bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics and determinants of human plasma bile acid profiles during dietary challenges
Authors: Fiamoncini Jarlei , Rist Manuela J. , Frommherz Lara , Giesbertz Pieter , Pfrang Birgit , Kremer Werner , Huber Fritz , Kastenmüller Gabi , Skurk Thomas , Hauner Hans , Suhre Karsten , Daniel Hannelore , Kulling Sabine E.
Published: July 2022

In recent years, bile acids (BA) have received great interest due to their pleiotropic biological activity and the presence of plasma membrane-bound and nuclear receptors. Moreover, BA in blood have been identified by metabolite screening approaches as biomarkers that are associated with various diseases and even with a human longevity phenotype. With the growing interest in the microbiota contribution to the health-disease trajectory, BA that undergo deconjugation and other modifications by bacteria in the large intestine have become a prime target as a microbiome diversity modifier. We here profiled BA by a quantitative and a semiquantitative approach in 15 healthy and phenotypically very similar young individuals for over a 36-h fasting period, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and an oral lipid tolerance test (OLTT). We demonstrate a remarkable heterogeneity of the responses and describe the different dynamics of the plasma changes that likely originate from different routes by which BA enters the peripheral blood, and that may represent a direct secretion from the liver into the blood and a route that reaches the blood as a spill-over after passing from the gallbladder through the intestine and the portal system. We discuss the finding that an individual transport process involved in the passage of BA could be a critical determinant in the kinetics of plasma appearance and the overall phenotypic variability found.
The dynamic effects of maternal high-calorie diet on glycolipid metabolism and gut microbiota from weaning to adulthood in offspring mice
Authors: Zheng Jia , Zhang Ling , Gao Ying , Wu Honghua , Zhang Junqing
Published: July 2022

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota can contribute to the progression of diabetes and obesity. Previous studies have shown that maternal high-fat (HF) diet during the perinatal period can alter the microbiota and induce metabolic disorders at weaning. However, whether dysbiosis of gut microbiota and metabolism could be recovered by a normal diet after weaning and the dynamic changes of gut microbiota have not been fully studied. In this study, C57BL/6J female mice were fed with a normal chow (NC) or HF diet for 4 weeks preconception, during gestation, and until pup weaning. After weaning, male offspring were fed with an NC diet until 9 weeks of age. The microbiota of offspring at weaning and 9 weeks of age was collected for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We found that dams fed with an HF diet showed glucose intolerance after lactation. Compared with the offspring from NC dams, the offspring from HF dams exhibited a higher body weight, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, hypercholesterolemia, and leptin resistance and lower adiponectin at weaning. Fecal analysis indicated altered microbiota composition between the offspring of the two groups. The decrease in favorable bacteria (such as norank f Bacteroidales S24-7 group) and increase in unfavorable bacteria (such as Lachnoclostridium and Desulfovibrio) were strongly associated with a disturbance of glucose and lipid metabolism. After 6 weeks of normal diet, no difference in body weight, glucose, and lipid profiles was observed between the offspring of the two groups. However, the microbiota composition of offspring in the HF group was still different from that in the NC group, and microbiota diversity was lower in offspring of the HF group. The abundance of Lactobacillus was lower in the offspring of the HF group. In conclusion, a maternal HF diet can induce metabolic homeostasis and gut microbiota disturbance in offspring at weaning. Gut microbiota dysbiosis can persist into adulthood in the offspring, which might have a role in the promotion of susceptibility to obesity and diabetes in the later life of the offspring.
Case report: An ectopic adrenocortical adenoma in the renal sinus
Authors: Liu Tianyu , Lv Renguang , Hu Xiaolin , Li Kewei , Ren Qiangqiang , Zhang Yongzhen , Meng Liwei , Liu Zhaoxu , Guo Zhaoxin , Cheng Yufeng
Published: July 2022

Background

Ectopic adrenal tissue is rare in adults, with an incidence of only about 1%. We report a rare case of ectopic adrenocortical adenoma in the left renal sinus.

Case Preentation

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to the Department of Urology due to “a left kidney tumor” on physical examination. Multislice helical computed tomography (CT) showed the left kidney with an anterior lip mass near the hilum, approximately 2.3 cm × 2.2 cm in size. Preoperative renal artery CT angiography (CTA) showed no obvious abnormality. Laparoscopic resection of the left renal sinus mass was performed, and postoperative pathological findings showed ectopic adrenocortical adenoma. The tumor was a nonfunctional adenoma.

Conclusion

Renal ectopic adrenal cortical adenoma is rare. Most of them are nonfunctional adenomas, which cannot be clearly diagnosed by preoperative imaging examination and can often be diagnosed by postoperative pathology.
Treatment planning of total marrow irradiation with intensity-modulated spot-scanning proton therapy
Authors: Zuro Darren M. , Vidal Gabriel , Cantrell James Nathan , Chen Yong , Han Chunhui , Henson Christina , Ahmad Salahuddin , Hui Susanta , Ali Imad
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The goal of this study is to investigate treatment planning of total marrow irradiation (TMI) using intensity-modulated spot-scanning proton therapy (IMPT). The dosimetric parameters of the intensity-modulated proton plans were evaluated and compared with the corresponding TMI plans generated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) using photon beams.

Methods

Intensity-modulated proton plans for TMI were created using the Monte Carlo dose-calculation algorithm in the Raystation 11A treatment planning system with spot-scanning proton beams from the MEVION S250i Hyperscan system. Treatment plans were generated with four isocenters placed along the longitudinal direction, each with a set of five beams for a total of 20 beams. VMAT-TMI plans were generated with the Eclipse-V15 analytical anisotropic algorithm (AAA) using a Varian Trilogy machine. Three planning target volumes (PTVs) for the bones, ribs, and spleen were covered by 12 Gy. The dose conformity index, D80, D50, and D10, for PTVs and organs at risk (OARs) for the IMPT plans were quantified and compared with the corresponding VMAT plans.

Results

The mean dose for most of the OARs was reduced substantially (5% and more) in the IMPT plans for TMI in comparison with VMAT plans except for the esophagus and thyroid, which experienced an increase in dose. This dose reduction is due to the fast dose falloff of the distal Bragg peak in the proton plans. The conformity index was found to be similar (0.78 vs 0.75) for the photon and proton plans. IMPT plans provided superior superficial dose coverage for the skull and ribs in comparison with VMAT because of increased entrance dose deposition by the proton beams.

Conclusion

Treatment plans for TMI generated with IMPT were superior to VMAT plans mainly due to a large reduction in the OAR dose. Although the current IMPT-TMI technique is not clinically practical due to the long overall treatment time, this study presents an enticing alternative to conventional TMI with photons by providing superior dose coverage of the targets, increased sparing of the OARs, and enhanced radiobiological effects associated with proton therapy.
Case report: solitary splenic metastasis occurring 19 months after primary treatment for occult breast cancer
Authors: Chen Yuanqi , Zhang Liulu , Sun Taotao , Cheng Min-Yi , Zou Jiachen , Wang Kun
Published: July 2022

Occult breast cancer, commonly presenting with axillary lymphadenopathy, is an extremely rare entity of breast cancer. Metastasis to the spleen as a single site is rarely seen and has been little reported in literature. Herein we described a case of a 60-year-old patient who presented with an asymptomatic solitary splenic mass 19 months after axillary lymph node dissection, regional radiotherapy, and systemic therapy. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed, and histopathological examination confirmed metastasis from occult breast cancer. Then, the patient was administered with oral vinorelbine and dual-targeted treatment. With over 10 months of follow-up, there is no evidence of recurrence or metastasis of malignancy. To our knowledge, this study reports the first case of solitary splenic metastasis from occult breast cancer and highlights the importance of considering splenic metastasis as the only site of recurrence during follow-up of primary cancer, regardless of its rarity. If possible, splenectomy may be a therapeutic strategy.
Standard and increased canakinumab dosing to quiet macrophage activation syndrome in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Kostik Mikhail M. , Isupova Eugenia A. , Belozerov Konstantin , Likhacheva Tatyana S. , Suspitsin Evgeny N. , Raupov Rinat , Masalova Vera V. , Chikova Irina A. , Dubko Margarita F. , Kalashnikova Olga V. , Chasnyk Vyacheslav G. , Cron Randy Q.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening, potentially fatal condition associated with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of sJIA MAS. Many cases of MAS are medically refractory to traditional doses of biologic cytokine inhibitors and may require increased dosing. When MAS occurs in the setting of sJIA treated with the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), anakinra, increased anakinra dosing may be beneficial. Increased dosing of another IL-1 inhibitor, canakinumab, a monoclonal antibody to IL-1β, has not been reported to treat refractory MAS in the setting of sJIA.

Methods

Retrospective data collection extracted from the electronic medical record focused on canakinumab usage and dosing in 8 children with sJIA who developed MAS at a single academic center from 2011 to 2020.

Results

Eight sJIA children (five girls) with median age 8.5 years (range, 0.9–14.2 years) were included in the present study. Five children developed MAS at disease onset and three during ongoing canakinumab therapy. MAS resolved in all eight children with canakinumab treatment. When the canakinumab dosing was insufficient or MAS developed during canakinumab therapy, the dosing was temporally up-titrated (four patients, maximum 300 mg per dose) without observed side effects.

Conclusion

This report provides evidence for the efficacy and safety of short-term increased doses (2–3-times normal) of canakinumab in treating sJIA associated MAS. Further study of the efficacy and safety of increased doses of canakinumab for treatment of MAS in children with sJIA is warranted.
An outbreak of infection due to severe acute respiratory corona virus-2 in a neonatal unit from a low and middle income setting
Authors: Nakwa Firdose Lambey , Thomas Reenu , van Kwawegen Alison , Ntuli Nandi , Seake Karabo , Kesting Samantha Jane , Kamanga Noela Holo Bertha , Kgwadi Dikeledi Maureen , Chami Neema , Mogajane Tshiamo , Ondongo-Ezhet Claude , Maphosa Thulisile Nelly , Jones Stephanie , Baillie Vicky Lynne , Madhi Shabir Ahmed , Velaphi Sithembiso
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The provision of kangaroo mother care (KMC) involving continuous skin-to-skin care (SSC) is an important intervention in neonatal care, which is recommended even when women are infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). We report on a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infections in a KMC ward.

Methods

Contact tracing was conducted following the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in a mother lodging in the KMC ward. All mother-newborn dyads in the KMC and healthcare workers (HCW) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 within 24–72 h of diagnosing the index case. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were obtained and tested from contacts, with a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) assay. Next-generation sequencing was done on positive samples. The secondary attack rate (SAR) was calculated assuming that the mother who presented with symptoms was the source of infection.

Results

Twelve (70.6%) of 17 mothers and 8 (42.1%) of 19 neonates who were in the KMC ward with the index case were found to be positive with SARS-CoV-2. Seven (87.5%) of the 8 neonates who tested positive had mothers who also tested positive. Seventy-five percent (9/12) of the mothers and 62.5% (5/8) of the neonates who tested positive were asymptomatic. Eight (27.6%) of 29 HCW were found to be positive and were all asymptomatic. One neonate died from Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis, and his post-mortem lung histopathology showed features compatible with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The sequencing of 13 specimens, which included 1 mother-newborn dyad, indicated clustering to the same phylogenetic lineage with identical mutations. In assessing for factors contributing to this outbreak, it was found that spaces between beds were less than 1 m and mothers had their meals around the same table at the same time.

Conclusion

We report on a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a KMC ward, affecting a high number of mothers and neonates, and to a lesser extent HCWs. Although it is difficult to point to the index case as the source of this outbreak, as asymptomatic individuals can spread infection, the inadequate adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions was assessed to have contributed to the spread of infection. This highlights the need for awareness and adherence to mitigation strategies to avoid SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks.
OsSIDP301, a Member of the DUF1644 Family, Negatively Regulates Salt Stress and Grain Size in Rice
Authors: Ge Li , Guo Hongming , Li Xiu , Tang Ming , Guo Chiming , Bao Han , Huang Linjuan , Yi Yin , Cui Yuchao , Chen Liang
Published: July 2022

As a major environmental factor, salt stress substantially retards growth and reduces the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa). Members of the DUF1644 family, “the domains of unknown function 1644 motif” are predicted to play an essential regulatory role in response to abiotic stress. However, the specific molecular mechanisms of most members of this family remain elusive. Here, we report that the OsSIDP301 (stress-induced DUF1644 protein) was induced by salt stress and abscisic acid (ABA). We found that overexpression of OsSIDP301 (OE) in plants conferred salt hypersensitivity and reduced grain size, whereas plants with OsSIDP301 RNA interference (RNAi) exhibited salt tolerance and increased grain size in rice. OsSIDP301 determines salt stress tolerance by modulating genes involved in the salt-response and ABA signaling pathways. Further studies suggest that OsSIDP301 regulates grain size by influencing cell expansion in spikelet hulls. Moreover, OsSIDP301 interacts with OsBUL1 COMPLEX1 (OsBC1), which positively regulates grain size in rice. Our findings reveal that OsSIDP301 functions as a negative regulator of salt stress and grain size, and repressing its expression represents a promising strategy for improving salt stress tolerance and yield in rice.
CAND1 is required for pollen viability in Arabidopsis thaliana—a test of the adaptive exchange hypothesis
Authors: Li Lihong , Garsamo Melaku , Yuan Jing , Wang Xiaojin , Lam Susan H. , Varala Kranthi , Boavida Leonor C. , Zhou Yun , Liu Xing
Published: July 2022

The dynamic assembly of SKP1•CUL1•F-box protein (SCF) ubiquitin ligases is important for protein ubiquitination and degradation. This process is enabled by CAND1, which exchanges F-box proteins associated with the common CUL1 scaffold, and thereby, recycles the limited CUL1 core and allows diverse F-box proteins to assemble active SCFs. Previous human cell biological and computational studies have led to the adaptive exchange hypothesis, which suggests that the CAND1-mediated exchange confers plasticity on the SCF system, allowing cells to tolerate large variations in F-box protein expression. Here, we tested this hypothesis using Arabidopsis thaliana, a multicellular organism expressing hundreds of F-box protein genes at variable levels in different tissues. The cand1 null mutant in Arabidopsis is viable but produce almost no seeds. Bioinformatic, cell biological, and developmental analyses revealed that the low fertility in the cand1 mutant is associated with cell death in pollen, where the net expression of F-box protein genes is significantly higher than any other Arabidopsis tissue. In addition, we show that the transmission efficiency of the cand1 null allele was reduced through the male but not the female gametophyte. Our results suggest that CAND1 activity is essential in cells or tissues expressing high levels of F-box proteins. This finding is consistent with the proposed adaptive exchange hypothesis, demonstrating the necessity of the evolutionarily conserved CAND1-mediated exchange system in the development of a multicellular organism.
Combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis of the resistance mechanism of quinoa seedlings to Spodoptera exigua
Authors: Liu Junna , Li Li , Liu Yongjiang , Kong Zhiyou , Zhang Ping , Wang Qianchao , Cheng Shunhe , Qin Peng
Published: July 2022

Quinoa has attracted considerable attention owing to its unique nutritional, economic, and medicinal values. The damage intensity of Spodoptera exigua at the seedling stage of quinoa fluctuates with the crop’s biological cycle and the environmental changes throughout the growing season. In this study, we used independently selected quinoa seedling resistant and susceptible cultivars to investigate the difference between insect resistance and insect susceptibility of quinoa at the seedling stage. Samples were collected when Spodoptera exigua 45 days after planting the seedlings, and broad targeted metabolomics studies were conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrophotometry combined with transcriptomic co-analysis. The metabolomic and genomic analyses of the insect-resistant and insect-susceptible quinoa groups revealed a total of 159 differential metabolites and were functionally annotated to 2334 differential genes involved in 128 pathways using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. In total, 14 metabolites and 22 genes were identified as key factors for the differential accumulation of insect-resistant metabolites in quinoa seedlings. Among them, gene-LOC110694254, gene-LOC110682669, and gene-LOC110732988 were positively correlated with choline. The expression of gene-LOC110729518 and gene-LOC110723164, which were notably higher in the resistant cultivars than in the susceptible cultivars, and the accumulations of the corresponding metabolites were also significantly higher in insect-resistant cultivars. These results elucidate the regulatory mechanism between insect resistance genes and metabolite accumulation in quinoa seedlings, and can provide a basis for the breeding and identification of new insect-resistant quinoa cultivars as well as for screening potential regulatory metabolites of quinoa insect-resistant target genes.
Characteristics and candidate genes associated with excellent stalk strength in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Wang Xiaqing , Chen Yining , Sun Xuan , Li Jinghuan , Zhang Ruyang , Jiao Yanyan , Wang Ronghuan , Song Wei , Zhao Jiuran
Published: July 2022

Lodging is a major problem in maize production, which seriously affects yield and hinders mechanized harvesting. Improving stalk strength is an effective way to improve lodging. The maize inbred line Jing2416 (J2416) was an elite germplasm in maize breeding which had strong stalk mechanical strength. To explore the characteristics its stalk strength, we conducted physiological, metabolic and transcriptomic analyses of J2416 and its parents Jing24 (J24) and 5237. At the kernel dent stage, the stalk rind penetrometer strength of J2416 was significantly higher than those of its two parents in multiple environments. The rind thickness, sclerenchyma tissue thickness, and cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents of J2416 were significantly higher than those of its parents. Based on the significant differences between J2416 and 5237, we detected metabolites and gene transcripts showing differences in abundance between these two materials. A total of 212 (68.60%) metabolites and 2287 (43.34%) genes were up-regulated in J2416 compared with 5237. The phenylpropanoid and glycan synthesis/metabolism pathways were enriched in metabolites and genes that were up-regulated in J2416. Twenty-eight of the up-regulated genes in J2416 were involved in lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose synthesis pathways. These analyses have revealed important physiological characteristics and candidate genes that will be useful for research and breeding of inbred lines with excellent stalk strength.
Morphological Priming Effects in L2 English Verbs for Japanese-English Bilinguals
Authors: Wanner-Kawahara Jessie , Yoshihara Masahiro , Lupker Stephen J. , Verdonschot Rinus G. , Nakayama Mariko
Published: July 2022

For native (L1) English readers, masked presentations of past-tense verb primes (e.g., fell and looked) produce faster lexical decision latencies to their present-tense targets (e.g., FALL and LOOK) than orthographically related (e.g., fill and loose) or unrelated (e.g., master and bank) primes. This facilitation observed with morphologically related prime-target pairs (morphological priming) is generally taken as evidence for strong connections based on morphological relationships in the L1 lexicon. It is unclear, however, if similar, morphologically based, connections develop in non-native (L2) lexicons. Several earlier studies with L2 English readers have reported mixed results. The present experiments examine whether past-tense verb primes (both regular and irregular verbs) significantly facilitate target lexical decisions for Japanese-English bilinguals beyond any facilitation provided by prime-target orthographic similarity. Overall, past-tense verb primes facilitated lexical decisions to their present-tense targets relative to both orthographically related and unrelated primes. Replicating previous masked priming experiments with L2 readers, orthographically related primes also facilitated target recognition relative to unrelated primes, confirming that orthographic similarity facilitates L2 target recognition. The additional facilitation from past-tense verb primes beyond that provided by orthographic primes suggests that, in the L2 English lexicon, connections based on morphological relationships develop in a way that is similar to how they develop in the L1 English lexicon even though the connections and processing of lower level, lexical/orthographic information may differ. Further analyses involving L2 proficiency revealed that as L2 proficiency increased, orthographic facilitation was reduced, indicating that there is a decrease in the fuzziness in orthographic representations in the L2 lexicon with increased proficiency.
Perception of Official Corruption, Satisfaction With Government Performance, and Subjective Wellbeing—An Empirical Study From China
Authors: Ma Jiazheng , Guo Bin , Yu Yanghang
Published: July 2022

Both corruption and subjective wellbeing are of concern to academics and governments. Although some evidence suggests that corruption deteriorates subjective wellbeing, the relationship between perception of official corruption and subjective wellbeing is still unknown. This study aims to examine the link between perceived official corruption and subjective wellbeing in the context of China and whether satisfaction with government performance has a mediating effect in the process. Based on data from China General Social Survey, a structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses. The results of 3,033 Chinese respondents suggest that perception of official corruption is negatively related to subjective wellbeing, and satisfaction with government performance plays a mediating role in the relationship between perception of official corruption and subjective wellbeing.
Supporting the well-being of new university teachers through teacher professional development
Authors: Gast Inken , Neelen Madelief , Delnoij Laurie , Menten Marloes , Mihai Alexandra , Grohnert Therese
Published: July 2022

Over the last decades, changes within higher education have created increased pressure and uncertainty for academics, increasing their risk for cognitive, behavioral, physical, as well as psychological issues due to high job demands. Specifically, for new academics in teaching roles, their lack of knowledge and skills can contribute to a negative effect of these job demands on their well-being. This study therefore explored how teaching-related professional development programs can enhance new university teachers’ well-being, through semi-structured interviews with 10 university teachers participating in such a program at a mid-sized Dutch university. We pay special attention to the relationship between specific learning activities integrated in the program (such as learning communities, formal workshops, and reflecting) and various dimensions of the psychological model of well-being by Ryff and Keyes (such as self-acceptance, autonomy, environmental mastery, and positive relationships). Using co-occurrence analysis and content analysis, we found that different learning activities had distinct relationships with different well-being facets. For example, formal workshops were mainly related to environmental mastery, a purpose in life and personal growth, while reflecting seemed to be especially connected to teachers’ self-acceptance, and participating in a learning community was mainly related to positive relations with others and personal growth. Our findings have implications for research on teacher well-being as well as for the design of professional development programs for higher education teaching staff.
Teachers’ Implementation of Inclusive Teaching Practices as a Potential Predictor for Students’ Perception of Academic, Social and Emotional Inclusion
Authors: Alnahdi Ghaleb H. , Lindner Katharina-Theresa , Schwab Susanne
Published: July 2022

The aim of the study was to illustrate the impact of teachers’ implementation of differentiation and individualization (perceived by students) on students’ perception of their inclusion regarding their social inclusion, emotional wellbeing and academic self-concept. The study sample comprised 824 third-to-eighth-grade students [255 males (31%) and 569 females (69%)]. Around 10% of the sample (82) had special educational needs (SEN). Students’ perceived inclusion levels and academic self-concept were examined with the Arabic version of the Perceptions of Inclusion Questionnaire (PIQ-S-AR). Students’ ratings of inclusive practices in their classroom were examined using the Arabic version of the Inclusive Teaching Practices Scale (ITPS). SEN students expressed lower perceived social inclusion, emotional inclusion, and academic self-concept in comparison with non-SEN students. Moreover, high levels of inclusive teaching practices strongly predicted students’ perceived emotional inclusion, social inclusion, and academic self-concept. The results of the study supported the importance of school-level inclusive teaching practices and their relation to students’ school experiences. It also highlighted the need for schools and teachers to work towards improved school-level inclusion experiences for SEN students.
Implicit and explicit attitudes toward gay men and lesbian women among heterosexual undergraduate and graduate psychology and nursing students
Authors: Hamtzani Oz , Mama Yaniv , Blau Ayala , Kushnir Talma
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To examine implicit and explicit attitudes toward gay men and lesbian women among heterosexual undergraduate and graduate psychology and nursing students.

Methods

Implicit attitudes were measured via the Implicit Association Test and explicit attitudes via the Attitudes Toward Lesbian Women and Gay questionnaire.

Main results

All groups held negative implicit attitudes toward gay men and lesbian women. Among undergraduates, nursing students reported holding more negative explicit attitudes toward gay men and lesbian women than psychology students.

Conclusion

The curricula in both nursing and psychology studies need to address the medical and paramedical needs and issues of sexual minorities.
Legal Environment, Technological Innovation, and Sustainable Economic Growth
Authors: Zhao Yidan
Published: July 2022

The productivity gains generated by innovation are the root cause of long-term economic growth. In this paper, two empirical hypotheses are proposed to clarify our view: the trade turnover of technology market and intellectual property protection are important factors to stimulate innovation; The main channel of communication is through the increase of research staff and R&D funds. The empirical research result show that: (1) The greater the technology trade volume, the greater the incentive to regional innovation activities, the greater the number of regional patents; (2) About the intellectual property protection, The higher the protection intensity is, the greater the incentive is to regional innovation activities and the greater the number of regional patents. Different from relevant researches, this paper discusses the decisive role of market activity and legal environment on regional innovation behavior from the perspective of technology trade and patent protection, and emphasizes the theoretical significance of market and legal system from a more general perspective.
Effects of L1-L2 congruency, collocation type, and restriction on processing L2 collocations
Authors: Jiang Ying
Published: July 2022

The present study investigated the effects of L1-L2 congruency, collocation type, and restriction on L2 collocational processing. Advanced Chinese learners of English and native English-speaking controls performed an online acceptability judgment task to investigate how advanced L2 learners processed congruent (sharing the same meaning and structure in L1 language) collocations and English-only (not equivalent in L1 construction) collocations with the same node (right) word and a different collocate (left). The experimental materials included verb-noun (VN), adjective-noun (AN) collocations, free (less fixed), and restricted (more fixed) collocations chosen from BNC. The results revealed that (i) The non-native speakers were sensitive to L1-L2 congruency, but the native speakers were not. (ii) The native speakers were sensitive to collocation restriction, whereas the non-native speakers were not. These results lend initial support to the mapping hypothesis and open choice principle of L2 collocational processing for Chinese English learners.
Anti-monopoly supervision model of platform economy based on big data and sentiment
Authors: Liu Sihan
Published: July 2022

With the advent of the cloud computing era, big data technology has also developed rapidly. Due to the huge volume, variety, fast processing speed and low value density of big data, traditional data storage, extraction, transformation and analysis technologies are not suitable, so new solutions for big data application technologies are needed. However, with the development of economic theory and the practice of market economy, some links in the industrial chain of natural monopoly industries already have a certain degree of competitiveness. In this context, the article conducts a research on the anti-monopoly supervision mode of platform economy based on big data and sentiment analysis. This paper introduces the main idea of MapReduce, the current software implementation specifies a Map function that maps a set of key-value pairs into a new set of key-value pairs. It specifies a concurrent Reduce function that guarantees that each of all mapped key-value pairs share the same set of keys. establishes a vector space model, and basically realizes the extraction of text emotional elements. It introduces the theoretical controversy of antitrust regulation of predatory pricing behavior of third-party payment platforms, and conducted model experiments. The experimental results show that the throughput of 40 test users in 1 h of test is determined by two factors, QPS and the number of concurrent, where QPS = 40/(60*60) transactions/second. The time for each test user to log in to the system is 10 min, and the average response time is 10*60 s, then the number of concurrency = QPS*average response time = 40/(60*60)*10*60 = 6.66. This paper has successfully completed the research on the anti-monopoly supervision model of platform economy based on big data and sentiment analysis.
College Students' Learning Performance, Teaching Skills, and Teaching Innovation in Intercultural Communication Class: Evidence Based on Experiential Learning Theory
Authors: Zhang Xueli , Cheng Xiaoyan
Published: July 2022

In China, the improvement of the learner performance is critical a challenge for the teaching staff and the management in intercultural communication class. Indeed, the administration of the Chinese schools is failed to provide effective learning to the students with innovative methods. The objective of this study was to identify the role of college students' learning performance, teaching skills, and teaching innovation in intercultural communication class. This study is based on the quantitative data collected on a five-point Likert scale from the target respondents who were the students of different colleges and 700 questionnaires distributed for it. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship among abstract conceptualization, active participation, and reflective observation in students' learning performance. Furthermore, this study highlights that the mediating role of teaching innovation is critical for students' learning performance. This study contributes to the literature with a significant theoretical framework. Finally, this study provides significant theoretical implications and practical implications which are key game-changers for improving the performance of the students in the intercultural communication class.
Online group psychodynamic psychotherapy—The effectiveness and role of attachment—The results of a short study
Authors: Wajda Zbigniew , Kapinos-Gorczyca Agnieszka , Lizińczyk Sebastian , Sitnik-Warchulska Katarzyna , Izydorczyk Bernadetta
Published: July 2022

The role of remote treatment, including psychotherapy, has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of research in this area are promising, initially pointing to similar effectiveness for online psychotherapy as that of face-to-face psychotherapy. A significantly smaller amount of research has been conducted on online group psychotherapy, in particular, in the psychodynamic paradigm. Many authors have drawn attention to the need to conduct further research, considering specific patient features, for example, personality traits, attachment style, age, and other demographic variables. This study conducted pre- and post-treatment (10 weeks) and a 6-week follow-up, on the effectiveness of online synchronous group psychodynamic psychotherapy (via Zoom) taking into account patients’ attachment styles. Four main hypotheses were tested: H1: Patients will obtain a lower score in the attachment’s dimensions of anxiety and avoidance; H2: Patients will get a lower level of symptoms and sense of loneliness; H3: Patients will have increased self-esteem; and H4: The anxiety and avoidance dimensions of the attachment will be predictors for the effectiveness of online psychodynamic group psychotherapy. Twenty-two outpatients participated in the study, out of which 18 suffered from neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (F40-F48), and four suffered from a depressive episode (F32.0, F32.1) according to ICD-10. The results of the pre-treatment test showed a reduction in the global severity of psychiatric symptoms (d = −0.526) and depressive symptoms (d = −0.5), as well as an increase in self-esteem (d = 0.444) and feelings of loneliness (d = 0.46). A change in the attachment dimension, anxiety (d = −0.557) and avoidance (d = −0.526), was also observed. The above results were maintained in the follow-up test conducted after 6 weeks. Additionally, a reduction in the symptoms of social phobia was observed. Attachment dimensions were not a predictor of the effectiveness of psychotherapy, but a decrease in avoidance during therapy was a predictor of increased symptoms of pain. The results of the research are promising in terms of psychiatric symptoms and increased self-esteem. During therapy, there may be a favorable change in attachment dimensions, but this variable was not shown to be a predictor of results. These results suggest that more controlled research is required.
Aberrant Functional Connectivity of the Orbitofrontal Cortex Is Associated With Excited Symptoms in First-Episode Drug-Naïve Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: Chen Congxin , Yao Jingjing , Lv Yiding , Zhao Xiaoxin , Zhang Xinyue , Lei Jiaxi , Li Yuan , Sui Yuxiu
Published: July 2022

Background

Schizophrenia (SZ) is associated with the highest disability rate among serious mental disorders. Excited symptoms are the core symptoms of SZ, which appear in the early stage, followed by other stages of the disease subsequently. These symptoms are destructive and more prone to violent attacks, posing a serious economic burden to the society. Abnormal spontaneous activity in the orbitofrontal cortex had been reported to be associated with excited symptoms in patients with SZ. However, whether the abnormality appears in first-episode drug-naïve patients with SZ has still remained elusive.

Methods

A total of 56 first-episode drug-naïve patients with SZ and 27 healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). First, differences in fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) between first-episode drug-naïve patients with SZ and healthy controls were examined to identify cerebral regions exhibiting abnormal local spontaneous activity. Based on the fALFF results, the resting-state functional connectivity analysis was performed to determine changes in cerebral regions exhibiting abnormal local spontaneous activity. Finally, the correlation between abnormal functional connectivity and exciting symptoms was analyzed.

Results

Compared with the healthy controls, first-episode drug-naïve patients with SZ showed a significant decrease in intrinsic activity in the bilateral precentral gyrus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, and the left orbitofrontal cortex. In addition, first-episode drug-naïve patients with SZ had significantly reduced functional connectivity values between the left orbitofrontal cortex and several cerebral regions, which were mainly distributed in the bilateral postcentral gyrus, the right middle frontal gyrus, bilateral paracentral lobules, the left precentral gyrus, and the right median cingulate. Further analyses showed that the functional connectivity between the left orbitofrontal cortex and the left postcentral gyrus, as well as bilateral paracentral lobules, was negatively correlated with excited symptoms in first-episode drug-naïve patients with SZ.

Conclusion

Our results indicated the important role of the left orbitofrontal cortex in first-episode drug-naïve patients with SZ and suggested that the abnormal spontaneous activity of the orbitofrontal cortex may be valuable to predict the occurrence of excited symptoms. These results may provide a new direction to explore the excited symptoms of SZ.
Vaccination against COVID-19 reduces virus-related fears: Findings from a German longitudinal study
Authors: Seddig Daniel , Maskileyson Dina , Davidov Eldad
Published: July 2022

During the recent pandemic, fear of COVID-19 has been widespread and is considered to deteriorate mental health. We assessed whether vaccination can effectively reduce the fear of COVID-19 and, thus, contribute to improving people's mental health status. We used two-wave panel data from a German online study collected in April 2021 (t1) and August/September 2021 (t2) and estimated differences-in-differences to determine whether those who were vaccinated against COVID-19 experienced a reduction of fear of COVID-19, and whether the reduction was more evident as compared to people who were not vaccinated for various reasons. Fear of COVID-19 generally decreased between t1 and t2 for all respondents. Moreover, reduction of fear for people who were unvaccinated at t1 but received the vaccine between t1 and t2 was strongest as compared to people who did not get vaccinated during that period, even after we controlled for factors associated with fear (e.g., age, gender). Vaccination reduced fear of COVID-19 beyond some seasonal fluctuation and, therefore, we argue that vaccination partially reduces the psychological distress caused by the pandemic. We recommend that scientists, practitioners, and politicians highlight this additional positive effect of vaccination in health communication.
A socio-ecological approach to inclusive physical education in China: A systematic review
Authors: Liang Xiao , Li Minghui , Wu Yandan , Wu Xueping , Hou Xiaohui , Sit Cindy Hui-Ping
Published: July 2022

Background

Since the implementation of inclusive education in China, students with special education needs (SEN) have increasingly been integrating into mainstream schools, like physical education classes. However, inclusive physical education (IPE) in China has developed slowly, and gaps can be found in the knowledge of the factors that inhibit or promote the participation in IPE of students with SEN.

Objectives

The purpose of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive summary of the factors related to inclusion in IPE of students with SEN, by applying a socio-ecological model (SEM). Five databases were searched: ERIC, SPORTDiscus with Full Text, Education Full Text (H.W.Wilson), PsychINFO and CNKI in March 2022, to find studies that identify factors regarding IPE in China. Two researchers independently screened studies and summarized relevant data.

Results

Fourteen studies were included in the detailed review. By applying the SEM, multi-level factors were identified, ranging from intrapersonal to societal levels that positively or negatively influenced IPE participation in students with SEN. This review indicates that multi-level factors affect the IPE participation of students with SEN in China.

Conclusion

The findings will help assist educators and policymakers to develop effective IPE for Chinese students with SEN.
Potential Barriers of Patient Involvement in Health Technology Assessment in Central and Eastern European Countries
Authors: Dimitrova Maria , Jakab Ivett , Mitkova Zornitsa , Kamusheva Maria , Tachkov Konstantin , Nemeth Bertalan , Zemplenyi Antal , Dawoud Dalia , Delnoij Diana M. J. , Houýez François , Kalo Zoltan
Published: July 2022

Patients' perspectives are important to identify preferences, estimate values and appreciate unmet medical needs in the process of research and development and subsequent assessment of new health technologies. Patient and public involvement in health technology assessment (HTA) is essential in understanding and assessing wider implications of coverage and reimbursement decisions for patients, their relatives, caregivers, and the general population. There are two approaches to incorporating the patients' voice in HTA, preferably used in a mix. In the first one, patients, caregivers and/or their representatives directly participate at discussions in different stages of the HTA process, often at the same table with other stakeholders. Secondly, patient involvement activities can be supported by evidence on patient value and experience collected directly from patients, caregivers and/or their representatives often by patient groups Patient involvement practices, however, are limited in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries without clear methodology or regulatory mechanisms to guide patient involvement in the HTA process. This poses the question of transferability of practices used in other countries, and might call for the development of new CEE-specific guidelines and methods. In this study we aim to map potential barriers of patient involvement in HTA in countries of the CEE region.
Effects of traditional Chinese mind-body exercise-Baduanjin for type 2 diabetes on psychological well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kong Lingjun , Ren Jun , Fang Sitong , He Tianxiang , Zhou Xin , Fang Min
Published: July 2022

Background

Type 2 diabetes is considered one of the most psychologically demanding chronic conditions. Patients suffering from this disease often have poor psychological well-being due to emotional stress. Baduanjin exercises, a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, are used in the management of type 2 diabetes, especially for mental health. However, the effect of Baduanjin exercises on psychological well-being of patients with type 2 diabetes maintains controversial. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effects on psychological well-being of Baduanjin exercises for type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Six electronic databases were searched from their inception to March 2022 for randomized controlled trials of Baduanjin exercises for type 2 diabetes. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality based on PEDro scale. The subgroup analysis was conducted based on different control interventions. The Cochran Q statistic and I2 were applied to assess the heterogeneity.

Results

Twenty-seven studies between 2005 and 2019 were included in our review. Most of them exceeded the cutoff score 6 based on the PEDro scale. In psychological well-being, the aggregated results indicated that Baduanjin exercises showed positive effects in psychological well-being (SMD, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.36; p < 0.00001), depression (SMD, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.08 to 1.97; p = 0.03), anxiety (SMD, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.30 to 1.46; p = 0.003), and mental health (SMD, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.42 to 1.02; p < 0.00001). In glycemic control, Baduanjin exercises showed better improvements in FBG (SMD, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.72; p < 0.00001), HbA1c (SMD, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.75; p < 0.00001), and 2-hPBG (SMD, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.08 to 1.03; p = 0.02) compared with usual care/education. However, Baduanjin exercises only showed better improvements in HbA1c when compared with other exercises.

Conclusions

The traditional Chinese mind-body exercise-Baduanjin is a beneficial comprehensive therapy for type 2 diabetes, especially in promoting psychological well-being.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=110034.