bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment and Validation of Nomogram Based on Combination of Pretreatment C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio–EBV DNA Grade in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Who Received Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Huang Zhang-Zan , Wen Wen , Hua Xin , Song Chen-Ge , Bi Xi-Wen , Huang Jia-Jia , Xia Wen , Yuan Zhong-Yu
Published: July 2021

Background

A higher ratio of pretreatment C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) is associated with poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA level is known to not only participate in the occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma but also affect the development and prognosis of the disease. Herein, we proposed that a combination of both these markers could improve the predictive prognostic ability.

Methods

In all, 842 NPC patients who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were entered in this study. We collected all patients’ blood samples and EBV DNA copy numbers within one week before any treatment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off. We employed the Kaplan–Meier method for survival analyses and the univariate and multivariate analyses (Cox proportional hazards regression model) for statistical analysis. A nomogram was constructed based on multivariate analyses results of the validation set. The model was internally validated using 1000 bootstrap samples to avoid overfitting. Another validation of 10-fold cross-validation was also applied. Calibration curves and concordance index (C-index) were calculated to determine predictive and discriminatory capacity.

Results

In the whole cohort, we observed that higher CAR, EBV DNA level, and CAR-EBV DNA (C-E) grade were associated with shorter overall survival (OS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (all P<0.05). In univariate and multivariate analyses, C-E grade was an independent prognostic factor (all P<0.05). In the training set, we gained the similar results with the whole set. According to multivariate analyses of the training set, we constructed a nomogram. The results of bootstrap samples and 10-fold cross-validation showed favorable predictive efficacy. And calibration curves of the model provided credibility to its predictive capability.

Conclusion

C-E grade was confirmed as an independent prognostic predictor in patients with NPC who received CCRT. Higher level of pretreatment C-E grade could signify a higher risk of metastasis and shorter OS. The prognostic nomogram based on C-E grade was dependable in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in HCV-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Authors: Zhao Pin , Malik Samiullah , Xing Shaojun
Published: July 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, which is largely caused by virus infection. About 80% of the virus-infected people develop a chronic infection that eventually leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With approximately 71 million HCV chronic infected patients worldwide, they still have a high risk of HCC in the near future. However, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in chronic HCV infection have not been still fully understood, which involve a complex epigenetic regulation and cellular signaling pathways. Here, we summarize 18 specific gene targets and different signaling pathways involved in recent findings. With these epigenetic alterations requiring histone modifications and DNA hyper or hypo-methylation of these specific genes, the dysregulation of gene expression is also associated with different signaling pathways for the HCV life cycle and HCC. These findings provide a novel insight into a correlation between HCV infection and HCC tumorigenesis, as well as potentially preventable approaches. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection largely causes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide with 3 to 4 million newly infected cases diagnosed each year. It is urgent to explore its underlying molecular mechanisms for therapeutic treatment and biomarker discovery. However, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in chronic HCV infection have not been still fully understood, which involve a complex epigenetic regulation and cellular signaling pathways. Here, we summarize 18 specific gene targets and different signaling pathways involved in recent findings. With these epigenetic alterations requiring histone modifications and DNA hyper or hypo-methylation of these specific genes, the dysregulation of gene expression is also associated with different signaling pathways for the HCV life cycle and HCC. These findings provide a novel insight into a correlation between HCV infection and HCC tumorigenesis, as well as potentially preventable approaches.
Prospective Multicenter Study of Chemotherapy-Induced Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile Infection in Patients With Lung Cancer: North Japan Lung Cancer Study Group Trial 1204
Authors: Toi Yukihiro , Kobayashi Takao , Harada Toshiyuki , Nakagawa Taku , Mori Yoshiaki , Kuda Tomoya , Sugawara Shunichi
Published: July 2021

Background

Diarrhea post-antibiotic use is primarily attributed to mucosal lesions induced by Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI). Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy might have a higher risk of CDI even when prior antibiotics are not used. Thus far, the relationship between lung cancer chemotherapy and the incidence of diarrhea remains unclear. This prospective multicenter study aimed to determine the incidence of CDI in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

The presence of C. difficile and its toxins was investigated in lung cancer patients experiencing diarrhea during chemotherapy including paclitaxel (PTX), nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX), docetaxel (DOC), tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil (S-1), or irinotecan (CPT-11). If grade 2 or higher diarrhea occurred, then a stool culture was performed to detect anaerobic organisms and C. difficile toxins A and B. Additional data were collected through patient interviews and medical chart review.

Results

A total of 263 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study; grade 2 or higher diarrhea was observed in 22 patients (8.4%); CDI was confirmed in five of them (1.9%). The incidence of CDI was 22.7% of all diarrhea cases, and 50% of patients treated with PTX were CDI positive; the incidence of CDI was significantly higher in patients treated with PTX (P=0.039). Among the diarrhea cases, CDI patients had significantly worse ECOG performance status (PS) (P=0.043) and a significantly higher neutrophil count (P=0.028) than non-CDI patients. No CDI patients received antibiotics before cancer chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Although diarrhea does not always affect a large portion of lung cancer chemotherapy recipients, clinicians should consider the possibility of CDI occurrence in lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, particularly PTX, without prior antibiotic exposure.
Study Progress of Noninvasive Imaging and Radiomics for Decoding the Phenotypes and Recurrence Risk of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Xu Xiaopan , Wang Huanjun , Guo Yan , Zhang Xi , Li Baojuan , Du Peng , Liu Yang , Lu Hongbing
Published: July 2021

Urinary bladder cancer (BCa) is a highly prevalent disease among aged males. Precise diagnosis of tumor phenotypes and recurrence risk is of vital importance in the clinical management of BCa. Although imaging modalities such as CT and multiparametric MRI have played an essential role in the noninvasive diagnosis and prognosis of BCa, radiomics has also shown great potential in the precise diagnosis of BCa and preoperative prediction of the recurrence risk. Radiomics-empowered image interpretation can amplify the differences in tumor heterogeneity between different phenotypes, i.e., high-grade vs. low-grade, early-stage vs. advanced-stage, and nonmuscle-invasive vs. muscle-invasive. With a multimodal radiomics strategy, the recurrence risk of BCa can be preoperatively predicted, providing critical information for the clinical decision making. We thus reviewed the rapid progress in the field of medical imaging empowered by the radiomics for decoding the phenotype and recurrence risk of BCa during the past 20 years, summarizing the entire pipeline of the radiomics strategy for the definition of BCa phenotype and recurrence risk including region of interest definition, radiomics feature extraction, tumor phenotype prediction and recurrence risk stratification. We particularly focus on current pitfalls, challenges and opportunities to promote massive clinical applications of radiomics pipeline in the near future.
Regulation of lnc-TLCD2-1 on Radiation Sensitivity of Colorectal Cancer and Comprehensive Analysis of Its Mechanism
Authors: Yu Qifeng , Zhang Wei , Zhou Xin , Shen Wenqi , Xing Chungen , Yang Xiaodong
Published: July 2021

As is well known that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, and radiation treatment plays a vital role in colorectal cancer therapy, but radiation resistance is a significant problem in the treatment of colorectal cancer. As an important member of the non-coding RNA family, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found that it plays a role in the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer in recent years. However, little is known about the effect of lncRNA on colorectal cancer sensitivity to radiotherapy. We found that lnc-TLCD2-1 was significantly differentially expressed in radiation-tolerant CCL244 cell lines and radiation-sensitive HCT116 cell lines, suggesting that lnc-TLCD2-1 may regulate the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer, and the relevant underlying mechanism was investigated. Cell clone formation assay, flow cytometry, and cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) were used to detect radiation sensitivity, apoptosis, and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, respectively; Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of genes; the direct interaction between lnc-TLCD2-1 and hsa-miR-193a-5p was verified by dual luciferase reporter assays; GEPIA, Starbase, TIMER and DAVID were used to complete expression of lnc-TLCD2-1, miR-193a-5p,YY1 and NF-кB-P65 in colorectal cancer, correlation, immune cell infiltration, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Clinical prognostic analysis data were obtained from GSE17536 dataset. After radiotherapy for HCT116, the expression of lnc-TLCD2-1 was increased, and the expression of hsa-miR-193a-5p was significantly decreased, while that of CCL244 was the opposite, and the change range of lnc-TLCD2-1 was relatively small. HCT116 with overexpression of lnc-TLCD2-1 after radiation treatment, the number of cell colonies significantly increased, and cell apoptosis decreased compared with the negative control group. The cell colonies and apoptosis of CCL244 with disturbed expression of lnc-TLCD2-1 were opposite to those of HCT116. Lnc-TLCD2-1 can regulate the expression of YY1/NF-кB-P65 by targeting miR-193a-5p. Lnc-TLCD2-1 can promote the proliferation of colorectal cancer. High expression of lnc-TLCD2-1 independently predicted a shorter survival. Lnc-TLCD2-1 is associated with radiation resistance and short survival in colorectal cancer patients. In addition, Lnc-TLCD2-1 can promote the proliferation of colorectal cancer. Our study provides a scientific basis for targeting lnc-TLCD2-1 in colorectal cancer radiation resistance interventions and selection of prognostic biomarker.
Cardiomyopathy in Genetic Aortic Diseases
Authors: Muiño-Mosquera Laura , De Backer Julie
Published: July 2021

Genetic aortic diseases are a group of illnesses characterized by aortic aneurysms or dissection in the presence of an underlying genetic defect. They are part of the broader spectrum of heritable thoracic aortic disease, which also includes those cases of aortic aneurysm or dissection with a positive family history but in whom no genetic cause is identified. Aortic disease in these conditions is a major cause of mortality, justifying clinical and scientific emphasis on the aorta. Aortic valve disease and atrioventricular valve abnormalities are known as important additional manifestations that require careful follow-up and management. The archetype of genetic aortic disease is Marfan syndrome, caused by pathogenic variants in the Fibrillin-1 gene. Given the presence of fibrillin-1 microfibers in the myocardium, myocardial dysfunction and associated arrhythmia are conceivable and have been shown to contribute to morbidity and mortality in patients with Marfan syndrome. In this review, we will discuss data on myocardial disease from human studies as well as insights obtained from the study of mouse models of Marfan syndrome. We will elaborate on the various phenotypic presentations in childhood and in adults and on the topic of arrhythmia. We will also briefly discuss the limited data available on other genetic forms of aortic disease.
Metabolites Identification of Chemical Constituents From the Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Calyx in Rats by UPLC/ESI/qTOF-MS Analysis and Their Cytotoxic Activities
Authors: Song Yuanyuan , Mei Ting , Liu Yan , Kong Shengnan , Zhang Jincheng , Xie Minzhen , Ou Shan , Liang Meixia , Wang Qi
Published: July 2021

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Calyx is a medicinal and edible traditional Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties. However, the pharmacodynamic components and metabolic characteristics remain unclear. Amide and phenylpropanoid were the two main constituents, and four amides, including n-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine (1), n-trans-p-coumaroyloctopamine (2), n-trans-p-coumaroylnoradrenline (3), n-trans-feruloyloctopamine (4), and a phenylpropanoid neochlorogenic acid (5) were selected. In this study, these five representative compounds showed cytotoxic activities on A549, HCT116, and MCF7 cells. In addition, the metabolites of 1–5 from the eggplant calyx in rats were identified. In total, 23, 37, 29, and 17 metabolites were separately characterized in rat plasma, urine, feces, and livers, by UPLC/ESI/qTOF-MS analysis. The metabolism of amides and phenylpropanoid was mainly involved in hydroxylation, methylation, glucuronidation, or sulfation reactions. Two hydroxylated metabolites (1-M2 and 2-M3) were clearly identified by comparison with reference standards. Rat liver microsome incubation experiments indicated that P450 enzymes could hydroxylate 1–5, and the methylation reaction of the 7-hydroxyl was also observed. This is the first study on the in vivo metabolism of these compounds, which lays a foundation for follow-up studies on pharmacodynamic evaluations and mechanisms.
Atractylodin Attenuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Alleviating Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Inhibiting Inflammatory Response Through the MAPK Pathway
Authors: Qu Linghang , Lin Xiong , Liu Chunlian , Ke Chang , Zhou Zhongshi , Xu Kang , Cao Guosheng , Liu Yanju
Published: July 2021

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanism of atractylodin (ATL) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. We found that atractylodin could significantly reverse the effects of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis, such as weight loss, disease activity index score; shorten the colon length, and reverse the pathological changes in the colon of mice. Atractylodin could inhibit the activation of colonic macrophages by inhibiting the MAPK pathway and alleviate intestinal inflammation in the mouse model of ulcerative colitis. Moreover, it could protect the intestinal barrier by inhibiting the decrease of the tight junction proteins, ZO-1, occludin, and MUC2. Additionally, atractylodin could decrease the abundance of harmful bacteria and increase that of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract of mice, effectively improving the intestinal microecology. In an LPS-induced macrophage model, atractylodin could inhibit the MAPK pathway and expression of the inflammatory factors of macrophages. Atractylodin could also inhibit the production of lactate, which is the end product of glycolysis; inhibit the activity of GAPDH, which is an important rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis; inhibit the malonylation of GAPDH, and, thus, inhibit the translation of TNF-α. Therefore, ours is the first study to highlight the potential of atractylodin in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and reveal its possible mechanism.
Naringin Ameliorates Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Through Endothelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition Inhibition
Authors: Wu Yonghui , Cai Changhong , Xiang Yijia , Zhao Huan , Lv Lingchun , Zeng Chunlai
Published: July 2021

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) caused by enhanced arterial pressure increases vessel resistance in the lung. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) plays key roles in the vascular remodeling in PAH. Naringin, a protective gaseous mediator is commonly extracted from tomatoes and citrus fruits (such as grapefruits), and demonstrates anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, anti-proliferation, and anti-tumor effects. Meanwhile, the association of Naringin and the process of EndMT is still unclear. In this study, monocrotaline (MCT) administration (60 mg/kg) was delivered for the induction of PAH in rats. Following this, Naringin (concentrations: 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day) was used for treatments. Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with Naringin and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1, 10 ng/ml). As the result, Naringin was demonstrated to inhibit EndMT and alleviate PAH progression. In particular, in HUVECs, Naringin significantly suppressed the mesenchymal marker expression induced by TGFβ1 treatment, enhanced the endothelial marker expression, and inhibited the activation of ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways. To conclude, this study provided novel evidence suggesting the beneficial effects of Naringin in PAH through the inhibition of the ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways and the EndMT progression in pulmonary arteries.
The Inhomogeneity of Composition Along the Magnetic Cloud Axis
Authors: Song Hongqiang , Hu Qiang , Cheng Xin , Zhang Jie , Li Leping , Zhao Ake , Wang Bing , Zheng Ruisheng , Chen Yao
Published: July 2021

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are one of the most energetic explosions in the solar system. It is generally accepted that CMEs result from eruptions of magnetic flux ropes, which are dubbed as magnetic clouds (MCs) in interplanetary space. The composition (including the ionic charge states and elemental abundances) is determined prior to and/or during CME eruptions in the solar atmosphere and does not alter during MC propagation to 1 AU and beyond. It has been known that the composition is not uniform within a cross section perpendicular to the MC axis, and the distribution of ionic charge states within a cross section provides us an important clue to investigate the formation and eruption processes of flux ropes due to the freeze-in effect. The flux rope is a three-dimensional magnetic structure intrinsically, and it remains unclear whether the composition is uniform along the flux rope axis as most MCs are only detected by one spacecraft. In this study, we report an MC that was observed by Advanced Composition Explorer at ∼1 AU during March 4–6, 1998, and Ulysses at ∼5.4 AU during March 24–28, 1998, sequentially. At these times, both spacecraft were located around the ecliptic plane, and the latitudinal and longitudinal separations between them were ∼2.2° and ∼5.5°, respectively. It provides us an excellent opportunity to explore the axial inhomogeneity of flux rope composition, as both spacecraft almost intersected the cloud center at different sites along its axis. Our study shows that the average values of ionic charge states exhibit significant difference along the axis for carbon, and the differences are relatively slight but still obvious for charge states of oxygen and iron as well as the elemental abundances of iron and helium. Besides the means, the composition profiles within the cloud measured by both spacecraft also exhibit some discrepancies. We conclude that the inhomogeneity of composition exists along the cloud axis.
YAP Translocation Precedes Cytoskeletal Rearrangement in Podocyte Stress Response: A Podometric Investigation of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Haley Kathryn E. , Elshani Mustafa , Um In Hwa , Bell Cameron , Caie Peter D. , Harrison David J. , Reynolds Paul A.
Published: July 2021

Podocyte loss plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of glomerular disease. However, the mechanisms underlying podocyte damage and loss remain poorly understood. Although detachment of viable cells has been documented in experimental Diabetic Nephropathy, correlations between reduced podocyte density and disease severity have not yet been established. YAP, a mechanosensing protein, has recently been shown to correlate with glomerular disease progression, however, the underlying mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we sought to document podocyte density in Diabetic Nephropathy using an amended podometric methodology, and to investigate the interplay between YAP and cytoskeletal integrity during podocyte injury. Podocyte density was quantified using TLE4 and GLEPP1 multiplexed immunofluorescence. Fourteen Diabetic Nephropathy cases were analyzed for both podocyte density and cytoplasmic translocation of YAP via automated image analysis. We demonstrate a significant decrease in podocyte density in Grade III/IV cases (124.5 per 106 μm3) relative to Grade I/II cases (226 per 106 μm3) (Student’s t-test, p < 0.001), and further show that YAP translocation precedes cytoskeletal rearrangement following injury. Based on these findings we hypothesize that a significant decrease in podocyte density in late grade Diabetic Nephropathy may be explained by early cytoplasmic translocation of YAP.
A Cytokinin Analog Thidiazuron Suppresses Shoot Growth in Potted Rose Plants via the Gibberellic Acid Pathway
Authors: Çelikel Fisun G. , Zhang Qingchun , Zhang Yanlong , Reid Michael S. , Jiang Cai-Zhong
Published: July 2021

Application of thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea, TDZ), a cytokinin analog, to inhibit the leaf yellowing that occurs after pinching potted rose plants, resulted in compact plants with shorter shoots and thicker internodes. Two weeks after treatment with 100 μM of TDZ, new shoots were half as long as those in control plants, and stem diameters were about 40% greater. This effect of TDZ is associated with changes in cell architecture. Although TDZ treatment stimulated ethylene production by the plants, inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis (2-aminoethoxyvinyl glycine) or action (silver thiosulfate) did not affect the response of plants to TDZ. We found that TDZ treatment significantly suppressed the expression of bioactive gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis genes encoding GA3 and GA20 oxidases and slightly increased the expression of GA catabolism genes encoding GA2 oxidase. Application of GA3and TDZ together resulted in normal elongation growth, although stem diameters were still somewhat thicker. Our results suggest that TDZ regulates shoot elongation and stem enlargement in potted rose plants through the modulation of bioactive GA biosynthesis.
Need for Cognition Is Positively Related to Promotion Focus and Negatively Related to Prevention Focus
Authors: Oiknine Ashley H. , Pollard Kimberly A. , Khooshabeh Peter , Files Benjamin T.
Published: July 2021

Need for cognition (NFC) and regulatory focus (RF) are important variables with individual differences relevant to motivation and goal pursuit. These constructs are widely used in the literature, often separately; no work has simultaneously examined the need for cognition scale (NCS) and Lockwood’s general regulatory focus measure (GRFM). Here, we explore shared theoretical underpinnings of the two constructs and assess whether they may be driven by common underlying factors. Considering purported overlaps between these scales and other constructs (e.g., personality and cognitive processes), we take a strong inference approach to test hypothesized bridges between the two measures. In a large (N = 853) sample, we found NCS to be related positively to GRFM promotion and negatively to GRFM prevention scores, suggesting mutual ties with behavioral inhibition system/behavioral activation system, intrinsic motivation, openness, and creativity. A generalized approach motivation, as well as intrinsic motivation, may thus drive both NFC and RF.
Increased Conformity to Social Hierarchy Under Public Eyes
Authors: Kim Daeeun , Kim JuYoung , Kim Hackjin
Published: July 2021

Why would people conform more to others with higher social positions? People may place higher confidence in the opinions of those who rank higher in the social hierarchy, or they may wish to make better impressions on people of higher social status. We investigated how individual preferences for novel stimuli are influenced by the preferences of others in the social hierarchy and whether anonymity affects such preference changes. After manipulation of their social rank, participants were asked to indicate how much they liked or disliked a series of images. Then, they were shown the rating given to each image by a partner (either inferior or superior in social rank) and were given a chance to adjust their ratings. The participants were more likely to change their preferences to match those of a superior partner in the public vs. private condition. The tendency to conform to the views of the superior partner was stronger among those with higher social dominance orientation (SDO) and those with greater fear of negative evaluation (FNE) by others. Altogether, the findings suggest that the motivation to make better impressions on people of higher social status can be the major driver of conformity to others with higher social positions.
Communicative Functions in Children Raised in Three Different Social Contexts in Colombia: The Key Issue of Joint Attention
Authors: Moreno Mayilín , Thommen Evelyne , Morán Elianne , Guidetti Michèle
Published: July 2021

Children’s sociocultural experiences vary around the world. Colombia is a South American country where the differences between socioeconomic statuses (SES) are huge. In this study, through the ECSP-E Scale, translated to Spanish and validated for linguistic and cultural equivalence, the development of three communicative functions was evaluated through an interactive sociopragmatic approach. The participants comprised 36 24-month-old children, raised in three different social contexts in Colombia, with the goal of comparing them across groups of SES. The lowest SES group sample subjects were representative of extreme poverty and members of an ethnic group, the Wayuú. Results for the communicative functions, namely social interaction (SI), joint attention (JA), and behavior regulation (BR), showed that the only function with no significant differences across SES was joint attention. This supports the hypothesis that the development of this function may be universal, in light of the fact that the Wayuú not only differed from other subjects in terms of their socioeconomic status but also in their culture. Higher SES was related to better social interaction, while Low SES was associated with better behavior regulation than their High SES peers. Consequently, results are discussed considering socioeconomic and cultural differences in the development of communication and social interactions, leading us to reexamine the paradigms, theories, and practices that are used when observing children raised in very poor environments.
Daily Beneficial Effects of Work-to-Family Facilitation on Employees' Recovery and General Health: Is More Work Engagement Always Better?
Authors: Carmona-Cobo Isabel , Blanco-Donoso Luis Manuel , Garrosa Eva
Published: July 2021

This study of 104 Chilean employees examines the process of WFF—recovery—general health on a daily basis. Drawing on the work–home resources (W-HR) model, we hypothesized that daily work-to-family facilitation and work engagement predict recovery experiences during off-job time in the evening (i.e., detachment from work and relaxation) and subsequent general health at night. Furthermore, we explored whether daily work engagement moderates the relationships between daily work-to-family facilitation and recovery experiences during off-job time in the evening and general health at night. In addition, we expected employees' detachment from work to have a lagged effect on next-day general health at night. Participants completed a survey and a diary booklet over 5 consecutive working days (N = 520 occasions). Multilevel analyses show that, as expected, daily work-to-family facilitation predicted recovery experiences during off-job time in the evening (i.e., detachment from work and relaxation). However, contrary to our expectations, daily work engagement only predicted general health at night. Moreover, as expected, a moderation effect of daily work engagement shows that on days that employees experience low levels of daily work engagement, daily work-to-family facilitation is strongly related to detachment from work and relaxation during off-job time in the evening and to general health at night. Unexpectedly, on days on which employees experienced high levels of daily work engagement, daily work-to-family facilitation was weakly related to these outcomes. Finally, in accordance with our expectations, detachment from work had a lagged effect on next-day general health at night. These findings offer support for the W-HR model and have theoretical and practical implications for research and organizations.
Resilience and Subjectively Experienced Stress Among Paramedics Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Piotrowski Andrzej , Makarowski Ryszard , Predoiu Radu , Predoiu Alexandra , Boe Ole
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Paramedics play a vital role in the healthcare system by providing professional support in situations of direct threat to patient health and life. They experience numerous difficulties during their work, which result in occupational stress. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their work has become even more demanding. The aim of the current study was to examine the role of resilience in the subjective experience of stress among paramedics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

The study was carried out in two phases, in October-November 2019 (N = 75) and in May-June 2020 (N = 84), using the Sense of Stress Questionnaire (Skala Poczucia Stresu) and the Resilience Scale (Skala Pomiaru Prężności).

Results

Paramedics exhibited higher intrapsychic stress before the COVID-19 pandemic. Tolerance of failure and treating life as a challenge were higher during the pandemic, in contrast to optimism and the ability to mobilize in difficult situations. Paramedics who were in contact with patients with COVID-19 experienced higher stress. Perseverance and determination, openness to new experiences and sense of humor, as well as competences and tolerance of negative emotions were revealed to play a key part in mitigating subjectively experienced stress.

Conclusion

Paramedics’ subjectively experienced stress was lower during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paramedics who were in direct contact with patients with COVID-19 experienced higher stress. They had sufficient psychological resources, in the form of resilience (perseverance and determination, openness to new experiences, sense of humor, and competences and tolerance of negative emotions), which allowed them to cope with the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Watching Eyes” Triggers Third-Party Punishment: The Role of Emotion Within the Eyes
Authors: Li Mingping , Shangguan Chenyu , Shi Huqing , Lu Jiamei
Published: July 2021

Third-party punishment refers to a behavioral phenomenon whereby people punish wrongdoers even if their sanction incurs personal costs but yields no direct benefits. Given the eye cues demonstrated ability to convey signals of being observed, its effect on third-party punishment, driven by virtue of its effects on others' perceptions, was investigated. In addition, emotional message featured in the eye region is crucial in social interaction, whether the emotion within the eyes serves this effect with varying degrees of influence has rarely considered. The present study aimed at exploring (a) the watching eyes effect on the third-party punishment and (b) whether this effect varies from negative eyes to positive eyes. By two experiments using a modified Third-Party Dictator Game, we displayed either eye images or control images above the question on whether to punish the dictators or not. There was no emotional diversity of eye cues in Experiment 1, and most participants tended to punish for unfair offer. However, the appearance of eye images increased the punishment relative to control images. In Experiment 2, the eye cues were subdivided into positive and negative. The effect of watching eyes on the third-party punishment was significantly stronger when the eyes were negative than positive. Results revealed that eye cues play a role in promoting the third-party punishment and offer a potential insight into the mixed findings, such that the emotion within the eyes, especially the negative expression in the eyes, may influence the watching eyes effect.
A Conceptual Review of Positive Teacher Interpersonal Communication Behaviors in the Instructional Context
Authors: Xie Fei , Derakhshan Ali
Published: July 2021

Following the recent special issue in Frontiers in Psychology, entitled “The Role of Teacher Interpersonal Variables in Students’ Academic Engagement, Success, and Motivation,” calling educational researchers worldwide to examine different teacher interpersonal communication behaviors that contribute to student-related academic outcomes, this conceptual review article is written to familiarize educational researchers, teachers, and students with main concepts in instructional communication and their role as the main pillar of successful teaching and learning processes. To this aim, by drawing on the positive psychology movement and the rhetorical and relational goal theory in instructional communication, we argue that positive teacher interpersonal communication behaviors are facilitators of a wide range of desirable student-related academic outcomes. Then, to support our argument, we provide empirical evidence. In doing so, we introduce and define seven instances of positive teacher interpersonal communication behaviors, namely teacher care, clarity, credibility, rapport with students, stroke, immediacy, and confirmation, and expound how they positively predict academic outcomes such as motivation, learning, engagement, involvement, class attendance, willingness to communicate, performance, and success in students. Subsequently, we highlight the critical role of teacher interpersonal variables in the foreign/second language classroom context. Next, we suggest some pedagogical implications with the potential to enlighten the practice of key educational stakeholders (i.e., teachers, students, teacher educators, materials developers, administrators, and teacher recruiters). At the end, the limitations in this line of research are identified, and avenues for future research on teacher interpersonal communication in both general education and language education domains are put forward for interested researchers.
Abnormal Functional Connectivity of the Amygdala in Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients With Depression Symptoms Revealed by Resting-State fMRI
Authors: Yang Ting , Shen Bangli , Wu Aiqin , Tang Xinglu , Chen Wei , Zhang Zhenzhong , Chen Bo , Guo Zhongwei , Liu Xiaozheng
Published: July 2021

Convergent evidence indicates that individuals with symptoms of depression exhibit altered functional connectivity (FC) of the amygdala, which is a key brain region in processing emotions. At present, the characteristics of amygdala functional circuits in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with and without depression are not clear. The current study examined the features of amygdala FC in patients with MCI with depression symptoms (D-MCI) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We acquired resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 16 patients with D-MCI, 18 patients with MCI with no depression (nD-MCI), and 20 healthy controls (HCs) using a 3T scanner and compared the strength of amygdala FC between the three groups. Patients with D-MCI exhibited significant FC differences in the amygdala–medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala–sensorimotor networks. These results suggest that the dysfunction of the amygdala–medial prefrontal cortex network and the amygdala–sensorimotor network might be involved in the neural mechanism underlying depression in MCI.
Maintenance Electroconvulsive Therapy Is an Essential Medical Treatment for Patients With Catatonia: A COVID-19 Related Experience
Authors: Ghaziuddin Neera , Yaqub Tareq , Shamseddeen Wael , Reddy Priyanka , Reynard Hannah , Maixner Daniel
Published: July 2021

Aim: Describe naturalistic clinical course over 14 weeks in a mixed adolescent and a young-adult patient group diagnosed with developmental delays and catatonia, when the frequency of maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (M-ECT) was reduced secondary to 2020 COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Methods: Participants were diagnosed with catatonia, and were receiving care in a specialized clinic. They (n = 9), F = 5, and M = 4, ranged in age from 16 to 21 years; ECT frequency was reduced at end of March 2020 due to institutional restrictions. Two parents/caregivers elected to discontinue ECT due to concern for COVID-19 transmission. Majority (n = 8) were developmentally delayed with some degree of intellectual disability (ID). Observable symptoms were rated on a three point scale during virtual visits.

Results: All cases experienced clinically significant decline. Worsening of motor symptoms (agitation, aggression, slowness, repetitive self-injury, stereotypies, speech deficits) emerged within the first 3 weeks, persisted over the 14 week observation period and were more frequent than neurovegetative symptoms (appetite, incontinence, sleep). Four participants deteriorated requiring rehospitalization, and 2 among these 4 needed a gastrostomy feeding tube.

Conclusion: Moderate and severe symptoms became apparent in all 9 cases during the observation period; medication adjustments were ineffective; resuming M-ECT at each participant's baseline schedule, usually by week 7, resulted in progressive improvement in some cases but the improvement was insufficient to prevent re-hospitalization in 4 cases. In summary, rapid deterioration was noted when M-ECT was acutely reduced in the setting of COVID-19 related restrictions.
Stigma and Associated Correlates of Elderly Patients With Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Hou Miaomiao , Mao Xiaowei , Hou Xiaojun , Li Kunpeng
Published: July 2021

Background: Stigmatizing experiences is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and appears to provide a negative contribution to the quality of life. Our aim of this study was to investigate the extent of stigma and its predictive factors in patients with PD from our hospital in Shanghai, China.

Methods: In 276 individuals with PD (135 women and 141 men), stigma was measured by the 24-item Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness (SSCI). Multivariate linear regression model was used to assess predictors of stigma including demographics (age and gender), disease duration, stage (Hoehn and Yahr Scale), motor function (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part 3, UPDRS-III), non-motor symptoms (Non-Motor Symptoms Scale, NMSS), cognitive level (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE), as well as anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, HAM-A) and depressive disorders (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, HAM-D-24).

Results: The total score of SSCI was 49.9 ± 14.3, and 48.5% of the patients checked “rarely” to “sometimes.” For the total sample, the full model accounted for 47.8% of the variance in stigma (P < 0.05). Higher UPDRS-III scores, longer course of disease, younger age, tremor-dominant subtype, and higher depression scores were significantly associated with stigma among individuals with PD.

Conclusion: Our finding suggested a mild-to-moderate level of stigma in patients with PD. Tremor-dominant subtype, longer course of disease, younger age, severe motor symptoms, and depression are the predictors of stigma in PD.
The Missing Professional Perspective: Medical, Veterinary, and Dual Degree Public Health Student Perceptions of One Health
Authors: Roopnarine Rohini , Boeren Ellen , Regan Julie-Anne
Published: July 2021

Introduction: One Health (OH) is an important concept to design appropriate public health responses to emerging diseases such as COVID-19. How trainee health professionals understand this concept is important to its implementation. In this study, we explored how medical (MD), veterinary (DVM), and dual degree MD and DVM Master of Public Health (MPH) students define OH and its relevance to practice.

Methods: Students participated in a survey that included the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS), and two questions requiring them to define and explain the relevance of OH. The transcripts of the OH responses underwent thematic analysis. Role theory was used to explain the variation in how students from these different programmes viewed the concept.

Results: The responses of the MD and DVM students in contrast to the dual degree MPH students reflected gaps in their understanding of the concept that pertained to the specific health impacts of global warming; antimicrobial resistance, food security; social, cultural and environmental determinants of zoonoses occurrence, and health policy formation.

Discussion: Mitigation of the global risks to public health require a collaborative approach by health professionals. Our findings suggest that MD and DVM students are unaware of many factors that impact patient health outside of their own discipline. The inclusion of dual degree students revealed novel insights that undertaking an MPH may have enabled them to be more aware about the interdisciplinary relevance of OH to their professional practice. We recommend that structured incorporation of OH should inform future medical and veterinary curricula.
A Review and Comparison of the State-of-the-Art Techniques for Atrial Fibrillation Detection and Skin Hydration
Authors: Liaqat Sidrah , Dashtipour Kia , Zahid Adnan , Arshad Kamran , Ullah Jan Sana , Assaleh Khaled , Ramzan Naeem
Published: July 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common types of cardiac arrhythmia, with a prevalence of 1–2% in the community, increasing the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. Early detection of AF, typically causing an irregular and abnormally fast heart rate, can help reduce the risk of strokes that are more common among older people. Intelligent models capable of automatic detection of AF in its earliest possible stages can improve the early diagnosis and treatment. Luckily, this can be made possible with the information about the heart's rhythm and electrical activity provided through electrocardiogram (ECG) and the decision-making machine learning-based autonomous models. In addition, AF has a direct impact on the skin hydration level and, hence, can be used as a measure for detection. In this paper, we present an independent review along with a comparative analysis of the state-of-the-art techniques proposed for AF detection using ECG and skin hydration levels. This paper also highlights the effects of AF on skin hydration level that is missing in most of the previous studies.
Perspective: Does Realism Improve Presence in VR? Suggesting a Model and Metric for VR Experience Evaluation
Authors: Jung Sungchul , Lindeman Robert. W
Published: July 2021

The concepts of “immersion” and “presence” have been considered as staple metrics for evaluating the quality of virtual reality experiences for more than five decades, even as the concepts themselves have evolved in terms of both technical and psychological aspects. To enhance the user’s experience, studies have investigated the impact of different visual, auditory, and haptic stimuli in various contexts to mainly explore the concepts of “plausibility illusion” and “place illusion”. Previous research has sometimes shown a positive correlation between increased realism and an increase in presence, but not always, and thus, very little of the work around the topic of presence reports an unequivocal correlation. Indeed, one might classify the overall findings within the field around presence as “messy”. Better (or more) visual, auditory, or haptic cues, or increased agency, may lead to increased realism, but not necessarily increased presence, and may well depend on the application context. Rich visual and audio cues in concert contribute significantly to both realism and presence, but the addition of tactile cues, gesture input support, or a combination of these might improve realism, but not necessarily presence. In this paper, we review previous research and suggest a possible theory to better define the relationship between increases in sensory-based realism and presence, and thus help VR researchers create more effective experiences.
Building Resilience Through Sport in Young People With Adverse Childhood Experiences
Authors: Norris Gareth , Norris Heather
Published: July 2021

Interventions focused on young people at risk of anti-social and criminal behaviour frequently involve physical exercise and/or participation in sporting activities as a primary vehicle to bring about behavioural change in both the short to medium term. Anecdotal evidence suggests that sporting activities positively influence individual well-being alongside a sense of purpose and belonging centred around sporting clubs and activities. Empirically, participation in sport has been identified as a key resilience factor for young people with numerous Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and investment and policy initiatives target investment in these opportunities. However, the psychological mechanisms which underpin these improvements in well-being and building of resilience are less clearly articulated. This article will review current and developing research in this field to synthesise future applications of sport-related interventions with young people, with a particular emphasis on furthering understanding of the pathways to capacity building at individual and community level which sport and exercise can generate.