in seven Italian regions. Last but not the least of these regions is the Sicily, represented within the project by the IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo of Messina as the work package 7 (WP7). The EASY-NET WP7 is focused on the effectiveness of A&F strategies in both AMI and ischemic stroke setting, from acute to rehabilitation process of care. In this study, we described the study protocol, including the study design and methodology, providing a detailed description of the new model of A&F based on telemedicine, and discussing the possible challenges of this project.
The burden of liver cirrhosis in mortality: Results from the global burden of disease study
Authors: Ye Fei , Zhai Mimi , Long Jianhai , Gong Yi , Ren Chutong , Zhang Dan , Lin Xiang , Liu Sushun
Published: August 2022

Background

Liver cirrhosis-related death is a serious threat worldwide. The number of studies exploring the mortality trend of cirrhosis caused by specific etiologies was limited. This study aimed to demonstrate the pattern and trend based on the data of global burden of disease (GBD).

Methods

The data of cirrhosis mortality were collected from the GBD 2017. The Age standardized mortality rate (ASR) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were used to estimate the temporal trend of liver cirrhosis mortality by etiologies, regions, sociodemographic index (SDI), and sexes.

Results

Globally, mortality cases of cirrhosis increased by 47.15%. Although the global ASR of cirrhosis mortality remained stable during this period, the temporal trend varied in etiologies. The ASR of mortality caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcohol consumption, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) increased with an EAPC of 0.17 (95% CI, 0.14–0.20), 0.20 (95% CI, 0.16–0.24), 1.00 (95% CI, 0.97–1.04), respectively. A decreasing trend of ASR was found among the causes of hepatitis B virus (BV) and other causes. The increased pattern was heterogeneous worldwide. The most pronounced increase trend was found in middle-high SDI regions and Eastern Europe. Contrarily, the most pronounced decrease trend was found in low SDI regions and Western Sub-Saharan Africa.

Conclusion

Cirrhosis is still a public health problem. The growth trend of cirrhosis mortality caused by HCV was slowed by promoting direct-acting antiviral therapy. Unfortunately, we observed an unfavorable trend in etiologies for alcohol consumption and NASH, which indicated that more targeted and specific strategies should be established to limit alcohol consumption and promote healthy lifestyles in high-risk countries, especially in middle-high SDI regions and Eastern Europe.
Antidepressants as emerging contaminants: Occurrence in wastewater treatment plants and surface waters in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Chen Yuan , Wang Junlin , Xu Peiwei , Xiang Jie , Xu Dandan , Cheng Ping , Wang Xiaofeng , Wu Lizhi , Zhang Nianhua , Chen Zhijian
Published: August 2022

Aims

Antidepressants have aroused wide public concern due to their widespread presence in water and their harm to human health and environment. This study was designed to evaluate the contribution of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to the presence of antidepressants in the surface water.

Methods

Data was evaluated by analyzing water samples collected from the influent, effluent, upstream and downstream of the WWTPs on the rivers of interest in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Besides, the study also assessed the impact of the release of antidepressants from WWTPs to the surface water on the drinking water. An automatic solid-phase extraction combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to detect antidepressants.

Results

The most abundant compound was venlafaxine, followed by citalopram, sertraline, and fluvoxamine with concentrations between 0.6 and 87 ng/L. Antidepressants showed maximum concentrations at the effluent outlets of the WWTPs, and greater concentrations were found downstream than upstream of the WWTPs in Qiantang River. The results of source water and finished water showed that the detection concentration was lower than the detection limit of the method.

Conclusions

The less impact of the release of antidepressants from WWTPs to the surface water on the drinking water was identified. Nevertheless, these compounds were hardly removed by wastewater treatment processes. Thus, their risks deserve close attention.