bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative proteomics and metabolomics approach to identify the key roles of icariin-mediated protective effects against cyclophosphamide-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction in mice
Authors: Fang Chunyan , Ye Yulong , Yang Fang , Wang Fangyue , Shen Yifeng , Chang Degui , You Yaodong
Published: December 2022

The alkylating antineoplastic agent cyclophosphamide (CP) is known to be toxic to the male reproductive system, but there are no effective prevention or treatment options. The flavonoid icariin (ICA), which is used in Chinese medicine, has been shown to have a number of biological functions, including testicular protection. The current study looked into the protective effects of ICA in preventing CP-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction. The current study looked into the role of ICA in preventing testicular dysfunction caused by CP. For 5 days, healthy adult mice were given saline or a single dose of CP (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p). For the next 30 days, mice were given ICA (80 mg/kg) by gavage. Animals were euthanized 12 h after receiving ICA, and testes were removed for biochemical, histopathological, sperm evaluation, and transmission electron microscope analysis (TEM). We also investigated the potential biological effects of ICA on CP-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction in mice using an integrated proteomic and metabolomic approach. The levels of 8309 proteins and 600 metabolites were measured. The majority of the differential proteins and metabolites were found to be enriched in a variety of metabolic pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, necroptosis, the mTOR signaling pathway, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and ABC transporters, implying that ICA may have molecular mechanisms that contribute to CP-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction in the testis. Taken together, these findings show that ICA effectively reduces testis injury, implying that ICA may have a role in male infertility preservation.
Prognostic and immunological significance of calcium-related gene signatures in renal clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu An , Li Fei , Wang Bao , Yang Le , Xing Hai , Su Chang , Gao Li , Zhao Minggao , Luo Lanxin
Published: December 2022

Background: Calcium signaling is implicated in multiple processes including immune response that important in tumor progression. Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is the most frequent histological type of renal cell carcinoma with up to a third of cases develop metastases. As a result of a lack of in-depth understanding of the mechanisms underlying KIRC, treatment options have been limited. Here, we aim to comprehensively investigate the landscape of Ca2+ channels, pumps and exchangers in KIRC patients.

Methods: The mRNA expression profiles and gene variations of 58 calcium-related genes (CRGs) in KIRC patients and normal control cases were downloaded from TCGA database. CRGs-related risk score was constructed to quantify calcium patterns by using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The prognostic value, biological functions, immune landscape and therapeutic sensitivities based on CRGs-related risk score were then evaluated using multiple methods. Finally, key gene of CRGs was identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). TCGA-CPTAC, GSE53757 datasets, as well as human tissues were used for validation.

Results: KIRC patients had significant differences in CRG expression, prognosis, and biological functions between two CRG clusters. CRGs-related risk score was then determined. The prognosis, tumor mutation burden, immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, and the response of targeted inhibitors were remarkably different between high and low CRGs-related risk subtypes. CRGs-related high-risk subtype was characterized by immunosuppressive microenvironment with poor prognosis. Meanwhile, several targeted drugs showed distinct sensitivity between CRGs-related risk subtypes. Finally, TRPM3 was identified as a key CRG based on risk score in KIRC patients. TRPM3 mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in KIRC tumors than in normal controls. Low TRPM3 expression was associated with poor prognosis in KIRC patients.

Conclusion: Our study highlighted the promising prognostic value of CRGs in KIRC tumors. The evaluation of CRGs-related risk score will contribute to predicting prognosis and clinical therapy in KIRC patients.
Influence of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase alteration during different pathophysiologic conditions: A 45 years bibliometrics analysis
Authors: Gao Hongliang , Wu Jing , Sun Zhenyu , Zhang Furong , Shi Tianshu , Lu Ke , Qian Dongfu , Yin Zicheng , Zhao Yinjuan , Qin Jian , Xue Bin
Published: December 2022

Background: Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is an important enzyme responsible for free cholesterol (FC) esterification, which is critical for high density lipoprotein (HDL) maturation and the completion of the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) process. Plasma LCAT activity and concentration showed various patterns under different physiological and pathological conditions. Research on LCAT has grown rapidly over the past 50 years, but there are no bibliometric studies summarizing this field as a whole. This study aimed to use the bibliometric analysis to demonstrate the trends in LCAT publications, thus offering a brief perspective with regard to future developments in this field.

Methods: We used the Web of Science Core Collection to retrieve LCAT-related studies published from 1975 to 2020. The data were further analyzed in the number of studies, the journal which published the most LCAT-related studies, co-authorship network, co-country network, co-institute network, co-reference and the keywords burst by CiteSpace V 5.7.

Results: 2584 publications contained 55,311 references were used to analyzed. The number of included articles fluctuated in each year. We found that Journal of lipid research published the most LCAT-related studies. Among all the authors who work on LCAT, they tend to collaborate with a relatively stable group of collaborators to generate several major authors clusters which Albers, J. published the most studies (n = 53). The United States of America contributed the greatest proportion (n = 1036) of LCAT-related studies. The LCAT-related studies have been focused on the vascular disease, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase reaction, phospholipid, cholesterol efflux, chronic kidney disease, milk fever, nephrotic syndrome, platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, reconstituted lpa-i, reverse cholesterol transport. Four main research frontiers in terms of burst strength for LCAT-related studies including “transgenic mice”, “oxidative stress”, “risk”, and “cholesterol metabolism “need more attention.

Conclusion: This is the first study that demonstrated the trends and future development in LCAT publications. Further studies should focus on the accurate metabolic process of LCAT dependent or independent of RCT using metabolic marker tracking techniques. It was also well worth to further studying the possibility that LCAT may qualify as a biomarker for risk prediction and clinical treatment.
APC/C-Cdh1-targeted substrates as potential therapies for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lapresa Rebeca , Agulla Jesus , Bolaños Juan P. , Almeida Angeles
Published: December 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder and the main cause of dementia in the elderly. The disease has a high impact on individuals and their families and represents a growing public health and socio-economic burden. Despite this, there is no effective treatment options to cure or modify the disease progression, highlighting the need to identify new therapeutic targets. Synapse dysfunction and loss are early pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease, correlate with cognitive decline and proceed with neuronal death. In the last years, the E3 ubiquitin ligase anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) has emerged as a key regulator of synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival. To this end, the ligase binds Cdh1, its main activator in the brain. However, inactivation of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome-Cdh1 complex triggers dendrite disruption, synapse loss and neurodegeneration, leading to memory and learning impairment. Interestingly, oligomerized amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, which is involved in Alzheimer’s disease onset and progression, induces Cdh1 phosphorylation leading to anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome-Cdh1 complex disassembly and inactivation. This causes the aberrant accumulation of several anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome-Cdh1 targets in the damaged areas of Alzheimer’s disease brains, including Rock2 and Cyclin B1. Here we review the function of anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome-Cdh1 dysregulation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, paying particular attention in the neurotoxicity induced by its molecular targets. Understanding the role of anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome-Cdh1-targeted substrates in Alzheimer’s disease may be useful in the development of new effective disease-modifying treatments for this neurological disorder.
Bioinformatics insights into the genes and pathways on severe COVID-19 pathology in patients with comorbidities
Authors: Mujalli Abdulrahman , Alghamdi Kawthar Saad , Nasser Khalidah Khalid , Al-Rayes Nuha , Banaganapalli Babajan , Shaik Noor Ahmad , Elango Ramu
Published: December 2022

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection is known for its severe clinical pathogenesis among individuals with pre-existing comorbidities. However, the molecular basis of this observation remains elusive. Thus, this study aimed to map key genes and pathway alterations in patients with COVID-19 and comorbidities using robust systems biology approaches.

Methods: The publicly available genome-wide transcriptomic datasets from 120 COVID-19 patients, 281 patients suffering from different comorbidities (like cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and obesity), and 252 patients with different infectious diseases of the lung (respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and MERS) were studied using a range of systems biology approaches like differential gene expression, gene ontology (GO), pathway enrichment, functional similarity, mouse phenotypic analysis and drug target identification.

Results: By cross-mapping the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across different datasets, we mapped 274 shared genes to severe symptoms of COVID-19 patients or with comorbidities alone. GO terms and functional pathway analysis highlighted genes in dysregulated pathways of immune response, interleukin signaling, FCGR activation, regulation of cytokines, chemokines secretion, and leukocyte migration. Using network topology parameters, phenotype associations, and functional similarity analysis with ACE2 and TMPRSS2—two key receptors for this virus-we identified 17 genes with high connectivity (CXCL10, IDO1, LEPR, MME, PTAFR, PTGS2, MAOB, PDE4B, PLA2G2A, COL5A1, ICAM1, SERPINE1, ABCB1, IL1R1, ITGAL, NCAM1 and PRKD1) potentially contributing to the clinical severity of COVID-19 infection in patients with comorbidities. These genes are predicted to be tractable and/or with many existing approved inhibitors, modulators, and enzymes as drugs.

Conclusion: By systemic implementation of computational methods, this study identified potential candidate genes and pathways likely to confer disease severity in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing comorbidities. Our findings pave the way to develop targeted repurposed therapies in COVID-19 patients.
Leadless biventricular left bundle and endocardial lateral wall pacing versus left bundle only pacing in left bundle branch block patients
Authors: Strocchi Marina , Wijesuriya Nadeev , Elliott Mark K. , Gillette Karli , Neic Aurel , Mehta Vishal , Vigmond Edward J. , Plank Gernot , Rinaldi Christopher A. , Niederer Steven A.
Published: December 2022

Biventricular endocardial (BIV-endo) pacing and left bundle pacing (LBP) are novel delivery methods for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Both pacing methods can be delivered through leadless pacing, to avoid risks associated with endocardial or transvenous leads. We used computational modelling to quantify synchrony induced by BIV-endo pacing and LBP through a leadless pacing system, and to investigate how the right-left ventricle (RV-LV) delay, RV lead location and type of left bundle capture affect response. We simulated ventricular activation on twenty-four four-chamber heart meshes inclusive of His-Purkinje networks with left bundle branch block (LBBB). Leadless biventricular (BIV) pacing was simulated by adding an RV apical stimulus and an LV lateral wall stimulus (BIV-endo lateral) or targeting the left bundle (BIV-LBP), with an RV-LV delay set to 5 ms. To test effect of prolonged RV-LV delays and RV pacing location, the RV-LV delay was increased to 35 ms and/or the RV stimulus was moved to the RV septum. BIV-endo lateral pacing was less sensitive to increased RV-LV delays, while RV septal pacing worsened response compared to RV apical pacing, especially for long RV-LV delays. To investigate how left bundle capture affects response, we computed 90% BIV activation times (BIVAT-90) during BIV-LBP with selective and non-selective capture, and left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), simulated by pacing 1 cm below the left bundle. Non-selective LBP was comparable to selective LBP. LBBAP was worse than selective LBP (BIVAT-90: 54.2 ± 5.7 ms vs. 62.7 ± 6.5, p < 0.01), but it still significantly reduced activation times from baseline. Finally, we compared leadless LBP with RV pacing against optimal LBP delivery through a standard lead system by simulating BIV-LBP and selective LBP alone with and without optimized atrioventricular delay (AVD). Although LBP alone with optimized AVD was better than BIV-LBP, when AVD optimization was not possible BIV-LBP outperformed LBP alone, because the RV pacing stimulus shortened RV activation (BIVAT-90: 54.2 ± 5.7 ms vs. 66.9 ± 5.1 ms, p < 0.01). BIV-endo lateral pacing or LBP delivered through a leadless system could potentially become an alternative to standard CRT. RV-LV delay, RV lead location and type of left bundle capture affect leadless pacing efficacy and should be considered in future trial designs.
The two-stage therapeutic effect of posture biofeedback training on back pain and the associated mechanism: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fundoiano-Hershcovitz Yifat , Horwitz David L. , Tawil Candy , Cohen Oded , Goldstein Pavel
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Back pain is an extremely common symptom experienced by people of all ages and the number one cause of disability worldwide.2 Poor posture has been identified as one of the factors leading to back pain. Digital biofeedback technology demonstrates the promising therapeutic ability in pain management through posture training. One common goal of such an approach is to increase users’ posture awareness with associated movement correction. However, we lack a deep understanding of the biofeedback therapeutic mechanisms and the temporal dynamics of efficacy.

Objective: This study investigates the temporal dynamics of the biofeedback learning process and associated outcomes in daily life settings, testing the mechanism of the biofeedback-associated pain reduction.

Methods: This retrospective real-world evidence study followed 981 users who used the UpRight posture biofeedback platform. Piecewise mixed models were used for modeling the two-stage trajectory of pain levels, perceived posture quality, and weekly training duration following an 8-week biofeedback training. Also, the mediation effect of perceived posture quality on the analgesic effect of training duration was tested using Monte Carlo simulations based on lagged effect mixed models.

Results: The analysis revealed significant pain level reduction (p <.0001) and posture quality improvement (p <.0001) during the first 4 weeks of the training, maintaining similar pain levels and perceived posture quality during the next 4 weeks. In addition, weekly training duration demonstrated an increase during the first 3 weeks (p <.001) and decreased during the next 5 weeks (p <.001). Moreover, training duration predicted following-week perceived posture quality (p <.001) and in turn perceived posture quality predicted following-week pain (p <.001) (p = 0.30). Finally, perceived posture quality mediated the effect of weekly training duration on the pain levels in 2 weeks (p <.0001).

Conclusion: Our findings provide a better understanding of the therapeutic dynamic during digital biofeedback intervention targeting pain, modeling the associated two-stage process. Moreover, the study sheds light on the biofeedback mechanism and may assist in developing a better therapeutic approach targeting perceived posture quality.
Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the mechanism of uniconazole inducing hypocotyl dwarfing by suppressing BrbZIP39–BrPAL4 module mediating lignin biosynthesis in flowering Chinese cabbage
Authors: Zhang Liang , Zhong Min , Yue Lingqi , Chai Xirong , Zhao Puyan , Kang Yunyan , Yang Xian
Published: December 2022

Uniconazole, a triazole plant growth regulator, is widely used to regulate plant height and prevent the overgrowth of seedlings. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of uniconazole in inhibiting the hypocotyl elongation of seedlings is still largely unclear, and there has been little research on the integration of transcriptomic and metabolomic data to investigate the mechanisms of hypocotyl elonga-tion. Herein we observed that the hypocotyl elongation of flowering Chinese cabbage seedings was significantly inhibited by uniconazole. Interestingly, based on combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses, we found that the “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis” pathway was significantly affected by uniconazole. In this pathway, only one member of the portal enzyme gene family, named BrPAL4, was remarkably downregulated, which was related to lignin biosynthesis. Furthermore, the yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays showed that BrbZIP39 could directly bind to the promoter region of BrPAL4 and activate its transcript. The virus-induced gene silencing system further demonstrated that BrbZIP39 could positively regulate hypocotyl elongation and the lignin biosynthesis of hypocotyl. Our findings provide a novel insight into the molecular regulatory mechanism of uniconazole inhibiting hypocotyl elongation in flowering Chinese cabbage and confirm, for the first time, that uniconazole decreases lignin content through repressing the BrbZIP39–BrPAL4 module-mediated phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, which leads to the hypocotyl dwarfing of flowering Chinese cabbage seedlings.
Allium sulaimanicum: A new Allium species and section from Pakistan
Authors: Khan Nazar , Friesen Nikolai , Sultan Amir , Fritsch Reinhard M. , Khan Tahir , Ishaq Kamran
Published: December 2022

A new species, Allium sulaimanicum, is described from northern Balochistan and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan based on morphological, molecular, and cytological studies. The new species is characterised by long runner-like cylindrical rhizomes of adult plants, cylindrical bulbs, linear leaves with minute soft hairs along veins, campanulate perigonium, and white to creamy white, ovate to elliptical, 4.5–5-mm-long acute tepals, with brownish to purplish nerves, stamens as long as to slightly longer than tepals, yellow to brick red anthers, hexagonal ovary, and white and papillate/warty along angles. The presence of long herbaceous rhizomes indicated serious isolation of the new species; hence, a new section Sulaimanicum is proposed to accommodate the new species. The new species is diploid with a chromosome number of 2n = 16. Detailed morphological description, illustrations, phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of plastid spacers (rpl32-trnL (UAG) and trnQ-rps16) and nuclear ITS, karyotype features, and a distribution map of the new species are provided.
Environmental stress - what can we learn from chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis in woody plants? A review
Authors: Swoczyna Tatiana , Kalaji Hazem M. , Bussotti Filippo , Mojski Jacek , Pollastrini Martina
Published: December 2022

Chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChF) signal analysis has become a widely used and rapid, non-invasive technique to study the photosynthetic process under stress conditions. It monitors plant responses to various environmental factors affecting plants under experimental and field conditions. Thus, it enables extensive research in ecology and benefits forestry, agriculture, horticulture, and arboriculture. Woody plants, especially trees, as organisms with a considerable life span, have a different life strategy than herbaceous plants and show more complex responses to stress. The range of changes in photosynthetic efficiency of trees depends on their age, ontogeny, species-specific characteristics, and acclimation ability. This review compiles the results of the most commonly used ChF techniques at the foliar scale. We describe the results of experimental studies to identify stress factors that affect photosynthetic efficiency and analyse the experience of assessing tree vigour in natural and human-modified environments. We discuss both the circumstances under which ChF can be successfully used to assess woody plant health and the ChF parameters that can be useful in field research. Finally, we summarise the advantages and limitations of the ChF method in research on trees, shrubs, and woody vines.
Gender differences in attitudes toward assisted reproduction in the Spanish population: The weight of religiosity and conservatism
Authors: Aurrekoetxea-Casaus Maite , Ronda Lorena , Govillard Leila
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The continuous increase in assisted reproductive treatments (ARTs) has generated different ethical dilemmas in the scientific and academic debate. However, there are a few occasions when Spanish citizenship pronounces itself on this issue. It seems that the population has assumed ARTs without questioning despite being a subject crossed by gender mandates that make women the center of ART application. This study delves into the attitudes of the Spanish population toward assisted reproduction and the persistence of gender mandates in the choice of ARTs, beyond the apparent (almost fixed image of the) total acceptance of ARTs.

Methods

A questionnaire was applied to a sample of 1,030 randomly selected people. Variables included attitudes toward the different possibilities of assisted reproduction, different approaches depending on whether infertility or sterility fell on the woman or the man and other scenarios related to genetic dilemmas.

Results

The mean difference test confirmed the high acceptance of ARTs by the Spanish population and revealed significant gender differences. Women accepted ARTs for infertility and genetic disorders, while men accepted ARTs for choosing a baby's sex. However, gender was not the only relevant variable in the conducted linear regression model; religiosity and political conservatism were also explanatory variables for the acceptance of ARTs.

Contribution

This study is a clear contribution to the debate on the impact of “medicalization” on women regarding assisted reproduction, showing the persistence of motherhood as a gender mandate.
Can patient gratitude expression boost innovative performance? The role of work meaningfulness and supervisory support
Authors: Liu Bing , Liu Mengli , Wang Huijuan , Yang Yuanqi , Ma Ying , Wei Xin
Published: December 2022

Based on emotions as social information (EASI) theory, the current study proposed how and when patient gratitude expression could promote nurses’ innovative performance. Using a time-lagged data of 649 nurses from three class A tertiary hospitals in China, the results showed that patient gratitude expression was positively related to nurses’ innovative performance, and nurses’ work meaningfulness mediated such effect. Furthermore, supervisory support moderated the relationship of work meaningfulness with nurses’ innovative performance, as well as the indirect relationship between patient gratitude expression and innovative performance through work meaningfulness, such that the indirect relationship was stronger when supervisory support is higher. Our research helps to expand our understanding of how patient gratitude expression as an organizational external factor influences nurses’ innovation in healthcare, and meanwhile, provides management insights for hospital managers to focus on patient gratitude expression and enhance nurse innovation.
Association of DNA methylation with energy and fear-related behaviors in canines
Authors: Sanders Abigail R. , Bhongir Neha , vonHoldt Bridgett , Pellegrini Matteo
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Behavioral traits are influenced by gene by environment interactions. To study the genetic and epigenetic components of behavior, we analyzed whether dog behavioral traits could be predicted by their DNA methylation and genotypes.

Methods

We conducted an analysis on dog behaviors such as sociability, trainability and energy as measured by Canine Behavioral and Research Assessment Questionnaire (C-BARQ) behavioral surveys paired with buccal swabs from 46 dogs. Previously we used targeted bisulfite sequencing to analyze DNA methylation and collected genotype data from over 1,500 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Owner-reported C-BARQ responses were used to quantify 14 behavioral trait values.

Results

Using Partial Least Squares (PLS) Regression analysis we found behavioral traits such as energy, attachment/attention-seeking, non-social fear, and stranger-directed fear to be significantly associated with DNA methylation across 3,059 loci. After we adjusted for age as a confounding variable, energy and stranger-directed fear remained significantly associated with methylation. We found that most behavioral traits were not predictable by our limited set of SNPs.

Discussion

By identifying individual genes whose methylation is significantly associated with behavioral traits, we generate hypotheses about possible mechanisms involved in behavioral regulation. Overall, our study extends previous work in behavioral epigenetics, shows that canine behaviors are predictable by DNA methylation, and serves as a proof of concept for future studies in behavioral epigenetics.
School bullying among migrant children in China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Zhengmin , Tu Ying , Qin Zaihua , Liu Xiaoqun , Lu Dali
Published: December 2022

Background

Bullying is a serious public health concern affecting the physical and mental health of children. Migrant children are at higher risk of developing health problems. We conducted this study to investigate the prevalence of school bullying and its possible influencing factors of migrant children.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Hunan Province, China from April to July 2018. Multi-stage cluster sampling was adopted to achieve a representative sample covering both urban and rural areas. Migrant children are defined as those who migrate with one or both parents to other places and who do not have a hukou in their city of residence. The Chinese version of Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire was applied to measure children’s involvement in school bullying.

Results

A total of 7,607 students were surveyed, including 995 migrant children and 6,612 non-migrant children. The prevalence of school bullying was significantly higher in migrant children than in non-migrant children (χ2 = 22.740; p < 0.001). Binary regression analysis showed that male, middle school identity, more times of playing violent games, more social friends owning and being beaten by parents or caregivers may increase the risk of involvement of school bullying in migrant children.

Conclusion

Migrant children showed a higher prevalence of school bullying than non-migrant children. Gender, grade, frequency of playing violent games, number of social friends and being beaten by parents or caregivers were associated with school bullying in migrant children.
Understanding how virtual reality forest experience promote physiological and psychological health for patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Hsieh Chung-Heng , Li Dongying
Published: December 2022

Growing research has found that exposing patients to forest landscapes through technology improves their health. However, studies on the effects of nature therapy sessions on particularly vulnerable groups that require frequent regular treatment such as patients of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is lacking. This study aims to understand the effects of watching panoramic videos of forest walks through virtual reality (VR) headsets on patients. We also examine the effects of the frequency of virtual exposure to forests on the physiological and psychological parameters of patients undergoing dialysis. Twenty-four dialysis patients with a mean age of 65.11 year underwent a virtual nature intervention over the course of 3 weeks. The intervention consists of 3 numbers of 6-min 360-degree nature videos delivered using VR headsets. We measured heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) using continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring and assessed their emotional states using a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews. The results showed that the initial 6 min of watching of the panoramic videos through VR headsets resulted in significantly reduced HR and sympathetic nerve activity and increased positive emotional responses. However, repeated VR exposure did not further improve the physiological health of the respondents. Considering these results, the use of VR headsets to watch 6-min nature videos indoors can be used to enhance the positive psychological responses among dialysis and bed-ridden patients. As this study is preliminary, future random controlled trials are needed to compare and determine the best dose, content, and delivery methods of such an intervention.
Social support needs of first-time parents in the early-postpartum period: A qualitative study
Authors: Schobinger Elisabeth , Vanetti Mélanie , Ramelet Anne-Sylvie , Horsch Antje
Published: December 2022

Background

The early postpartum period is a critical time for first-time parents as they adapt to their new role. Perceived lack of social support is a risk factor for developing mental health problems. Insufficient or inappropriate professional support for both parents has been reported by many studies. Social support that appropriately meets parents' needs is an important protective factor for parents' wellbeing; however, little is known about the social support needs of both first-time parents.

Aims and objectives

To describe both first-time parents' formal social support needs in the early postpartum period.

Method

Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with first-time parents recruited on the postpartum ward of a Swiss university hospital. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and sub-themes.

Results

Fifteen mothers and eleven fathers were interviewed. Twelve themes were identified. Mothers' themes were “experiencing postpartum changes,” “creation of a family unit,” “self-esteem,” “emotional needs,” “difficulty in communicating their needs,” and “the postpartum stay.” Fathers' themes were “to be included in care procedures on the postpartum ward,” “to be reassured,” “to anticipate their postpartum stay” and “to consider their need as non-priority.” Parental shared needs were: “to care for their newborn,” and “returning home.”

Conclusion

Mothers' and fathers' needs differed. Mothers needed more emotional support than fathers and fathers considered themselves as the main support for their partner. Fathers wanted to be integrated in the care of their newborn.
The use of virtual reality and augmented reality in psychosocial rehabilitation for adults with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Tan Bhing-Leet , Shi Jing , Yang Suyi , Loh Hannah , Ng Desiree , Choo Cherie , Medalia Alice
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Virtual reality and augmented reality have been used in psychosocial rehabilitation for adults with neurodevelopmental disorders in recent years, to provide functional training in a scaffolded and appealing manner. This systematic review attempted to evaluate (1) how virtual reality or augmented reality technology was deployed, when used as an intervention for adults with neurodevelopmental disorders; and (2) how virtual or augmented reality-assisted psychosocial rehabilitation programs impacted on the functional domains of community living, employment and social participation.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was adopted and a search of publications between June 2012 and June 2022 was carried out. The target groups were adults with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Interventions that targeted at least one functional domain were included.

Results

The database search generated 1,267 records and 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. Three studies utilized augmented reality while the rest utilized virtual reality. The virtual scenarios were displayed in various ways, such as head-mounted displays, computer screens, mobile devices and cave rooms. A few studies also used features such as speech recognition, eye tracking and motion-capture device to provide real-time feedback to participants during rehabilitation. Eleven studies reported interventions that addressed community living, 15 studies addressed vocational skills and nine studies trained participants in social skills or social cognition. Three studies sought to improve quality of life using virtual scenarios to expose participants to various situations. Majority of these studies reported preliminary promising results, with improvement in the functional domains addressed. However, several studies had small sample sizes and many single-arm pretest-posttest studies were assessed to be of serious or critical risk of bias.

Conclusion

Virtual reality and augmented reality are deployed in various ways to augment psychosocial rehabilitation for adults with neurodevelopmental disorders. Most interventions target skills training or strategy learning in the areas of community living, work and social participation. Preliminary positive findings of their effects on functional performance were reported. Larger and robust studies using ecologically valid outcome measures will be needed to establish their effects on real-world functional outcomes.

Systematic review registration

identifier: CRD42022335443.
Exercise improves mental health status of young adults via attenuating inflammation factors but modalities matter
Authors: Liu Jianxiu , Zhang Yao , Li Xingtian , Wang Dizhi , Shi Bolan , You Yanwei , Min Leizi , Luo Bicheng , Li Yanchun , Di Qian , Ma Xindong
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The mental health of young adults is a global public health challenge. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exercise benefits mental health. However, it is still unclear which exercise mode is optimal for protecting mental health and its association with the immune system. This study aimed to compare the intervention effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training (MVCT) on mental health and assess the underlying mechanism of exercise interventions to improve the immune system, which facilitated the mental health status.

Methods

This is a double-blinded RCT study conducted from October 13, 2020 to January 25, 2021 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04830059). Ninety-three participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into the HIIT (N = 33), MVCT (N = 32), and control groups (N = 28) with a mean age of 25.26 (SD = 2.21), and 43% of males enrolled in the study. Professional coaches guided participants in HIIT and MVCT groups to perform 40 min of exercise training three times a week for 12-week while those in the control group received 1 h of health education twice a week. Questionnaires related to mental health status and blood samples of inflammatory factors, including immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), albumin (Alb), globulin (GLO), lymphocytes (LYM), and lymphocyte percentage (LYM) were assessed before and after the intervention.

Results

We found that blood inflammation factors increased significantly in the control group during 12 weeks (ΔIgA = 0.16 g/L, ΔIgM = 0.092 g/L, ΔAlb = 2.59 g/L, ΔGlo = 3.08 g/L, ΔLYM = 0.36, and ΔLYM% = 3.72%, p < 0.05), and both MVCT and HIIT intervention could effectively defend the increased inflammatory response compared with the control group (IgA: MVCT β = −0.14, p < 0.001, HIIT β = −0.096, p < 0.05; IgM: MVCT β = −0.12, p < 0.001; HIIT β = −0.068, p < 0.05; Alb: MVCT β = −1.64, p < 0.05, HIIT β = −1.14, p > 0.05; Glo: MVCT β = −3.17, p < 0.001, HIIT β = −2.07, p < 0.01; LYM: MVCT β = −0.34, p < 0.05, HIIT β = −0.35, p < 0.05). However, the MVCT intervention modality was more conducive to enhancing positive affect (β = 0.52, p = 0.018) and well-being (β = 1.08, p = 0.035) than HIIT. Furthermore, decreased IgA, Alb, and Glo were associated with improved mental health.

Conclusion

Both 12-week HIIT and MVCT are beneficial to the immune system. The MVCT intervention mode is recommended to prevent mental health problems and attenuate immune inflammation, and the immune system is a potential mechanism that exercises improving mental health.

Clinical trial registration

[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04830059].
Does antenatal depression predict post-partum depression and obstetric complications? Results from a longitudinal, long-term, real-world study
Authors: Luciano Mario , Di Vincenzo Matteo , Brandi Carlotta , Tretola Lucia , Toricco Rita , Perris Francesco , Volpicelli Antonio , Torella Marco , La Verde Marco , Fiorillo Andrea , Sampogna Gaia
Published: December 2022

Background

Main aims of the present paper are to: (1) assess the prevalence of antenatal depression (AD) and identify its predictors; (2) analyse the impact of AD on obstetric outcomes and on the incidence of post-partum depression.

Methods

All pregnant women referring to the Gynecology and Obstetrics inpatients unit of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” were invited to participate. Upon acceptance, women completed the Italian version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and an ad-hoc questionnaire on the women's sociodemographic, gynecological and peripartum characteristics as well as their psychiatric history. Women were assessed at each trimester of pregnancy, immediately after the childbirth and after one, three, 6 and 11 months.

Results

268 pregnant women were recruited, with a mean of 32.2 (±5.81) years. Ninety-seven women (36.2%) reported the presence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Predictors of AD were personal history of depression, a family history for depressive disorders and problematic relationships with the partner. The presence of AD was associated to a reduced gestational age at the time of delivery, a lower APGAR score at 1 and 5 min, labor induction and admission of the new-born into neonatal intensive care unit. Mothers with antenatal depression are less likely to natural breastfeed. Lastly, antenatal depression was a risk factor for higher EPDS scores at follow-ups.

Conclusions

Our results support the idea that women should be screened during pregnancy and post-partum for the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Health professionals should be adequately trained to detect psychiatric symptoms during pregnancy.
Synergy of arsenic with smoking in causing cardiovascular disease mortality: A cohort study with 27 follow-up years in China
Authors: Jia Xin-Hua , Su Zheng , Zhao Fang-Hui , Zhou Qing-Hua , Fan Ya-Guang , Qiao You-Lin
Published: December 2022

Background

To explore the patterns of the exposure-response relationship between arsenic exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on the association.

Methods

Seven thousand seven hundred thirty-five tin miners with at least 10 years of arsenic exposure were enrolled since 1992 and followed up for 27 years. Each individual's air arsenic exposure at workplace was calculated by time weighted average arsenic concentration × exposure months. Detailed information on smoking was collected at baseline, and information on smoking status was collected for five consecutive years from 1992 to 1996. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk of CVD were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

A total of 1,046 CVD deaths occurred in this cohort over 142,287.7 person-years of follow up. We firstly reported that for equal cumulative exposure, participants exposed to higher concentrations over shorter duration had a higher risk of CVD mortality than those exposed to lower concentration over longer duration. The HR and 95% CI were 1.38 (95%CI: 1.03–1.85) in participants exposed to arsenic concentration (45.5–99.5 mg/m3), 1.29 (95%CI: 1.02–1.67) in 99.5–361.0 mg/m3. Further, participants with age at first exposure <18 years had a significantly higher risk of morality from CVD, cerebrovascular and heart diseases than those with ≥18 years. Finally, all synergy indices were greater than 1 (range, 1.11–2.39), indicating that the joint effect of arsenic exposure and cigarette smoking on CVD mortality was greater than the sum of their individual effect.

Conclusions

Exposure to air arsenic at workplace is adversely associated with mortality from CVD, especially among smokers younger than 18 years and smokers.
Becoming an Agile Change Conductor
Authors: Mehta Jade , Aalsma Matthew C. , O'Brien Andrew , Boyer Tanna J. , Ahmed Rami A. , Summanwar Diana , Boustani Malaz
Published: December 2022

Background

It takes decades and millions of dollars for a new scientific discovery to become part of clinical practice. In 2015, the Center for Health Innovation & Implementation Science (CHIIS) launched a Professional Certificate Program in Innovation and Implementation Sciences aimed at transforming healthcare professionals into Agile Change Conductors capable of designing, implementing, and diffusing evidence-based healthcare solutions.

Method

In 2022, the authors surveyed alumni from the 2016–2021 cohorts of the Certificate Program as part of an educational quality improvement inquiry and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Results

Of the 60 alumni contacted, 52 completed the survey (87% response rate) with 60% of graduates being female while 30% were an under-represented minority. On a scale from 1 to 5, the graduates agreed that the certificate benefited their careers (4.308 with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.612); expanded their professional network (4.615, SD of 0.530); and had a large impact on the effectiveness of their leadership (4.288, SD of 0.667), their change management (4.365, SD of 0.742), and their communication (4.392, SD of 0.666). Graduates claimed to use Agile Processes (Innovation, Implementation, or Diffusion), storytelling, and nudging weekly. On a scale from 0 to 10 where 10 indicates reaching a mastery, the average score for different Agile competencies ranged from 5.37 (SD of 2.80) for drafting business proposals to 7.77 (SD of 1.96) for self-awareness. For the 2020 and 2021 cohorts with existing pre and post training competency data, 22 of the 26 competencies saw a statistically significant increase.

Conclusion

The Graduate Certificate has been able to create a network of Agile Change Conductors competent to design, implement, and diffuse evidence-based care within the healthcare delivery system. Further improvements in building dissemination mastery and program expansion initiatives are advised.
Prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five children in Egypt
Authors: Osei Bonsu Emmanuel , Addo Isaac Yeboah
Published: December 2022

Background

Evidence suggests that Egypt, a country in North Africa, has a significant number of children at serious risk of excess body weight. Yet, there is a dearth of studies on overweight and obesity among children under 5 years in the country. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five children in Egypt.

Methods

Data were retrieved from the latest (2008 and 2014) Egypt Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). A total of 42,568 children under 5 years were included. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was described using proportions whereas the factors associated with the prevalence were examined using logistic regression.

Results

Of the 42,568 children under 5 years, about one in every six (17%) were overweight or obese. Children aged 19–37 months, those with birth weights >4 kg, those given large portions of protein foods (eggs and meat), and those whose mothers were in the rich wealth quintile had significant risks of overweight or obesity.

Conclusion

Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among children under 5 years in Egypt. Interventions developed to address these two overnutrition indicators in Egypt need to consider variations in risk factors across age, birth weight, food types and portions, and maternal wealth status.
Association between healthy food environment and metabolic syndrome, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure in older adults in Southern Brazil
Authors: Souza Bianca Bittencourt de , Quialheiro Anna , Correa Elizabeth Nappi , Rech Cassiano Ricardo , Giehl Maruí Weber Corseuil , d’Orsi Eleonora
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between healthy food outlet proximity, metabolic syndrome (MS), and two of its components, waist circumference (WC) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), in older adults (63–107 years old, median age 73 years) living in Florianópolis, South Brazil in 2013–2014. This is a cross-sectional analysis of the second wave of the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study. Individual-level data on MS, WC, SBP, and socio-demographic and health-related characteristics were collected from face to face interviews. The healthy food environment was assessed via the number and types of establishments present. The residences of older adult participants were georeferenced using Geographical Information System (GIS) software. The number of each type of food establishment in a 500 m buffer around the each residence was determined. Multivariate linear regression was used to test association between food outlet proximity and continuous outcomes (SBP and WC), and multiple logistic regression was used to examine the relations between the predictor variables and the dichotomous outcome of MS (yes/no). The study revealed that greater frequency of supermarkets and restaurants in the neighborhood was associated with a lower likelihood of having MS. WC was lower in individuals living in places with greater availability of greengrocers’ shops and restaurants. The results demonstrated that the number of establishments in a neighborhood is associated with cardiometabolic outcomes, and the likelihood of MS and increased WC is lower for older adults who live in neighborhoods with more access to establishments that sell foundational components of a healthy diet.