bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lef1 and Dlx3 May Facilitate the Maturation of Secondary Hair Follicles in the Skin of Gansu Alpine Merino
Authors: Sun Hongxian , He Zhaohua , Xi Qiming , Zhao Fangfang , Hu Jiang , Wang Jiqing , Liu Xiu , Zhao Zhidong , Li Mingna , Luo Yuzhu , Li Shaobin
Published: July 2022

Lymphatic enhancer factor 1 (Lef1) and distal-less homeobox 3 (Dlx3) are the transcription factors involved in regulating hair follicle development in mice, goats, and other animals. Their deletion can lead to hair follicle deficiency. In this study, hematoxylin–eosin staining (HE), real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the expression, location, and biological functions of Lef1 and Dlx3 in the lateral skin of Gansu Alpine Merino aged 1, 30, 60, and 90 days. The results revealed that the number of hair follicles decreased with age and was significantly higher at 1 day than in the other three age groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of Lef1 and Dlx3 in the skin of 30-day old Gansu Alpine Merino were significantly higher than those in the other three age groups (p < 0.05). Protein expression of Lef1 and Dlx3 was lowest at 1 day (p < 0.05) and peaked at 60 days. Lef1 and Dlx3 exhibited a high density and strong positive expression in the dermal papillae; additionally, Dlx3 exhibited a high density and strong positive expression in the inner and outer root sheaths. Collectively, Lef1 and Dlx3 may facilitate the maturation of secondary hair follicles, which is mainly achieved through the dermal papillae and inner and outer root sheaths.
Examining the Acceptability and Feasibility of the Compassionate Mindful Resilience (CMR) Programme in Adult Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: The COSMIC Study Protocol
Authors: Wilson Anna , McKeaveney Clare , Carswell Claire , Atkinson Karen , Burton Stephanie , McVeigh Clare , Graham-Wisener Lisa , Jääskeläinen Erika , Johnston William , O’Rourke Daniel , Reid Joanne , Rej Sohem , Walsh Ian , McArdle Michael , Noble Helen
Published: July 2022

Kidney disease is often progressive, and patients experience diminished health-related quality of life. In addition, the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and its associated restrictions, has brought many additional burdens. It is therefore essential that effective and affordable systems are explored to improve the psychological health of this group that can be delivered safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to support a new service development project in partnership with the UK’s leading patient support charity Kidney Care UK by implementing the four-session Compassionate Mindful Resilience (CMR) programme, developed by MindfulnessUK, and explore its effectiveness for patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease or have received a kidney transplant. The study will utilise a quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest design to measure the effect of the CMR programme on anxiety, depression, self-compassion, the ability to be mindful, wellbeing, and resilience, using pre- and posttests, alongside a qualitative exploration to explore factors influencing the feasibility, acceptability, and suitability of the intervention, with patients (and the Mindfulness Teacher) and their commitment to practice. Outcomes from this study will include an evidence-based mindfulness and compassion programme for use with people with kidney disease, which is likely to have applicability across other chronic diseases.
Psychological Well-Being Increment as Post-Traumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer: A Controlled Comparison Design Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Li Ren-Hau , Peng Hsiu-Ling , Yeh Ming-Hsin , Lou Jiunnhorng
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to confirm post-traumatic growth with respect to the psychological well-being of women with breast cancer compared to women without disease. Propensity score was used to match the two groups according to age, religious beliefs, education level, monthly income, and marital status. A psychological well-being scale with six factors was used, including positive relations with others (PR), autonomy (AU), environmental mastery (EM), personal growth (PG), purpose in life (PL), and self-acceptance (SA). A total 178 women with vs. 178 women without breast cancer were compared by matching with propensity scores, using factorial invariance tests to reduce measurement errors. The results showed that women with breast cancer had significantly higher psychological well-being for all the six factors (Δχ2 = 37.37, p < 0.001) and higher variability in terms of PR, AU, and PL than women without breast cancer (Δχ2 = 45.94, p < 0.001). Furthermore, women with breast cancer exhibited a significantly higher association between PG and PL and a significantly lower association between PG and EM than women without breast cancer (Δχ2 = 44.49, p < 0.001). This implies that psychological well-being could assess broader and more subtle post-traumatic growth in women with breast cancer and that growth was more associated with internal life value than with external environmental control.
Transformation Analysis of Traditional Mosques: The Case of Quzzat Quarter of Herat Old City, Afghanistan
Authors: Asim Ghulam Mohammad , Shimizu Hajime
Published: July 2022

This study examines the traditional mosques in the Quzzat quarter of Herat Old City, Afghanistan, after WWII. The study discovered urban developments, typology of mosques, as well as destructions, changes, and transformations of the traditional mosques. It involved compiling data, conducting a field survey, examining historical maps, reviewing published works to explain constructions, and finding out how transformations took place. Twenty-nine mosques are constructed in the study area. Twenty-five of them were originally constructed before WWII with traditional local material, and four were constructed after WWII; of these four, three are modern (concrete) and one is made of traditional material. Twelve out of the twenty-five traditional mosques still exist in traditional form, while twelve have been transformed, and one has been damaged. Modern mosques are found to the northwest of the quarter, where the city wall was razed, flattened, and transformed into residential area. Transformations started after WWII and have occurred mainly in the southern parts of the quarter. The majority of the mosques in the northern areas are preserved, while in the southern regions they are transformed, and modern constructions were carried out in the newly urbanized areas.
Effects of Lean Interventions Supported by Digital Technologies on Healthcare Services: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tlapa Diego , Tortorella Guilherme , Fogliatto Flavio , Kumar Maneesh , Mac Cawley Alejandro , Vassolo Roberto , Enberg Luis , Baez-Lopez Yolanda
Published: July 2022

Despite the increasing utilization of lean practices and digital technologies (DTs) related to Industry 4.0, the impact of such dual interventions on healthcare services remains unclear. This study aims to assess the effects of those interventions and provide a comprehensive understanding of their dynamics in healthcare settings. The methodology comprised a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines, searching for lean interventions supported by DTs. Previous studies reporting outcomes related to patient health, patient flow, quality of care, and efficiency were included. Results show that most of the improvement interventions relied on lean methodology followed by lean combined with Six Sigma. The main supporting technologies were simulation and automation, while emergency departments and laboratories were the main settings. Most interventions focus on patient flow outcomes, reporting positive effects on outcomes related to access to service and utilization of services, including reductions in turnaround time, length of stay, waiting time, and turnover time. Notably, we found scarce outcomes regarding patient health, staff wellbeing, resource use, and savings. This paper, the first to investigate the dual intervention of DTs with lean or lean–Six Sigma in healthcare, summarizes the technical and organizational challenges associated with similar interventions, encourages further research, and promotes practical applications.
Education Makes the Difference: Work Preferences of Young Adults with Physical Disability
Authors: Gadot Limor , Faran Yifat , Sarid Orly
Published: July 2022

This study focused on the work preferences of young adults with physical disabilities (YAPD) in Israel and the variables that affect those preferences. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was employed to explain work preferences. We examined direct and indirect links between education and socioeconomic status (SES) in a comprehensive model that tested the mediating role of the TPB and self-assessed health. A cross-sectional study was conducted throughout 2017. Participants included 348 YAPD aged 18–30 not yet integrated into the workforce. Exploratory factor analysis of work preferences yielded three dependent variables: ‘intention to work’, ‘interest, security, and advancement at work’, and ‘willingness to work in the free market’. Data analysis included correlations and path analysis by structural equation modeling. Education was positively associated with all work preferences, while SES was positively associated with ‘interest, security, and advancement at work’. Subjective norms mediated the relation between education and ‘intention to work’ and ‘interest, security, and advancement at work’. Self-efficacy mediated the relation between SES and ‘interest, security, and advancement at work’. Finally, self-assessed health mediated between SES and self-efficacy. Education is a crucial human capital in predicting work preferences of YAPD. The TPB components are important factors in predicting work preferences.
Do Personality, Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy, and Depressive Symptomatology Affect Abstinence Status in Treatment-Seeking Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder?
Authors: Lebiecka Zofia , Tyburski Ernest , Skoneczny Tomasz , Samochowiec Jerzy , Jędrzejewski Adam , Kucharska-Mazur Jolanta
Published: July 2022

Given the high global incidence and disabling nature of alcohol use disorders, alongside high relapse rates, we sought to investigate potential predictors of abstinence, considered a prerequisite of full remission. With an aim to examine (i) the effect of personality, alcohol abstinence self-efficacy, and depressive symptomatology on abstinence status as our primary objective, and (ii) interactions between these three factors, as well as (iii) their changes over time as two secondary objectives, we recruited 51 inpatients at an alcohol rehabilitation center to complete the International Personality Item Pool, the Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory, and to provide information on abstinence attainment 2 months post-treatment. Although regression analyses revealed no evidence for the effect of the investigated factors (personality, self-efficacy, or depressive symptoms) on post-therapy abstinence, other findings emerged, demonstrating (i) a significant reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms, (ii) the effect of personality and alcohol abstinence self-efficacy on depressive symptom severity, and (iii) the role of personality in predicting the temptation to use alcohol in recovering drinkers. These preliminary indications of links between personality, self-efficacy, and subjective well-being mark a promising area for future research on powerful and relevant cues of relapse and abstinence efficacy.
What Affects the Economic Resilience of China’s Yellow River Basin Amid Economic Crisis—From the Perspective of Spatial Heterogeneity
Authors: Li Liangang , Zhang Pingyu , Wang Chengxin
Published: July 2022

This paper contributes to the study of regional economic resilience by analyzing the dynamic characteristics and influence mechanisms of resilience from the perspective of spatial heterogeneity. This paper focuses on the resistance and recoverability dimensions of resilience and analyzed the dynamic changes in economic resilience in China’s Yellow River Basin in response to the 2008 economic crisis. The multi-scale geographical weighted regression model was utilized to examine the effect of key factors on regional economic resilience. Our findings show the following: (1) The resistance of the Yellow River Basin to the financial crisis was high; however, the recoverability decreased significantly over time. (2) The spatial heterogeneity of driving factors was significant, and they had different effect scales on economic resilience. Related variety, government agency, environment, and opening to the global economy had a significant effect on economic resilience only in a specific small range. Specialization, unrelated variety, and location had opposite effects in different regions of the Yellow River Basin. (3) Specialization limited the area’s resistance to shock but enhanced the recoverability. Related variety improved regional economic resilience. Unrelated variety was not conducive to regional resistance to shock and had opposite effects on the recoverability in different regions. (4) Government agency and financial market promoted regional economic resilience. Environment pollution and resource-based economic structure limited regional economic resilience. Opening to the global economy and urban hierarchy limited regional resistance to shock, but strong economic development had the opposite effect of improved regional resistance. The location in the east of the Yellow River Basin enhanced the recoverability; however, the location in the west limited the recoverability.
Consumer or Patient Determinants of Hospital Brand Equity—A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Górska-Warsewicz Hanna
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze consumer or patient determinants of hospital brand equity (HBE) based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Statement. A search of six databases: Scopus, Web of Sciences, PubMed, Google Scholar, Ebsco, and Elsevier was conducted. A search for studies published up to January 2022 was performed between 15 February and 5 March 2022. Article type, peer-reviewed papers, and studies based on empirical research were used as inclusion criteria. Non-English language papers, dissertations, short reports, works in progress, conference publications, and book chapters were excluded. As a result, a final set of 32 studies were selected for the analysis. Three research questions were formulated on the main determinants of HBE, brand-related factors, and specific medical-related factors. The studies included in the systematic literature review were analyzed in three areas: study description, key findings, and practical recommendations. Among the traditional HBE factors, brand loyalty has been analyzed most often, and the following have also been studied: perceived quality, brand associations, brand awareness, and brand image. Patient satisfaction, service quality, perception of the treatment process, and the work of medical staff were found to be specific medical-related factors. Other factors related to the management process, brand, and patients were also identified. It was noted that the number and variety of medical and other determinants of HBE have increased in recent years. The results of this systematic literature review are relevant to the analysis of consumer/patient behavior in choosing a hospital or other health care facility as they provide a deeper understanding of the increasingly differentiated needs of patients and the way in which the quality of health care services is evaluated.
Chinese Residents’ Healthy Eating Intentions and Behaviors: Based on an Extended Health Belief Model
Authors: Wang Yiqin , Wen Xiaowei , Zhu Ying , Xiong Yanling , Liu Xuefan
Published: July 2022

Unhealthy eating is one cause of obesity and some chronic non-communicable diseases. This study introduces self-efficacy and health consciousness to construct an extended health belief model (HBM) to examine the factors influencing healthy eating intentions and behaviors of Chinese residents and explore the moderating effect of perceived barriers and the mediating effect of healthy eating intentions. Through the survey platform “Questionnaire Star”, this study collected quantitative data from 1281 adults, and partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, importance-performance map analysis, and multi-group analysis. Results showed that perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and health consciousness had a significant positive effect on residents’ healthy eating intentions. Perceived barriers had a significant negative effect on residents’ healthy eating intentions. Healthy eating intentions had a significant positive effect on healthy eating behaviors. Perceived barriers played a significant negative moderating effect between healthy eating intentions and behaviors. Healthy eating intentions had a positive and significant mediating effect. The multi-group analysis showed that extended HBM has relative generalization ability. The extended HBM has good explanatory and predictive power for healthy diet and provides a new framework for understanding the influencing factors of individuals’ healthy eating intentions and behaviors.
Musculoskeletal Diseases and Disorders in the Upper Limbs and Health Work-Related Quality of Life in Spanish Sign Language Interpreters and Guide-Interpreters
Authors: Jiménez-Arberas Estíbaliz , Díez Emiliano
Published: July 2022

Disorders in the upper limbs are common among sign language interpreters and are related with different risk factors, among which are the difficulties of interpreting work in the educational setting, posture, and emotional together with physical stress. The aim of this study was to inquire about the different musculoskeletal disorders and diseases present in a group of sign language interpreters, and to examine its relationship with the work-related quality of life. A battery of four instruments was administered to 62 sign language interpreters, composed of a sociodemographic data and musculoskeletal disease questionnaire, a health-related quality of life measurement scale (SF-36), a measurement scale of the impact of fatigue (MFIS), and an instrument for assessing hand-function outcomes (MHOQ). All the study participants had presented some kind of musculoskeletal pathology during their work career, such as tendinitis, overuse syndrome, and repetitive strain injury. In addition, many of the participants present difficulties in occupational performance that affect their daily activities. A high percentage, close to 70%, of the interpreters suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, serious enough to modify their activities and affect both the quality of their work as interpreters and their quality of life, with important mediating variables being the number of diseases; physical, cognitive, and social fatigue; and satisfaction with the hand function.
Bibliometric Analysis of Health Technology Research: 1990~2020
Authors: Luo Xiaomei , Wu Yuduo , Niu Lina , Huang Lucheng
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to summarize the publishing trends, current status, research topics, and frontier evolution trends of health technology between 1990 and 2020 through various bibliometric analysis methods. In total, 6663 articles retrieved from the Web of Science core database were analyzed by Vosviewer and CiteSpace software. This paper found that: (1) The number of publications in the field of health technology increased exponentially; (2) there is no stable core group of authors in this research field, and the influence of the publishing institutions and journals in China is insufficient compared with those in Europe and the United States; (3) there are 21 core research topics in the field of health technology research, and these research topics can be divided into four classes: hot spots, potential hot spots, margin topics, and mature topics. C21 (COVID-19 prevention) and C10 (digital health technology) are currently two emerging research topics. (4) The number of research frontiers has increased in the past five years (2016–2020), and the research directions have become more diverse; rehabilitation, pregnancy, e-health, m-health, machine learning, and patient engagement are the six latest research frontiers.
The ‘Myth of Zero-COVID’ Nation: A Digital Ethnography of Expats’ Survival Amid Shanghai Lockdown during the Omicron Variant Outbreak
Authors: Nam Benjamin H. , Weber Hans-Jörg Luitgar , Liu Yuanyuan , English Alexander Scott
Published: July 2022

This study presents a digital ethnography of expats’ survival amid the Shanghai lockdown during the Omicron variant outbreak. This study drew insights from studies on resilience and secondary coping within the context of global migration to comprehend the diverse emotional challenges faced by expats in a series of lockdowns and persistent nucleic acid amplification tests. Thus, this study asks what the major emotional challenges expats faced and what sources of social support they could draw from citizens in their host country during the Shanghai lockdown. Accordingly, this study collected WeChat group conversations to draw empirical findings, promoted scholarly conversations about fundamental survival necessity, and traced the process for establishing intercultural collective resilience with citizens from their host country. Overall, this study emphasized the significance of host country members who can promote certain coping mechanisms for their visitors in the specific regional and geographical context of China.
Association between Social Engagements and Stigmatization of COVID-19 Infection among Community Population in Japan
Authors: Koyama Yuna , Nawa Nobutoshi , Yamaoka Yui , Nishimura Hisaaki , Kuramochi Jin , Fujiwara Takeo
Published: July 2022

In the face of unknown risks, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we tend to have stigmatized perceptions. The current study aimed to examine the association of social engagements with the level of stigmatization of COVID-19 infection among the general population. The data of 429 participants of the Utsunomiya COVID-19 seroprevalence neighborhood association (U-CORONA) study, a population-based cohort study conducted in Utsunomiya City, Japan, were analyzed. Their stigmatized perception of people with COVID-19 infection was evaluated via a questionnaire for the situation if they or others in their community were to get infected. The association between social engagements (community social capital, social network diversity, and social network size) and stigmatization were analyzed by a multiple linear regression model with generalized estimating equations. Overall, females reported a higher stigmatized perception of people with COVID-19 than males. Lower education and depressive symptoms were also positively associated with higher stigmatization, while age, household income, and comorbidities were not. People with higher community social capital reported lower stigmatization (B = −0.69, 95% CI = −1.23 to −0.16), while social network diversity and social network size did not show an association with stigmatization. We found an association between community social capital and stigmatization, suggesting that enhancing their community social capital, but not social network diversity and size, has the potential to mitigate the levels of stigmatization.
Impact Estimation of Unplanned Urban Rail Disruptions on Public Transport Passengers: A Multi-Agent Based Simulation Approach
Authors: Cong Chengli , Li Xuan , Yang Shiwei , Zhang Quan , Lu Lili , Shi Yang
Published: July 2022

Once unplanned urban rail disruptions occur, it is essential to evaluate the impacts on public transport passengers since impact estimation results enable transit agencies to verify whether alternative transit services have adequate capacity to evacuate the affected rail passengers and to adopt effective emergency measures in response to the disruptions. This paper focuses on estimating the impacts of unplanned rail line segment disruptions on rail passengers as well as original bus passengers, as the latter are overlooked in existing studies. A method of identifying affected rail passengers based on passenger tap-in time is proposed, which is helpful for evaluating the scale and origin-destination distribution of the affected passengers. Passengers’ response behaviors are analyzed and modeled in a multi-agent simulation system. The system realizes the simulation of the multimodal evacuation process, in which a rule-based logit model is employed to describe passengers’ travel selection behavior and the Monte Carlo method is utilized to address the issue of uncertainty in passengers’ travel selection. In particular, the original bus passengers are integrated into the simulation and interact with rail passengers. Finally, some indicators assessing the impacts on rail passengers and bus passengers are presented, and a case study based on the Ningbo urban rail transit network is conducted.
Health Effects of Electronic Cigarettes: An Umbrella Review and Methodological Considerations
Authors: Travis Nargiz , Knoll Marie , Cadham Christopher J. , Cook Steven , Warner Kenneth E. , Fleischer Nancy L. , Douglas Clifford E. , Sánchez-Romero Luz María , Mistry Ritesh , Meza Rafael , Hirschtick Jana L. , Levy David T.
Published: July 2022

E-cigarettes are often marketed as a safer alternative to combustible cigarettes. However, their health effects, especially those associated with long-term use, remain largely uncertain. We conducted an umbrella review of the cardiopulmonary and carcinogenic risks of e-cigarette use, distinguishing between short-term and long-term health effects. The search for systematic reviews was conducted across four electronic databases through 25 January 2022. Methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 quality appraisal tool. Seventeen systematic reviews, including five meta-analyses, were included in our umbrella review. There was a clear underreporting of e-cigarette devices and e-liquid types, e-cigarette and cigarette exposure, and the health and smoking status of study participants. Overall, the findings suggest that short-term use of e-cigarettes may be associated with acute cardiopulmonary risks, although to a lesser extent than cigarette use. Long-term e-cigarette use may have pulmonary/respiratory benefits in those who switch from chronic cigarette smoking, particularly in individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Evidence on intermediate and long-term carcinogenic effects is lacking. This umbrella review underscores the urgent need for systematic reviews with better adherence to established reporting guidelines, consistent definitions of duration of e-cigarette use, a focus on newer devices, and accounting for the impacts of former or current smoking.
Prevention of Ageing—The Role of Micro-Needling in Neck and Cleavage Rejuvenation: A Narrative Review
Authors: Pająk Justyna , Szepietowski Jacek C. , Nowicka Danuta
Published: July 2022

Although interest in aesthetic medicine is growing, the focus is often placed outside of the facial area, namely on the skin of the neck and cleavage. Exposure to the sun and muscle movements cause the prompt development of wrinkles that may appear there, even before they show up on the face. We conducted a literature review devoted to micro-needling to identify its role in anti-ageing treatments and to determine the gaps in current knowledge. A search in Medline identified 52 publications for neck and face micro-needling. Micro-needling is an anti-ageing procedure that involves making micro-punctures in the skin to induce skin remodelling by stimulating the fibroblasts responsible for collagen and elastin production. It can be applied to the skin of the face, neck, and cleavage. Two to four weeks should be allowed between repeated procedures to achieve an optimal effect. The increase in collagen and elastin in the skin can reach 400% after 6 months, with an increase in the thickness of the stratum granulosum occurring for up to 1 year. In conclusion, micro-needling can be considered an effective and safe aesthetic medicine procedure which is conducted at low costs due to its low invasiveness, low number of adverse reactions, and short recovery time. Little evidence identified in the literature suggests that this procedure requires further research.
Age-Related Changes in Accuracy and Speed of Lateral Crossing Motion: Focus on Stepping from Leaning Position
Authors: Maeda Yusuke , Sudo Daisuke , Shimotori Daiki
Published: July 2022

Fall incidents are increasing every year and prevention is necessary. Preventing falls can increase the quality of life of the elderly and decrease medical costs. Stumbling and tripping are the main causes of falls and falls in the lateral direction, causing the hip fracture. This study aimed to analyze the accuracy and speed of lateral obstacle crossing in the elderly, especially from leaning posture. Twenty healthy older adults (6 men and 14 women, aged 71.7 ± 1.5 years) and 20 healthy young adults (5 men and 15 women, aged 21.4 ± 1.2 years) participated in this study. We set four conditions (normal, fast, leaning, and leaning fast), and participants crossed the obstacle laterally ten times under each condition. The crossing motion was captured using a three-dimensional analysis system. The trajectory of the foot, landed position, step time, center of gravity of the body, and moment of the lower extremity during the swing phase were calculated and compared between older and younger adults. In the leaning condition, the step time and knee moment of the elderly were significantly longer and larger than those of young adults. From the results of the trajectory of the foot and landed position in the leaning condition, motion inconsistency of the foot was found in the elderly. We believe that it is difficult for the elderly to perform the intended crossing motion and swing quickly because of aging. This inconsistency in motion is a serious cause of falls in the elderly.
Clinical Validation of a Deep-Learning Segmentation Software in Head and Neck: An Early Analysis in a Developing Radiation Oncology Center
Authors: D’Aviero Andrea , Re Alessia , Catucci Francesco , Piccari Danila , Votta Claudio , Piro Domenico , Piras Antonio , Di Dio Carmela , Iezzi Martina , Preziosi Francesco , Menna Sebastiano , Quaranta Flaviovincenzo , Boschetti Althea , Marras Marco , Miccichè Francesco , Gallus Roberto , Indovina Luca , Bussu Francesco , Valentini Vincenzo , Cusumano Davide , Mattiucci Gian Carlo
Published: July 2022

Background: Organs at risk (OARs) delineation is a crucial step of radiotherapy (RT) treatment planning workflow. Time-consuming and inter-observer variability are main issues in manual OAR delineation, mainly in the head and neck (H & N) district. Deep-learning based auto-segmentation is a promising strategy to improve OARs contouring in radiotherapy departments. A comparison of deep-learning-generated auto-contours (AC) with manual contours (MC) was performed by three expert radiation oncologists from a single center. Methods: Planning computed tomography (CT) scans of patients undergoing RT treatments for H&N cancers were considered. CT scans were processed by Limbus Contour auto-segmentation software, a commercial deep-learning auto-segmentation based software to generate AC. H&N protocol was used to perform AC, with the structure set consisting of bilateral brachial plexus, brain, brainstem, bilateral cochlea, pharyngeal constrictors, eye globes, bilateral lens, mandible, optic chiasm, bilateral optic nerves, oral cavity, bilateral parotids, spinal cord, bilateral submandibular glands, lips and thyroid. Manual revision of OARs was performed according to international consensus guidelines. The AC and MC were compared using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and 95% Hausdorff distance transform (DT). Results: A total of 274 contours obtained by processing CT scans were included in the analysis. The highest values of DSC were obtained for the brain (DSC 1.00), left and right eye globes and the mandible (DSC 0.98). The structures with greater MC editing were optic chiasm, optic nerves and cochleae. Conclusions: In this preliminary analysis, deep-learning auto-segmentation seems to provide acceptable H&N OAR delineations. For less accurate organs, AC could be considered a starting point for review and manual adjustment. Our results suggest that AC could become a useful time-saving tool to optimize workload and resources in RT departments.
Self-Regulated Learning Strategies for Nursing Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: An Jiwon , Oh Juyeon , Park Kyongok
Published: July 2022

Distance learning (DL) based on information and communication technologies is gaining importance due to its convenience and cost savings. However, there is not enough evidence to identify the effect of DL on students requiring a high level of self-regulated learning (SRL). Therefore, this study aims to compare the effects of the use of augmented reality (AR) as an innovative learning method and the use of a textbook as a conventional learning method. Both methods were based on SRL strategies. In this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), SRL using an AR group (n = 31) and a textbook group (n = 31) was performed. Perceived learning (PL) competency, knowledge, SRL competency, academic stress, and learning flow were measured to evaluate the effect of intervention. Although, there was not significant interaction between the effects of time and the intervention in PL competency, knowledge, academic stress, and learning flow. In the subdomains of SRL competency, environmental structuring, task strategies, time management, help seeking, and self-evaluation were significantly improved after intervention. SRL using innovative methods is more important after COVID 19. Therefore, well-designed larger RCTs are required to identify the effect of SRL strategy using innovative method.
Prenylation Defects and Oxidative Stress Trigger the Main Consequences of Neuroinflammation Linked to Mevalonate Pathway Deregulation
Authors: Pisanti Simona , Rimondi Erika , Pozza Elena , Melloni Elisabetta , Zauli Enrico , Bifulco Maurizio , Martinelli Rosanna , Marcuzzi Annalisa
Published: July 2022

The cholesterol biosynthesis represents a crucial metabolic pathway for cellular homeostasis. The end products of this pathway are sterols, such as cholesterol, which are essential components of cell membranes, precursors of steroid hormones, bile acids, and other molecules such as ubiquinone. Furthermore, some intermediates of this metabolic system perform biological activity in specific cellular compartments, such as isoprenoid molecules that can modulate different signal proteins through the prenylation process. The defects of prenylation represent one of the main causes that promote the activation of inflammation. In particular, this mechanism, in association with oxidative stress, induces a dysfunction of the mitochondrial activity. The purpose of this review is to describe the pleiotropic role of prenylation in neuroinflammation and to highlight the consequence of the defects of prenylation.
Frail Older People Ageing in Place in Italy: Use of Health Services and Relationship with General Practitioner
Authors: Melchiorre Maria , Socci Marco , Quattrini Sabrina , Lamura Giovanni , D’Amen Barbara
Published: July 2022

Functional limitations, chronic diseases and frailty often occur in later life. These aspects become very challenging when older people age alone in place, thus needing support in the activities of daily living, and in this context, it is important they can access and use health services. The present study aimed to explore these issues in Italy. In 2019, 120 qualitative interviews were carried out within the “Inclusive Ageing in Place” (IN-AGE) project, involving frail older people living at home in three Italian regions (Lombardy, Marche, and Calabria). A content analysis and some quantifications of main statements are presented. Results showed that the majority of seniors report poor self-rated health (SRH), suffer from many chronic diseases, and mainly use the General Practitioner (GP) and Medical Specialists (MSs), even though long waiting list in the public sector and high costs in the private one act as barriers to access health services. Complaints regarding GPs mainly refer to the almost exclusive provision of prescriptions and the lack of home visits. Some regional peculiarities highlighted a better overall context in the north than in the south, especially with regards to the public health sector. These results can provide useful insights for policy makers, in order to deliver health services assuring frail, older people the continuity of assistance needed at home.
The Robben Island Diversity Experience: It’s about the Journey, Not the RIDE
Authors: May Michelle S.
Published: July 2022

The Robben Island diversity experience (RIDE), a conference using a group relations training model, was held annually from 2000 to 2013, (with RIDE not taking place in 2004). During RIDE, underlying, unconscious, and covert South African diversity dynamics are studied as they manifest among managers and officials in the fields of change, diversity management, transformation, and human resources management. The participants (staff and membership) of the conference collectively form a temporary organisation in which they explore unconscious dynamics and processes as they relate to dealing with diversity challenges. A qualitative, analytic auto-ethnographic research approach was used to elicit data. The data consisted of different sets of process notes compiled during my involvement in RIDE (2000 to 2014). Thematic analysis was used to analyse and interpret the data to allow insights into diversity dynamics. The findings suggest that in the early events RIDE citizens displayed a preoccupation with race which was expressed through attempts to re-organise the race hierarchy in the unconscious, and the need to form good-enough relationships with old enemies through searching for the absent white-man. In more recent years it became evident that groups are reluctant to explore differences of organisational position and socio-economic status in racial sameness. The experimentation with leadership within and across race groups and gender was a preoccupation of members in a more recent RIDE. Further, the marginalisation of women, through the intersection between diversity characteristics, also became apparent. It seems that through RIDE as a container, the consultants as containers, and the willingness of the participants to engage with their diversity challenges, more diversity dynamics have become accessible to the RIDE citizens. This understanding of diversity dynamics can be used in South African and international organisations by researchers, consultants, and managers to enhance their understanding of diversity dynamics in organisations and inform the nature of the different diversity management initiatives implemented in these organisations.
Characterization of Dissolved Organic Matter in Solar Ponds by Elemental Analysis, Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Pyrolysis–GC–MS
Authors: Yang Keli , Zhang Yaoling , Dong Yaping , Peng Jiaoyu , Li Wu , Liu Haining
Published: July 2022

The abundance and chemical composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the brine of solar ponds affect the efficiency of mineral extraction and evaporation rates of the brine, and cause undesired odor and color of the products. Here, we report an investigation into the composition and changes of DOM in solar ponds from Salt Lake brine with multiple complementary analysis techniques. The results showed that the DOM derived from Salt Lake brine was primarily composed of carbohydrates, aliphatic and aromatic compounds. The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon in solar ponds increased with exposure time by up to 15−fold (from 23.4 to 330.8 mg/L) upon evaporation/irradiation of Salt Lake brine. Further qualitative analyses suggest that the relative abundance of aliphatic compounds (including functionalized ones) increased from 49.5% to 59.2% in the solar pond process, while the opposite was observed for carboxylic acid moieties, aromatics and carbohydrates, which decreased from 15.7%, 7.1% and 26.1% to 13.4%, 5.3% and 23.0%, respectively. The pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry results reveal that the presence of some sulfur-containing organics implied some anaerobic biotic decay, but microbiological processes were probably subordinate to photo-induced DOM transformations. In the Salt Lake brine, exposure-driven decay decreased the abundance of polysaccharides and increased that of mono- and polyaromatic pyrolysis products. Our results here provide new insights for better understanding the changes of DOM chemical composition in the solar ponds of Salt Lake brine.
Patch-Based Local Climate Zones Mapping and Population Distribution Pattern in Provincial Capital Cities of China
Authors: Zhou Liang , Ma Lei , Johnson Brian Alan , Yan Ziyun , Li Feixue , Li Manchun
Published: July 2022

Accurate urban morphology provided by Local Climate Zones (LCZ), a universal surface classification scheme, offers opportunities for studies of urban heat risk, urban ventilation, and transport planning. In recent years, researchers have attempted to generate LCZ maps worldwide with the World Urban Database and Access Portal Tools (WUDAPT). However, the accuracy of LCZ mapping is not satisfactory and cannot fulfill the quality demands of practical usage. Here, we constructed a high-quality sample dataset from Chinese cities and presented a patch-based classification framework that employs chessboard segmentation and multi-seasonal images for LCZ mapping. Compared with the latest WUDAPT method, the overall accuracy for all LCZ types (OA) and urban LCZ types (OAu) of our framework increased by about 10% and 9%, respectively. Furthermore, based on the analysis of population distribution, we first gave the population density of different built-up LCZs of Chinese cities and found a hierarchical effect of population density among built-up LCZs in different size cities. In summary, this study could serve as a valuable reference for producing high-quality LCZ maps and understanding population distribution patterns in built-up LCZ types.
Maternal High-Fat Diet and Offspring Hypertension
Authors: Tain You-Lin , Hsu Chien-Ning
Published: July 2022

The incidence of hypertension has increased to epidemic levels in the past decades. Increasing evidence reveals that maternal dietary habits play a crucial role in the development of hypertension in adult offspring. In humans, increased fat consumption has been considered responsible for obesity and associated diseases. Maternal diets rich in saturated fats have been widely employed in animal models to study various adverse offspring outcomes. In this review, we discussed current evidence linking maternal high-fat diet to offspring hypertension. We also provided an in-depth overview of the potential mechanisms underlying hypertension of developmental origins that are programmed by maternal high-fat intake from animal studies. Furthermore, this review also presented an overview of how reprogramming interventions can prevent maternal high-fat-diet-induced hypertension in adult offspring. Overall, recent advances in understanding mechanisms behind programming and reprogramming of maternal high-fat diet on hypertension of developmental origins might provide the answers to curtail this epidemic. Still, more research is needed to translate research findings into practice.
Caffeine-Induced Acute and Delayed Responses in Cerebral Metabolism of Control and Schizophrenia-like Wisket Rats
Authors: Horvath Gyöngyi , Kertész István , Nagy Tamás , Adlan Leatitia Gabriella , Kekesi Gabriella , Büki Alexandra , Tuboly Gabor , Trencsényi György
Published: July 2022

Recently, morphological impairments have been detected in the brain of a triple-hit rat schizophrenia model (Wisket), and delayed depressive effects of caffeine treatment in both control and Wisket animals have also been shown. The aims of this study were to determine the basal and caffeine-induced acute (30 min) and delayed (24 h) changes in the cerebral 18fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake by positron emission tomography (PET) in control and Wisket rats. No significant differences were identified in the basal whole-brain metabolism between the two groups, and the metabolism was not modified acutely by a single intraperitoneal caffeine (20 mg/kg) injection in either group. However, one day after caffeine administration, significantly enhanced 18F-FDG uptake was detected in the whole brain and the investigated areas (hippocampus, striatum, thalamus, and hypothalamus) in the control group. Although the Wisket animals showed only moderate enhancements in the 18F-FDG uptake, significantly lower brain metabolism was observed in this group than in the caffeine-treated control group. This study highlights that the basal brain metabolism of Wisket animals was similar to control rats, and that was not influenced acutely by single caffeine treatment at the whole-brain level. Nevertheless, the distinct delayed responsiveness to this psychostimulant in Wisket model rats suggests impaired control of the cerebral metabolism.
Causal Associations between Paternal Longevity and Risks of Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Hu Mengjin , Wang Xiaoning , Tan Jiangshan , Yang Jingang , Gao Xiaojin , Yang Yuejin
Published: July 2022

Background: Observational studies have suggested that paternal longevity is associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases, yet the causal association remains to be determined. Objectives: To investigate whether Mendelian randomization (MR) results support a causal role of paternal longevity for risks of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: Genetic variants associated with paternal longevity and cardiovascular diseases were obtained from public genome-wide association study data. We used inverse variance weighted MR under a random-effects model to provide causal estimates between paternal longevity and cardiovascular diseases. Results: Paternal longevity was associated with decreased risks of coronary heart disease (odds ratio (OR): 0.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.02–0.37; p = 0.001) and peripheral artery disease (OR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.03–0.65; p = 0.011). No significant differences were observed in hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, or cardiac death. The weighted median method revealed consistent results between genetically instrumented paternal longevity and decreased risk of coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease. No significant differences were observed in the MR-Egger results. Multivariable MR consistently indicated causal associations between paternal longevity and decreased cardiovascular diseases. The leave-one-out analysis suggested that the causal associations were not affected by individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The intercept of the MR-Egger estimator and funnel plot revealed no indication of horizontal pleiotropic effects. Conclusions: Our MR analyses supported a causal role of paternal longevity for decreased risks of coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease, which highlighted the need for better monitoring and intervention of cardiovascular diseases in populations with premature paternal death.