bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Your brain on art, nature, and meditation: a pilot neuroimaging study
Authors: Krause-Sorio Beatrix , Becerra Sergio , Siddarth Prabha , Simmons Stacey , Kuhn Taylor , Lavretsky Helen
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Exposure to art, nature, or meditation, all transcending human experiences, has beneficial effects on health and wellbeing. Focusing inward or watching art and nature videos elicits positive emotions that can help heal stress-related conditions. In a pilot functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) study, we explored the effect of watching digital art or nature videos compared to contemplating the universal connectedness (also known as transcendental meditation). The instructions were to meditate on the connection to a Universal Soul linked to a sense of expansion and universal connectedness (“one with everything”), which was prompted by a video of the galactic nebula that also controlled for the visual stimuli of the two other conditions.

Methods

Nine healthy adults (mean age = 29; range = 19–42; 5 women) underwent a block design fMRI scan using a Siemens 3T Prisma scanner. The blocks included (1) nature videos, (2) AI-generated digital art (“machine hallucinations” by Refik Anadol), and (3) videos of NASA Webb-produced images of galactic nebulas. Brain oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) images were processed using FSL Version 6.0 and a general linear model (GLM) tested the contrasts between art, nature, and meditation blocks, using a cluster-corrected p-value of 0.05.

Results

Compared to rest, meditation led to BOLD increases in bilateral lateral occipital and fusiform gyri, as well as right postcentral gyrus and hippocampus. Compared to viewing AI-generated digital art, increased BOLD responses during meditation were observed in left parietal and central operculum, and right pre- and postcentral gyri, and compared to nature, in the left parietal operculum, bilateral postcentral and supramarginal gyri, and bilateral lateral occipital cortices.

Conclusion

Meditation compared to rest showed brain activation in regions associated with object, sensory, and memory processing. Meditation compared to nature videos led to activity in bilateral sensory and object processing areas, as well as a left sensory integration region (error monitoring), while meditation compared to art showed activity in left sensory integration and right sensorimotor regions. Further studies are needed to delineate the distinct neural signature and therapeutic effects of inner contemplation using human connection to art, nature, or meditative transcendent practices, in the brain and its potential in clinical applications.
The L-shaped association between body roundness index and all-cause mortality in osteoporotic patients: a cohort study based on NHANES data
Authors: Ding Ziyao , Li Wenbo , Qi Haixu , Fang Tianci , Zhu Qirui , Qu Xinzhe , Chen Changchang , Sun Jun , Pang Yong
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the body roundness index (BRI) and overall mortality rates in individuals with osteoporosis (OP), utilizing information sourced from the NHANES database, in order to assess BRI’s capability as an indicator for predicting mortality risk.

Methods

Data from NHANES (2005 to 2010, 2013–2014, and 2017–2018) were analyzed, including 1,596 osteoporotic individuals aged 50 and above. BRI was calculated based on waist circumference (WC) and height, categorizing participants into high (>4.07) and low (≤4.07) BRI groups. To analyze the relationship between BRI and mortality while accounting for important covariates, we employed weighted Cox proportional hazards models, conducted Kaplan–Meier survival analyses, and utilized restricted cubic splines (RCS).

Results

Higher BRI was significantly associated with better long-term survival, showing an “L”-shaped nonlinear inverse relationship with mortality, with a threshold at BRI = 5. In subgroup analyses, this association remained relatively stable.

Conclusion

The “L”-shaped association between BRI and mortality indicates that BRI may serve as a useful indicator for evaluating mortality risk in patients with OP, thereby informing clinical interventions and public health approaches.
Repeatability, reproducibility, and the effects of radiotherapy on radiomic features of lowfield MR-LINAC images of the prostate
Authors: Anderson Parker , Dogan Nesrin , Ford John Chetley , Padgett Kyle , Simpson Garrett , Stoyanova Radka , Abramowitz Matthew Charles , Dal Pra Alan , Delgadillo Rodrigo
Published: January 2025

Definitive radiotherapy (RT) has been shown to be a successful method of treating prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Through radiomics, a quantitative analysis of medical images, it is possible to adapt treatment early on, which may prevent or mitigate future adverse events. During RT of PCa, low-field magnetic resonance (MR) images, taken with a LINAC onboard imaging system in a process known as magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT), are used to improve treatment accuracy via superior setup compared to x-ray methods. This work investigated baseline repeatability of radiomic features (RFs) by comparing planning MR images (pMR) with first-fraction setup images (FX1) taken with onboard MRI. The changes in RFs following RT were also looked at with the use of last-fraction setup images (FX5). Earlier research has investigated the use of planning images from cone beam CT (CBCT), but to our knowledge no research has previously shown the relationship with onboard MRI. The correlation between FX1 images and 3T diagnostic MR (dT2) images was also studied. Forty-three first and second order radiomic features extracted from these images were compared by calculating Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (with Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons) between the modalities. FX1 and pMR images were correlated (p<0.05) for all but one RF. 12 RFs correlated between pMR and dT2 images. There was a noticeable change in correlation values for RFs when looking at FX1 and FX5 images, with only 15 correlating significantly. The change in correlation values between pMR and FX5 images was comparable to that between FX1 and FX5 images, with 33 features having a CCC value deviation of less than 0.1. These results demonstrate that RF features are repeatable across different images of the same modality without treatment intervention. This study has also shown a noticeable, reproducible change in RFs as RT goes on. Reproducibility of RFs between different modalities was not strong. This study demonstrated that we can reliably use onboard MRI to observe day-to-day feature changes as a result of RT.
Innovative applications and future trends of multiparametric PET in the assessment of immunotherapy efficacy
Authors: Qiao Tingting , Cheng Zhaoping , Duan Yanhua
Published: January 2025

Background

The integration of multiparametric PET (Positron Emission Tomography.) imaging and multi-omics data has demonstrated significant clinical potential in predicting the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. However, the specific predictive power and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Objective

This review systematically evaluates the application of multiparametric PET imaging metrics (e.g., SUVmax [Maximum Standardized Uptake Value], MTV [Metabolic Tumor Volume], and TLG [Total Lesion Glycolysis]) in predicting the efficacy of immunotherapies, including PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and CAR-T therapy, and explores their potential role in improving predictive accuracy when integrated with multi-omics data.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases identified studies evaluating the efficacy of immunotherapy using longitudinal PET/CT data and RECIST or iRECIST criteria. Only original prospective or retrospective studies were included for analysis. Review articles and meta-analyses were consulted for additional references but excluded from quantitative analysis. Studies lacking standardized efficacy evaluations were excluded to ensure data integrity and quality.

Results

Multiparametric PET imaging metrics exhibited high predictive capability for efficacy across various immunotherapies. Metabolic parameters such as SUVmax, MTV, and TLG were significantly correlated with treatment response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The integration of multi-omics data (including genomics and proteomics) with PET imaging enhanced the sensitivity and accuracy of efficacy prediction. Through integrated analysis, PET metabolic parameters demonstrated potential in predicting immune therapy response patterns, such as pseudo-progression and hyper-progression.

Conclusion

The integration of multiparametric PET imaging and multi-omics data holds broad potential for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapies and may support the development of personalized treatment strategies. Future validation using large-scale, multicenter datasets is needed to further advance precision medicine in cancer immunotherapy.
Analyzing special needs reports for children: sociodemographic trends, diagnoses, and support areas over five years (2019–2024)
Authors: Canpolat Semih , Parlak Mehmet Emin , Kurt Canpolat Esra , Oz Erdogan
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the special needs reports for children (SNRC) in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, diagnoses, and areas of special needs in the five years from 2019, when special health boards for children were established with the new diagnostic and evaluation criteria.

Methods

This descriptive study was conducted by retrospectively reviewing the board evaluation reports of children aged 0–18 years who applied to Batman Training and Research Hospital SNRC Health Board between March 2019 and March 2024. The study included 420 children for whom all the data in the evaluation reports could be accessed. All data of the participants were collected and analyzed through the Hospital Information Management System (HIMS).

Results

The mean age at the time of health board admission was 7.41 years with 58.3% boys and 41.7% girls. When the level of special needs was analyzed, the highest rate of 47.1% was found to have Special Condition Requirement Needs (SCRN). The most common reason for application in both boys (68.6%) and girls (64%) was to benefit from Disability Rights. In terms of the distribution of disease areas, the highest rate was in the Cognitive Development Area with 36.2%, the second highest rate was in the Movement Development Area with 27.1%, and the lowest rates were in the Genitourinary System - Surgery Area with 0.2% and in the Hematology-Oncology Area with 0.2%. When the areas of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) were analyzed, it was determined that the highest rate was in the area of rehabilitation/early support (intervention) requirement to support cognitive functions with 43.1%. When the special needs levels were analyzed according to the disease areas, the highest rate was found in 13 areas except for the Nephrology area and Genitourinary System-Surgery Area was SCRN. In Nephrology, the rates were equally shared between SCRN and Significant special needs (SSPD) at 50%, while the highest rate in the Genitourinary System-Surgery Field was Special needs (SEN) with 60.6%.

Conclusion

Our research emphasizes the crucial role of SNRC health board reports in tackling the pressing challenges faced by children and their families. Through harnessing these reports, we can make significant progress in identifying and supporting children with special needs, ultimately enhancing their quality of life. Our findings emphasize the influence of gender and the typical age of 7–8 years for initial evaluation. Looking ahead, it is vital to develop comprehensive strategies to raise community awareness and equip healthcare professionals with the necessary tools to optimize support systems. Through ongoing analysis and adaptation, these efforts hold the promise of fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for children with diverse needs.
Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia with epiphyseal involvement of the proximal femur in a child: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Paris Elio , De Marco Giacomo , Vazquez Oscar , Boudabbous Sana , Steiger Christina , Dayer Romain , Ceroni Dimitri
Published: January 2025

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign medullary fibro-osseous anomaly that compromises the mechanical strength of bones, especially the long bones that bear strong mechanical stresses. It can lead to an inability to remodel immature bone into mature lamellar bone, resulting in inappropriate bone alignment in response to mechanical stresses. This case study describes a rare case of polyostotic FD presenting with an epiphyseal lesion of the proximal femoral head in its weight-bearing zone, accompanied by an unconventional femoral malrotation. The present case leads us to recommend that clinicians should not underestimate the occurrence of other deformities, such as the retrotorsion or flexion deformities that can compromise bone structure and the hip's biomechanics. Finally, the involvement of the epiphysis is probably more common than usually thought, introducing an additional complexity since juxta-articular lesions in weight-bearing joints may collapse, compromising articular congruence and function. To minimise this risk, bone scintigraphy and MRI should play a critical role in the patient's workup, evaluation, prognosis and follow-up.
Clinical and genetic analysis of a Chinese family with GM1 gangliosidosis caused by a novel mutation in GLB1 gene
Authors: Zhang Biao , Huang Xiao-li , Lu Xin-xin , Huang Heng-bin , Wu Yan-an
Published: January 2025

Objective

To describe the clinical presentation and novel mutation in the ganglioside-beta-galactosidase gene (GLB1) gene in a Chinese family with GM1 gangliosidosis.

Methods

We collected clinical data from a Chinese family with GM1 gangliosidosis, and performed whole exon sequencing (WES) of the proband and his parents. The pathogenic sites of candidate genes were targeted, and the detected exon mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing. Enzyme activity of β-galactosidase was detected in 293T cells transiently transfected with plasmids encoding the detected mutations.

Results

Two siblings in this family presented with neurological degeneration, and were classified as the late-infantile type. Two siblings and their parents underwent WES of the peripheral blood. A reported missense mutation c.446C>T and a novel mutation c.1058_1059delinsAA in GLB1 gene inherited from the mother and father respectively were identified. The mutant c.1058_1059delinsAA retained β-galactosidase activity at 0% of wild-type GLB1.

Conclusion

This study identified a novel mutation of the GLB1 gene in a Chinese family with GM1 gangliosidosis and provided new insights into the molecular characteristics and genetic counseling of GM1 gangliosidosis.
Research progress of GLP-1RAs in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: He Xu , Zhao Wei , Li PeiHang , Zhang YinJiang , Li GuoHua , Su HongYu , Lu BiNan , Pang ZongRan
Published: January 2025

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a 30-amino acid intestinal insulin-stimulating factor, which is mainly secreted by L cells in the distal ileum and colon. It has various physiological functions, such as promoting insulin secretion and synthesis, stimulating β-cell proliferation, inducing islet regeneration, inhibiting β-cell apoptosis and glucagon release, delaying gastric emptying and controlling appetite, etc. It plays a role through a specific GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) distributed in many organs or tissues and participates in the regulation of glucose homeostasis in the body. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has the similar physiological function of GLP-1. Because of its structural difference from natural GLP-1, it is not easy to be degraded by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), thus prolonging the action time. GLP-1RAs have been recognized as a new type of hypoglycemic drugs and widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Compared with other non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs, it can not only effectively reduce blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), but also protect cardiovascular system, nervous system and kidney function without causing hypoglycemia and weight gain. Therefore, GLP-1RAs has good application prospects and potential for further development.
Cowpea genetic diversity, population structure and genome-wide association studies in Malawi: insights for breeding programs
Authors: Chipeta Michael M. , Kafwambira John , Yohane Esnart
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This study focuses on cowpea, a vital crop for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Malawi. The research aimed to understand the genetic diversity and population structure of cowpea and to perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify marker-trait associations (MTAs) for yield and related traits. These insights are intended to support varietal development and address agricultural challenges in Malawi.

Methods

A total of 306 cowpea genotypes were characterized using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and morphological traits. The study assessed the effects of genotype, location, and their interactions on morphological traits. The Fixed and Random Model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU) algorithm was used to identify significant MTAs.

Results

The morphological traits showed significant genotype, location, and interaction effects. Genotypes MWcp24, MWcp47, MWcp2232, and TVu-3524 yielded the highest values. Grain yield was positively correlated with peduncle length, seeds per pod, and pods per plant. Three distinct clusters were identified based on morphological traits. Genetic diversity analysis revealed an average minor allele frequency of 0.31, observed heterozygosity of 0.06, and gene diversity of 0.33. The average inbreeding coefficient was 0.82, indicating a high level of inbreeding. Most of the genetic variation (73.1%) was found among genotypes within populations. Nine groups and ancestral populations were identified, which did not entirely overlap with geographic origins. Sixteen significant MTAs were linked to six morphological traits.

Discussion

The validation of these identified MTAs, along with the observed genetic diversity, offers valuable opportunities for cowpea improvement through marker-assisted selection, to addresses the challenges faced by Malawian farmers. The identification of thirty cowpea lines as key founder lines for breeding programs in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania is a significant outcome. These efforts aim to develop more productive cowpea lines for the region, enhancing food security and agricultural sustainability.
Rapid and non-destructive classification of rice seeds with different flavors: an approach based on HPFasterNet
Authors: Yu Helong , Chen Zhenyang , Song Shaozhong , Qi Chunyan , Liu Junling , Yang Chenglin
Published: January 2025

Rice is an important part of the food supply, its different varieties in terms of quality, flavor, nutritional value, and other aspects of the differences, directly affect the subsequent yield and economic benefits. However, traditional rice identification methods are time-consuming, inefficient, and prone to damage. For this reason, this study proposes a deep learning-based method to classify and identify rice with different flavors in a fast and non-destructive way. In this experiment, 19 categories of japonica rice seeds were selected, and a total of 36735 images were finally obtained. The lightweight network High Precision FasterNet (HPFasterNet) proposed in this study combines the Ghost bottleneck and FasterNet_T0 and introduces group convolution to compare the model performance. The results show that HPFasterNet has the highest classification accuracy of 92%, which is 5.22% better than the original model FasterNet_T0, and the number of parameters and computation is significantly reduced compared to the original model, which is more suitable for resource-limited environments. Comparison with three classical models and three lightweight models shows that HPFasterNet exhibits a more comprehensive and integrated performance. Meanwhile, in this study, HPFasterNet was used to test rice with different flavors, and the accuracy reached 98.98%. The experimental results show that the network model proposed in this study can be used to provide auxiliary experiments for rice breeding and can also be applied to consumer and food industries.
Response of plant life forms and soil physical properties to near-natural restoration measures in alpine grassland, Tibetan plateau
Authors: He Guoxing , Liu Xiaoni , Li Yali , Ji Tong
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Near-natural restoration measures enhance the stability of plant life forms in degraded grasslands, facilitating the natural succession of plant communities.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the effects of three natural restoration measures on the alpine meadows of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau: banned grazing (BG), rest grazing (RG), traditional grazing (TG), and continuous grazing (CG). We utilized redundancy analysis (RDA), variation partitioning(VP), hierarchical partitioning (HP), and partial least squares pathway modeling (PLS-PM) to dissect the quantitative relationships between the distribution of plant life forms and soil physical properties under these restoration measures.

Results and discussion

The results indicated the following: 1) Under each restoration measure, the distribution of life form plants were predominantly characterized by the highest number of hemicryptophytes, followed by geophytes, with the least number of therophytes. We found that the BG treatment had the highest hemicryptophyte height, coverage, aboveground biomass, and importance value, while the CG treatment had the lowest. 2) After near-natural restoration, the soil bulk density (BD) was decreased. The soil moisture characteristics (MC) were increased including soil saturated water content(SSWC), capillary water holding capacity (CWHC), field water capacity (FWC). And capillary porosity (CP) and non-capillary porosity (NP) were increased. 3) VP analysis revealed that MC, BD, and CP together explained 57.4% of the variation in plant life forms communities. 4) The hemicryptophytes benefited from restoration measures and increased CP. In contrast, the decrease in BD negatively affected geophytes. In summary, restoration measures reduce BD by enhancing MC and increasing CP, which affects the distribution of plant life forms. This finding reveals the important role of soil physical properties in plant survival strategies during alpine meadow restoration.
OsLAP3/OsSTRL2, encoding a rice strictosidine synthase, is required for anther cuticle formation and pollen exine patterning in rice
Authors: Chen Dai-bo , Zhou Ran , Wang Hui-min , Zhang Pei-pei , Yang Zheng-fu , Xuan Dan-dan , Zhang Ying-xin , Zhan Xiao-deng , Cao Li-yong , Cheng Shi-hua , Sun Lian-ping
Published: January 2025

The formation of the anther wall and the development of pollen processes, central to rice fertility and yield, are highly dependent on the synthesis and accumulation of lipid polymers. Although several regulatory factors related to lipid biosynthesis during pollen wall development have been identified, the molecular mechanisms controlling these processes remain poorly understood. In this study, a male-sterile rice mutant, lap3, was identified, characterized by normal vegetative growth but complete male sterility due to delayed programmed cell death (PCD) in tapetal cells and defects in anther cuticle and pollen exine formation. Map-based cloning revealed that OsLAP3 is a new allele of the strictosidine synthase-like gene, OsSTRL2. Functional analysis, including complementation and CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, confirmed that the 2-nucleotide deletion in the OsLAP3 is responsible for the male sterility phenotype. OsLAP3 is homologous to the maize ZmMS45, the core recessive nuclear sterile gene of maize Seed Production Technology (SPT), and localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and plays a conserved role in anther development and pollenformation. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant downregulation of key genes involved in anther development and sporopollenin biosynthesis in lap3 anthers. Furthermore, lipid profiling demonstrated a marked reduction in both wax and cutin content. These findings establish OsLAP3 as a critical regulator of fatty acid synthesis and highlight its role in anther cuticle formation and pollen exine development. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the molecular regulation of lipid biosynthesis during rice male reproductive development and offer potential applications for hybrid rice breeding.
Four MES genes from calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) regulated citrus bacterial canker resistance through the plant hormone pathway
Authors: Xiao Yu-Xiong , Xiao Cui , Tong Zhu , He Xiu-Juan , Wang Ze-Qiong , Zhang Hai-Yue , Qiu Wen-Ming
Published: January 2025

Citrus bacterial canker (CBC) disease, caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), is one of the major diseases that seriously endanger citrus production. Citrus regulates the balance of endogenous plant hormones to resist CBC through multiple synthetic pathways, including the demethylation pathways of methyl salicylate (MeSA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and methyl indole-3-acetic acid (MeIAA). Here, four methylesterase (MES) genes, MES1.1, MES17.3, MES10.2, and MES1.5 were screened in the transcriptomes of CBC-resistant and CBC-susceptible varieties after Xcc inoculation. Among these MES genes, the expression levels of MES10.2, MES1.1, and MES1.5 were up-regulated in CBC-resistant varieties, while MES17.3 was down-regulated in both CBC-resistant and susceptible varieties. Subcellular localization analysis showed that the four MES-encoding proteins were localized in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of CmMES1.1 and CmMES1.5 from calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) significantly enhanced CBC resistance and increased the salicylic acid (SA) content in calamondin. Conversely, overexpression of CmMES10.2 and CmMES17.3 significantly reduced CBC resistance and increased the contents of jasmonic acid (JA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), respectively. We concluded that the resistant varieties confer CBC-resistance by regulating the expression of CmMES1.1 and CmMES1.5 to increase SA content, and regulating CmMES10.2 and CmMES17.3 to inhibit the synthesis of JA and IAA, respectively. Their ability to regulate the endogenous SA, JA and IAA content through the demethylation pathway was an attractive breeding target for conferring CBC resistance.
Sociodemographic predictors of flourishing among community older adults in China
Authors: Yi Xin , Liu Xiaoyun , Liu Xiaoqun , Chen Gang , Xie Yujie , Lin Chenhao , Lv Hangqin , Li Yingchun , Wu Shuang
Published: January 2025

Objective

With China becoming a rapidly aging society, the mental health of older adults has become an urgent concern. Past research on mental health assessment has primarily focused on psychopathological aspects such as depression or anxiety. In recent years, however, scholars in positive psychology have suggested that this may ignore the impact of individuals’ positive psychological qualities, such as well-being. “Flourishing” is a novel concept in the field of well-being. This adds to psychological well-being based on traditional social and subjective well-being. However, limited research has focused on the flourishing of older Chinese community-dwelling adults from the perspective of positive psychology. Therefore, this study explored the status and factors influencing flourishing among older Chinese community-dwelling adults.

Methods

A total of 518 community-dwelling older adults living in Chengdu between January 2022 and March 2022 were included in this study through a cross-sectional survey. Participants completed the General Condition Questionnaire and the Flourishing Scale. The data were collected and recorded in a database using a two-person input format. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Windows software version 26.0. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing flourishing.

Results

The mean score of the flourishing scale among Chinese community-dwelling older adults was 40.8 ± 8.8. Univariate analysis showed that economic condition, education level, spousal state, social participation, daily exercise, and chronic disease were significantly associated with flourishing among community-dwelling older adults. In contrast, gender, place of residence, and living state were not. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that economic condition (β = 0.338, p < 0.001), education level (β = 0.300, p < 0.001), spousal state (β = −0.291, p = 0.008), social participation (β = −0.286, p = 0.013), daily exercise (β = −0.407, p < 0.001), and chronic disease (β = 0.313, p = 0.002) were significant influence factors of flourishing among community-dwelling older adults.

Conclusion

This study is one of the first to explore the growth of community-dwelling older adults in China. The findings of this study make essential contributions to existing research on well-being. Interventions targeting older adults with poor economic conditions, lower educational levels, chronic diseases, limited social participation, and widowed or living alone are necessary.
Phenome-wide association studies between SERINC2 and neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Liu Ping , Luo Xinqun , Cao Liping , Zhang Yong , Ji Jiawu , Wang Xiaoping , Wang Kesheng , Pan Xinghua , Yang Ruilan , Tan Zewen , Tan Yunlong , Li Chiang-shan , Guo Xiaoyun , Wang Zhiren , Luo Xingguang
Published: January 2025

Objectives

SERINC2 has been associated with alcoholism, bipolar disorder and autism, but the comparability and specificity issues of the findings remain unaddressed. The present study aimed to comprehensively analyze various neuropsychiatric disorders pinpoint the most reliable conditions predisposed by SERINC2.

Methods

A total of 2,187 imputed SNPs across SERINC2 were examined in 1,167,439 subjects from 72 independent cohorts with 18 different neuropsychiatric disorders. SNP-disease associations were tested and then meta-analyzed, followed by FDR correction, to identify significant disease-risk SNPs. Finally, functional studies on the differential SERINC2 mRNA expression in brains and the potential regulatory effects of disease-risk alleles on SERINC2 mRNA expression, gray matter volumes (GMVs) of subcortical structures, cortical surface area (SA) and average thickness (TH) were conducted.

Results

In European descent, alcoholism was most significantly associated with SERINC2 variants (245 SNPs with 5.5×10-8≤p ≤ 0.049 and 4.9×10-5≤q ≤ 0.034) that were largely shared across cocaine dependence, marijuana dependence, nicotine dependence, polysubstance dependence, schizophrenia, OCD, and autism (8.2×10-8≤p ≤ 0.050 and 1.9×10-5≤q ≤ 0.049); in Chinese population, bipolar disorder was also significantly associated with SERINC2 variants (10 SNPs: 1.3×10-4≤p ≤ 4.7×10-4 and 0.025≤q ≤ 0.031). Furthermore, the disease-risk alleles had highly similar regulatory effects on mRNA expression (8.1×10-7≤p ≤ 0.046), subcortical GMVs (7.0×10-4≤p ≤ 0.048) and cortical TH and SA (1.3×10-3≤p ≤ 0.050) in brains across alcoholism, schizophrenia, OCD and autism. The bipolar disorder-risk alleles had these regulatory effects but with different effect patterns. Finally, SERINC2 mRNA was differentially expressed in several brain regions between alcoholism or schizophrenia and controls.

Conclusion

SERINC2 is primarily linked to substance use disorders, schizophrenia, OCD, autism and bipolar disorder, not only statistically but also biologically.
Subjective and objective stress during body exposure: a comparison of adolescents with anorexia nervosa versus high body dissatisfaction
Authors: Stonawski Valeska , Kuper Louisa , Rohleder Nicolas , Moll Gunther H. , Fischer Hannah , Plank Anne-Christine , Legenbauer Tanja , Kratz Oliver , Horndasch Stefanie
Published: January 2025

Objective

Body dissatisfaction (BD) is a risk factor for the development of an eating disorder (ED) and a negative predictor for treatment outcome in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). As a clinical core symptom and a relevant maintaining factor of AN, body image disturbance and BD are highly relevant target variables for therapeutic interventions. Body exposure (BE) was found as being effective for reducing BD in adolescents with EDs and high BD. However, the underlying mechanisms of BE are still not clear, with habituation processes being discussed as one possible mechanism.

Methods

Affective and neurobiological processes during a four-session computer-based BE intervention were investigated. Within a controlled design comparing adolescents with AN (n = 34) vs. adolescent patients with high BD (n = 17) but without a diagnosed ED, subjective (stress ratings; 11-point Likert scale) and objective (salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase [sAA]) stress measures were assessed at four time points at each exposure session (start, +10 min, +30 min/end, +60 min/recovery). ED and depressive psychopathology were assessed via self-rating questionnaires.

Results

A between-session habituation effect was found for subjective stress ratings and sAA levels with decreasing scores throughout the four sessions. A within-session habituation was found for cortisol levels. Higher psychopathology was associated with subjective stress ratings. There were no group differences between AN and BD regarding ED psychopathology or subjective or objective stress measures. Subjective and objective stress measures were mainly not associated with each other.

Conclusions

Habituation processes were found for subjective and objective stress, which might enhance motivation to continue BE interventions and thus increase their impact. BD seems to be a transdiagnostic phenomenon with BE as a successful intervention independent of psychiatric diagnosis. Current findings should be validated in larger samples, and the hypothesis of a transdiagnostic BD should be investigated in future research.
Anxiety disorders and the gut microbiota: a bibliometric and visual analysis
Authors: Guo Linli , Ding Qin , Li Qing , Zheng Danping , Guo Linglin , Cao Xiaotao , Mou Qianqian
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Anxiety disorder is a common mental illness, yet its specific mechanisms remain unclear. Recent research has revealed a connection between gut microbiota and anxiety disorders. This study aims to assess the current global research landscape, highlight current topics of interest, and explore future research directions in the field of anxiety disorders and gut microbiota.

Methods

We extracted research review articles related to anxiety and gut microbiota from the Web of Science, covering the period from 2004 to 2023. We used VOSviewer 1.6.18.0, Scimago Graphica, and CiteSpace 6.2. R2 to visualize the contributions of countries, institutions, journals, authors, citations, and keywords in this field.

Result

A total of 1198 articles were included in this bibliometric analysis. Over the past two decades, both publications and citations have shown a steady increase. China, the United States, and Canada were the top three countries in terms of publication output. John Cryan from University College Cork had the highest number of publications and citation impact in this area of research. The journal Nutrients had the highest number of publications, while Brain Behavior and Immunity had the most citations. Key research themes in recent years have included anxiety, gut microbiota, depression, stress, gut-brain axis, and probiotics, all of which are likely to be important future research directions.

Conclusion

This analysis has key research areas and emerging trends, including risk factors, stressors, inflammatory responses, the gut-brain axis, and probiotics. These insights can guide researchers towards a more comprehensive understanding of recent advancements in this field, help shape future research directions and facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets for anxiety disorder, ultimately improving clinical outcomes.
Metformin for neurocognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia: a systematic review
Authors: Qin Zhen-Juan , Shi Zhan-Ming , Li Li-Juan , Wei Xin , Hu Hui-Lin , Wei Wei , Xie Zhi-Yuan , Ji Hang-Xi , Wei Yu-Hua , Zheng Wei
Published: January 2025

Background

The efficacy and safety of metformin for addressing neurocognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia remain inconclusive. This systematic review evaluates the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of metformin on neurocognitive function in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

A comprehensive search of Chinese databases (WanFang, Chinese Journal Net) and English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library) was conducted to identify RCTs assessing metformin’s impact on neurocognitive outcomes in schizophrenia.

Results

Four RCTs involving 271 patients with schizophrenia were included. Three RCTs (75%) demonstrated significant improvements in neurocognitive function with metformin compared to controls, as assessed by the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, and Mini-Mental State Examination, but not the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia. Two RCTs (50%) evaluated metformin's effects on total psychopathology and found no significant differences between groups. Adverse events were reported in two RCTs, with inconsistent findings on decreased appetite and diarrhea. Other adverse events and discontinuation rates were comparable between groups.

Conclusion

Preliminary evidence suggests that metformin may improve neurocognitive function in schizophrenia. However, further large-scale, double-blind, high quality RCTs are warranted to validate these findings.
Examining the integration of artificial intelligence in supply chain management from Industry 4.0 to 6.0: a systematic literature review
Authors: Samuels Alexander
Published: January 2025

Background

This study examines the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in supply chain management (SCM) during the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0. The focus is on improving operational efficiency, promoting human-centric collaboration, and advancing sustainability within supply chains. As industries progress, the need to incorporate AI technologies that improve decision-making and operational resilience while ensuring sustainable practices becomes increasingly critical. This systematic review aims to explore how AI is transforming SCM through these industrial transitions.

Methods

Utilising the PRISMA framework, a systematic review was conducted to gather and analyse relevant literature published between 2010 and 2023. A comprehensive search of databases including Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect was performed. The review involved rigorous screening for eligibility and thematic analysis using Atlas-ti software to identify key themes and patterns related to AI integration in SCM.

Results

The findings indicate that AI integration significantly improves SCM by improving demand forecasting, inventory management, and overall decision-making capabilities. Industry 5.0 focuses on human-AI collaboration, improving customisation and problem-solving. AI technologies also contribute to sustainability by optimising resource utilisation and reducing environmental impacts. However, challenges such as cybersecurity risks and workforce skill gaps need to be addressed to fully leverage AI’s potential.

Conclusion

Integrating AI in SCM not only improves operational efficiency and sustainability but also promotes resilience against disruptions. The insights from this review offer valuable guidance for both academics and practitioners aiming to optimise supply chain operations through AI technologies from Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0. The study underlines the importance of a balanced approach that integrates technological developments with human-centric and sustainable practices.
Staphylococcus aureus carriage is associated with microbiome composition in the nares and oropharynx, not the hand, of monozygotic twins
Authors: Dalman Mark R. , Simison W. Brian , Nielsen Danny , Bhatta Sabana , Ramahi Noor , Yee Clair , Thapaliya Dipendra , Kadariya Jhalka , Cheatham Shanice , Olson Hailee , Smith Tara C.
Published: January 2025

Background

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium commonly found in the nares and oropharynx of one in three individuals and has the potential to cause significant health problems. With antibiotic-resistant strains causing 11,000 deaths yearly and ~2% of the population nasally colonized with methicillin-resistant S. aureus, a search for predictive markers and associative relationships between carriage have been long-sought goals. Within our study, we leveraged monozygotic twin participants in concert with multi-site microbiome analyses to characterize the impacts of S. aureus on composition.

Results

We recruited 147 monozygotic twin pairs and characterized three sites, i.e., the nares, oropharynx, and hand microbiomes, using 16S rRNA v3-v4 sequencing in addition to S. aureus carriage status. The prevalence of S. aureus was highest in the oropharynx followed by nares and hand with concordance between twin pairs highest in the nares, followed by oropharynx. The detection of S. aureus was statistically correlated with differences in microbiome composition across sites, as indicated by beta diversity and DESeq2 analyses. Microbiome composition was most similar in twins’ nares that were S. aureus culture-positive concordant, whereas twins that were culture-negative concordant had the most similarity in the oropharynx. Of significance, Moraxella nonliquefacians and Capnocytophaga were inversely associated with S. aureus in the nares and oropharynx, respectively.

Conclusions

This improved understanding of S. aureus colonization in nares, oropharynx, and hand microbiomes in monozygotic twin pairs is a further step towards unraveling the degree to which the microbiome is influenced by host genetics and S. aureus carriage.
The key roles of teammates, coaches, and instrumental support in adolescent sports participation: a one-year prospective study
Authors: Spruijtenburg Gwennyth E. , van Abswoude Femke , Platvoet Sebastiaan W. J. , de Niet Mark , Steenbergen Bert
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Sports participation is important for promoting lifelong health and well-being. However, it often declines during adolescence, highlighting the need to understand the factors related to adolescent sports participation. This prospective study examines the associations between different sources (e.g., family, peers, coaches, teachers) and types (e.g., emotional, instrumental, co-participation) of social support and hours of organized sports participation among secondary school students (N = 294). It also explores whether these associations change from the second to the third year of secondary education.

Methods

Data were collected using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements in October/November 2021 and October/November 2022. Multilevel linear fixed effects regression models were used to analyze relationships between sources and types of social support and sports participation. Additionally, scatterplots illustrated individual variability in these associations.

Results

Results showed significant associations for various sources and types of social support with organized sports participation. Social support from teammates and coaches and instrumental support emerged as the strongest predictors of hours of participation. Additionally, we found that the relationships remained stable over time. Yet, substantial individual variability in how social support related to sports participation was also observed.

Discussion

These findings emphasize the importance to promote social support from within the sports environment and to encourage instrumental support. Tailored approaches addressing individual differences are recommended to enhance adolescent sports participation.
Implications of serological, genomic, and epidemiological insights into Mycobacterium tuberculosis mixed infection in a human-managed African elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Authors: Ghielmetti Giovanni , Kerr Tanya J. , Loubser Johannes , Hewlett Jennie , Dippenaar Anzaan , Loxton Andre G. , Warren Robin M. , Goosen Wynand J. , Miller Michele A.
Published: January 2025

Zoonotic and reverse zoonotic tuberculosis pose a risk to human and animal health, especially when individuals are in close contact. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has led to significant advancements in our comprehension of bacterial disease dynamics, particularly regarding the transmission of pathogens at the population and individual levels. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from respiratory samples, including ante-mortem trunk wash, bronchoalveolar lavage, and post-mortem lung tissue samples of one African elephant (Loxodonta africana) euthanized in a South African zoo. The elephant presented with chronic weight loss and lethargy. Animal-side serological testing (Chembio DPP® VetTB for Elephants) conducted on elephant serum yielded a positive result before euthanasia. At post-mortem examination, signs of chronic pneumonia and extensive macroscopic lesions compatible with tuberculosis were observed, confirming the presence of the disease. Genomic DNA was extracted from liquid MGIT culture and an improved culture medium (TiKa) and subjected to WGS analysis. Using a bioinformatic approach, the study identified a mixed infection involving two distinct strains of M. tuberculosis. The predominant strain was classified as lineage 1 and a second strain was identified as lineage 4. Both lineages have been found in a significant proportion of human tuberculosis cases in South Africa. No mutations associated with drug resistance were detected. The report highlights the susceptibility of elephants to human pathogens, particularly in high-burden settings. Biosafety challenges associated with handling and diagnosing tuberculosis in human-managed elephants are reported. We emphasize the importance of implementing effective preventive measures to ensure the safety of both humans and animals in zoo environments. Finally, the importance of multiple sampling and analysis of within-host mycobacterial populations for investigations of transmission is demonstrated.
Canine lung carcinoma—A descriptive review
Authors: Marcinowska Aleksandra , Horta Rodrigo Dos Santos , Queiroga Felisbina , Giuliano Antonio
Published: January 2025

Primary lung cancer is a relatively uncommon tumor in dogs, accounting for about 1% of all canine malignancies. Clinical signs in affected dogs can range from being asymptomatic to exhibiting chronic cough, and in rare cases, dyspnoea. Surgical excision of the primary tumor, along with resection of the affected locoregional lymph nodes is the preferred treatment option for most cases. Although chemotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation therapy have been employed, their effectiveness remain controversial. Dogs with stage T1 tumors can experience extended survival times of up to 2 years. However, the prognosis for dogs with advanced metastatic tumors is generally very poor. This review article discusses the etiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, staging, treatment options, and prognosis of primary lung carcinoma in dogs.