bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Sustainable and Analysis of Influencing Factors for Agriculture Sector: Evidence From Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Wang Zhiguo , Huang Lufei , Yin Linsen , Wang Zhixiong , Zheng Dandan
Published: February 2022

Sustainable agriculture is a vital part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. While tremendous achievements in the agriculture sector in China have been made, a series of problems are challenging the sustainable development of the agriculture management and agriculture economy. In this paper, the level of sustainable agriculture development was evaluated by constructing an entropy-TOPSIS model. The sustainable agricultural development level evaluation system was subsequently established, including 4 first-level criteria (economy, society, environment and resources) and 25 second-level criteria. Corresponding data on 13 cities in Jiangsu Province, China (from 2016 to 2019) were collected. Moreover, the main obstacle factors restricting the sustainable agriculture development level were analyzed through the obstacle diagnosis model. The Tobit regression model was established for an empirical study on its influencing factors. The results showed that the agricultural sustainable development level in Jiangsu Province is going upward, and the development level gaps between various prefecture-level cities are narrowing; the output values in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery services, per capita disposable income of farmers and other aspects are the main obstacle factors for agricultural sustainable development. The research objective of this paper was to improve the index system of agricultural sustainable development, analyze the influencing mechanism and obstacle factors, and explore the promotion path of agricultural sustainable development in Jiangsu by optimizing the spatial layout. The main innovation of this paper was bringing the five interrelated and interactive dimensions of “economy, society, environment, ecology, and resources” into the same analytical framework to analyze the concept and connotation of agricultural sustainable development.
SAAED: Embedding and Deep Learning Enhance Accurate Prediction of Association Between circRNA and Disease
Authors: Liu Qingyu , Yu Junjie , Cai Yanning , Zhang Guishan , Dai Xianhua
Published: February 2022

Emerging evidence indicates that circRNA can regulate various diseases. However, the mechanisms of circRNA in these diseases have not been fully understood. Therefore, detecting potential circRNA–disease associations has far-reaching significance for pathological development and treatment of these diseases. In recent years, deep learning models are used in association analysis of circRNA–disease, but a lack of circRNA–disease association data limits further improvement. Therefore, there is an urgent need to mine more semantic information from data. In this paper, we propose a novel method called Semantic Association Analysis by Embedding and Deep learning (SAAED), which consists of two parts, a neural network embedding model called Entity Relation Network (ERN) and a Pseudo-Siamese network (PSN) for analysis. ERN can fuse multiple sources of data and express the information with low-dimensional embedding vectors. PSN can extract the feature between circRNA and disease for the association analysis. CircRNA–disease, circRNA–miRNA, disease–gene, disease–miRNA, disease–lncRNA, and disease–drug association information are used in this paper. More association data can be introduced for analysis without restriction. Based on the CircR2Disease benchmark dataset for evaluation, a fivefold cross-validation experiment showed an AUC of 98.92%, an accuracy of 95.39%, and a sensitivity of 93.06%. Compared with other state-of-the-art models, SAAED achieves the best overall performance. SAAED can expand the expression of the biological related information and is an efficient method for predicting potential circRNA–disease association.
Introducing the Dilation and Evacuation Technique in Brazil: Lessons Learned From an International Partnership to Expand Options for Brazilian Women and Girls
Authors: Stifani Bianca M. , Mei Hwang Susane , Rodrigues Catani Renata , Borges Martins da Silva Paro Helena , Benfield Nerys
Published: February 2022

Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is the recommended surgical procedure for uterine evacuation in the second trimester. Despite its established safety record, it is not routinely available in most countries around the world. In this paper, we describe the multi-phase capacity-building project we undertook to introduce D&E in Brazil. First, we invited a highly motivated obstetrician-gynecologist and abortion provider to complete an observership at an established D&E site in the United States. We then organized a month-long clinical training for two experienced gynecologists in Brazil, followed by ongoing remote mentorship. Almost all patients we approached during the training opted for D&E, and all expressed satisfaction with their experience. Despite the restrictive legal setting and prevailing abortion stigma in Brazil, our training was well-received, and we did not experience any overt resistance from hospital staff. We learned that obtaining institutional support is essential; and that presenting scientific evidence during dedicated didactic times was an important strategy to obtain buy-in from other local healthcare providers. An important challenge we encountered was low case volume given the restrictive legal setting. We addressed this by partnering with nearby hospitals and non-profit organizations for patient referrals. We also rescheduled, adapted and optimized this project for implementation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges we faced, this project led to the successful introduction of D&E up to 16–18 weeks at two sites in Brazil. In the future, we plan additional training to increase capacity for D&E at more advanced gestational ages.
The Lineage Differentiation and Dynamic Heterogeneity of Thymic Epithelial Cells During Thymus Organogenesis
Authors: Gao Hanchao , Cao Mengtao , Deng Kai , Yang Yang , Song Jinqi , Ni Ming , Xie Chuntao , Fan Wenna , Ou Chunpei , Huang Dinggen , Lin Lizhong , Liu Lixia , Li Yangyang , Sun Huimin , Cheng Xinyu , Wu Jinmei , Xia Cuilan , Deng Xuefeng , Mou Lisha , Chen Pengfei
Published: February 2022

Although much progress has been made recently in revealing the heterogeneity of the thymic stromal components, the molecular programs of cell lineage divergency and temporal dynamics of thymic epithelial cell (TEC) development are largely elusive. Here, we constructed a single-cell transcriptional landscape of non-hematopoietic cells from mouse thymus spanning embryonic to adult stages, producing transcriptomes of 30,959 TECs. We resolved the transcriptional heterogeneity of developing TECs and highlighted the molecular nature of early TEC lineage determination and cortico-medullary thymic epithelial cell lineage divergency. We further characterized the differentiation dynamics of TECs by clarification of molecularly distinct cell states in the thymus developing trajectory. We also identified a population of Bpifa1+ Plet1+ mTECs that was preserved during thymus organogenesis and highly expressed tissue-resident adult stem cell markers. Finally, we highlighted the expression of Aire-dependent tissue-restricted antigens mainly in Aire+ Csn2+ mTECs and Spink5+ Dmkn+ mTECs in postnatal thymus. Overall, our data provided a comprehensive characterization of cell lineage differentiation, maturation, and temporal dynamics of thymic epithelial cells during thymus organogenesis.
Polymeric Systems for Cancer Immunotherapy: A Review
Authors: Le Thai Minh Duy , Yoon A-Rum , Thambi Thavasyappan , Yun Chae-Ok
Published: February 2022

Immunotherapy holds enormous promise to create a new outlook of cancer therapy by eliminating tumorsviaactivation of the immune system. In immunotherapy, polymeric systems play a significant role in improving antitumor efficacy and safety profile. Polymeric systems possess many favorable properties, including magnificent biocompatibility and biodegradability, structural and component diversity, easy and controllable fabrication, and high loading capacity for immune-related substances. These properties allow polymeric systems to perform multiple functions in immunotherapy, such as immune stimulants, modifying and activating T cells, delivery system for immune cargos, or as an artificial antigen-presenting cell. Among diverse immunotherapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell, and oncolytic virus recently have been dramatically investigated for their remarkable success in clinical trials. In this report, we review the monotherapy status of immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell, and oncolytic virus, and their current combination strategies with diverse polymeric systems.
Electrospun Ternary Composite Metal Oxide Fibers as an Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Ling JinKiong , Karuppiah Chelladurai , Das Santanu , Misnon Izan Izwan , Ab. Rahim Mohd Hasbi , Yang Chun-Chen , Jose Rajan
Published: February 2022

Nickel–cobalt–manganese oxides (NCMs) are widely investigated as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) given their beneficial synergistic effects of high storability, electrical conductivity, and stability. However, their use as an anode for LIBs has not been adequately addressed. NCM nanofibers prepared using the multi-needle electrospinning technique are examined as the anode in LIBs. The NCM nanofibers demonstrated an initial discharge capacity of ∼1,075 mAh g−1 with an initial capacity loss of ∼42%. Through controlling the conductive additive content, the initial discharge capacity can be further improved to ∼1810 mAh g−1, mostly attributing to the improved interfiber connectivity supported by the significant lowering of impedance when the amount of conductive additive is increased. This study also reveals that the conventional ratio of 80:10:10 wt% (active materials:additives:binder) is not optimal for all samples, especially for the high active surface area electrospun nanofibers.
The Correlated Risk Factors for Severe Liver Damage Among HIV-Positive Inpatients With Abnormal Liver Tests
Authors: Liu Sheng , Zhou Ying , Wang Yu , Li Cheng Bo , Wang Wen , Lu Xu , Liu Pei , Hu Qing Hai , Wen Ying
Published: February 2022

Background:

This study investigated the factors correlated with severe liver damage among HIV-infected inpatients.

Methods:

We retrospectively collected the first hospitalized HIV-infected patients in the Department of Infectious Disease of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify the factors associated with severe liver damage.

Results:

A total of 493 patients with abnormal liver tests were recruited. Among 63 cases (12.8%) with severe liver injury, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) identified by the updated Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) score as the direct cause was found in 43 cases. Anti-tuberculosis drug (ATD) exposure [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.835, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.031–3.268], cotrimoxazole exposure (aOR = 2.775, 95% CI: 1.511–5.096), comorbidity of viral hepatitis (aOR = 2.340, 95% CI: 1.161–4.716), alcohol consumption history (aOR = 2.392, 95% CI: 1.199–4.769), and thrombocytopenia (aOR = 2.583, 95% CI:1.127–5.917) were associated with severe liver injury (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

DILI was the predominant cause of severe liver damage, followed by hepatitis virus co-infection. For patients with alcohol consumption and thrombocytopenia, frequent monitoring of liver function tests should be considered.
Arterial Hypotension Following Norepinephrine Decrease in Septic Shock Patients Is Not Related to Preload Dependence: A Prospective, Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Andrei Stefan , Nguyen Maxime , Abou-Arab Osama , Bouhemad Belaid , Guinot Pierre-Grégoire
Published: February 2022

Background

The optimal management of hypotensive patients during norepinephrine weaning is unclear. The primary study aim was to assess the ability of preload dependence to predict hypotension following norepinephrine weaning. The secondary aims were to describe the effect of norepinephrine weaning on preload dependence, and the cardiovascular effects of fluid expansion in hypotensive patients following norepinephrine weaning.

Materials and Methods

This was a prospective observational monocentric study. We included PiCCO®-monitored patients with norepinephrine-treated septic shock, for whom the physician decided to decrease the norepinephrine dosage during the de-escalation phase. Three consecutive steps were evaluated with hemodynamic measurements: baseline, after norepinephrine decrease, and after 500 mL fluid expansion.

Results

Forty-five patients were included. Preload dependence assessed by stroke volume changes following passive leg raising was not predictive of pressure response to norepinephrine weaning [AUC of 0.42 (95%CI: 0.25–0.59, p = 0.395)]. After fluid expansion, there was no difference in the prior preload dependence between pressure-responders and non-pressure-responders (14 vs. 13%, p = 1). The pressure response to norepinephrine decrease was not associated with pressure response after fluid expansion (40 vs. 23%, p = 0.211).

Conclusion

Hypotension following norepinephrine decrease was not predicted by preload dependence, and there was no association between arterial hypotension after norepinephrine decrease and fluid response.
Polymicrobial Anaerobic Meningitis Detected by Next-Generation Sequencing: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Li Xiaoqiang , Du Hui , Song Zhibin , Wang Hui , Long Xiong
Published: February 2022

Background

Anaerobic meningitis is a severe central nervous system infection associated with significant neurological sequelae and high mortality. However, the precise detection of causative pathogen(s) remains difficult because anaerobic bacteria are difficult to culture. Next-generation sequencing is a technology that was developed recently and has been applied in many fields. To the best of our knowledge, the use of next-generation sequencing for cerebrospinal fluid analysis in the diagnosis of anaerobic meningitis has been rarely reported.

Case presentation

Here, we report a case of polymicrobial anaerobic meningitis diagnosed using next-generation sequencing of cerebrospinal fluid in a 16-year-old girl. Five species of anaerobic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella enoeca, Campylobacter rectus, Fusobacterium uncleatum, and Actinomyces israelii) were detected by next-generation sequencing and treated with antibacterial agents (ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and metronidazole). The patient responded well to antibacterial treatment. Further inspection revealed bone destruction at the base of the skull, which further confirmed that these bacteria had originated from the oral cavity. One month later, the patient's condition improved significantly. At the same time, we performed a literature review on anaerobic meningitis using studies published in the last 20 years.

Conclusions

This case emphasizes the importance of applying metagenomic next-generation sequencing to clinch the clinical diagnosis for patients with central nervous system infection. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing has been reported to be an important diagnostic modality for identifying uncommon pathogens.
Perspectives on Bulk-Tissue RNA Sequencing and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing for Cardiac Transcriptomics
Authors: Hegenbarth Jana-Charlotte , Lezzoche Giuliana , De Windt Leon J. , Stoll Monika
Published: February 2022

The heart has been the center of numerous transcriptomic studies in the past decade. Even though our knowledge of the key organ in our cardiovascular system has significantly increased over the last years, it is still not fully understood yet. In recent years, extensive efforts were made to understand the genetic and transcriptomic contribution to cardiac function and failure in more detail. The advent of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies has brought many discoveries but it is unable to comprehend the finely orchestrated interactions between and within the various cell types of the heart. With the emergence of single-cell sequencing more than 10 years ago, researchers gained a valuable new tool to enable the exploration of new subpopulations of cells, cell-cell interactions, and integration of multi-omic approaches at a single-cell resolution. Despite this innovation, it is essential to make an informed choice regarding the appropriate technique for transcriptomic studies, especially when working with myocardial tissue. Here, we provide a primer for researchers interested in transcriptomics using NGS technologies.
Exosomal miR-29b of Gut Origin in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Suppresses Heart Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Authors: Lian Haifeng , Zhong Xiaoying S. , Xiao Ying , Sun Zhe , Shen Yuanyuan , Zhao Kaile , Ma Xingbin , Li Yanmin , Niu Qiong , Liu Max , Powell Don W. , Liu Chengxia , Li Qingjie
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims: While the interplay between heart and gut in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has previously been noted, how the inflamed gut impairs heart function remain elusive. We hypothesized that exosomal miRNAs of gut origin induce cardiac remodeling in IBD. Our aim was to identify plasma exosomal miRNAs that not only are of diagnostic value but also contribute to cardiac remodeling in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Plasma exosomes were isolated from UC patients and healthy control subjects and exosomal miRNAs were profiled by next-generation sequencing. Exosomal miR-29b levels in CCD841 CoN colon epithelial cells were detected by RT-qPCR. Exosomes packaged with miR-29b were incubated with H9c2 cells or administered to live mice.

Results: The plasma exosomal miRNA profiles of the UC patients were significantly different from that of the controls and 20 miRNAs including miR-29b were differentially expressed. In CCD841 CoN cells, TNFα, IL-1β, and H2O2 significantly elevated miR-29b in both the cells and their secreted exosomes (p < 0.01), suggesting that intestinal epithelium secrets exosomes rich in miR-29b in IBD. In H9c2 myoblast cells, miR-29b modulated multiple genes including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Epithelial cell-derived exosomes packaged with miR-29b also attenuated BDNF and increased cleaved caspase 3, suggestive of apoptosis. Furthermore, tail vein injection of engineered exosomes with high levels of miR-29b suppressed BDNF and augmented cleaved caspase 3 in the heart of adult mouse (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Plasma exosomal miRNA profile could be a novel diagnostic approach for IBD. Excessive plasma exosomal miR-29b suppresses critical proteins like BDNF in IBD, leading to cardiac impairment.
Pan-Cancer Analysis and Validation Reveals that D-Dimer-Related Genes are Prognostic and Downregulate CD8+ T Cells via TGF-Beta Signaling in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Guan Yiming , Xu Bing , Sui Yi , Chen Zhezhou , Luan Yu , Jiang Yan , Wei Lijuan , Long Wenjing , Zhao Sansan , Han Lei , Xu Dakang , Lin Lin , Guan Qi
Published: February 2022

Background: Cancer is considered one of the most lethal diseases worldwide. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the second leading cause of death in cancer patients. As one of the most reproducible predictors of thromboembolism, the D-dimer level is commonly considered by oncologists. Previous studies have demonstrated that the most correlated genes at the D-dimer level are F3, F5 and FGA.

Methods: Using data from TCGA and multiple webtools, including GEPIA2, UALCAN, TIMER2.0, Kaplan-Meier Plotter and CIBERSORTx, we analyzed the tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) and functions of D-dimer-related genes in cancer. Validation was conducted via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and independent GEO + GTEx cohort. All statistical analyses were performed in R software and GraphPad Prism 9.

Results: F3, F5 and FGA were expressed differently in multiple cancer types. TMB, MSI and anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy responses were correlated with D-dimer-related gene expression. D-Dimer-related genes expression affect the survival of cancer patients. F3 and F5 functioned in TGF-beta signaling. F3 and F5 were related to immunity and affected the fraction of CD8+ T cells by upregulating the TGF-beta signaling pathway, forming an F3, F5/TGF-beta signaling/CD8+ T cell axis.

Conclusion: F3, F5 and FGA serve as satisfactory GC multibiomarkers and potentially influence the immune microenvironment and survival of cancer patients by influencing TGF-beta signaling.
Proteoform Profiles Reveal That Alpha-1-Antitrypsin in Human Serum and Milk Is Derived From a Common Source
Authors: Jager Shelley , Cramer Dario A. T. , Hoek Max , Mokiem Nadia J. , van Keulen Britt J. , van Goudoever Johannes B. , Dingess Kelly A. , Heck Albert J. R.
Published: February 2022

The Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (A1AT) protein is an important protease inhibitor highly abundant in human serum and other body fluids. Additional to functioning as a protease inhibitor, A1AT is an important acute phase protein. Here, we set out to compare the proteoform profiles of A1AT purified from the human serum and milk of eight healthy donors to determine the origin of human milk A1AT. Following affinity purification, size-exclusion chromatography coupled to native mass spectrometry was used to monitor individual proteoform profiles comparing inter- and intra-donor profiles. The A1AT intra-donor proteoform profiles were found to be highly identical between serum and milk, while they were highly distinct between donors, even when comparing only serum or milk samples. The observed inter-donor proteoform variability was due to differences in the abundances of different N-glycoforms, mainly due to branching, fucosylation, and the relative abundance of N-terminally processed A1AT fragments. From our data we conclude that nearly all A1AT in serum and milk is synthesized by a common source, i.e. the liver, and then secreted into the circulation and enters the mammary gland via diffusion or transport. Thereby, proteoform profile changes, as seen upon infection and/or inflammation in the blood will be reflected in the milk, which may then be transferred to the breastfed infant.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) With or Without Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as Biomarkers for Post-stroke Recovery: A Narrative Review
Authors: Keser Zafer , Buchl Samuel C. , Seven Nathan A. , Markota Matej , Clark Heather M. , Jones David T. , Lanzino Giuseppe , Brown Robert D. , Worrell Gregory A. , Lundstrom Brian N.
Published: February 2022

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. Despite the high prevalence of stroke, characterizing the acute neural recovery patterns that follow stroke and predicting long-term recovery remains challenging. Objective methods to quantify and characterize neural injury are still lacking. Since neuroimaging methods have a poor temporal resolution, EEG has been used as a method for characterizing post-stroke recovery mechanisms for various deficits including motor, language, and cognition as well as predicting treatment response to experimental therapies. In addition, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, has been used in conjunction with EEG (TMS-EEG) to evaluate neurophysiology for a variety of indications. TMS-EEG has significant potential for exploring brain connectivity using focal TMS-evoked potentials and oscillations, which may allow for the system-specific delineation of recovery patterns after stroke. In this review, we summarize the use of EEG alone or in combination with TMS in post-stroke motor, language, cognition, and functional/global recovery. Overall, stroke leads to a reduction in higher frequency activity (≥8 Hz) and intra-hemispheric connectivity in the lesioned hemisphere, which creates an activity imbalance between non-lesioned and lesioned hemispheres. Compensatory activity in the non-lesioned hemisphere leads mostly to unfavorable outcomes and further aggravated interhemispheric imbalance. Balanced interhemispheric activity with increased intrahemispheric coherence in the lesioned networks correlates with improved post-stroke recovery. TMS-EEG studies reveal the clinical importance of cortical reactivity and functional connectivity within the sensorimotor cortex for motor recovery after stroke. Although post-stroke motor studies support the prognostic value of TMS-EEG, more studies are needed to determine its utility as a biomarker for recovery across domains including language, cognition, and hemispatial neglect. As a complement to MRI-based technologies, EEG-based technologies are accessible and valuable non-invasive clinical tools in stroke neurology.
Different Forms of Variability Could Explain a Difference Between Human and Rat Decision Making
Authors: Nguyen Quynh Nhu , Reinagel Pamela
Published: February 2022

When observers make rapid, difficult perceptual decisions, their response time is highly variable from trial to trial. In a visual motion discrimination task, it has been reported that human accuracy declines with increasing response time, whereas rat accuracy increases with response time. This is of interest because different mathematical theories of decision-making differ in their predictions regarding the correlation of accuracy with response time. On the premise that perceptual decision-making mechanisms are likely to be conserved among mammals, we seek to unify the rodent and primate results in a common theoretical framework. We show that a bounded drift diffusion model (DDM) can explain both effects with variable parameters: trial-to-trial variability in the starting point of the diffusion process produces the pattern typically observed in rats, whereas variability in the drift rate produces the pattern typically observed in humans. We further show that the same effects can be produced by deterministic biases, even in the absence of parameter stochasticity or parameter change within a trial.
Higher Stress Hyperglycemia Ratio Is Associated With a Higher Risk of Stroke-Associated Pneumonia
Authors: Tao Jiejie , Hu Zhishan , Lou Feiling , Wu Junxin , Wu Zijing , Yang Shuang , Jiang Xiaofang , Wang Meihao , Huang Qiqi , Ren Wenwei
Published: February 2022

Objective

Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is a frequent complication in stroke patients. This present study aimed to investigate the association between stress hyperglycemia and SAP.

Methods

Patients were screened between February 2013 and August 2020 from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. We divided the blood glucose of the patients at admission by the glycated hemoglobin to calculate the stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between SAP and SHR, with the confounders being controlled. Further, subgroup analyses were separately performed for stroke patients with and without diabetes.

Results

A total of 2,039 patients were finally recruited, of which 533 (26.14%) were diagnosed with SAP. SHR were divided into four quartiles in the logistic regression analysis, the highest SHR quartile (SHR ≥ 1.15) indicated a higher risk of SAP (OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.13–2.19, p = 0.01) in total patients. In patients without diabetes, the third quantile (SHR = 0.96–1.14) and the highest quantile (SHR ≥ 1.15) were both related to a higher risk of SAP (both p < 0.05). However, we did not find such an association in diabetic patients.

Conclusion

SHR was significantly associated with the risk of SAP in patients without diabetes. Adequate attention should be paid to the patients with high SHR levels at admission, especially those without diabetes.
Parental Pain Catastrophizing, Communication Ability, and Post-surgical Pain Outcomes Following Intrathecal Baclofen Implant Surgery for Patients With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Byiers Breanne J. , Roberts Caroline L. , Burkitt Chantel C. , Merbler Alyssa M. , Craig Kenneth D. , Symons Frank J.
Published: February 2022

There is strong evidence that psychosocial variables, including pain catastrophizing, influence parental and child ratings of pain, pain expression, and long-term outcomes among children with chronic pain. The role of these factors among children who have communication deficits due to cerebral palsy (CP) and other intellectual and developmental disabilities is currently unclear. In this study, parental pain catastrophizing was assessed before intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump implantation for spasticity management in 40 children and adolescents with CP, aged 4 to 24 years. Pain was assessed before and after surgery with two methods: a parent-reported pain interference scale, and behavioral pain signs during a standardized range of motion exam. Linear mixed models with clinical/demographic factors and scores from the Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Parents (PCS-P), and child spoken language ability as predictors and the pain variables as the outcomes were implemented. On average, both pain outcomes improved after surgery. Only child spoken language ability predicted change in behavioral reactivity scores, with children with phrase speech showing an increase in reactivity at follow-up compared to pre-surgery levels, on average. A significant interaction between PCS-P scores and spoken language ability on change in pain interference scores over time showed that dyads with children with phrase speech whose parents reported high PCS-P scores reported the least improvement in pain interference at follow-up. Due to the preliminary nature of the study, future work is needed to investigate the parental behaviors that mediate the relationships between parental catastrophizing and pain outcomes in this population.
Oral Immunotherapy in Food Allergy: A Critical Pediatric Perspective
Authors: Akarsu Aysegul , Brindisi Giulia , Fiocchi Alessandro , Zicari Anna Maria , Arasi Stefania
Published: February 2022

There is evidence that in children with persistent IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) to cow's milk, hen's egg, and peanut, oral allergen-specific immunotherapy (OIT) may increase the reaction threshold to the culprit food allergen(s). OIT may protect patients from the occurrence of severe reactions in case of accidental ingestion of the culprit food during treatment. Notwithstanding, many gaps are still unsolved, including safety issues, identification of predictive biomarkers, and post-desensitization efficacy. In this perspective, the use of omalizumab (Anti-IgE monoclonal antibody) has been proposed as an adjunctive treatment to OIT in order to reduce the risk of allergic reactions related to OIT. This review aims to summarize the current evidence and unmet needs on OIT in children with FA to enhance the development of longitudinal, prospective, and well-designed studies able to fill the current gaps soon.
Fisetin Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy In Vivo and In Vitro by Inhibiting Ferroptosis Through SIRT1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway Activation
Authors: Li Danlei , Liu Xiaoman , Pi Wenhu , Zhang Yang , Yu Lei , Xu Cheng , Sun Zhenzhu , Jiang Jianjun
Published: February 2022

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic that is used extensively for the management of carcinoma; however, its clinical application is limited due to its serious cardiotoxic side effects. Ferroptosis represents iron-dependent and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related cell death and has been proven to contribute to the progression of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy. Fisetin is a natural flavonoid that is abundantly present in fruits and vegetables. It has been reported to exert cardioprotective effects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in experimental rats. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The present study investigated the cardioprotective role of fisetin and the underlying molecular mechanism through experiments in the DOX-induced cardiomyopathy rat and H9c2 cell models. The results revealed that fisetin treatment could markedly abate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by alleviating cardiac dysfunction, ameliorating myocardial fibrosis, mitigating cardiac hypertrophy in rats, and attenuating ferroptosis of cardiomyocytes by reversing the decline in the GPX4 level. Mechanistically, fisetin exerted its antioxidant effect by reducing the MDA and lipid ROS levels and increasing the glutathione (GSH) level. Moreover, fisetin exerted its protective effect by increasing the SIRT1 expression and the Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels and its nuclear translocation, which resulted in the activation of its downstream genes such as HO-1 and FTH1. Selective inhibition of SIRT1 attenuated the protective effects of fisetin in the H9c2 cells, which in turn decreased the GSH and GPX4 levels, as well as Nrf2, HO-1, and FTH1 expressions. In conclusion, fisetin exerts its therapeutic effects against DOX-induced cardiomyopathy by inhibiting ferroptosis via SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway activation.
Clinical Outcome and Medical Cost of Originator and Generic Antihypertensive Drugs: A Population-Based Study in Yinzhou, China
Authors: Huang Tao , Bai Lin , Wushouer Haishaerjiang , Wang Zhiyuan , Yang Mingchun , Lin Hongbo , Shen Peng , Guan Xiaodong , Shi Luwen
Published: February 2022

Background: The substitution of generic drugs can effectively alleviate the rapid growth of drug costs; however, the clinical effectiveness and medical costs of originator products and generics were barely studied in China.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs and hypertension-related medical costs between originator and generic initiators in Yinzhou, China.

Methods: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using the Chinese Electronic Health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY), from July 1, 2011, to December 31, 2018. Hypertension patients initiating with originator products were compared with patients initiating with generic counterparts. We used 1:1 propensity score matching to pair the two groups based on sociodemographic, clinical, and health service utilization variables. Cox proportional regression was adopted to compare the rate of hospitalization for hypertension-related cardiovascular disease between matched originator and generic initiators. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test was used to compare annual hypertension-related medical costs.

Results: Matched pairs (10,535) of patients were included in the comparative study of originator products and generics, corresponding to seven antihypertensive drugs including amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, and metoprolol. The average age of patients included in the analysis was around 60 years (originator vs. generics initiators: from 59.0 vs. 59.1 years in losartan to 62.9 vs. 63.6 years in nifedipine). Higher hospitalization rates among originator initiators were observed for three calcium channel blockers (hazard ratio[95% CI]: amlodipine, 3.18[1.43, 7.11]; felodipine, 3.60[1.63, 7.98]; and nifedipine, 3.86[1.26, 11.81]; respectively). The remaining four out of seven drugs of the clinical endpoint estimates showed comparable outcomes between originator products and generics (hazard ratio[95% CI]: irbesartan, 1.19[0.50, 2.84]; losartan, 1.84[0.84, 4.07]; valsartan, 2.04[0.72, 5.78]; and metoprolol, 1.25[0.56, 2.80]; respectively). Higher median annual hypertension-related medical costs were observed in originator initiators (all p < 0.001), except for metoprolol (p = 0.646).

Conclusion: We observed comparable or even better clinical outcomes and less medical cost associated with the use of antihypertensive generics compared to originator counterparts. This could help increase patient and provider confidence in the efficacy of generic medicines to manage hypertension diseases.
Mangrove Forests: Natural Laboratories for Studying Epigenetic and Climate Changes
Authors: Miryeganeh Matin
Published: February 2022

In the adaptation market, plants cash in the changes of their DNA (either genetic or epigenetic) to purchase fitness. Fitness is negatively affected by stressful conditions caused by climate change and well-designed studies are required to investigate the fine-tuning cooperation of epigenetic and genetic changes in response to those stresses. Mangrove trees are promising model systems for studying climate change because the effects of environmental changes are already evident in their natural habitats where they are exposed to different salinity levels ranging from saltwater to freshwater. In addition, as mangrove species are known to have very low genetic diversity caused by their stressful living conditions, epigenetic variation is likely to be a vital source for them to respond to environmental changes. This mini review aims to provide an overview of available studies on epigenetic regulation and adaptation of mangroves.
Flirting With or Through Media: How the Communication Partners’ Ontological Class and Sexual Priming Affect Heterosexual Males’ Interest in Flirtatious Messages and Their Perception of the Source
Authors: Szczuka Jessica M.
Published: February 2022

Because technologies are frequently used for sexual gratification it seems plausible that artificial communication partners, such as voice assistants, could be used to fulfill sexual needs. While the idea of sexualized interaction with voice assistants has been portrayed in movies (e.g., “Her”), there is a lack of empirical research on the effect of the ontological class (human versus artificial) on the voice’s potential to evoke interest in a sexualized interaction and its perception in terms of sexual attractiveness. The Sexual Interaction Illusion Model (SIIM), which emphasizes influences on sensations evoked by artificial interaction partners, furthermore suggests that there may be contextual influences, especially sexual arousal, that may be crucial for the question of engaging in a sexualized interaction with an artificial entity. To empirically investigate whether the ontological class of the speaker (computer-mediated human in comparison to voice assistants) and the level of sexual arousal affects the heterosexual males’ interest in hearing more flirtatious messages and the perception of the communication partner’s sexual attractiveness, an online experiment with between subject design was conducted. Two hundred and fifty seven respondents were confronted with at least four, and voluntarily six messages from either a computer-mediated human or a flirtatious voice assistant, in interaction with being previously primed sexually or neutrally. The results demonstrated that the effect of sexual arousal was not prevailing on the interest in further messages and the attractiveness perception of the interaction partners, while the ontological class did so. Here, the voice assistant evoked more interest in further messages and the technology itself, while the computer mediated human was perceived to be more sexually attractive and flirtatious, and evoked more social presence. The communication partners social presence was shown to be the predictor with most explanatory power for the interaction partners perceived sexual attractiveness, regardless of whether it was human or artificial. The results underline differences between artificial and human interaction partners, but also underline that especially social presence and the feeling that the user is addressed (in terms of flirtatiousness) is crucial in digitalized intimacy regardless of the ontological class.
How to Get a Grip on Processes of Communalization and Distinction in Group Interactions—An Analytical Framework
Authors: Weiser-Zurmühlen Kristin
Published: February 2022

This article proposes an analytical framework that combines Conversation Analysis, Positioning Theory, and Stance Analysis to study communalization and distinction as basic interactive mechanisms within group interactions. The framework is based on the premise that participants in multi-party interactions constantly manage the local demands of the ongoing conversation and turn-by-turn talk as well as implicitly or explicitly evoked references to global discourses, which in turn are closely related to the topic currently discussed. By considering both micro- and macro-contextual features in the analysis of group interactions, it is possible to reach a deeper understanding of dynamic group activities. The framework has been empirically developed based on data from a study on epistemic positioning practices in adolescents’ group interactions about popular TV series in Germany. The data comprises ten videotaped focus group discussions that have been elicited in a school context. By applying the framework to the analysis of a single case from the corpus, insights can be gained, both on how group members’ finely adjust their epistemic and evaluative stances as well as on how the participants themselves interactively link their stances to broader discourses.
How to Enhance Government Trust and Social Cohesion: Evidence From China
Authors: Fan Juan , Zheng Hanyi , Liang Wenhui
Published: February 2022

Governments’ impression management behaviors are becoming increasingly common. Under this context, this study empirically analyzes the relationship between governments’ impression management behavior, citizens’ government trust and social cohesion by using questionnaire data based on social psychology theories. The conclusion shows that governments’ impression management behaviors positively affect citizens’ government trust and social cohesion. Government trust plays a mediating role between impression management behaviors and social cohesion, and citizens’ education levels positively moderate the relationship between governments’ impression management and citizens’ government trust, i.e., the higher the education level, the stronger the positive effect of governments’ impression management on citizens’ government trust. The findings of the study will provide significant references for the self-presentation of government information, citizens’ government trust and the improvement of social cohesion.
The Psychosocial Correlates of Non-suicidal Self-Injury Within a Sample of Adolescents With Mood Disorder
Authors: Meng Linlin , Qu Diyang , Bu He , Huo Lijuan , Qi Ling , Yang Jiezhi , Zheng Tiansheng , Du Xiangdong , He Kongliang , Wang Yanni , Zhou Yongjie
Published: February 2022

Background

According to the integrated theoretical model, adolescents' behaviors were the outcome of the complex interplay between multiple levels. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious and high prevalent problem among adolescents with mood disorders. However, a systematic perspective on psychosocial correlates among Chinese clinical adolescents is still rare.

Method

The impact of several factors at the individual (i.e., sex, age, self-esteem, and psychological distress), family (i.e., family structure, family income, and family support), and social level (i.e., living environment, peer support, and teacher support) on the frequency of NSSI behaviors were investigated in the current study. This research included 621 Chinese adolescents with mood disorders from 20 hospitals.

Results

Three-steps hierarchical regression analyses indicated that lower levels of psychological distress and higher levels of self-esteem were most associated with less frequency of NSSI behaviors. In addition, family support was negatively associated with the frequency of NSSI behaviors. After controlling the factors at individual and family levels, no significant association was found between the factors at the social level and the frequency of NSSI behaviors.

Conclusion

These findings provide preliminary support for the notion that adolescent self-esteem and family support may effectively shield them from problematic behavior; nevertheless, adolescents suffering from more emotional pain can be even riskier. Thus, further intervention strategies should consider the non-independence of individual capacities, co-combinatory effects of mood disorder, and family environment in treating those vulnerable Chinese adolescents.
The Impact of Sustainable Transformational Leadership on Sustainable Innovation Ambidexterity: Empirical Evidence From Green Building Industries of China
Authors: Tang Yuan , Chen Yi-Jun , Shao Yun-Fei , Cao Qiao
Published: February 2022

Recognizing that building work will continually encompass, to a certain degree, unfavorable ecological consequences, green building has been encouraged and advocated as a managerial concept to progress in the construction segment. This research created a conceptual model that analyzed whether sustainable transformational leadership (STL) supported sustainable innovation ambidexterity (SIA) in green building industries. This research model was based on organizational support theory, hope theory, social cognitive theory, and attribution theory. This paper aimed to observe the relationship between STL with SIA via the mediating effect of psychological capital (PC). Furthermore, it examined the impact of perceived organizational support (POS) on PC. Moreover, it further examined the relationship between STL and POS. Likewise, it investigated the mediating effect of PC on the relationship between POS and SIA. Finally, it examined POS as a mediator between the relationship of STL and PC. The data for this study were collected from 600 workers employed at green building businesses in China. A questionnaire was delivered to the workers of green building corporations. According to the findings, STL was discovered to have a positive impact on PC. Furthermore, POS had a significant impact on PC. Moreover, PC significantly influenced SIA. Finally, STL was found to be in a significant relationship with POS. The outcomes of this research are extremely beneficial particularly in the situation of developing economies. This research contributes to the existing knowledge that employees with STL exhibit high PC, POS, and SIA in green building industries.
Effects and Interaction of Meteorological Parameters on Influenza Incidence During 2010–2019 in Lanzhou, China
Authors: Wang Jinyu , Zhang Ling , Lei Ruoyi , Li Pu , Li Sheng
Published: February 2022

Background

Influenza is a seasonal infectious disease, and meteorological parameters critically influence the incidence of influenza. However, the meteorological parameters linked to influenza occurrence in semi-arid areas are not studied in detail. This study aimed to clarify the impact of meteorological parameters on influenza incidence during 2010–2019 in Lanzhou. The results are expected to facilitate the optimization of influenza-related public health policies by the local healthcare departments.

Methods

Descriptive data related to influenza incidence and meteorology during 2010–2019 in Lanzhou were analyzed. The exposure-response relationship between the risk of influenza occurrence and meteorological parameters was explored according to the distributed lag no-linear model (DLNM) with Poisson distribution. The response surface model and stratified model were used to estimate the interactive effect between relative humidity (RH) and other meteorological parameters on influenza incidence.

Results

A total of 6701 cases of influenza were reported during 2010–2019. DLNM results showed that the risk of influenza would gradually increase as the weekly mean average ambient temperature (AT), RH, and absolute humidity (AH) decrease at lag 3 weeks when they were lower than 12.16°C, 51.38%, and 5.24 g/m3, respectively. The low Tem (at 5th percentile, P5) had the greatest effect on influenza incidence; the greatest estimated relative risk (RR) was 4.54 (95%CI: 3.19–6.46) at cumulative lag 2 weeks. The largest estimates of RRs for low RH (P5) and AH (P5) were 4.81 (95%CI: 3.82–6.05) and 4.17 (95%CI: 3.30–5.28) at cumulative lag 3 weeks, respectively. An increase in AT by 1°C led to an estimates of percent change (95%CI) of 3.12% (−4.75% to −1.46%) decrease in the weekly influenza case counts in a low RH environment. In addition, RH showed significant interaction with AT and AP on influenza incidence but not with wind speed.

Conclusion

This study indicated that low AT, low humidity (RH and AH), and high air pressure (AP) increased the risk of influenza. Moreover, the interactive effect of low RH with low AT and high AP can aggravate the incidence of influenza.