bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental health service contact following release from prison or hospital discharge in those with psychosis
Authors: Chowdhury Nabila Z. , Wand Handan , Albalawi Olayan , Adily Armita , Kariminia Azar , Allnutt Stephen , Sara Grant , Dean Kimberlie , Ellis Andrew , Greenberg David , Schofield Peter W. , Butler Tony
Published: December 2022

Background

An association exists between psychosis and criminal offending, which evidence suggests can be reduced by effective mental health care for this vulnerable population. However mental health services often lose contact with people after diagnosis. The association between the first episode of psychosis and criminal offending highlights the need for effective mental health care for this vulnerable population.

Aims

To investigate the association between the first diagnosis of psychosis (FDP) in prison or hospital and subsequent mental health service contact following release from prison or discharge from hospital.

Materials and methods

Individuals with a FDP either in prison (n = 492) or hospital setting (n = 24,910) between July 2006 and December 2011 in NSW (Australia), were followed post-release or discharge until their first mental health service contact in the community, the occurrence of an offence, death, or completion of the study period at the end of December 2012. Cox regression models were used to examine the predictors for the mental health service contacts following release or discharge.

Results

Over 70% of those with a FDP in prison or hospital had a psychosis-related or any community-based mental health service contact following release or discharge between July 2006 and December 2012. Those with a FDP in prison were more likely to have no contact with mental health services than those in hospital with no prior offence record (hazard ratio, HR = 3.14, 95% CI: 2.66–3.72 and adjusted hazard ratio, aHR = 3.05, 95% CI: 2.56–3.63) within a median follow-up time of 25 days for the prison group and 26 days for hospital group. Males, individuals of Aboriginal heritage and individuals diagnosed with substance-related psychoses compared to those with schizophrenia and related psychoses were less likely to have a mental health service contact following release or discharge in both the univariable and multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

This study suggests that prior offending or a previous prison episode represents a barrier to mental health service contact in the community for those with a FDP. Effective rehabilitation planning while exiting prison and discharge planning from hospital are essential to the successful reintegration of these individuals with a FDP.
Design and recruitment of a large-scale cohort study on prevalence, risk factors and impact evaluation of post-COVID-19 condition and its wider long-term social, mental, and physical health impact: The PRIME post-COVID study
Authors: Pagen Demi M. E. , van Bilsen Céline J. A. , Brinkhues Stephanie , Moonen Chrissy P. B. , Van Herck Maarten , Konings Kevin , den Heijer Casper D. J. , Mujakovic Suhreta , ter Waarbeek Henriëtte L. G. , Bouwmeester-Vincken Noortje , Vaes Anouk W. , Spruit Martijn A. , Hoebe Christian J. P. A. , Dukers-Muijrers Nicole H. T. M.
Published: December 2022

Background

Persistent symptoms, described as long COVID or post-COVID-19 condition, pose a potential public health problem. Here, the design and recruitment of the PRIME post-COVID study is described. PRIME post-COVID is a large-scale population-based observational study that aims to improve understanding of the occurrence, risk factors, social, physical, mental, emotional, and socioeconomic impact of post-COVID-19 condition.

Methods

An observational open cohort study was set up, with retrospective and prospective assessments on various health-conditions and health-factors (medical, demographic, social, and behavioral) based on a public health COVID-19 test and by self-report (using online questionnaires in Dutch language). Invited for participation were, as recorded in a public health registry, adults (18 years and older) who were tested for COVID-19 and had a valid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) positive or negative test result, and email address. In November 2021, 61,655 individuals were invited by email to participate, these included all eligible adults who tested PCR positive between 1 June 2020 and 1 November 2021, and a sample of adults who tested negative (2:1), comparable in distribution of age, sex, municipality of residence and year-quarter of testing. New recruitment periods are planned as well. Participants are followed over time by regular follow-up measurements. Data are analyzed using the appropriate data-analyses methods.

Discussion

The PRIME post-COVID study will provide insights into various health-related aspects of post-COVID-19 condition in the context of various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results will inform practical guidance for society, clinical and public health practice for the prevention and care for long-term impact of COVID-19.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier

NCT05128695.
Harassment disparities and risk profile within lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Spanish adult population: Comparisons by age, gender identity, sexual orientation, and perpetration context
Authors: Devís-Devís José , Pereira-García Sofía , Valencia-Peris Alexandra , Vilanova Anna , Gil-Quintana Javier
Published: December 2022

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) harassment disparities have become a public health issue due to discrimination and the effects on these people's health and wellbeing. The purpose was to compare harassment disparities within the Spanish adult LGBT population according to age, gender identity, sexual orientation and the context of perpetration and to describe the harassment risk profile. A sample of 1,051 LGBT adults participated in a cross-sectional study. Frequencies, percentages and Chi-square tests of independence for stablishing significant differences (p < 0.05) were calculated. The corrected standardized residuals allowed to identify the categories in which significant differences emerged. Binomial logistic regression was used to define the probability of the main LGBT groups of suffering harassment. Results show that 54.4% of the participants had experienced harassment. Young adults presented a higher prevalence than the older group. There were significant harassment differences between transgender (67.2%) and cisgender (52.7%) groups, and also between the subgroup of trans women (75.8%) and the subgroups of cis men (60.2%) and cis women (42.9%). The main disparities according to sexual orientation emerged between lesbian trans and the other LGB groups. Most harassment occurred in educational contexts and public spaces. Trans-women and trans non-binary reported a higher rate of harassment than cis LGB persons in all contexts. Trans people with different orientations (especially lesbian and gay trans) differed in harassment from LGB cis in four of the six contexts analyzed. Harassment is likely to diminish between 2 and 3% each year as LGBTs get older in educational contexts and public spaces but increases 1.07 times in the workplace. Trans women, trans non-binary, lesbian cis and trans-men were more likely to suffer harassment than bisexual cis persons. Trans women present the highest risk of harassment in three contexts (workplace, family and public spaces) and trans non-binary in the other three contexts (education, health and sport). Harassment is a serious problem for LGBT adults in Spain, especially among trans people, which differ in characteristics from those of the sexual minorities mainstream. Programs and policies targeted for improving health should therefore consider the differences that came to light in this study.
Emotional wellbeing in intercity travel: Factors affecting passengers' long-distance travel moods
Authors: Li Xiaowei , Wang Yuting , Tang Junqing , Shi Lanxin , Zhao Ting , Chen Jun
Published: December 2022

The travel mood perception can significantly affect passengers' mental health and their overall emotional wellbeing when taking transport services, especially in long-distance intercity travels. To explore the key factors influencing intercity travel moods, a field survey was conducted in Xi'an to collect passengers' individual habits, travel characteristics, moods, and weather conditions. Travel mood was defined using the 5-Likert scale, based on degrees of happiness, panic, anxiety, and tiredness. A support vector machine (SVM) and ordered logit model were used in tandem for determinant identification and exploring their respective influences on travel moods. The results showed that gender, age, occupation, personal monthly income, car ownership, external temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, air quality index, visibility, travel purposes, intercity travel mode, and intercity travel time were all salient influential variables. Specifically, intercity travel mode ranked the first in affecting panic and anxiety (38 and 39% importance, respectively); whereas occupation was the most important factor affecting happiness (23% importance). Moreover, temperature appeared as the most important influencing factor of tiredness (22% importance). These findings help better understand the emotional health of passengers in long-distance travel in China.
The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders related symptoms and the association with working place among healthcare workers who were in the fighting against COVID-19 in regional China
Authors: Zhang Yan , Guan Yue , Shen Ya , Qiao Huifen , Yuan Jie , Xu Fei
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) related symptoms among healthcare workers (HWs) who were in the fighting against COVID-19 in Nanjing of China, and further to examine the association between working place and FGIDs-related symptoms among HWs during the period of COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods

An online anonymous survey was conducted among those HWs without history of FGIDs, who took part in the fighting against the COVID-19 epidemic between July and September of 2021 in Nanjing, China. All the 15 FGIDs-related symptoms included in the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire for adults were investigated in this study. The outcome variable was the presence of FGIDs-related symptoms (“Yes” or “No”), while the independent measure was participants' working place (“in-ward” or “out-ward”). Logistics regression models were applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the association of working place with FGIDs-related symptoms among those healthcare workers.

Results

Totally, 336 eligible participants completed the survey. The prevalence of FGIDs-related symptoms was 48.8% (95%CI = 43.4%, 54.3%) among overall participants, with 40.7% (95%CI = 33.14%, 48.71%) and 56.3% (95%CI = 48.59%, 63.73%) for in-ward and out-ward HWs, respectively. Compared to their in-ward counterparts, those out-ward HWs were at a 1.88-fold likelihood (95%CI = 1.22, 2.89) to experience FGIDs-related symptoms during the period of fighting against the COVID-19 epidemic. After adjustment for potential confounders, such a positive association attenuated but still remained significant.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of FGIDs-related symptoms was observed among those HWs who were without history of FGIDs during the fighting against COVID-19, and out-ward HWs were at a significantly higher risk to experience FGIDs-related symptoms relative to their in-ward counterparts in regional China. It has important implications that particular attention shall be paid to functional gastrointestinal issues for healthcare workers, especially those who are at uncertain risks of infectious diseases, when they participate in response to public health emergencies in future.
Visiting crowded places during the COVID-19 pandemic. A panel study among adult Norwegians
Authors: Aarø Leif Edvard , Veneti Lamprini , Vedaa Øystein , Smith Otto R. F. , De Blasio Birgitte Freiesleben , Robberstad Bjarne
Published: December 2022

Non-pharmaceutical interventions, including promotion of social distancing, have been applied extensively in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding cognitive and psychological factors regulating precautionary behavior is important for future management. The present study examines the importance of selected factors as predictors of having visited or intended to visit crowded places. Six online questionnaire-based waves of data collection were conducted in April–October 2020 in a Norwegian panel (≥18 years). Sample size at Wave 1 was 1,400. In the present study, “Visited or intended to visit crowded places” for different types of locations were the dependent variables. Predictors included the following categories of items: Perceived response effectiveness, Self-efficacy, Vulnerability, Facilitating factors and Barriers. Data were analyzed with frequency and percentage distributions, descriptives, correlations, principal components analysis, negative binomial-, binary logistic-, and multiple linear regression, and cross-lagged panel models. Analyses of dimensionality revealed that a distinction had to be made between Grocery stores, a location visited by most, and locations visited by few (e.g., “Pub,” “Restaurants,” “Sports event”). We merged the latter set of variables into a countscore denoted as “Crowded places.” On the predictor side, 25 items were reduced to eight meanscores. Analyses of data from Wave 1 revealed a rather strong prediction of “Crowded places” and weaker associations with “Supermarket or other store for food.” Across waves, in multiple negative binomial regression models, three meanscore predictors turned out to be consistently associated with “Crowded places.” These include “Response effectiveness of individual action,” “Self-efficacy with regard to avoiding people,” and “Barriers.” In a prospective cross-lagged model, a combined Response effectiveness and Self-efficacy score (Cognition) predicted behavior (“Visited or intended to visit crowded places”) prospectively and vice versa. The results of this study suggest some potential to reduce people's visits to crowded locations during the pandemic through health education and behavior change approaches that focus on strengthening individuals' perceived response effectiveness and self-efficacy.
Chinese parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Yundi , Ren Jingjing , Zheng Yang , Cai Dongping , Li Shuai , Li Yangni
Published: December 2022

Introduction

To evaluate Chinese parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, identify its predictors, and provide a reference for raising the COVID-19 vaccination rate for children.

Method

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and the databases in Chinese, including CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, were searched from December 2019 to June 2022, and citation tracking was used to identify relevant studies. To calculate the rate with 95% confidence intervals (CI), a random-effects model was used. To explore sources of heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted. This analysis was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022346866) and reported in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines.

Result

Overall, 80 studies were screened, and 13 studies with 47994 parents were included after removing duplicates and excluding 19 studies that did not meet the selection criteria by title, abstract and full-text screening. The pooled willingness rate of Chinese parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 was 70.0% (95% CI: 62.0~78.0%). Level of education, perceived susceptibility of children infected with COVID-19, and parental attitudes toward vaccination (such as perceived efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines, parental willingness to vaccinate themselves, parental vaccination hesitancy, and the history of children's vaccination against influenza) were the main predictors of parents' intention to vaccinate their children.

Discussion

Chinese parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 is moderate, and factors including parental education level, perceived susceptibility of children infected with COVID-19, and parental attitudes toward vaccination affect this decision. Fully identifying these factors and their mechanism will be essential to further raise the willingness rate.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022346866.
Supporting schools during the implementation of the health-promoting school approach: The roles of a healthy school advisor
Authors: Bartelink Nina , van Dongen Bonnie , Kremers Stef , Renders Carry , van Vlokhoven Boukje , van Koperen Marije , van Assema Patricia
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The health-promoting school (HPS) approach was developed by the World Health Organization to create health promotion changes in the whole school system. Implementing the approach can be challenging for schools because schools are dynamic organizations with each a unique context. Many countries worldwide have a health promotion system in place in which healthy school (HS) advisors support schools in the process of implementing the HPS approach. Even though these HS advisors can take on various roles to provide support in an adaptive and context-oriented manner, these roles have not yet been described. The current study aims to identify and describe the key roles of the HS advisor when supporting schools during the dynamic process of implementing the HPS approach.

Methods

The study was part of a project in which a capacity-building module was developed for and with HS advisors in the Netherlands. In the current study, a co-creation process enabled by participatory research was used in which researchers, HS advisors, national representatives, and coordinators of the Dutch HS program participated. Co-creation processes took place between October 2020 and November 2021 and consisted of four phases: (1) a narrative review of the literature, (2) interviews, (3) focus groups, and (4) a final check.

Results

Five roles were identified. The role of “navigator” as a more central one and four other roles: “linking pin,” “expert in the field,” “critical friend,” and “ambassador of the HPS approach.” The (final) description of the five roles was recognizable for the HS advisors that participated in the study, and they indicated that it provided a comprehensive overview of the work of an HS advisor in the Netherlands.

Discussion

The roles can provide guidance to all Dutch HS advisors and the regional public health organizations that employ them on what is needed to provide sufficient and context-oriented support to schools. These roles can inspire and guide people from other countries to adapt the roles to their own national context.
Impact of insurance status and distance from residence to treatment center on the outcomes of patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Mahmoud Maya , Al Mahmasani Layal , Charafeddine Maya , Zahreddine Ammar , Moukalled Nour , El Cheikh Jean , Bazarbachi Ali , Abou Dalle Iman
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Numerous factors may affect the survival outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), mainly disease-related and treatment-related factors. The impact of other factors, such as the insurance status and the distance to healthcare facilities, are still unclear and may differ between different healthcare systems. We investigated the effects of insurance status and distance to the treatment center on the survival of AML patients.

Materials and methods

This is a single-center, observational, retrospective study of patients diagnosed with AML (2015–2020) and treated at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon. Data regarding patient baseline characteristics, disease-related factors, insurance status, and area of residence were collected. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify main independent predictors of overall survival (OS).

Results

We identified 142 AML patients with a median age of 52 years (range 18–86). Of them, 91 (64%) were males, 77 (54%) had ELN intermediate risk, and 88 (62%) patients received intensive chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 22.4 months, the median RFS and OS were 37.4 months and not reached, respectively. A Cox regression model for OS was done using the following variables: age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, smoking status, insurance status, distance from the center, ELN classification, treatment used, and allotransplant. A higher risk of death was seen among the uninsured patients and those living beyond 40 km from the treatment center compared with fully insured patients and those living in proximity to the center (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.65; 95% CI [1.79, 7.45], p-value <0.0001; HR: 4.38; 95% CI [1.75, 10.95], p-value 0.002, respectively).

Conclusions

The outcome of patients with AML does not depend only on disease-related factors, as the insurance status and the distance from the area of residence to the treatment center were found to be independent predictors of survival in AML patients.
Socio-conversational systems: Three challenges at the crossroads of fields
Authors: Clavel Chloé , Labeau Matthieu , Cassell Justine
Published: December 2022

Socio-conversational systems are dialogue systems, including what are sometimes referred to as chatbots, vocal assistants, social robots, and embodied conversational agents, that are capable of interacting with humans in a way that treats both the specifically social nature of the interaction and the content of a task. The aim of this paper is twofold: 1) to uncover some places where the compartmentalized nature of research conducted around socio-conversational systems creates problems for the field as a whole, and 2) to propose a way to overcome this compartmentalization and thus strengthen the capabilities of socio-conversational systems by defining common challenges. Specifically, we examine research carried out by the signal processing, natural language processing and dialogue, machine/deep learning, social/affective computing and social sciences communities. We focus on three major challenges for the development of effective socio-conversational systems, and describe ways to tackle them.
Improved sorbent for the removal of hydrocarbons spilled in water
Authors: Díaz Miguel Angel Díaz , Frómeta Amado Enrique Navarro , Muñoz Carlos Lázaro Sosa
Published: December 2022

Oil contamination of ecologically sensitive aquifer systems is a major global environmental problem. Depending on their availability, there is a trend to seek sorbent materials based on natural fibers, for their high adsorption capacity and biodegradability. The objective of this work was to obtain a sorbent material, by carbonizing sugarcane bagasse chemically modified to clean the water contaminated by oil. Tests were carried out to determine the sorption capacity of the carbonized material as a type II sorbent according to ASTM method F 726-17. The optimal particle size for which the sorption capacity was greater, was above 2.0 mm. The sorbent obtained was tested on water contaminated with crude oil, and a comparative evaluation was made between this material and a commercially existing one. As a result of the experiments, very similar values were obtained between the properties of both sorbent materials. Thus, it is concluded that the carbonized bagasse material can be used as hydrocarbon sorbent material.
From my skin to your skin: Virtual image of a hand of different skin color influences movement duration of the real hand in Black and White individuals and influences racial bias
Authors: Ambron Elisabetta , Goldstein Shayna , Miller Alexander , Hamilton Roy H. , Coslett H. Branch
Published: December 2022

Virtual reality (VR) allows individuals to experience someone else’s body, but the possible effects of this embodiment on attitudes and biases are not fully understood. Using a virtual reality (VR) task, we had previously shown that changes in the visual image of the hand influenced action: when the visual image of one’s hand was spatially displaced, participants acted as if the virtual hand was theirs. Here we tested whether these effects vary depending on the match between the skin color of the individual and the virtual hand. Black and White participants performed reaching movements with dark or light hands of naturalistic skin tones, or purple hands. As in our previous work, the correspondence between the location of the real and virtual hands was systematically varied. Both Black and White participants showed changes in the temporal and spatial parameters of the movements with the virtual hand of different colors indicating that the hand had been embodied. A larger effect of the illusion was observed in Black as compared to White individuals when performing the action with a dark-skin virtual hand. Ownership of the virtual hand that matched the participants’ skin color was associated with their explicit attitude towards their in-group in Black participants and with empathic abilities in White individuals. Importantly, performing the task with a dark-skin hand reduced the implicit racial bias of White individuals. These data show that body representation is malleable and influenced by online perceptual factors as well as attitudes and biases. Our findings raise the possibility that altering the representation of one’s body may be used to change participants’ perspectives regarding social issues.
Subsets of the population benefitting from the pandemic: What policies and practices should be arranged to sustainably maintain beneficiaries' mental health
Authors: Hung Jason
Published: December 2022

Here researchers have the disposition to engage in the scholarly discourse on how the pandemic adversely influenced individuals' mental health and what remedies should be exercised in response to the mental health challenges. There is a shortage of scholarly discussion about who benefitted from the occurrence of the pandemic. Mancini et al. argued that the pandemic benefitted the social and mental health functioning of a subset of the population, despite the pandemic causing considerable risks of harm to mental health. In this perspective, the author summarizes relevant findings and arguments to present which subsets of the population benefitted at school, at home, and in the workplace during the pandemic. Although COVID-19 is no longer deemed a pandemic, many by-products of the public health crisis, including the encouragement of remote work and studies, remain. In this perspective, by understanding who benefitted from the pandemic and why, the author can evaluate if any public policies formed in response to the pandemic should be kept in the long run in order to maximize individuals' mental health.
Synchronous liver and peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer: Is cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy combined with liver resection a feasible option?
Authors: Di Carlo Sara , Cavallaro Giuseppe , La Rovere Francesca , Usai Valeria , Siragusa Leandro , Izzo Paolo , Izzo Luciano , Fassari Alessia , Izzo Sara , Franceschilli Marzia , Rossi Piero , Dhimolea Sirvjo , Fiori Enrico , Sibio Simone
Published: December 2022

Background

Traditionally, synchronous liver resection (LR), cytoreductive surgery (CRS), and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal liver and peritoneal metastases have been contraindicated. Nowadays, clinical practice has promoted this aggressive treatment in selected cases. This study aimed to review surgical and survival results of an extensive surgical approach including CRS with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and LR.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were matched to find the available literature on this topic. The search period was limited to 10 years (January 2010–January 2021). A threshold of case series of 10 patients or more was applied.

Results

In the search period, out of 114 studies found about liver and peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer, we found 18 papers matching the inclusion criteria. Higher morbidity and mortality were reported for patients who underwent such an extensive surgical approach when compared with patients who underwent only cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC. Also, survival rates seem worse in the former than in the latter.

Conclusion

The role of combined surgical strategy in patients with synchronous liver and peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer remains controversial. Survival rates and morbidity and mortality seem not in favor of this option. A more accurate selection of patients and more restrictive surgical indications could perhaps help improve results in this subgroup of patients with limited curative options.
Risk factors for therapy failure after surgery for perianal abscess in children
Authors: Doerner Johannes , Seiberth Rose , Jafarov Sakhavat , Zirngibl Hubert , Boenicke Lars
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The role of surgery in managing perianal abscesses in the pediatric population is debatable, and data on recurrence risk is rare. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of surgery for a perianal abscess in children and identify parameters that predict recurrence.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of all children younger than age 14 requiring surgery for a perianal abscess from 2000 to 2018.

Results

Out of 103 enrolled patients, 27 (26%) had recurrent perianal disease. Recurrences appeared after a median of 5 months (range: 1–18 months), in 12 cases as perianal abscess and 15 cases as fistula in ano. Anal fistula probing was performed in 33% of all patients, of which 16 (15%) underwent fistulotomy. In univariate analysis, older age (p = 0.034), fistula probing (p = 0.006) and fistulotomy (p = 0.009) was associated with treatment success. History of perianal abscess, multilocal occurrence, and the presence of enteric flora in wound swabs was associated with treatment failure (p = 0.002, OR = 0.032). In multivariate analysis, anal fistula probing was independently associated with treatment success (p = 0.019, OR = 22.08), while the history of perianal abscess was associated with treatment failure (p = 0.002, OR = 0.032).

Conclusion

Our study identified probing for fistula as a predictor of therapy success, while the history of perianal abscess was identified as a predictor of treatment failure. Therefore, in all children with perianal abscess, fistula probing and if present, fistulotomy should be performed.
Thermal stress-related physiological, behavioral, and serum biochemical responses in indigenous pigs adapted to Eastern Himalayan region
Authors: Govindasamy Kadirvel , Gonmei Chamniugongliu , Singh Ningthoujam Suraj , Singh Nakambam Manoranjan
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The current study was carried out to investigate the effect of micro-environmental variations on physiological, behavioral, and serum biochemical parameters of indigenous (Niang Megha), Hampshire, and crossbred (75% Hampshire X 25% Niang Megha).

Methods

Rectal temperature (TR), skin surface temperature (TSS), respiration rate (RR), and heart rate (HR) were recorded at 0,900 and 1,600 h weekly once for 2 months for each season in grower pigs of each genotype. CCTV video cameras were utilized to observe the behavioral changes. Five milliliters of blood samples was collected to estimate different biochemical parameters.

Results

Season affected (p < 0.05) all physiological parameters which generally increased during summer except TR and RR of indigenous pig. TR, TSS, RR, and HR were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for Hampshire than for indigenous and crossbred in the summer season. The frequency and behavioral activities to heat loss or to conserve heat such as shivering and wallowing were lower except for physical activity that was higher at all times in indigenous pigs. Seasonal variations influenced metabolic activity and serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine transaminase (ALT), which rose in summer in all genotypes. Serum ALP and thyroxine (T4) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for indigenous pig in both the seasons. The insulin level was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in indigenous pigs with no significant difference between Hampshire and crossbred in summer whereas there was significant difference among the genotypes in winter. However, superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed no significant difference in the study. Indigenous pigs had the lowest serum cortisol concentrations, whereas Hampshire had the highest.

Conclusion

The current study's findings on several parameters of three different genotypes suggest that indigenous pigs in this region are more adaptable to the region's changing climatic conditions.
Proteomics approaches: A review regarding an importance of proteome analyses in understanding the pathogens and diseases
Authors: Zubair Muhammad , Wang Jia , Yu Yanfei , Faisal Muhammad , Qi Mingpu , Shah Abid Ullah , Feng Zhixin , Shao Guoqing , Wang Yu , Xiong Qiyan
Published: December 2022

Proteomics is playing an increasingly important role in identifying pathogens, emerging and re-emerging infectious agents, understanding pathogenesis, and diagnosis of diseases. Recently, more advanced and sophisticated proteomics technologies have transformed disease diagnostics and vaccines development. The detection of pathogens is made possible by more accurate and time-constrained technologies, resulting in an early diagnosis. More detailed and comprehensive information regarding the proteome of any noxious agent is made possible by combining mass spectrometry with various gel-based or short-gun proteomics approaches recently. MALDI-ToF has been proved quite useful in identifying and distinguishing bacterial pathogens. Other quantitative approaches are doing their best to investigate bacterial virulent factors, diagnostic markers and vaccine candidates. Proteomics is also helping in the identification of secreted proteins and their virulence-related functions. This review aims to highlight the role of cutting-edge proteomics approaches in better understanding the functional genomics of pathogens. This also underlines the limitations of proteomics in bacterial secretome research.
Research on Key Technologies of Planting Machinery and Combine Harvester
Authors: Li Hua , Xu Lizhang
Published: December 2022

Vegetable production machinery has developed considerably over the years [...]
Clicker Training Mice for Improved Compliance in the Catwalk Test
Authors: Dickmann Jana , Gonzalez-Uarquin Fernando , Reichel Sandra , Pichl Dorothea , Radyushkin Konstantin , Baumgart Jan , Baumgart Nadine
Published: December 2022

The CatWalk test relies on the run of mice across the platform to measure a constant speed with low variation. Mice usually require a stimulus to walk to the end of the catwalk. However, such stimuli are usually aversive and can impair welfare. Positive reinforcement training of laboratory animals is a thriving tool for refinement and contributes to meeting the demands instituted by Directive 2010/63/EU. We have already demonstrated the positive effects of clicker training. In this study, we trained male and female mice to complete the CatWalk protocol while assessing the effects of training on their well-being (Open Filed and Elevated Plus Maze). In the CatWalk test, we observed that clicker training improved the running speed of the mice. In addition, clicker training reduced the number of runs required by mice, which was more pronounced in males. Clicker training lowered anxiety-like behaviors in our mice, especially in females, where a significant difference was observed between trained and untrained ones. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that clicker training is an effective tool to motivate mice and increase performance on the CatWalk test without potentially impairing their welfare (e.g., by puffing them).
PM2.5-Related Health Risk during Chinese Spring Festival in Taizhou, Zhejiang: The Health Impacts of COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Wu Quanquan , Wang Xianglian , Ji Kai , Qiu Haibing , Feng Weiwei , Huang Shan , Huang Ting , Li Jianlong , Wu Daishe
Published: December 2022

Exposure to high concentrations of fine particles (PM2.5) with toxic metals can have significant health effects, especially during the Chinese spring festival (CSF), due to the large amount of fireworks’ emissions. Few studies have focused on the potential health impact of PM2.5 pollution in small cities in China during the 2020 CSF, which coincided with the COVID-19 outbreak that posed a huge challenge to the environment and obvious health issues to countries around the world. We examined the characteristics of PM2.5, including carbonaceous matter and elements, for three intervals during the 2020 CSF in Taizhou, identified the sources and evaluated the health risks, and compared them with those of 2018. The results showed that PM2.5 increased by 13.20% during the 2020 CSF compared to those in the 2018 CSF, while carbonaceous matter (CM) and elements decreased by 39.41% and 53.84%, respectively. The synergistic effects of emissions, chemistry, and transport may lead to increased PM2.5 pollution, while the lockdown measures contributed to the decrease in CM and elements during the 2020 CSF. Fe, Mn, and Cu were the most abundant elements in PM2.5 in both years, and As and Cr(VI) should be of concern as their concentrations in both years exceeded the NAAQS guideline values. Industry, combustion, and mineral/road dust sources were identified by PCA in both years, with a 5.87% reduction in the contribution from industry in 2020 compared to 2018. The noncarcinogenic risk posed by As, Co, Mn, and Ti in 2018 and As and Mn in 2020 was significant. The carcinogenic risk posed by As, Cr(VI), and Pb exceeded the accepted precautionary limit (1 × 10−6) in both years. Mn was the dominant contributor to the total noncarcinogenic risks, while Cr(VI) showed the largest excessive cancer risks posed by metals in PM2.5, implying its associated source, industry, was the greatest risk to people in Taizhou after exposure to PM2.5. Despite the increase in PM2.5 mass concentration, the health impacts were reduced by the lockdown policy implemented in Taizhou during the 2020 CSF compared to 2018. Our study highlights the urgent need to consider the mitigation of emissions in Taizhou and regional joint management efforts based on health protection objectives despite the rough source apportionment by PCA.
Prediction and Interpretation of Low-Level Wind Shear Criticality Based on Its Altitude above Runway Level: Application of Bayesian Optimization–Ensemble Learning Classifiers and SHapley Additive exPlanations
Authors: Khattak Afaq , Chan Pak-Wai , Chen Feng , Peng Haorong
Published: December 2022

Low-level wind shear (LLWS) is a rare occurrence and yet poses a major hazard to the safety of aircraft. LLWS event occurrence within 800 feet of the runway level are dangerous to approaching and departing aircraft and must be accurately predicted. In this study, first the Bayesian Optimization–Ensemble Learning Classifiers (BO-ELCs) including Adaptive Boosting, Light Gradient Boosting Machine, Categorical Boosting, Extreme Gradient Boosting, and Random Forest were trained and tested using a dataset of 234 LLWS events extracted from pilot flight reports (PIREPS) and weather reports at Hong Kong International Airport. Afterward, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) algorithm was utilized to interpret the best BO-ELC. Based on the testing set, the results revealed that the Bayesian Optimization–Random Forest Classifier outperformed the other BO-ELCs in accuracy (0.714), F1-score (0.713), AUC-ROC (0.76), and AUR-PRC (0.75). The SHAP analysis found that the hourly temperature, wind speed, and runway 07LA were the top three crucial factors. A high hourly temperature and a moderate-to-high wind speed made Runway 07LA vulnerable to the occurrence of critical LLWS events. This research was a first attempt to forecast the criticality of LLWS in airport runway vicinities and will assist civil aviation airport authorities in making timely flight operation decisions.
A Fresh Approach to a Special Type of the Luria–Delbrück Distribution
Authors: Zheng Qi
Published: December 2022

The mutant distribution that accommodates both fitness and plating efficiency is an important class of the Luria–Delbrück distribution. Practical algorithms for computing this distribution do not coincide with the theoretically most elegant ones, as existing generic methods often either produce unreliable results or freeze the computational process altogether when employed to solve real-world research problems. Exploiting properties of the hypergeometric function, this paper offers an algorithm that considerably expands the scope of application of this important class of the Luria–Delbrück distribution. An integration method is also devised to complement the novel algorithm. Asymptotic properties of the mutant probability are derived to help gauge the new algorithm. An illustrative example and simulation results provide further guidelines on the use of the new algorithm.
The Contribution of the Locus Coeruleus–Noradrenaline System Degeneration during the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Mercan Dilek , Heneka Michael Thomas
Published: December 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is characterized by extracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide and intracellular aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau, is the most common form of dementia. Memory loss, cognitive decline and disorientation are the ultimate consequences of neuronal death, synapse loss and neuroinflammation in AD. In general, there are many brain regions affected but neuronal loss in the locus coeruleus (LC) is one of the earliest indicators of neurodegeneration in AD. Since the LC is the main source of noradrenaline (NA) in the brain, degeneration of the LC in AD leads to decreased NA levels, causing increased neuroinflammation, enhanced amyloid and tau burden, decreased phagocytosis and impairment in cognition and long-term synaptic plasticity. In this review, we summarized current findings on the locus coeruleus–noradrenaline system and consequences of its dysfunction which is now recognized as an important contributor to AD progression.
A Review: Research Progress of Neural Probes for Brain Research and Brain–Computer Interface
Authors: Luo Jiahui , Xue Ning , Chen Jiamin
Published: December 2022

Neural probes, as an invasive physiological tool at the mesoscopic scale, can decipher the code of brain connections and communications from the cellular or even molecular level, and realize information fusion between the human body and external machines. In addition to traditional electrodes, two new types of neural probes have been developed in recent years: optoprobes based on optogenetics and magnetrodes that record neural magnetic signals. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of these three kinds of neural probes. We firstly discuss the development of microelectrodes and strategies for their flexibility, which is mainly represented by the selection of flexible substrates and new electrode materials. Subsequently, the concept of optogenetics is introduced, followed by the review of several novel structures of optoprobes, which are divided into multifunctional optoprobes integrated with microfluidic channels, artifact-free optoprobes, three-dimensional drivable optoprobes, and flexible optoprobes. At last, we introduce the fundamental perspectives of magnetoresistive (MR) sensors and then review the research progress of magnetrodes based on it.
Comparison of Biosensing Methods Based on Different Isothermal Amplification Strategies: A Case Study with Erwinia amylovora
Authors: Ivanov Aleksandr V. , Safenkova Irina V. , Drenova Natalia V. , Zherdev Anatoly V. , Dzantiev Boris B.
Published: December 2022

Isothermal amplifications allow for the highly sensitive detection of nucleic acids, bypassing the use of instrumental thermal cycling. This work aimed to carry out an experimental comparison of the four most promising techniques: recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) coupled with lateral flow test or coupled with additional amplification based on CRISPR/Cas12a resulting from the fluorescence of the Cas12a-cleaved probe. To compare the four amplification techniques, we chose the bacterial phytopathogen Erwinia amylovora (causative agent of fire blight), which has a quarantine significance in many countries and possesses a serious threat to agriculture. Three genes were chosen as the targets and primers were selected for each one (two for RPA and six for LAMP). They were functionalized by labels (biotin, fluorescein) at the 5′ ends for amplicons recognition by LFT. As a result, we developed LAMP-LFT, LAMP-CRISPR/Cas, RPA-LFT, and RPA-CRISPR/Cas for E. amylovora detection. The detection limit was 104 CFU/mL for LAMP-LFT, 103 CFU/mL for LAMP-CRISPR/Cas, and 102 CFU/mL for RPA-LFT and RPA-CRISPR/Cas. The results of four developed test systems were verified by qPCR on a panel of real samples. The developed assays based on RPA, LAMP, CRISPR/Cas12a, and LFT are rapid (30–55 min), user-friendly, and highly sensitive for E. amylovora detection. All proposed detection methods can be applied to fire blight diagnosis and effective management of this disease.
Cranial Ultrasound Abnormalities in Small for Gestational Age or Growth-Restricted Infants Born over 32 Weeks Gestation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Roufaeil Charlene , Razak Abdul , Malhotra Atul
Published: December 2022

Aim: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature to evaluate the incidence of cranial ultrasound abnormalities (CUAs) amongst moderate to late preterm (MLPT) and term infants, affected by fetal growth restriction (FGR) or those classified as small for gestational age (SGA). Methods: A systematic review methodology was performed, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was utilised. Descriptive and observational studies reporting cranial ultrasound outcomes on FGR/SGA MLPT and term infants were included. Primary outcomes reported was incidence of CUAs in MLPT and term infants affected by FGR or SGA, with secondary outcomes including brain structure development and growth, and cerebral artery Dopplers. A random-effects model meta-analysis was performed. Risk of Bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for case–control and cohort studies, and Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for studies reporting prevalence data. GRADE was used to assess for certainty of evidence. Results: Out of a total of 2085 studies identified through the search, seventeen were deemed to be relevant and included. Nine studies assessed CUAs in MLPT FGR/SGA infants, seven studies assessed CUAs in late preterm and term FGR/SGA infants, and one study assessed CUAs in both MLPT and term FGR/SGA infants. The incidence of CUAs in MLPT, and late preterm to term FGR/SGA infants ranged from 0.4 to 33% and 0 to 70%, respectively. A meta-analysis of 7 studies involving 168,136 infants showed an increased risk of any CUA in FGR infants compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants (RR 1.96, [95% CI 1.26–3.04], I2 = 68%). The certainty of evidence was very low due to non-randomised studies, methodological limitations, and heterogeneity. Another meta-analysis looking at 4 studies with 167,060 infants showed an increased risk of intraventricular haemorrhage in FGR/SGA infants compared to AGA infants (RR 2.40, [95% CI 2.03–2.84], I2 = 0%). This was also of low certainty. Conclusions: The incidence of CUAs in MLPT and term growth-restricted infants varied widely between studies. Findings from the meta-analyses suggest the risk of CUAs and IVH may indeed be increased in these FGR/SGA infants when compared with infants not affected by FGR, however the evidence is of low to very low certainty. Further specific cohort studies are needed to fully evaluate the benefits and prognostic value of cranial ultrasonography to ascertain the need for, and timing of a cranial ultrasound screening protocol in this infant population, along with follow-up studies to ascertain the significance of CUAs identified.