bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The global landscape and research trend of phase separation in cancer: a bibliometric analysis and visualization
Authors: Li Mengzhu , Zhang Yizhan , Zhao Jiajun , Wang Dawei
Published: June 2023

Background

Cancer as a deathly disease with high prevalence has impelled researchers to investigate its causative mechanisms in the search for effective therapeutics. Recently, the concept of phase separation has been introduced to biological science and extended to cancer research, which helps reveal various pathogenic processes that have not been identified before. As a process of soluble biomolecules condensed into solid-like and membraneless structures, phase separation is associated with multiple oncogenic processes. However, there are no bibliometric characteristics for these results. To provide future trends and identify new frontiers in this field, a bibliometric analysis was conducted in this study.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was used to search for literature on phase separation in cancer from 1/1/2009 to 31/12/2022. After screening the literature, statistical analysis and visualization were carried out by the VOSviewer software (version 1.6.18) and Citespace software (Version 6.1.R6).

Results

A total of 264 publications, covering 413 organizations and 32 countries, were published in 137 journals, with an increasing trend in publication and citation numbers per year. The USA and China were the two countries with the largest number of publications, and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences was the most active institution based on the number of articles and cooperations. Molecular Cell was the most frequent publisher with high citations and H-index. The most productive authors were Fox AH, De Oliveira GAP, and Tompa P. Overlay, whilst few authors had a strong collaboration with each other. The combined analysis of concurrent and burst keywords revealed that the future research hotspots of phase separation in cancer were related to tumor microenvironments, immunotherapy, prognosis, p53, and cell death.

Conclusion

Phase separation-related cancer research remained in the hot streak period and exhibited a promising outlook. Although inter-agency collaboration existed, cooperation among research groups was rare, and no author dominated this field at the current stage. Investigating the interfaced effects between phase separation and tumor microenvironments on carcinoma behaviors, and constructing relevant prognoses and therapeutics such as immune infiltration-based prognosis and immunotherapy might be the next research trend in the study of phase separation and cancer.
A bibliometric and visualized analysis of preoperative future liver remnant augmentation techniques from 1997 to 2022
Authors: Du Sihao , Wang Zhenshun , Lin Dongdong
Published: June 2023

Background

The size and function of the future liver remnant (FLR) is an essential consideration for both eligibility for treatment and postoperative prognosis when planning surgical hepatectomy. Over time, a variety of preoperative FLR augmentation techniques have been investigated, from the earliest portal vein embolization (PVE) to the more recent Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) and liver venous deprivation (LVD) procedures. Despite numerous publications on this topic, no bibliometric analysis has yet been conducted.

Methods

Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was searched to identify studies related to preoperative FLR augmentation techniques published from 1997 to 2022. The analysis was performed using the CiteSpace [version 6.1.R6 (64-bit)] and VOSviewer [version 1.6.19].

Results

A total of 973 academic studies were published by 4431 authors from 920 institutions in 51 countries/regions. The University of Zurich was the most published institution while Japan was the most productive country. Eduardo de Santibanes had the most published articles, and Masato Nagino was the most frequently co-cited author. The most frequently published journal was HPB, and the most cited journal was Ann Surg, with 8088 citations. The main aspects of preoperative FLR augmentation technique is to enhance surgical technology, expand clinical indications, prevent and treat postoperative complications, ensure long-term survival, and evaluate the growth rate of FLR. Recently, hot keywords in this field include ALPPS, LVD, and Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy.

Conclusion

This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of preoperative FLR augmentation techniques, offering valuable insights and ideas for scholars in this field.
A new measure for multi-professional medical team communication: design and methodology for multilingual measurement development
Authors: Malone Sara , Rivera Jocelyn , Puerto-Torres Maria , Prewitt Kim , Sakaan Firas , Counts Lara , Al Zebin Zebin , Arias Anita V. , Bhattacharyya Parthasarathi , Gunasekera Sanjeeva , Johnson Sherry , Kambugu Joyce , Kaye Erica C. , Mandrell Belinda , Mack Jennifer W. , McArthur Jennifer , Mendez Alejandra , Morrissey Lisa , Sharara-Chami Rana , Snaman Jennifer , Sniderman Elizabeth , Luke Douglas A. , Graetz Dylan E. , Agulnik Asya
Published: June 2023

Background

As implementation science in global health continues to evolve, there is a need for valid and reliable measures that consider diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. A standardized, reproducible process for multilingual measure development may improve accessibility and validity by participants in global health settings. To address this need, we propose a rigorous methodology for multilingual measurement development. We use the example of a novel measure of multi-professional team communication quality, a determinant of implementation efforts.

Methods

The development and translation of this novel bilingual measure is comprised of seven steps. In this paper, we describe a measure developed in English and Spanish, however, this approach is not language specific. Participants are engaged throughout the process: first, an interprofessional panel of experts and second, through cognitive interviewing for measure refinement. The steps of measure development included: (1) literature review to identify previous measures of team communication; (2) development of an initial measure by the expert panel; (3) cognitive interviewing in a phased approach with the first language (English); (4): formal, forward-backward translation process with attention to colloquialisms and regional differences in languages; (5) cognitive interviewing repeated in the second language (Spanish); (6) language synthesis to refine both instruments and unify feedback; and (7) final review of the refined measure by the expert panel.

Results

A draft measure to assess quality of multi-professional team communication was developed in Spanish and English, consisting of 52 questions in 7 domains. This measure is now ready for psychometric testing.

Conclusions

This seven-step, rigorous process of multilingual measure development can be used in a variety of linguistic and resource settings. This method ensures development of valid and reliable tools to collect data from a wide range of participants, including those who have historically been excluded due to language barriers. Use of this method will increase both rigor and accessibility of measurement in implementation science and advance equity in research and practice.
The role of human milk nutrients in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Sami Ahmad S. , Frazer Lauren C. , Miller Claire M. , Singh Dhirendra K. , Clodfelter Lynda G. , Orgel Kelly A. , Good Misty
Published: June 2023

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an intestinal disease that primarily impacts preterm infants. The pathophysiology of NEC involves a complex interplay of factors that result in a deleterious immune response, injury to the intestinal mucosa, and in its most severe form, irreversible intestinal necrosis. Treatments for NEC remain limited, but one of the most effective preventative strategies for NEC is the provision of breast milk feeds. In this review, we discuss mechanisms by which bioactive nutrients in breast milk impact neonatal intestinal physiology and the development of NEC. We also review experimental models of NEC that have been used to study the role of breast milk components in disease pathophysiology. These models are necessary to accelerate mechanistic research and improve outcomes for neonates with NEC.
A routing strategy for spatial networks based on harmonic centrality
Authors: Lin Hong , Xia Yongxiang , Li Xingyi , Gao Xiaoxu
Published: June 2023

With the rapid development of networks, the traffic in the networks has increased sharply, resulting in frequent congestion, especially in spatial networks, such as the railway network, aviation network, and sensor network, and congestion not only affects the user’s experience but also causes serious economic losses. Therefore, in this paper, we effectively identify the high-load nodes in spatial networks by considering harmony centrality and degree. On this basis, we design the HD routing strategy by avoiding these key nodes, which can enhance the traffic throughput of spatial networks efficiently. The results provide new ideas and directions for the design of routing strategies for spatial networks.
Virus-virus interactions alter the mechanical transmissibility and host range of begomoviruses
Authors: Chang Ho-Hsiung , Gustian Deri , Chang Chung-Jan , Jan Fuh-Jyh
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Begomoviruses are mainly transmitted by whiteflies. However, a few begomoviruses can be transmitted mechanically. Mechanical transmissibility affects begomoviral distribution in the field.

Materials and methods

In this study, two mechanically transmissible begomoviruses, tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus-oriental melon isolate (ToLCNDV-OM) and tomato yellow leaf curl Thailand virus (TYLCTHV), and two nonmechanically transmissible begomoviruses, ToLCNDV-cucumber isolate (ToLCNDV-CB) and tomato leaf curl Taiwan virus (ToLCTV), were used to study the effects of virus-virus interactions on mechanical transmissibility.

Results

Nicotiana benthamiana and host plants were coinoculated through mechanical transmission with inoculants derived from plants that were mix-infected or inoculants derived from individually infected plants, and the inoculants were mixed immediately before inoculation. Our results showed that ToLCNDV-CB was mechanically transmitted with ToLCNDV-OM to N. benthamiana, cucumber, and oriental melon, whereas ToLCTV was mechanically transmitted with TYLCTHV to N. benthamiana and tomato. For crossing host range inoculation, ToLCNDV-CB was mechanically transmitted with TYLCTHV to N. benthamiana and its nonhost tomato, while ToLCTV with ToLCNDV-OM was transmitted to N. benthamiana and its nonhost oriental melon. For sequential inoculation, ToLCNDV-CB and ToLCTV were mechanically transmitted to N. benthamiana plants that were either preinfected with ToLCNDV-OM or TYLCTHV. The results of fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses showed that the nuclear shuttle protein of ToLCNDV-CB (CBNSP) and the coat protein of ToLCTV (TWCP) localized alone to the nucleus. When coexpressed with movement proteins of ToLCNDV-OM or TYLCTHV, CBNSP and TWCP relocalized to both the nucleus and the cellular periphery and interacted with movement proteins.

Discussion

Our findings indicated that virus-virus interactions in mixed infection circumstances could complement the mechanical transmissibility of nonmechanically transmissible begomoviruses and alter their host range. These findings provide new insight into complex virus-virus interactions and will help us to understand the begomoviral distribution and to reevaluate disease management strategies in the field.
On the usefulness of mock genomes to define heterotic pools, testers, and hybrid predictions in orphan crops
Authors: Machado Ingrid Pinheiro , DoVale Júlio César , Sabadin Felipe , Fritsche-Neto Roberto
Published: June 2023

The advances in genomics in recent years have increased the accuracy and efficiency of breeding programs for many crops. Nevertheless, the adoption of genomic enhancement for several other crops essential in developing countries is still limited, especially for those that do not have a reference genome. These crops are more often called orphans. This is the first report to show how the results provided by different platforms, including the use of a simulated genome, called the mock genome, can generate in population structure and genetic diversity studies, especially when the intention is to use this information to support the formation of heterotic groups, choice of testers, and genomic prediction of single crosses. For that, we used a method to assemble a reference genome to perform the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling without needing an external genome. Thus, we compared the analysis results using the mock genome with the standard approaches (array and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)). The results showed that the GBS-Mock presented similar results to the standard methods of genetic diversity studies, division of heterotic groups, the definition of testers, and genomic prediction. These results showed that a mock genome constructed from the population’s intrinsic polymorphisms to perform the SNP calling is an effective alternative for conducting genomic studies of this nature in orphan crops, especially those that do not have a reference genome.
Thioredoxins m regulate plastid glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in Arabidopsis roots under salt stress
Authors: Née Guillaume , Wang Fuzheng , Châtel-Innocenti Gilles , Mhamdi Amna , Juranville Eugénie , Vanacker Hélène , Noctor Graham , Issakidis-Bourguet Emmanuelle
Published: June 2023

Plants contain several NADPH-producing enzymes including glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases (G6PDH) with different sub-cellular localizations. The activity of plastidial G6PDHs is redox-regulated by thioredoxins (TRX). Although specific TRXs are known to regulate chloroplastic isoforms of G6PDH, little information is available for plastidic isoforms found in heterotrophic organs or tissues. Here, we investigated TRX regulation of the two G6PDH plastidic isoforms of Arabidopsis roots during exposure to a mild salt stress. We report that in vitro m-type TRXs are the most efficient regulators of the G6PDH2 and G6PDH3 mainly found in Arabidopsis roots. While expression of the corresponding G6PD and plastidic TRX genes was marginally affected by salt, it impaired root growth of several of the corresponding mutant lines. Using an in situ assay for G6PDH, G6PDH2 was found to be the major contributor to salt-induced increases in activity, while data from ROS assays further provide in vivo evidence that TRX m acts in redox regulation during salt stress. Taken together, our data suggest that regulation of plastid G6PDH activity by TRX m may be an important player regulating NADPH production in Arabidopsis roots undergoing salt stress.
A histochemical reporter system to study extracellular ATP response in plants
Authors: Sowders Joel M. , Tanaka Kiwamu
Published: June 2023

When cells experience acute mechanical distress, they release ATP from their cellular compartment into the surrounding microenvironment. This extracellular ATP (eATP) can then act as a danger signal—signaling cellular damage. In plants, cells adjacent to damage detect rising eATP concentrations through the cell-surface receptor kinase, P2K1. Following eATP perception, P2K1 initiates a signaling cascade mobilizing plant defense. Recent transcriptome analysis revealed a profile of eATP-induced genes sharing pathogen- and wound-response hallmarks—consistent with a working model for eATP as a defense-mobilizing danger signal. To build on the transcriptional footprint and broaden our understanding of dynamic eATP signaling responses in plants, we aimed to i) generate a visual toolkit for eATP-inducible marker genes using a β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter system and ii) evaluate the spatiotemporal response of these genes to eATP in plant tissues. Here, we demonstrate that the promoter activities of five genes, ATPR1, ATPR2, TAT3, WRKY46, and CNGC19, were highly sensitive to eATP in the primary root meristem and elongation zones with maximal responses at 2 h after treatment. These results suggest the primary root tip as a hub to study eATP-signaling activity and provide a proof-of-concept toward using these reporters to further dissect eATP and damage signaling in plants.
The use of chitosan oligosaccharide to improve artemisinin yield in well-watered and drought-stressed plants
Authors: García-García Ana L. , Matos Ana Rita , Feijão Eduardo , Cruz de Carvalho Ricardo , Boto Alicia , Marques da Silva Jorge , Jiménez-Arias David
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Artemisinin is a secondary metabolite well-known for its use in the treatment of malaria. It also displays other antimicrobial activities which further increase its interest. At present, Artemisia annua is the sole commercial source of the substance, and its production is limited, leading to a global deficit in supply. Furthermore, the cultivation of A. annua is being threatened by climate change. Specifically, drought stress is a major concern for plant development and productivity, but, on the other hand, moderate stress levels can elicit the production of secondary metabolites, with a putative synergistic interaction with elicitors such as chitosan oligosaccharides (COS). Therefore, the development of strategies to increase yield has prompted much interest. With this aim, the effects on artemisinin production under drought stress and treatment with COS, as well as physiological changes in A. annua plants are presented in this study.

Methods

Plants were separated into two groups, well-watered (WW) and drought-stressed (DS) plants, and in each group, four concentrations of COS were applied (0, 50,100 and 200 mg•L-1). Afterwards, water stress was imposed by withholding irrigation for 9 days.

Results

Therefore, when A. annua was well watered, COS did not improve plant growth, and the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes hindered the production of artemisinin. On the other hand, during drought stress, COS treatment did not alleviate the decline in growth at any concentration tested. However, higher doses improved the water status since leaf water potential (YL) improved by 50.64% and relative water content (RWC) by 33.84% compared to DS plants without COS treatment. Moreover, the combination of COS and drought stress caused damage to the plant’s antioxidant enzyme defence, particularly APX and GR, and reduced the amount of phenols and flavonoids. This resulted in increased ROS production and enhanced artemisinin content by 34.40% in DS plants treated with 200 mg•L-1 COS, compared to control plants.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the critical role of ROS in artemisinin biosynthesis and suggest that COS treatment may boost artemisinin yield in crop production, even under drought conditions.
Chilly climate perceived by female engineering undergraduates: an exploratory study using concept mapping
Authors: Kim Tanhui , Kim Dongil
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Women still being a minority in engineering majors, they are reported to face discriminatory treatment in a collegiate environment. “Chilly climate,” referring to such a sexist environment, may have a negative impact on women’s mental health, academics, and careers. But, what exactly is it that female students in engineering perceive as chilly, and how chilly is it? This study aimed to explore the chilly campus climate perceived by female undergraduate engineering students in South Korea using the concept mapping method.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants enrolled for more than four semesters at four-year coeducational universities. After extracting 52 representative statements, the participants were asked to classify them according to content similarity and rate the influence of each statement on their perception of the chilly climate. For concept mapping analysis, multidimensional scaling analysis (ALSCAL), hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward’s method), and non-hierarchical cluster analysis (K-means method) were performed.

Results

Fifty-two statements were extracted under the following four clusters: (i) “Exclusion and alienation inherent in the culture (Cluster 1),” (ii) “Sexual objectification and lack of gender sensitivity (Cluster 2),” (iii) “Male-centered academic situations (Cluster 3),” and (iv) “Prejudice and generalization (Cluster 4).” A concept map was two-dimensional: an X-axis named “context dimension,” with “task: academic” and “non-task: social” at both ends, and a Y-axis named “sexism dimension”, having “explicit” and “implicit” at both ends. The order of higher scores in the influence rating is as follows: Cluster 2, Cluster 3, Cluster 1, and Cluster 4.

Discussion

This study is significant because it conceptualizes the subjective experience of minorities in a collegiate environment and provides influence rating results for prioritized measures. The findings will be helpful in formulating educational policies, psychological counseling, and social advocacy activities. Future research should target larger populations, and cover more diverse cultures, majors, and age groups.
How we learn social norms: a three-stage model for social norm learning
Authors: Zhang Wen , Liu Yunhan , Dong Yixuan , He Wanna , Yao Shiming , Xu Ziqian , Mu Yan
Published: June 2023

As social animals, humans are unique to make the world function well by developing, maintaining, and enforcing social norms. As a prerequisite among these norm-related processes, learning social norms can act as a basis that helps us quickly coordinate with others, which is beneficial to social inclusion when people enter into a new environment or experience certain sociocultural changes. Given the positive effects of learning social norms on social order and sociocultural adaptability in daily life, there is an urgent need to understand the underlying mechanisms of social norm learning. In this article, we review a set of works regarding social norms and highlight the specificity of social norm learning. We then propose an integrated model of social norm learning containing three stages, i.e., pre-learning, reinforcement learning, and internalization, map a potential brain network in processing social norm learning, and further discuss the potential influencing factors that modulate social norm learning. Finally, we outline a couple of future directions along this line, including theoretical (i.e., societal and individual differences in social norm learning), methodological (i.e., longitudinal research, experimental methods, neuroimaging studies), and practical issues.
Playing at the school table: Systematic literature review of board, tabletop, and other analog game-based learning approaches
Authors: Sousa Carla , Rye Sara , Sousa Micael , Torres Pedro Juan , Perim Claudilene , Mansuklal Shivani Atul , Ennami Firdaous
Published: June 2023

The unique characteristics of games have led scientific research to increasingly focus on their potential role in learning processes. Currently, their effectiveness in fostering experiential learning and skill acquisition in several areas is already supported by the existing evidence, mainly about the potential of digital games. Paradoxically, the current post-digital era seems to have led to a growing popularity of analog games. The present Systematic Literature Review aimed to map the existing literature on the potential of board, tabletop, or other analog games in learning processes. It intended to systematize the contemporary state of the art (2012–2022) around the pedagogical role of these games, their effectiveness, the promoted learning outcomes, the methodological aspects of the interventions, the used games—including mechanics and other characteristics—and the current discussions around inclusion and accessibility in analog game-based learning. Adopting the PRISMA methodology, we searched ACM Digital Library, EBSCO, ERIC, Scopus—Elsevier, and Web of Science databases, as well as other peer-reviewed “grey literature” sources. The search resulted in an initial sample of 2,741 articles that was then screened by inclusion and exclusion criteria previously defined according to the research objectives. We obtained a final sample of 45 articles. To formulate the mapping of existing research, these studies were analyzed using a combination of statistical, content, and critical analysis procedures. The obtained results support the role of board, tabletop, and other analog games in educational contexts—based on their educational potential—with a broad range of knowledge, cognitive, and psychological outcomes. The study also emphasized the relevance of these games in the promotion of soft skills and other aspects typically associated with meaningful learning, such as engagement, satisfaction, flexibility, and freedom of experimentation. However, important limitations were found in a fair amount of the pedagogical approaches studied, which can be mostly attributed to the low prevalence of modern board games that relate what is intended to be learned to aspects of game design and have little to no consideration of accessibility and inclusion aspects in these studies.
Predictors of loneliness onset and maintenance in European older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Panes Lundmark Vania , Josefsson Maria , Rieckmann Anna
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Loneliness is a major public health concern. Duration of loneliness is associated with severity of health outcomes, and further research is needed to direct interventions and social policy. This study aimed to identify predictors of the onset vs. the maintenance of loneliness in older adults before and during the pandemic using longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Age, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE).

Methods

Groupings of persistent, situational, and no loneliness were based on self-reports from an ordinary pre-pandemic SHARE wave and a peri-pandemic telephone interview. Predictors were identified and compared in three hierarchical binary regression analyses, with independent variables added in blocks of geographic region, demographics, pre-pandemic social network, pre-pandemic health, pandemic-related individual, and country level variables.

Results

Self-reported loneliness levels for the persistent, situational, and no loneliness groups were stable and distinct through 7 years preceding the pre-pandemic baseline measure. Shared predictors were chronic diseases, female sex, depression, and no cohabitant partner. Persistent loneliness was uniquely predicted by low network satisfaction (OR: 2.04), functional limitations (OR: 1.40), and a longer country-level isolation period for older adults (OR: 1.24).

Conclusion

Interventions may target persons with depression, functional limitations, chronic health issues, and no cohabitant partner. The added burden of the length of isolation on those who are already lonely should be taken into account when employing social policies that target older adults. Further research should distinguish between situational and persistent loneliness, and seek to identify predictors of chronic loneliness onset.
Longitudinal relationship between depression and antisocial behaviors in Korean adolescents
Authors: Kim Na Ri , Jo Yeong Seon , Cho Young Il , Choi Younyoung , Park Sang Jin
Published: June 2023

Background

It is well known that depression and delinquency in adolescents are highly correlated, but longitudinal studies on the causal relationship between them are not active in East Asia compared to in Western culture. In addition, even the results of research on causal models and sex differences are inconsistent.

Objectives

This study examines the longitudinal reciprocal effects between depression and delinquent behavior in Korean adolescents based on sex differences.

Methods

We conducted multiple-group analysis by using an autoregressive cross-lagged model (ACLM). Longitudinal data from 2,075 individuals (2011–2013) were used for analysis. The longitudinal data are from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS), and data were used beginning with students at 14 years old (in the second grade of middle school) and tracked them until they were 16 (in the first grade of high school).

Results

Boys’ delinquent behaviors at 15 years (the third grade of middle school) affected their depression at 16 years (the first grade of high school). In contrast, girls’ depression at 15 years (the third grade of middle school) influenced their delinquent behaviors at 16 years (the first grade of high school).

Discussion

The findings support the failure model (FM) among adolescent boys and the acting-out model (ACM) among girls. The results imply that strategies to effectively prevent and treat delinquency and depression in adolescents must consider sex effects.
The truth project paper one—how did victims and survivors experience participation? Addressing epistemic relational inequality in the field of child sexual abuse
Authors: Barker Claire , Ford Stephanie , Eglinton Rebekah , Quail Sally , Taggart Daniel
Published: June 2023

The last 30 years has seen an exponential increase in Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiries.1 One feature of these has been to place adult survivor voices at the center of Inquiry work, meaning that child abuse victims and survivors2 are engaging with Inquiries, sharing their experiences, with this participation often presented as empowering and healing. This initiative challenges long held beliefs that child sexual abuse survivors are unreliable witnesses, which has led to epistemic injustice and a hermeneutical lacunae in survivor testimony. However to date there has been limited research on what survivors say about their experiences of participation. The Truth Project was one area of work of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse3 in England and Wales. It invited survivors of Child Sexual Abuse to share their experiences including the impacts of abuse and their recommendations for change. The Truth Project concluded in 2021 and heard from more than 6,000 victims of child sexual abuse. The evaluation of the Trauma Informed Approach designed to support survivors through their engagement with the project was a mixed methods, two phase methodology. A total of 66 survey responses were received. Follow-up interviews were conducted with seven survey respondents. The Trauma Informed Approach was found to be predominantly helpful in attending to victim needs and minimizing harm. However, a small number of participants reported harmful effects post-session. The positive impacts reported about taking part in the Truth Project as a one-off engagement challenges beliefs that survivors of child sexual abuse cannot safely talk about their experiences. It also provides evidence of the central role survivors should have in designing services for trauma victims. This study contributes to the epistemic justice literature which emphasizes the central role of relational ethics in the politics of knowing, and the importance of developing a testimonial sensibility when listening to marginalized groups.
Social avoidance and social adjustment in Chinese preschool migrant children: the moderating role of teacher–child relationships
Authors: Zhu Jingjing , Yin Xiaoqi , Li Xiaoyun , Dong Xinyi , Zou Shiyao , Li Yan
Published: June 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the moderating role of teacher–child relationships in the relations between social avoidance and social adjustment (i.e., prosocial behavior, peer exclusion, and anxious-fearful behavior) in Chinese migrant preschoolers.

Methods

Participants were 148 migrant children aged 4–6 years (82 boys, Mage = 62.32, SD = 6.67) attending kindergartens in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Mothers reported children's social avoidance, and teachers rated teacher–child relationships and children's social adjustment.

Results

Results indicated that social avoidance was positively related to peer exclusion and negatively related to prosocial behavior. Teacher–child relationships moderated those associations. Specifically, teacher–child closeness buffered the relationship between social avoidance and peer exclusion, whereas teacher–child conflict exacerbated the relations between social avoidance and peer exclusion and anxious-fearful behavior.

Conclusion

The current finding informs us of the importance of improving teacher–child closeness and reducing teacher–child conflict to buffer the negative adjustment among socially avoidant young children who migrated from rural-to-urban China. The findings also highlight the importance of considering the meaning and implication of social avoidance for migrant preschoolers in Chinese culture.
Chairwork in schema therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder—A qualitative study of patients' perceptions
Authors: Josek Anna Katharina , Schaich Anja , Braakmann Diana , Assmann Nele , Jauch-Chara Kamila , Arntz Arnoud , Schweiger Ulrich , Fassbinder Eva
Published: June 2023

Objective

Chairwork is one of the core experiential techniques of Schema Therapy (ST) which is used in the treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, little is known about how people with BPD experience chairwork. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of patients with BPD with chairwork in ST.

Method

Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 29 participants with a primary diagnosis of BPD who experienced chairwork as part of their ST treatment. The interview data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Many participants reported initial skepticism, and difficulties with engaging in chairwork. Specific therapist behaviors as well as some external (e.g., restricted facilities, noise) and internal factors (especially feeling ashamed or ridiculous) were named as hindering factors. Participants described several therapist behaviors facilitating chairwork such as providing safety, clear guidance through the process as well as flexible application of the technique according to their needs, and sufficient time for debriefing. Participants experienced emotional pain and exhaustion as short-term effects of the technique. All participants reported positive long-term effects including an improved understanding of their mode model as well as positive mode changes (e.g., less Punitive Parent and more Healthy Adult Mode), greater self-acceptance, improvements in coping with emotions and needs as well as improvements in interpersonal relationships.

Conclusions

Chairwork is experienced as an emotionally demanding but valuable technique. Based on the participants' statements, the delivery of chairwork can be optimized which can help to improve treatment outcome.
Antenatal depression is associated with perceived stress, family relations, educational and professional status among women in South of China: a multicenter cross-sectional survey
Authors: Xiao Julan , Xiong Ribo , Wen Yi , Liu Lili , Peng Yueming , Xiao Chaoqun , Yin Caixin , Liu Wenting , Tao Yanling , Jiang Fengju , Li Min , Luo Weixiang , Chen Yu
Published: June 2023

Background

Antenatal depression is a commonly seen mental health concern for women. This study introduced a multicenter cross-sectional survey with a large sample to provide new insights into pregnant women’s depression, its socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics correlates, and its perceived stress among Chinese pregnant women.

Methods

This study conducted an observational survey according to the STROBE checklist. The multicenter cross-sectional survey was performed from August 2020 to January 2021 by distributing paper questionnaires among pregnant women from five tertiary hospitals in South China. The questionnaire included socio-demographic and obstetrics information, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. For the analyses, the Chi-square test and Multivariate logistic regression were utilized.

Results

Among 2014 pregnant women in their second/third trimester, the prevalence of antenatal depression was 36.3%. 34.4% of pregnant women reported AD in their second trimester of pregnancy, and 36.9% suffered from AD in third trimester of pregnancy. A multivariate logistic regression model indicated that unemployed women, lower levels of education, poor marital relationships, poor parents-in-law relationships, concerns about contracting COVID-19, and higher perceived stress could aggravate antenatal depression among participants (p<0.05).

Conclusion

There is a high proportion of antenatal depression among pregnant women in South China, so integrating depression screening into antenatal care services is worthwhile. Maternal and child health care providers need to evaluate pregnancy-related risk factors (perceived stress), socio-demographic factors (educational and professional status), and interpersonal risk factors (marital relations and relationship with Parents-in-law). In future research, the study also emphasized the importance of providing action and practical support to reduce the experience of antenatal depression among disadvantaged sub-groups of pregnant women.
Exploring brain glutathione and peripheral blood markers in posttraumatic stress disorder: a combined [1H]MRS and peripheral blood study
Authors: Watling Sarah E. , Rhind Shawn G. , Warsh Jerry , Green Duncan , McCluskey Tina , Tong Junchao , Truong Peter , Chavez Sofia , Richardson J. Don , Kish Stephen J. , Boileau Isabelle
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Oxidative stress has been implicated in psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Currently, the status of glutathione (GSH), the brain's most abundant antioxidant, in PTSD remains uncertain. Therefore, the current study investigated brain concentrations of GSH and peripheral concentrations of blood markers in individuals with PTSD vs. Healthy Controls (HC).

Methods

GSH spectra was acquired in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using MEGA-PRESS, a J-difference-editing acquisition method. Peripheral blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP)-1,2, and myeloperoxidase (MPO).

Results

There was no difference in GSH between PTSD and HC in the ACC (n = 30 PTSD, n = 20 HC) or DLPFC (n = 14 PTSD, n = 18 HC). There were no group differences between peripheral blood markers (P > 0.3) except for (non-significantly) lower TIMP-2 in PTSD. Additionally, TIMP-2 and GSH in the ACC were positively related in those with PTSD. Finally, MPO and MMP-9 were negatively associated with duration of PTSD.

Conclusions

We do not report altered GSH concentrations in the ACC or DLPFC in PTSD, however, systemic MMPs and MPO might be implicated in central processes and progression of PTSD. Future research should investigate these relationships in larger sample sizes.
Association of public health insurance with cancer-specific mortality risk among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a prospective cohort study in China
Authors: Li Dan , Lei Hai-Ke , Shu Xiao-Lei , Zhang Xin , Tu Hong-Lei , Wang Feng , Wang Yu-Wei , Wang Ying , Sui Jiang-Dong
Published: June 2023

Objective

Health insurance programs are effective in preventing financial hardship in patients with cancer. However, not much is known about how health insurance policies, especially in Southwest China with a high incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), influence patients’ prognosis. Here, we investigated the association of NPC-specific mortality with health insurance types and self-paying rate, and the joint effect of insurance types and self-paying rate.

Materials and methods

This prospective cohort study was conducted at a regional medical center for cancer in Southwest China and included 1,635 patients with pathologically confirmed NPC from 2017 to 2019. All patients were followed up until May 31, 2022. We determine the cumulative hazard ratio of all-cause and NPC-specific mortality in the groups of various insurance kinds and the self-paying rate using Cox proportional hazard.

Results

During a median follow-up period of 3.7 years, 249 deaths were recorded, of which 195 deaths were due to NPC. Higher self-paying rate were associated with a 46.6% reduced risk of NPC-specific mortality compared to patients with insufficient self-paying rate (HR: 0.534, 95% CI: 0.339–0.839, p = 0.007). For patients covered by Urban and Rural Residents Basic Medical Insurance (URRMBI), and for patients covered by Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance, each 10% increase in the self-paying rate reduced the probability of NPC-specific death by 28.3 and 25%, respectively (UEBMI).

Conclusion

Results of this study showed that, despite China’s medical security administration improved health insurance coverage, NPC patients need to afford the high out-of-pocket medical costs in order to prolong their survival time.
Community engagement: health research through informing, consultation, involving and empowerment in Ingwavuma community
Authors: Mthembu Zinhle , Chimbari Moses
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The goal of community involvement in health research is to improve a community’s ability to address its own health needs while ensuring that researchers understand and consider the community’s priorities. Recent data show that socio-economic and environmental challenges continue to be a barrier to informing, consulting, involving and empowering communities in community-based health research beneficial to them. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which the Ingwavuma community in KwaZulu-Natal Province, in rural South Africa, was informed, consulted, involved and empowered about two research projects conducted between 2014 and 2021.

Methods

The study used the modified random-route procedure to administer a standardized questionnaire to 339 household heads selected randomly. The questionnaires were administered face-to-face. The sample size was estimated using the Yamane sample size generating formula. Chi-square tests were performed to assess associations between demographic variables (age, gender, education, village) and respondents’ knowledge and information of the projects, Malaria and Bilharzia in Southern Africa and Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa as well as their participation.

Results

The communities were generally well-informed about the health projects that were being carried out. Fewer than half of those who had heard about the projects had directly participated in them. The majority had been tested for one or more diseases and conditions, mostly high blood pressure, diabetes, and schistosomiasis, and had participated in a community feedback group; many had given their children’s permission to be tested for schistosomiasis or to participate in project research activities. Others participated in public awareness campaigns and surveys. There was some evidence of a consultation process in the form of public consultation discussed in the projects, and not much discussion on empowerment.

Discussion

The findings demonstrate that researchers’ CE approach was adaptable as communities were largely educated, involved, and subsequently empowered though without much consultation and that researchers had provided a space for sharing responsibilities in all engagement process decision-making. For the empowerment of the community, projects should take into account the intrapersonal and personal aspects affecting the community’s capacity to effectively benefit from the information, consultation, involvement, and empowerment procedures.
Alarming low physical activity levels in Chilean adults with disabilities during COVID-19 pandemic: a representative national survey analysis
Authors: Henríquez Matías , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo , Cristi-Montero Carlos , Reina Raul , Alvarez Cristián , Ferrari Gerson , Aguilar-Farias Nicolas , Sadarangani Kabir P.
Published: June 2023

Background

People with disabilities usually face barriers to regularly engaging in physical activities. Estimating physical activity patterns are necessary to elaborate policies and strategies to facilitate active lifestyles, considering the particular access difficulties experienced by this population.

Purpose

This study aimed (i) to describe the prevalence of physical activity levels and (ii) to examine the associations of physical activity levels with socio-demographic variables and type of disability in the 2020 Chilean National Physical Activity and Sports Habits in Populations with Disabilities (CNPASHPwD) survey during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from 3,150 adults (18–99 years old), 59.8% female, were analyzed from November to December 2020. Self-reported age, gender, type of disability (i.e., physical, visual, hearing, intellectual, or mixed), socio-economic status, area and zone of residence, and physical activity levels (0 min/week, < 150 min/week, ≥ 150 min/week) were obtained.

Results

11.9% of the participants were classified as active (≥ 150 min/week), and 62.6% declared no involvement in physical activity. A larger proportion of females (61.7%) did not meet the current guidelines (≥ 150 min/week of physical activity) in comparison with males (p < 0.001). Participants with visual and hearing disabilities were more likely to be active than those with other types of disabilities. Those living in the central and southern regions of Chile were more likely to be physically active than those from the northern region. Also, older participants, women, and those from lower socio-economic statuses were less likely to meet the physical activity guidelines.

Conclusion

Alarmingly, nine out of ten participants were categorized as physically inactive, particularly women, older adults, and those with a low socioeconomic status. If the pandemic context moderated, the considerable prevalence of reduced physical activity levels deserves future exploration. Health promotion initiatives should consider these aspects, emphasizing inclusive environments and increasing opportunities to favor healthy behaviors, countering the COVID-19 effects.
Exploring disease interrelationships in older inpatients: a single-centre, retrospective study
Authors: Ma Yiru , An Kang , Zhang Keni , Deng Han , Deng Rui , Su Qiaoli
Published: June 2023

Background

Comorbidity is a common phenomenon in the older population; it causes a heavy burden on societies and individuals. However, the relevant evidence, especially in the southwestern region of China, is insufficient.

Objectives

We aimed to examine current comorbidity characteristics as well as correlations among diseases in individuals aged >60 years.

Design

Retrospective study.

Methods

We included records of 2,995 inpatients treated at the Gerontological Department of Sichuan Geriatric Hospital from January 2018 to February 2022. The patients were divided into groups according to sex and age. Diseases were categorised based on the International Classification of Diseases and their Chinese names. We calculated the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI), categorised diseases using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study questionnaire, and visualised comorbidity using web graphs and the Apriori algorithm.

Results

The ACCI was generally high, and it increased with age. There were significant differences in the frequency of all diseases across age groups, especially in individuals aged ≥90 years. The most common comorbid diseases were liver diseases, stomach or other digestive diseases, and hypertension. Strong correlations between the most common digestive diseases and hypertension were observed.

Conclusion

Our findings provide insights into the current situation regarding comorbidity and the correlations among diseases in the older population. We expect our findings to inform future research directions as well as policies regarding general clinical practice and public health, especially for medical consortiums.