bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiation Between Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma and Atypical Glioblastoma Based on MRI Morphological Feature and Signal Intensity Ratio: A Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Han Yu , Wang Zi-Jun , Li Wen-Hua , Yang Yang , Zhang Jian , Yang Xi-Biao , Zuo Lin , Xiao Gang , Wang Sheng-Zhong , Yan Lin-Feng , Cui Guang-Bin
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To investigate the value of morphological feature and signal intensity ratio (SIR) derived from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in distinguishing primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) from atypical glioblastoma (aGBM).

Methods

Pathology-confirmed PCNSLs (n = 93) or aGBMs (n = 48) from three institutions were retrospectively enrolled and divided into training cohort (n = 98) and test cohort (n = 43). Morphological features and SIRs were compared between PCNSL and aGBM. Using linear discriminant analysis, multiple models were constructed with SIRs and morphological features alone or jointly, and the diagnostic performances were evaluated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Areas under the curves (AUCs) and accuracies (ACCs) of the models were compared with the radiologists’ assessment.

Results

Incision sign, T2 pseudonecrosis sign, reef sign and peritumoral leukomalacia sign were associated with PCNSL (training and overall cohorts, P < 0.05). Increased T1 ratio, decreased T2 ratio and T2/T1 ratio were predictive of PCNSL (all P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that combination of morphological features and SIRs achieved the best diagnostic performance for differentiation of PCNSL and aGBM with AUC/ACC of 0.899/0.929 for the training cohort, AUC/ACC of 0.794/0.837 for the test cohort and AUC/ACC of 0.869/0.901 for the overall cohort, respectively. Based on the overall cohort, two radiologists could distinguish PCNSL from aGBM with AUC/ACC of 0.732/0.724 for radiologist A and AUC/ACC of 0.811/0.829 for radiologist B.

Conclusion

MRI morphological features can help differentiate PCNSL from aGBM. When combined with SIRs, the diagnostic performance was better than that of radiologists’ assessment.
Pediatric Critical Care in Resource Limited Settings—Lessening the Gap Through Ongoing Collaboration, Advancement in Research and Technological Innovations
Authors: Bjorklund Ashley , Slusher Tina , Day Louise Tina , Yola Mariya Mukhtar , Sleeth Clark , Kiragu Andrew , Shirk Arianna , Krohn Kristina , Opoka Robert
Published: January 2022

Pediatric critical care has continued to advance since our last article, “Pediatric Critical Care in Resource-Limited Settings—Overview and Lessons Learned”was written just 3 years ago. In that article, we reviewed the history, current state, and gaps in level of care between low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). In this article, we have highlighted recent advancements in pediatric critical care in LMICs in the areas of research, training and education, and technology. We acknowledge how the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to increasing the speed of some developments. We discuss the advancements, some lessons learned, as well as the ongoing gaps that need to be addressed in the coming decade. Continued understanding of the importance of equitable sustainable partnerships in the bidirectional exchange of knowledge and collaboration in all advancement efforts (research, technology, etc.) remains essential to guide all of us to new frontiers in pediatric critical care.
Topical Therapeutic Options in Corneal Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Nortey Jeremy , Smith David , Seitzman Gerami D. , Gonzales John A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose of Review: Corneal neuropathic pain can be difficult to treat, particularly due to its lack of response to standard dry eye therapies. We describe a variety of topical therapeutic options that are available to treat corneal neuropathic pain with a significant or primary peripheral component. We also describe possible mechanisms of action for such topical therapies.

Recent Findings: Topical corticosteroids and blood-derived tear preparations can be helpful. Newer therapies, including topical lacosamide and low-dose naltrexone are emerging therapeutic options that may also be considered.

Summary: Corneal neuropathic pain with a significant peripheral component may be managed with a variety of topical therapeutic options.
Berberine Inhibits FOXM1 Dependent Transcriptional Regulation of POLE2 and Interferes With the Survival of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ni Lulu , Sun Ping , Fan Xiaochun , Li Zhongjie , Ren Hongli , Li Jiangan
Published: January 2022

Background: Berberine is one of the most interesting and promising natural anticancer drugs. POLE2 is involved in many cellular functions such as DNA replication and is highly expressed in a variety of cancers. However, the specific molecular mechanism of berberine interfering with POLE2 expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is still unknown to a great extent.

Method: The KEGG database (Release 91.0) and Gene Ontology (GO) category database were used for functional annotation of differentially expressed genes after berberine treatment. Reproducibility assessment using TCGA dataset. The biological functions of berberine in LUAD were investigated by a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments: MTT, colony formation, mouse xenograft and plasmid transfection. The molecular mechanisms of berberine were demonstrated by plasmid transfection, quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting.

Result: The elevated expression of FOXM1 and the high enrichment of DNA replication pathway were confirmed in LUAD by microarray and TCGA analysis, and were positively correlated with poor prognosis. Functionally, berberine inhibited the proliferation and survival of LUAD cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, berberine treatment down regulated the expression of FOXM1which closely related to survival, survival related genes in Cell cycle and DNA replication pathway, and significantly down regulated the expression of survival related POLE2. Interestingly, we found that the transcription factor FOXM1 could act as a bridge between berberine and POLE2.

Conclusion: Berberine significantly inhibited LUAD progression via the FOXM1/POLE2, and FOXM1/POLE2 may act as a clinical prognostic factor and a therapeutic target for LUAD. Berberine may be used as a promising therapeutic candidate for LUAD patients.
Sotalol Treatment may Interfere With Retrieval, Expression, and/or Reconsolidation Processes Thus Disrupting Traumatic Memories in a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Mice Model
Authors: Martinho Raquel , Seixas Rafaela , Azevedo Márcia , Oliveira Ana , Serrão Paula , Moreira-Rodrigues Mónica
Published: January 2022

The processes by which fear memory is encoded, consolidated, and re-consolidated are extremely complex and appear to require the release of stress hormones, especially adrenaline (AD). AD improves contextual fear memory, acting specifically on peripheral β2-adrenoceptors. Propranolol (peripheral and central β-adrenoceptor antagonist) treatment was shown to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development and reduce its symptoms. However, propranolol has several side effects. Thus, we aimed to evaluate if sotalol (a peripheral β-adrenoceptor antagonist) treatment interferes with retrieval, expression, and/or reconsolidation of traumatic memories in a validated mice model that mimics the signs/symptoms of PTSD, thus intending to decrease them. Female mice were induced with PTSD following an established protocol. Sotalol (2.0 mg/kg) or vehicle were administered on days 2, 7, and 14. The percentage of freezing was calculated, and behavioral tests were carried out. Catecholamines in plasma were quantified by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to evaluate mRNA expression of NR4A family genes in hippocampus. Following the submission of the animals to the same aversive context on days 2, 7, and 14, sotalol-treated mice exhibited significant less freezing behavior. In the elevated plus-maze test, the time spent and number of entries in the open arms, and total arm entries were increased in sotalol-treated mice. Also, the light-dark transition test revealed higher time spent, number of transitions to the light, and total number of transitions in sotalol-treated mice. Moreover, plasma AD was significantly decreased in sotalol-treated mice. On day 14, sotalol-treated mice exhibited a decrease in mRNA expression of Nr4a1 in the hippocampus. In conclusion, in PTSD mice model, sotalol appears to decrease traumatic memories and anxiety-like behavior, probably due to a decrease in peripheral adrenergic activity, which influences traumatic memories. The effects of sotalol upon re-exposure to the traumatic context may be consistent with interference in the retrieval, expression, and/or reconsolidation processes of contextual traumatic memory, resulting in a long-term reduction of PTSD symptoms and signs. The decreased Nr4a1 mRNA expression in the hippocampal formation may be crucial for these mice to develop diminished traumatic contextual memories after sotalol therapy in PTSD.
Natural Products Modulate Cell Apoptosis: A Promising Way for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Liu Chenhao , Zeng Yiwei , Wen Yulong , Huang Xinggui , Liu Yi
Published: January 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease impacting patients’ quality of life and imposing heavy societal and economic burdens. Apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) has been considered an early event during the onset of UC and plays a crucial role in disease development. Thus, effectively inhibiting apoptosis of IECs is of critical significance for the clinical management of UC, presenting a potential direction for the research and development of pharmacotherapeutic agents. In recent years, research on the ameliorative effects of natural products on UC through inhibiting IECs apoptosis has attracted increasing attention and made remarkable achievements in ameliorating UC. In this review, we summarized the currently available research about the anti-apoptotic effects of natural products on UC and its mechanisms involving the death-receptor mediated pathway, mitochondrial-dependent pathway, ERS-mediated pathway, MAPK-mediated pathway, NF-κB mediated pathway, P13k/Akt pathway, JAK/STAT3 pathway, and NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway. Hopefully, this review may yield useful information about the anti-apoptotic effects of natural products on UC and their potential molecular mechanisms and provide helpful insights for further investigations.
Neuroinflammation and Neutrophils: Modulation by Ouabain
Authors: Leite Jacqueline Alves , Cavalcante-Silva Luiz Henrique Agra , Ribeiro Martina Raissa , de Morais Lima Geovanni , Scavone Cristoforo , Rodrigues-Mascarenhas Sandra
Published: January 2022

Cardiotonic steroids are natural compounds that present many physiological and pharmacological functions. They bind Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) modifying cellular ion concentration and trigger cell signaling mechanisms without altering ion balance. These steroids are known to modulate some immune responses, including cytokine production, neutrophil migration, and inflammation (peripherally and in the nervous system). Inflammation can occur in response to homeostasis perturbations and is related to the development of many diseases, including immune-mediated diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. Considering the neutrophils role in the general neuroinflammatory response and that these cells can be modulated by cardiac steroids, this work aims to review the possible regulation of neutrophilic neuroinflammation by the cardiac steroid ouabain.
A Comprehensive Comparison and Analysis of Several Intensity Modulations Based on the Underwater Photon-Counting Communication System
Authors: Han Xiaotian , Li Peng , Chang Chang , Gao Duorui , Zhang Dongquan , Liao Peixuan , Wang Wei , Xie Xiaoping
Published: January 2022

Underwater wireless optical communication is facing absorption, scattering problems, which, in principle, can be greatly resolved by underwater photon-counting communication (UPCC) technology that exhibits high-sensitivity communication characteristics in long-range underwater wireless optical communication. Recent studies on UPCC are mainly focused on a single intensity modulation such as on–off keying (OOK) and pulse position modulation (PPM) technologies, and the comprehensive analysis of communication performance combing OOK modulation and digital pulse modulations remains a lack. To this, by using a UPCC system based on a single-photon avalanche diode, we reveal the communication performances of OOK, PPM, differential pulse interval modulation (DPIM), differential pulse position modulation (DPPM), and dual-header pulse interval modulation, and find that (1) the PPM has the longest transmission distance at the same bit error ratio when M > 2, but the lowest communication rate under identical modulation bandwidth and average transmit power; and (2) the DPPM and DPIM perform the optimum communication performance at the fixed communication rate when M = 8. We thus conclude that the DPPM and DPIM have advantages of low modulation bandwidth and long time slot time compared with PPM, indicating the significance of reducing the difficulty of signal synchronization and the complexity of the underwater photon-counting system accordingly.
UAV Swarm Resilience Assessment Considering Load Balancing
Authors: Zhang Pengtao , Wu Tao , Cao Runhua , Li Zi , Xu Jiwei
Published: January 2022

UAV swarm are often subjected to random interference or malicious attacks during the execution of their tasks, resulting in UAV failure or communication interruption. When the UAV swarm is out of interference or the repair command is executed, the performance of the UAV swarm will be restored to a certain extent. However, how to measure the changes of UAV swarm’s performance during this process will be very important, and it is also crucial to determine whether the UAVs can continue to perform its mission. Based on this motivation, we propose a resilience assessment framework for UAV swarm considering load balancing after UAV swarm suffer from disturbances. We analyze the effects of different topologies and different parameters on the resilience of UAV swarm. The study found that attack intensity is the most important factor affecting UAV swarm performance. As the attack intensity increases, the performance of the UAV swarm decreases rapidly. At the same time, topology also has a very important impact on UAV swarm resilience.
Effects of Aquatic Exercise in Post-exercise Hypotension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Trindade Cristina Oliveira , Oliveira Emerson Cruz , Coelho Daniel Barbosa , Casonatto Juliano , Becker Lenice Kappes
Published: January 2022

Background

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) can be an important non-pharmacological strategy in the treatment of arterial hypertension. Both aerobic and resistance exercises produce PEH, but it is not clear if the exercise environment can lead to a higher PEH.

Objective

This meta-analysis investigated whether a session of aquatic exercise (AE) induces PEH in comparison with control conditions such as land exercise (LE) or rest in hypertensive subjects.

Methods

The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE. Ambulatory blood pressure measurements made in randomized clinical trials were pooled to compare PEH induced by AE with LE and rest conditions in hypertensive subjects.

Results

Data from four trials were included, which comprised 127 participants (94 women and 33 men). A 24-h analysis did not detect significant differences between AE and LE or rest for either systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Monitoring during the night showed that AE induced significant PEH in comparison with LE for SBP [−8.6 (−15.0 to −1.5) mmHg (p = 0.01)]. For DBP, the AE had pronounced PEH during the night in comparison with LE [−3.7 (−4.7 to −2.8) mmHg, p = 0.000] and rest [−1.7 (−1.9 to −0.8) mmHg, p = 0.000]. There were no differences in daytime values.

Conclusion

AE showed a higher PEH effect than LE sessions and rest conditions. PEH was observed in both SBP and DBP during the night. The number of studies was low, but all studies included in this meta-analysis used 24-h monitoring. The understanding of clinical relevance of AE, inducing a higher PEH, depends on a standardization of exercise protocols plus a rigorous monitoring of blood pressure.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration: CRD42021271928.
Nitric Oxide Turnover Under Hypoxia Results in the Rapid Increased Expression of the Plastid-Localized Phosphorylated Pathway of Serine Biosynthesis
Authors: Zafari Somaieh , Vanlerberghe Greg C. , Igamberdiev Abir U.
Published: January 2022

The plant mitochondrial electron transport chain influences carbon and nitrogen metabolism under near anoxic conditions through its involvement in the phytoglobin-nitric oxide cycle, where the respiratory chain reduces nitrite to nitric oxide (NO), followed by NO conversion to nitrate by class 1 phytoglobin. Wild type (WT) and transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) with differing amounts of alternative oxidase (AOX) were used to manipulate NO generation under hypoxia, and to examine whether this in turn influenced the gene expression of two stress-related amino acid biosynthetic pathways, the plastid-localized phosphorylated pathway of serine biosynthesis (PPSB), and the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt. Under hypoxia, leaf NO emission rate was highest in AOX overexpressors and lowest in AOX knockdowns, with WT showing an intermediate rate. In turn, the rate of NO emission correlated with the degree to which amino acids accumulated. This amino acid accumulation was associated with the increased expression of the enzymes of the stress-related amino acid biosynthetic pathways. However, induction of the PPSB occurred much earlier than the GABA shunt. This work shows that high rates of NO turnover associate with rapid gene induction of the PPSB, establishing a clear link between this pathway and the maintenance of carbon, nitrogen and energy metabolism under hypoxia.
Juggling School and Work From Home: Results From a Survey on German Families With School-Aged Children During the Early COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Canales-Romero Deborah , Hachfeld Axinja
Published: January 2022

As consequence to the coronavirus outbreak, governments around the world imposed drastic mitigation measures such as nationwide lockdowns. These measures included the closures of schools, hence, putting parents into the position of juggling school and work from home. In the present study, we investigated the well-being of parents with school-aged children and its connection to mitigation measures with particular focus on parental roles “caregiver,” “worker,” and “assistant teacher” as stressors. In addition to direct effects, we expected indirect effects on well-being through changes in household dynamics. Data were collected via an online survey (N= 1313, 85.5% female; 53.2% university degree) conducted during the first wave of school closures in Germany. We observed that during the early COVID-19 pandemic, parental well-being in general was quite positive. Comparing the positive and negative PANAS subscales, parents agreed significantly more with the positive than with the negative items,t(1299) = 28.55,p< 0.001. Parents also reported an increase in positive family activities during the lockdown,t(1272) = 43.96,p< 0.001. Although a significant increase in negative household dynamics, such as disputes, was also observed to a lower extent,t(1295) = 7.78,p< 0.001. Using structural equation modeling, we observed that “homeoffice” was not significantly related to parents’ well-being, but positively affected household dynamics. Taking on the role of “assistant teacher” was negatively related to household dynamics. Additionally, we found a significant direct effect on negative affect for “assistant teacher.” We conclude that parents of school-aged children have mostly been able to establish positive dynamics in their households during the lockdown given the extra time they got to spend with their children by working from home. However, our results identify the role of “assistant teacher” as a potential stressor for parents. Bridging the gap between teachers and parents seems warranted especially if (some) distance-learning continues, in order to avoid long-term consequences for the students.
Perceived Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility and Employees’ Innovative Behavior: A Stimulus–Organism–Response Perspective
Authors: Wu Weiwei , Yu Li , Li Haiyan , Zhang Tianyi
Published: January 2022

Drawing from the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model, this study examines how and under what circumstances perceived environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) affects innovative behavior of employees in the context of environmental protection. Using a sample of 398 employees from different firms in the high energy-consuming industry of China, the results indicate that, at first, perceived ECSR provides a positive effect on organizational identification. Secondly, organizational identification has a positive influence on the innovative behavior of employees. Thirdly, organizational identification plays an important mediating effect between perceived ECSR and the innovative behavior of employees. Fourthly, both the effect of perceived ECSR on organizational identification and the indirect effect of perceived ECSR on the innovative behavior of the employees via organizational identification will be stronger when the levels of organizational trust are high. These findings add new insights into the perceived ECSR-employees’ innovative behavior relationship and provide important managerial implications for enhancing ECSR perception to improve the innovative behavior of employees.
Difference and Cluster Analysis on the Carbon Dioxide Emissions in China During COVID-19 Lockdown via a Complex Network Model
Authors: Hu Jun , Chen Junhua , Zhu Peican , Hao Shuya , Wang Maoze , Li Huijia , Liu Na
Published: January 2022

The continuous increase of carbon emissions is a serious challenge all over the world, and many countries are striving to solve this problem. Since 2020, a widespread lockdown in the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19 escalated, severely restricting the movement of people and unnecessary economic activities, which unexpectedly reduced carbon emissions. This paper aims to analyze the carbon emissions data of 30 provinces in the 2020 and provide references for reducing emissions with epidemic lockdown measures. Based on the method of time series visualization, we transform the time series data into complex networks to find out the hidden information in these data. We found that the lockdown would bring about a short-term decrease in carbon emissions, and most provinces have a short time point of impact, which is closely related to the level of economic development and industrial structure. The current results provide some insights into the evolution of carbon emissions under COVID-19 blockade measures and valuable insights into energy conservation and response to the energy crisis in the post-epidemic era.
Has the Resignation of Independent Directors Holding Government Positions Improved Firm Performance?—A Quasi-Natural Experiment From China
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Li Yanxi , Hou Deshuai
Published: January 2022

The Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) announced the Opinions on Further Regulation on Party and Political Leaders and Cadres Working Part-Time (Holding Offices) in Enterprises to force the resignation of government officials holding the position of independent director in listed companies (GID). This paper empirically examines the impact of the GID resignation on firm performance using a difference-in-differences (DID) model, which is an exogenous event with a “natural experiment.” The study finds that after the promulgation of the Opinions, firms that lose some of their political resources and their corporate performance decreases significantly compared to firms that do not experience GID resignations. A good external governance environment, while somewhat weakening, is not sufficient to offset the negative impact of the loss of political resources on firm performance. This paper further explores the mechanism by which the GID resignation affects firm performance: one important way in which the resignation of GIDs cause the loss of political resources on which the firm's development depends is that the loss of the firm's tax benefits after GID resignation directly leads to a decline in performance; it also leads to a reduction in the firm's financial subsidy income and a reduction in the amount of bank loans, but both of these do not have a significant effect on the decline in firm performance. The study suggests that GIDs play more of a resource-providing “official” role than an “independent director's” supervisory and advisory role in Chinese listed companies. The findings of this paper reveal the phenomenon of “Political-Business Spin” in China, which has some implications for developing countries, represented by China, to improve the independence of the board of directors and the corporate governance.
Perceived Driving Difficulty, Negative Affect, and Emotion Dysregulation in Self-Identified Autistic Emerging Drivers
Authors: Fok Megan , Owens Justin M. , Ollendick Thomas H. , Scarpa Angela
Published: January 2022

Driving is central to adult independence and autonomy; yet most autistic young adults do not acquire driver’s licenses. It is important to understand barriers to achieving this milestone for autistic adults. Differences in negative affect and emotion dysregulation associated with autism may interfere with managing difficult driving situations. The current study compared perceived driving difficulty (DD), emotion dysregulation, and negative affect in emerging drivers with and without autistic traits (AT), and investigated how emotion dysregulation and negative affect relate to perceived DD. We expected (1) greater perceived DD, emotion dysregulation, and negative affect in participants with AT and (2) a positive correlation of perceived DD with both emotion dysregulation and negative affect in the whole sample. Thirty-seven adolescents and young adults (15 AT) self-reported perceived DD in 15 scenarios and completed the Difficulty in Emotion Dysregulation Scale (DERS) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). Autistic participants scored significantly higher on mean perceived DD, DERS Impulse subscale, DASS total and DASS Stress subscale scores. Perceived DD positively correlated with the DERS and DASS total scores, all DASS subscales, and DERS Nonacceptance, Goals, and Impulse subscales across the whole sample. The findings highlight the roles of emotion dysregulation and negative affect in perceived DD in emerging drivers with AT. In particular, emotional stress and impulsivity may map onto mechanisms of over-reactivity to negative affect and explain why autistic people perceive particular situations as difficult when driving. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Add Bilingualism to the Mix: L2 Proficiency Modulates the Effect of Cognitive Reserve Proxies on Executive Performance in Healthy Aging
Authors: Gallo Federico , Kubiak Joanna , Myachykov Andriy
Published: January 2022

We investigated the contribution of bilingual experience to the development of cognitive reserve (CR) when compared with other, traditionally more researched, CR proxies, in a sample of cognitively healthy senior (60 +) bilingual speakers. Participants performed in an online study where, in addition to a wide inventory of factors known to promote CR, we assessed several factors related to their second language (L2) use. In addition, participants’ inhibitory executive control was measured via the Flanker Task. We used Structural Equation Modeling to derive a latent composite measure of CR informed by traditional CR proxies (i.e., occupational complexity, marital status, current and retrospective socio-economic status, physical exercise, perceived positive support, maximal educational attainment, frequency of leisure activities and extent of social network). We examined whether bilingualism may act as a mediator of the effects of such proxies on cognitive performance therefore assessing the unique contribution of dual language use to CR. First, our analyses revealed facilitatory effects of both L2 age of acquisition and L2 proficiency on the executive performance. Second, our analyses confirmed the moderating role of bilingual experience on the relationship between other factors known to promote CR and cognitive integrity, revealing a strong contribution by bilingualism to CR development. Our findings provide further support to the notion that bilingualism plays an important role in mitigating cognitive decline and promoting successful aging.
Early Motor Milestones in Infancy and Later Motor Impairments: A Population-Based Data Linkage Study
Authors: Hua Jing , Williams Gareth J. , Jin Hua , Chen Juan , Xu Manyun , Zhou Yingchun , Gu Guixiong , Du Wenchong
Published: January 2022

Background

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with high prevalence. Early motor milestones are important markers to identify DCD. The current study aims to evaluate the association between the onset of crawling and independent walking and their transition pattern during infancy and later motor impairments.

Methods

A total of 8,395 children aged 3–6 years old in China were included in the final analysis. A parent questionnaire was used to collect early milestone onset data. Children's motor performance was measured using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd edition (MABC-2). The association between motor milestones and motor impairment was analyzed using a multilevel regression model.

Results

The result showed that a 1-month delay in crawling onset increased the risk of significant overall motor impairment by 5.3, and 14.0% when adjusting for child and family characteristics. A 1-month delay in walking onset increased the risk of significant overall motor, fine, gross, and balance impairment by 21.7, 8.3, 13.3, and 17.8%. A 1 month increase in the transition time from crawling to independent walking increased the risk of significant overall motor and gross motor impairment by 7.7 and 6.6%. These results were inconsistent across different age bands (each p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study indicates that even a mild delay in crawling and walking onsets in infancy increase the risk for subsequent motor impairments in childhood, and children with motor impairments revealed a different transition pattern from crawling to walking. The motor abilities of children with motor impairments can be observed to diverge from typically developing children as early as 6–8 months old. The findings can facilitate the early identification of motor impairments in children, and provide early signs to initiate intervention.
The Strength of Alliance in Individual Psychotherapy and Patient's Wellbeing: The Relationships of the Therapeutic Alliance to Psychological Wellbeing, Satisfaction With Life, and Flourishing in Adult Patients Attending Individual Psychotherapy
Authors: Prusiński Tomasz
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The central aim of the research was to verify and determine the strength of the relationships of therapeutic alliance to wellbeing, life satisfaction, and flourishing in patients attending individual psychotherapy. The relationships were assessed based on different sources of information about the quality of the working alliance: patient's evaluation and patient's and psychotherapist's joint evaluations.

Design

The author applied Bordin's pantheoretical model of alliance and two different conceptions of wellbeing, operationalized as hedonistic and eudaimonic.

Methods

The 411 participants included 252 patients and 159 psychotherapists. To test the hypotheses, 16 joint and separate models of structural relations were built and analyzed empirically using SEM. Correlations were analyzed between alliance factors and those of wellbeing, satisfaction, and flourishing.

Results

The actual impact of working alliance quality on psychological wellbeing proved to be stronger compared to the relations between alliance and satisfaction or flourishing. The results of analyses revealed low, though usually positive and significant, correlations between the dimensions of alliance and those of wellbeing, life satisfaction, and flourishing.

Conclusions

The empirical data and the strategy of analyses brought the expected results, confirming that patient's and psychotherapist's perception of a strong therapeutic alliance is crucial for the optimization of patient's functioning and wellbeing. It turns out that the therapeutic alliance is, above all, a factor of wellbeing understood more deeply than merely as current pleasure. The study also showed that no factor isolated from other components of alliance increased the quality of patient's mental functioning more than others.
Pneumococcal Vaccination Coverage and Uptake Among Adults in Switzerland: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study of Vaccination Records
Authors: Zens Kyra D. , Baroutsou Vasiliki , Fehr Jan S. , Lang Phung
Published: January 2022

Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is a common, opportunistic pathogen which can cause severe disease, particularly in adults 65+. In Switzerland, vaccination is recommended for children under 5 and for adults with health predispositions; vaccination of healthy adults 65+ is not recommended. In 2020 we conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional survey of vaccination records to evaluate pneumococcal vaccination coverage and factors affecting uptake among adults 18–85. We found that nationwide coverage was 4.5% without significant regional differences. Coverage was comparable between men and women and between those aged 18–39 (3.0%) and 40–64 (3.2%). Coverage was significantly higher among those 65–85 (9.6%). While 2.7% of individuals reporting no health predisposition were vaccinated, 14.8% with asthma or chronic pulmonary disease, 27.1% with immunosuppression, 12.9% with diabetes, 11.6% with heart, liver, or kidney disease, and 25.9% with >1 health risk were vaccinated. Adjusted odds of vaccination for all health predispositions except heart, liver, or kidney disease were significantly increased. Among unvaccinated individuals “not enough information about the topic” and “not suggested by a doctor/healthcare provider” were the major reasons for abstaining from vaccination. Respondents reporting a health predisposition were significantly less likely to report “not at increased risk due to chronic health conditions or age” as a reason for not being vaccinated (3.7% vs. 29.1%) and were more likely to report willingness to be vaccinated in the future compared to those not-at-risk (54.2% vs. 39.9%). Our results indicate that pneumococcal vaccination coverage in Switzerland is low among both individuals 65–85 and among those with predisposing health risks. It appears that at-risk individuals are aware of their increased risk, but feel they do not have enough information on the topic to seek vaccination, or have not been recommended a vaccination by their physician.
Coupling Coordination and Spatiotemporal Dynamic Evolution Between Medical Services and Tourism Development in China
Authors: Xu Shaogui , Zuo Yifan , Law Rob , Zhang Mu , Han Jiayu , Li Gaopeng , Meng Juewei
Published: January 2022

This work constructs an evaluation index system and quantitatively explores the coupling coordination relationship between the tourism development system and the medical services system in China. Results show that the degree of coupling coordination between the tourism development system and the medical services system showed a good upward trend in China during the period 2012–2019. However, the relationship was barely balanced, with tourism development lagging. The overall layout shows a spatial pattern of “high in the north and low in the south, high in the east and low in the west.” The degree of coupling coordination tends to be randomly distributed from clustered distribution, and the cold–hot spots show a spatial development pattern of “cold in the northwest and hot in the southeast” as time passes. The power of government to regulate has always been an important mechanism affecting the degree of coupling coordination. The study aims to provide reference for the rationalization of medical tourism layout and sustainable development.
Embodied Learning in Physical Activity: Developing Skills and Attunement to Interaction
Authors: Ravn Susanne
Published: January 2022

This article focuses on embodied learning and how it develops through the practice of a physical activity. It aims to clarify fundamental theoretical aspects of the development that takes place when practitioners enhance their way of participating in the activity. Pursuing this aim, I draw on the phenomenological description of embodiment processes and argue, that despite differences in the inherent logic and motivation for engaging in different kinds of physical activities, a phenomenologically based understanding of skills constructively helps describe the development acquired through practicing a physical activity. I thereby argue that descriptions of how skills are incorporated and exercised are relevant to analyses of embodied learning processes taking place in sporting as well as non-sporting activities, including recreational mountain-biking, expressive and creative dance activities, and improvisational practices. In continuation of this argument, I also suggest that practitioners' capability to attune to the interactions of the activity contribute yet another theoretical aspect we should consider, when aiming at describing the embodied learning that takes place in different kinds of physical activities. This suggestion finds support in recent work on action and interaction.
Development and Application of Digital Maxillofacial Surgery System Based on Mixed Reality Technology
Authors: Yang Rong , Li Chenyao , Tu Puxun , Ahmed Abdelrehem , Ji Tong , Chen Xiaojun
Published: January 2022

Objective

To realize the three-dimensional visual output of surgical navigation information by studying the cross-linking of mixed reality display devices and high-precision optical navigators.

Methods

Applying quaternion-based point alignment algorithms to realize the positioning configuration of mixed reality display devices, high-precision optical navigators, real-time patient tracking and calibration technology; based on open source SDK and development tools, developing mixed reality surgery based on visual positioning and tracking system. In this study, four patients were selected for mixed reality-assisted tumor resection and reconstruction and re-examined 1 month after the operation. We reconstructed postoperative CT and use 3DMeshMetric to form the error distribution map, and completed the error analysis and quality control.

Results

Realized the cross-linking of mixed reality display equipment and high-precision optical navigator, developed a digital maxillofacial surgery system based on mixed reality technology and successfully implemented mixed reality-assisted tumor resection and reconstruction in 4 cases.

Conclusions

The maxillofacial digital surgery system based on mixed reality technology can superimpose and display three-dimensional navigation information in the surgeon's field of vision. Moreover, it solves the problem of visual conversion and space conversion of the existing navigation system. It improves the work efficiency of digitally assisted surgery, effectively reduces the surgeon's dependence on spatial experience and imagination, and protects important anatomical structures during surgery. It is a significant clinical application value and potential.
RNA-Sequencing Analysis of the Spleen and Gill of Takifugu rubripes in Response to Vibrio harveyi Infection
Authors: Gao Dongxu , Lei Wei , Wang Chenshi , Ni Ping , Cui Xiaoyu , Huang Xindi , Ye Shigen
Published: January 2022

Takifugu rubripes is commonly subjected to the disease-causing bacterium, Vibrio harveyi. However, the mechanism involved in the immune response of T. rubripes to V. harveyi infection is unclear. We conducted a transcriptomic analysis of the spleen and gill from T. rubripes infected with V. harveyi. We obtained 60,981,357 and 60,760,550 clean reads from the control and infected spleens, and 57,407,586 and 57,536,651 clean reads from the control and infected gills, respectively. We also identified 1,560 and 1,213 differentially expressed genes in the spleen and gill, respectively. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the most enriched biological process in both the spleen and gill was “immune response”. The most enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes immune response–related pathways were the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway in the spleen and cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction in the gill. We found 10 candidate immune-related genes in the spleen and gill. These putative immune pathways and candidate genes will provide insight into the immune response mechanisms of T. rubripes against V. harveyi.
Environmental Impact Assessment, Human Health and the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Gulis G. , Krishnankutty N. , Boess E. R. , Lyhne I. , Kørnøv L.
Published: January 2022

Objectives: Developmental processes influence the determinants of health and, consequently, human health. Yet, assessing human health impacts in impact assessment, with exception of health impact assessment, is still rather vague. Inclusion of Sustainable Development Goal indicators in environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an opportunity to enhance addressing human health in EIA practices.

Methods: We reviewed a list of health-related targets and indicators for SDGs as defined by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in Seattle, WA, United States with the aim of identifying those to be suggested as outcome indicators within EIA.

Results: Among 42 health-related indicators, we identified 17 indicators which could be relevant for impact assessment procedures and categorized them into three groups: 1) direct health indicators (e.g., under five mortality). 2) complex indicators (e.g., cancer). 3) environmental determinant indicators (e.g., mean PM2.5).

Conclusion: All 17 indicators can be employed to improve quantification assessing human health impacts and bring SDGs into EIA processes. Though our assessment has been conducted for Denmark and the set of suggested indicators could be different for contexts in other countries, the process of their identification can be generalized.
Overall Survival Prediction of Advanced Cancer Patients by Selection of the Most Significant Baseline Serum Biomarker Combination
Authors: Deme Daniel , Kovacs Sandor , Telekes Andras
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Consistent association between elevated baseline serum values and C-reactive protein (CRP), cross-linked fibrin degradation products (D-dimer), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), decreased baseline serum albumin, absolute lymphocyte count to absolute monocyte count ratio (LMR), elevated absolute neutrophil count to absolute lymphocyte count ratio (NLR), elevated platelet count to absolute lymphocyte count ratio (PLR), and between some combinations of these biomarkers and the short overall survival of patients with malignant diseases has already been reported. These biomarkers are independent prognostic factors for cancer. Here, the most significant biomarker combination of these values was searched and studied in real-life advanced cancer patients of a single center.

Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed the association of the aforementioned biomarkers and their combination and OS of 75 consecutive cancer patients with locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic diseases. Validated cut-off determination was used.

Results: CRP, albumin, and PLR showed marked association with OS. Cut-off values for significant shorter OS were 30.65 mg/L (p < 0.001), 44.35 g/L (p < 0.001), and 168.20 (p < 0.001), respectively. Based on assessed biomarker cut-offs, four patient groups were created to determine whether biomarker values were out of range (ORV) compared to cut-off: 1) No ORV biomarkers (n = 24; OS = 26.07 months); 2) one ORV biomarker (n = 21; OS = 13.50 months); 3) two ORV biomarkers (n = 20; OS = 7.97 months), and 4) three ORV biomarkers (n = 10; OS = 3.91 months). Significant differences in OS were detected between the groups: For 1. vs. 2. hazard ratio (HR) = 3.0 (95% CI: 1.5–6.2), p = 0.003; for 1. vs. 3. HR = 4.1 (95% CI: 2.0–8.3), p < 0.001; and for 1. vs. 4. HR = 10.2 (95% CI: 4.2–24.6), p < 0.001.

Conclusion: Based on our analysis, we can confirm that the complex monitoring of CRP, albumin, and PLR would provide a good estimation of OS. Large scale prospective studies are warranted to explore this and other useful combinations of prognostic biomarkers and their relationship to the well-established prognostic systems in real-life.
k-Center Clustering with Outliers in Sliding Windows
Authors: Pellizzoni Paolo , Pietracaprina Andrea , Pucci Geppino
Published: January 2022

Metric k-center clustering is a fundamental unsupervised learning primitive. Although widely used, this primitive is heavily affected by noise in the data, so a more sensible variant seeks for the best solution that disregards a given number z of points of the dataset, which are called outliers. We provide efficient algorithms for this important variant in the streaming model under the sliding window setting, where, at each time step, the dataset to be clustered is the window W of the most recent data items. For general metric spaces, our algorithms achieve O1 approximation and, remarkably, require a working memory linear in k+z and only logarithmic in |W|. For spaces of bounded doubling dimension, the approximation can be made arbitrarily close to 3. For these latter spaces, we show, as a by-product, how to estimate the effective diameter of the window W, which is a measure of the spread of the window points, disregarding a given fraction of noisy distances. We also provide experimental evidence of the practical viability of the improved clustering and diameter estimation algorithms.
Relationships between Soil Electrical Conductivity and Sentinel-2-Derived NDVI with pH and Content of Selected Nutrients
Authors: Mazur Piotr , Gozdowski Dariusz , Wnuk Agnieszka
Published: January 2022

Site-specific crop management demands maps which present the content of the main macronutrients. Such maps are prepared based on optimized soil sampling within management zones, which should be quite homogenous according to nutrient content, especially the content of potassium and phosphorus. Delineation of management zones is very often conducted using soil apparent electrical conductivity (EC) or other variables related to soil condition, including satellite-derived vegetation indices. In this study conducted in North-Western Poland, relationships between soil electrical conductivity and the satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of various crops (wheat, barley, and rapeseed) with soil pH and content of P, K, and Mg were evaluated. Strong relationships were observed between NDVI of cereals with potassium content in soil. Correlation coefficients for wheat ranged from 0.37 to 0.60 for average potassium content for three years and from 0.05 to 0.63 for barley. Stronger relationships were observed for the years 2018 and 2019 when NDVI was based on Sentinel-2 data, while weaker for year 2017 when Landsat 8 NDVI was used. Relationships between EC and macronutrients content were similar to those observed with NDVI. Satellite-derived NDVI of cereals can be used as a variable for the delineation of within-field management zones. The same relationships were much weaker and not consistent for winter rapeseed.