bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for prolonged surgical duration of tracheobronchial foreign body removal in children: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Su Zhe , Zhang Jianmin , Gao Zhengzheng , Wang Fang , Li Lijing , Xu Zenghua , Liu Heqi , Zhang Fuzhou
Published: January 2025

Object

This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics of children with tracheobronchial foreign body and to investigate the factors influencing the surgical duration of rigid bronchoscopic foreign body removal under general anesthesia.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 421 children diagnosed with tracheobronchial foreign body undergoing rigid bronchoscopy between January 2020 and December 2021. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on patient demographics, including age, weight, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, foreign body type and location, duration of foreign body retention, preoperative symptoms, signs, imaging findings, tracheobronchial manifestations observed during bronchoscopy, and surgical durations. Statistical analysis utilized both univariate and multivariate linear regression models to assess factors influencing the surgical duration of tracheobronchial foreign body removal in children.

Results

The mean age of children with tracheobronchial foreign body was 1.59 years (1.32, 2.04). The male-to-female ratio was 1.8:1, and the ASA physical status classification was predominantly ASA II (96.7%). Organic foreign body accounted for 94.8% of cases, with 91.7% located unilaterally. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that ASA III, pulmonary rales, and the presence of one, two, or three specific tracheobronchial manifestations observed during bronchoscopy—including mucosal hyperemia and edema, purulent exudate, and granulation tissue—were independent risk factors associated with prolonged surgical duration for foreign body removal (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

ASA III, pulmonary rales, and various tracheobronchial manifestations observed during bronchoscopy are significant risk factors associated with prolonged surgical duration for foreign body removal in children.
Comprehensive analysis of adverse events associated with onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma) in spinal muscular atrophy patients: insights from FAERS database
Authors: Zhang Wenwen , Yin Yizhen , Yang Dan , Liu Mengyuan , Ye Caixia , Yan Ruiling , Li Ruiman
Published: January 2025

Onasemnogene Abeparvovec (Zolgensma) is a gene therapy for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) with improved motor neuron function and the potential for a singular treatment. Information on its adverse drug reactions is mainly from clinical trials and real-world studies with extensive sample sizes are lacking. In this study, we analyzed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to assess the drug safety profile of Zolgensma. A total of 1951 adverse event reports associated with onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma), containing 778 import important medical event (IME) signals, were identified from the FAERS database, and multiple disproportionate analysis algorithms were used to determine the significance of these adverse events. This study identified 281 onasemnogene abeparvovec-related adverse events (AEs), including some significant adverse events not mentioned in the product labelling. Elevated liver enzymes, fever, vomiting, and thrombocytopenia were the most common adverse reactions. Most adverse events manifested within the initial month of onasemnogene abeparvovec use, especially the first 8 days, but some may still occur after 1 year of treatment. Sex-specific scrutiny revealed differing risk levels for adverse events among women and men. Thrombocytopenia and thrombotic microangiopathy are more common in patients weighing ≥8.5 kg, and changes in renal function need to be closely monitored if thrombotic microangiopathy occurs. The above findings provide valuable insights into optimizing the utilization of onasemnogene abeparvovec, improving its effectiveness, and minimizing potential side effects, thereby greatly facilitating its practical application in clinical settings.
Ceftriaxone-induced hemolytic anemia managed successfully in a 54-year-old woman: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Liqian , Huang Wenfeng , Xu Jiakai , Li Yunxing , Zhu Jihong
Published: January 2025

Ceftriaxone is widely used in clinical practice for its efficacy against infections. However, its increasing association with life-threatening immune hemolytic reactions urge clinicians to enhance recognition and maintain sharp vigilance. This report details a rare and severe case of ceftriaxone-induced hemolytic anemia (CIHA), hemodynamic instability and hemolytic crisis in a 54-year-old woman after intravenous infusion of ceftriaxone following a respiratory infection. Clinicians must promptly identify symptoms suggestive of CIHA, such as fatigue, pallor, nausea, vomiting, and trunk pain, and immediately discontinue ceftriaxone. Laboratory examination can also assist in confirming the diagnosis of CIHA. Effective management measures include rigorous monitoring of vital signs, circulatory support, respiratory support, timely blood transfusion, administration of steroid hormones, IVIG infusion as necessary, plasma exchange, and symptomatic treatment of possible complications. Even after the patient has achieved full recovery, careful consideration should be given to the choice of subsequent antibiotics to prevent recurrence of CIHA.
Gallic acid: a dietary metabolite’s therapeutic potential in the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Lan , Cao Zhang-Jing , Li Ke-Di , Tang Fei , Xu Li-Yue , Zhang Jing-Nan , Liu Dong , Peng Cheng , Ao Hui
Published: January 2025

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) causes significant morbidity and mortality globally. Most of the chemicals specifically target certain pathways and minimally impact other diseases associated with ASCVD. Moreover, interactions of these drugs can cause toxic reactions. Consequently, the exploration of multi-targeted and safe medications for treating and preventing ASCVD has become an increasingly popular trend. Gallic acid (GA), a natural secondary metabolite found in various fruits, plants, and nuts, has demonstrated potentials in preventing and treating ASCVD, in addition to its known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It alleviates the entire process of atherosclerosis (AS) by reducing oxidative stress, improving endothelial dysfunction, and inhibiting platelet activation and aggregation. Additionally, GA can treat ASCVD-related diseases, such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebral ischemia. However, the pharmacological actions of GA in the prevention and treatment of ASCVD have not been comprehensively reviewed, which limits its clinical development. This review primarily summarizes the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological actions of GA on the related risk factors of ASCVD, AS, and ASCVD. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the toxicity, extraction, synthesis, pharmacokinetics, and pharmaceutics of GA,aimed to enhance understanding of its clinical applications and further research and development.
Qizhu Rougan Granules suppress liver fibrosis by inhibiting the expression of the P2Y14 receptor on hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Tao Yujing , Niu Qun , Yao Yuanqian , Wang Kaixin , Dong Haijian , Zhao Xin , Zeng Zijian , Li Hui
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Liver fibrosis is a globally prevalent chronic liver disease, often representing the advanced stage of various chronic liver conditions. Despite its widespread occurrence, there is currently no widely accepted or effective treatment for liver fibrosis. However, increasing evidence supports the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in inhibiting the progression of fibrosis. In this study, we explored the effects and potential mechanisms of Qizhu-Ruogan-Granules (QZRG), a formulation from the Affiliated Hospital of the Chengdu University of TCM, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice.

Methods

A total of 40 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8 per group), with liver fibrosis induced by injecting 10% CCl4 for 15 weeks. From the 7th week onward, QZRG granules were administered orally to the treatment groups at low, medium, and high doses. To assess liver function, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Liver morphology and fibrosis were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome staining, while gene and protein expression levels were analyzed through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot techniques.

Results

The results showed that QZRG granules significantly reduced serum levels of AST, ALT, and ALP in CCl4-treated mice, alleviated liver damage, and reduced collagen accumulation. Furthermore, QZRG granules inhibited the expression of apoptosis-related proteins BAX, Caspase9, Caspase8, and Caspase3, while reducing P2Y14 expression in fibrotic liver tissues. Additionally, QZRG granules suppressed the proliferation of activated hepatic stellate cells.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that QZRG granules may exert anti-fibrotic effects by downregulating P2Y14 expression and effectively slowing the progression of liver fibrosis.
High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) mediates nicotine-induced podocyte injury
Authors: Datta Sayantap , Rahman Mohammad Atiqur , Koka Saisudha , Boini Krishna M.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for renal dysfunction. Smoking associated with renal damage bears distinct physiological correlations in conditions such as diabetic nephropathy and obesity-induced glomerulopathy. However, the cellular and molecular basis of such an association remains poorly understood. High mobility group box 1(HMGB1) is a highly conserved non-histone chromatin associated protein that largely contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as sepsis, atherosclerosis, and chronic kidney diseases. Hence, the present study tested whether HMGB1 contributes to nicotine-induced podocyte injury.

Methods and Results

Biochemical analysis showed that nicotine treatment significantly increased the HMGB1 expression and release compared to vehicle treated podocytes. However, prior treatment with glycyrrhizin (Gly), a HMGB1 binder, abolished the nicotine-induced HMGB1 expression and release in podocytes. Furthermore, immunofluorescent analysis showed that nicotine treatment significantly decreased the expression of podocyte functional proteins- podocin and nephrin as compared to control cells. However, prior treatment with Gly attenuated the nicotine‐induced nephrin and podocin reduction. In addition, nicotine treatment significantly increased desmin expression and cell permeability compared to vehicle treated podocytes. However, prior treatment with Gly attenuated the nicotine-induced desmin expression and cell permeability. Mechanistic elucidation revealed that nicotine treatment augmented the expression of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and pre-treatment with Gly abolished nicotine induced TLR4 upregulation. Pharmacological inhibition of TLR4 with Resatorvid, a TLR4 specific inhibitor, also attenuated nicotine induced podocyte damage.

Conclusion

HMGB1 is one of the important mediators of nicotine‐induced podocyte injury through TLR4 activation.
Perspective on strategies for matching across age and sex in physiology research: “recreationally active” is not good enough
Authors: Schweitzer Allyson M. , Fuller Daniel , Fliss Matthew D. , Mitchell Cameron J.
Published: January 2025

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness are powerful confounders in age and sex-related comparisons. This paper provides a perspective on the benefits and limitations of matching participants by physical activity behaviour, objectively measured fitness and normative fitness percentiles. Data presented herein are a subset of a larger study, and highlight that matching by physical activity, does not necessarily match on other metrics like physical fitness, especially when age-related comparisons are being made. Our data showed that young and older adults matched by physical activity behaviours showed the expected higher CRF and muscular fitness in male and younger participants, but older adults had higher CRF percentiles. This suggests that matching by physical activity behaviour may select older adults with relatively higher CRF. Researchers must choose their matching method carefully to ensure the appropriate aspects of fitness have been matched between groups. For clarity, they should also report when certain aspects of fitness have not been accounted for and give an explanation as to why.
Foliar spraying with zinc oxide nanoparticles enhances the anti-osteoporotic efficacy of the fruit extracts of Silybum marianum L. by stimulating silybin production
Authors: Fahad Almulhim Bedoor , Sherif Fadia El , Younis Nancy S. , Safwat Yamen , Khattab Salah
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Silybum marianum is a medicinal plant that produces silymarin, which has been demonstrated to possess antiviral, anti-neurodegenerative, and anticancer activities. Silybin (A+B) are two major hepatoprotective flavonolignans produced predominantly in S. marianum fruits. Several attempts have been made to increase the synthesis of silymarin, or its primary components, silybin (A+B). Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are considered a highly efficient Zn source widely used to promote crop development and productivity.

Methods

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the foliar application of ZnO-NPs on the growth, yield, photosynthetic pigment content, silybin (A+B) content, and the expression of the chalcone synthase (CHS) gene in S. marianum plants. Different concentrations of ZnO-NPs were administered as foliar sprays to S. marianum plants growing in greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, we evaluated the anti-osteoporotic efficacy of the corresponding fruit extract against dexamethasone (Dex)-induced osteoporosis.

Results and discussion

Foliar treatment at all ZnO-NP concentrations increased the amounts of bioactive components of silybin (A+B), which enhanced the growth and yield of S. marianum plants while increasing the levels of N, P, K, and Zn in their leaves, roots, and fruits; the levels of photosynthetic pigments in their leaves; and silybin (A+B) content in their fruits, thereby increasing the medicinal value of S. marianum. The highest gains were observed in plants sprayed with the highest ZnO-NP concentration (20.0 mg/L). In addition, gene expression studies revealed that ZnO-NPs stimulated silybin (A+B) production by activating CHS genes. The administration of S. marianum extracts to Dex-administered rats increased osteoblast and bone formation while inhibiting osteoclast and bone resorption, thereby protecting the animals against Dex-induced osteoporosis.
Applying microbial biostimulants and drought-tolerant genotypes to enhance barley growth and yield under drought stress
Authors: Ferioun Mohamed , Zouitane Ilham , Bouhraoua Said , Elouattassi Yasmine , Belahcen Douae , Errabbani Abdellatif , Louahlia Said , Sayyed Riyaz , El Ghachtouli Naïma
Published: January 2025

With climate change, the frequency of regions experiencing water scarcity is increasing annually, posing a significant challenge to crop yield. Barley, a staple crop consumed and cultivated globally, is particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of drought stress, leading to reduced yield production. Water scarcity adversely affects multiple aspects of barley growth, including seed germination, biomass production, shoot and root characteristics, water and osmotic status, photosynthesis, and induces oxidative stress, resulting in considerable losses in grain yield and its components. In this context, the present review aims to underscore the importance of selecting drought-tolerant barley genotypes and utilizing bio-inoculants constructed from beneficial microorganisms as an agroecological approach to enhance barley growth and production resilience under varying environmental conditions. Selecting barley genotypes with robust physiological and agronomic tolerance can mitigate losses under diverse environmental conditions. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) play a crucial role in promoting plant growth through nutrient solubilization, nitrogen fixation, phytohormone production, exopolysaccharide secretion, enzyme activity enhancement, and many other mechanisms. Applying drought-tolerant genotypes with bio-inoculants containing PGPR, improves barley's drought tolerance thereby minimizing losses caused by water scarcity.
YOLOv7-DWS: tea bud recognition and detection network in multi-density environment via improved YOLOv7
Authors: Wang Xiaoming , Wu Zhenlong , Xiao Guannan , Han Chongyang , Fang Cheng
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Accurate detection and recognition of tea bud images can drive advances in intelligent harvesting machinery for tea gardens and technology for tea bud pests and diseases. In order to realize the recognition and grading of tea buds in a complex multi-density tea garden environment.

Methods

This paper proposes an improved YOLOv7 object detection algorithm, called YOLOv7-DWS, which focuses on improving the accuracy of tea recognition. First, we make a series of improvements to the YOLOv7 algorithm, including decouple head to replace the head of YOLOv7, to enhance the feature extraction ability of the model and optimize the class decision logic. The problem of simultaneous detection and classification of one-bud-one-leaf and one-bud-two-leaves of tea was solved. Secondly, a new loss function WiseIoU is proposed for the loss function in YOLOv7, which improves the accuracy of the model. Finally, we evaluate different attention mechanisms to enhance the model’s focus on key features.

Results and discussion

The experimental results show that the improved YOLOv7 algorithm has significantly improved over the original algorithm in all evaluation indexes, especially in the RTea(+6.2%) and mAP@0.5 (+7.7%). From the results, the algorithm in this paper helps to provide a new perspective and possibility for the field of tea image recognition.
Identification of 39 stripe rust resistance loci in a panel of 465 winter wheat entries presumed to have high-temperature adult-plant resistance through genome-wide association mapping and marker-assisted detection
Authors: Yao Fangjie , Wang Meinan , See Deven R. , Yang Ennian , Chen Guoyue , Chen Xianming
Published: January 2025

Stripe rust of wheat is a serious disease caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). Growing resistant cultivars is the most preferred approach to control the disease. To identify wheat genotypes with quantitative trait loci (QTL) for durable resistance to stripe rust, 465 winter wheat entries that were presumed to have high-temperature adult-plant (HTAP) resistance were used in this study. In the greenhouse seedling tests with seven Pst races, 16 entries were resistant to all the tested races. The 465 entries were also phenotyped for stripe rust responses at the adult-plant stage under natural infection of Pst in multiple field locations from 2018 to 2021 in the Washington state, and 345 entries were found to have stable resistance. The contrast of the susceptibility in the greenhouse seedling tests and the resistance in the field adult-plant stage for most of the entries indicated predominantly HTAP resistance in this panel. The durability of the resistance was demonstrated by a subset of 175 entries that were tested in multiple locations from 2007 to 2021. The 465 entries were genotyped through genotyping by multiplexed sequencing of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Combining the stripe rust response and SNP marker data, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted, resulting in 143 marker–trait associations, from which 28 QTL that were detected at least with two races or in two field environments were identified, including seven for all-stage resistance and 21 for HTAP resistance. These QTL each explained 6.0% to 40.0% of the phenotypic variation. Compared with previously reported Yr genes and QTL based on their genomic positions, five QTL including two for HTAP resistance were identified as new. A total of 10 user-friendly Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers were developed for eight of the HTAP resistance loci. In addition, molecular markers were used to detect 13 previously reported HTAP resistance genes/QTL, including two also identified in the GWAS analyses, and their frequencies ranged from 0.86% to 88.17% in the panel. The durable resistant genotypes, the genes/QTL identified, and the KASP markers developed in this study should be useful to develop wheat cultivars with long-lasting resistance to stripe rust.
Characterization of feeding damage by tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Hemiptera: Miridae) on Hainan Dayezhong tea cultivar
Authors: Yao Qi , Lin You-Ze , Qin Shuang , Lin Zhu-Feng , Ji Xun-Cong
Published: January 2025

The tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Hemiptera: Miridae), is a devastating piercing-sucking pest in tropical tea plantations. The Hainan Dayezhong (HNDYZ) is a large-leaf tea cultivar widely cultivated around the Hainan tea region in South China. However, information regarding the feeding damage of H. theivora on the HNDYZ tea plant remains scarce. Here, we first describe the morphology of H. theivora in Hainan tea region. Subsequently, we investigate the feeding biology of H. theivora on HNDYZ tea shoots under laboratory conditions. Additionally, we survey the infestations of H. theivora in a small-leaf Jinxuan tea plantation and three large-leaf HNDYZ tea plantations under varying shaded conditions. The results indicated that the morphological features of eggs, nymphs, and adults of H. theivora in the Hainan tea region were similar to those of the same species reported in other tropical tea regions. Nymphs and adults of H. theivora primarily fed on tender leaves and produced a subcircular spot within 2 to 4 minutes. This feeding spot would gradually turn dark brown within 24 hours. Furthermore, the adjacent scattered spots would connect after 48 hours, resulting in a necrotic patch on the leaves by 72 hours. The peak feeding time for H. theivora occurred at night, specifically from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM. The most preferred feeding site was at the second leaf position, accounting for 70.94 ± 3.68% of daily feeding spots. During the feeding peak, adults H. theivora produced more feeding spots than nymphs, with females and 5th-instar nymphs creating the largest feeding areas among all life stages. Field investigations showed that damage caused by H. theivora on the large-leaf HNDYZ tea cultivar was significantly greater than that on the small-leaf Jinxuan tea cultivar. More serious infestations of H. theivora were observed in the high-shade HNDYZ tea plantation compared to the medium-shade and no-shade HNDYZ tea plantations. This suggests that the different tea cultivars and shade conditions in tea plantations may influence the population of H. theivora in the field. These findings provide new insights for further research related to the feeding strategy of H. theivora on the HNDYZ tea cultivar.
“Longing is good”: proof-of-concept for a novel psychological intervention to tackle self-blaming emotions
Authors: Lajmi Nahed , Duan Suqian , Moll Jorge , Zahn Roland
Published: January 2025

Background

Many people with depression, for which self-blame plays a key role, are not amenable to current standard psychological treatments. This calls for novel self-guided interventions, which require less attention and motivation. The present study sought to establish proof-of-concept for a novel self-guided intervention in a non-clinical sample, which prompts people to transform self-blaming feelings into “longing,” as a related unpleasant, but presumably more adaptive and approach-related emotion, which plays a key role in many musical and literary genres but has been largely overlooked in clinical research.

Methods

Thirty nine participants with no previous self-reported history of mental disorders, but who experienced frequent feelings of self-blame were enrolled remotely (n = 3 lost to follow-up). Self-blaming thoughts, along with depressive symptoms and other outcomes, were assessed pre- and post-intervention to determine the potential of the intervention, which consisted of creating a 10-min video starting with self-blame evoking materials, transitioning to sadness and finally longing. Participants were then asked to watch their video daily for 7 days.

Results

The number of participants lost to follow-up was low (n = 3) and engagement with the intervention was very high. As predicted, the intervention significantly reduced depressive symptoms on our primary outcome measure (Beck’s Depression Inventory, BDI-II, Cohen’s d = 0.40) after 1 week. This was further confirmed by a reduction on the Maudsley-modified Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Unexpectedly, no changes were observed on the non-clinical measures.

Limitations

A randomized controlled trial design is needed to determine whether these symptom reductions were causally related to the intervention. Additionally, our findings may not generalize to men, due to our inability to recruit a sex-balanced sample.

Conclusion

As predicted, participants benefited from being prompted to transform self-blaming feelings into those related to longing which shows the feasibility and potential to be further developed in people with clinical depression. Our study highlights the adaptive potential of unpleasant approach-related emotions such as longing, which are rarely considered in standard psychotherapies.
Interpersonal relationships as coping mechanisms during bed rest: a thematic synthesis literature review
Authors: Cikač Ana , Pišot Saša
Published: January 2025

Bed rest (BR) studies are primarily designed to investigate the effects of weightlessness on the human body, but they are also used to study the effects of physical inactivity. For this purpose, participants are typically recruited from the general population without requiring specialized training, which contrasts with the selection process for cosmonauts. The BR study environment is often characterized as highly stressful, highlighting the importance of understanding coping mechanisms and adaptation strategies among participants, as well as the role of their daily interactions. This review aims to determine whether interpersonal relationships and the concept of social connectedness (SC) have been explored within the context of BR studies. For the search strategy, the definition of exclusion criteria, and the initial screening, PRISMA 2020 statement was followed. The PEO framework was used to generate keywords, and thematic synthesis was applied for data extraction, analysis, and synthesis. An initial search did not uncover any studies examining the concept of SC in the context of BR as an environment with extreme conditions, suggesting that SC in this context has not yet been investigated. While findings of thematic synthesis indicate that interpersonal relationships play a significant role in coping with and adapting to the extreme conditions of BR studies. As results showed these relationships can have both positive and negative effects. Interpersonal relationships also serve as a crucial support mechanism among participants. Additionally, how participants make sense of their involvement in such studies remains underexplored, and further research in this area is recommended in the discussion.
Anticipation training for expert tennis players when facing a specific player
Authors: Triolet Céline , Benguigui Nicolas
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In fast ball sports, such as tennis, when spatiotemporal constraints are high, players have to anticipate the opponent action. Not much is known about how players acquire and improve this ability. The aim of this study was to use an implicit training protocol (no information was given to participants) based on the knowledge of one particular opponent to analyse how experts could improve their anticipation ability.

Method

Professional tennis players were tested and trained in a protocol consisted of watching videos with temporal occlusions before the opponent stroke and guessing the direction of the stroke. Three groups took part in the experiment: one with a specific training with the same opponent as in pre- and post-tests; one with a various training with players other than the one used in pre- and post-tests (to control that the improvement is link with the knowledge of one specific opponent and not to an adaptation to the task) and one control group without practice.

Results

Only the group trained with the same opponent increased its response accuracy.

Discussion

Our results suggest that anticipation can be improved in professional tennis players with a very specific training providing information about the opponent.
Color and tone color: audiovisual crossmodal correspondences with musical instrument timbre
Authors: Reymore Lindsey , Lindsey Delwin T.
Published: January 2025

Crossmodal correspondences, or widely shared tendencies for mapping experiences across sensory domains, are revealed in common descriptors of musical timbre such as bright, dark, and warm. Two experiments are reported in which participants listened to recordings of musical instruments playing major scales, selected colors to match the timbres, and rated the timbres on crossmodal semantic scales. Experiment A used three different keyboard instruments, each played in three pitch registers. Stimuli in Experiment B, representing six different orchestral instruments, were similar to those in Experiment A but were controlled for pitch register. Overall, results were consistent with hypothesized concordances between ratings on crossmodal timbre descriptors and participants’ color associations. Semantic ratings predicted the lightness and saturation of colors matched to instrument timbres; effects were larger when both pitch register and instrument type varied (Experiment A) but were still evident when pitch register was held constant (Experiment B). We also observed a weak relationship between participant ratings of musical stimuli on the terms warm and cool and the warmth-coolness of selected colors in Experiment B only. Results were generally consistent with the hypothesis that instrument type and pitch register are related to color choice, though we speculate that these associations may only be relevant for certain instruments. Overall, the results have implications for our understanding the relationship between music and color, suggesting that while timbre/color matching behavior is in many ways diverse, observable trends in strategy can in part be linked to crossmodal timbre semantics.
Ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy for grief: a non-randomized clinical trial protocol
Authors: Sabucedo Pablo , Andión Oscar , Neimeyer Robert A. , Soto-Angona Oscar , Javkin Julia , Haro Josep Maria , Farré Magi , González Débora
Published: January 2025

Background

Psychotherapy for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), a condition characterized by an intense and persistent grief response, has received increased attention over the past decades. Evidence-based approaches to prevent PGD are currently scarce, and not always effective. This paper introduces a protocol for a clinical trial exploring the effectiveness of a Meaning Reconstruction psychotherapy approach (MR) assisted with ayahuasca, a traditional indigenous medicine.

Method

The outlined protocol is a three-arm, non-randomized controlled trial focused on reducing normal and pathological grief symptoms, comparing the effectiveness of Ayahuasca-assisted MR therapy (A-MR), MR therapy alone (MR) and No Treatment (NT). At least 69 people who lost a first-degree relative during the prior year, and with a Texas Revised Inventory of Grief score up 39 (TRIG ≥ 40), will participate in the trial. Participants will be allocated to an A-MR (n ≥ 23), MR (n ≥ 23) or NT (n ≥ 23) group. Those from the A-MR and MR therapy groups will undergo a therapeutic process involving 9 sessions of online psychotherapy. In addition, the A-MR condition involves 2 group sessions of ayahuasca. The primary outcomes will be normal and pathological grief severity as measured by the TRIG and Traumatic Grief Inventory Self-Report (TGI-SR), administered at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow up. Measures of quality of life, post-traumatic growth, meaning-made, psychological flexibility, and self-belief consistency will be also included. In addition, subjective effects of ayahuasca and acceptance-avoidance promoting effects will be assessed following ayahuasca administration. Finally, we will analyze the potential mediating effect of meaning-made, psychological flexibility and self-belief consistency in grief symptoms (as measured by the TRIG and TGI).

Discussion

This trial is the first to empirically examinate the potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for grief, as well as the potential processes of change that may account for it.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT06150859.
Applied pharmacogenetics to predict response to treatment of first psychotic episode: study protocol
Authors: Mas Sergi , Julià Laura , Cuesta Manuel J. , Crespo-Facorro Benedicto , Vázquez-Bourgon Javier , Spuch Carlos , Gonzalez-Pinto Ana , Ibañez Angela , Usall Judith , Romero-López-Alberca Cristina , Catalan Ana , Mané Anna , Bernardo Miquel
Published: January 2025

The application of personalized medicine in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) requires tools for classifying patients according to their response to treatment, considering both treatment efficacy and toxicity. However, several limitations have hindered its translation into clinical practice. Here, we describe the rationale, aims and methodology of Applied Pharmacogenetics to Predict Response to Treatment of First Psychotic Episode (the FarmaPRED-PEP project), which aims to develop and validate predictive algorithms to classify FEP patients according to their response to antipsychotics, thereby allowing the most appropriate treatment strategy to be selected. These predictors will integrate, through machine learning techniques, pharmacogenetic (measured as polygenic risk scores) and epigenetic data together with clinical, sociodemographic, environmental, and neuroanatomical data. To do this, the FarmaPRED-PEP project will use data from two already recruited cohorts: the PEPS cohort from the “Genotype-Phenotype Interaction and Environment. Application to a Predictive Model in First Psychotic Episodes” study (the PEPs study from the Spanish abbreviation) (N=335) and the PAFIP cohort from “Clinical Program on Early Phases of Psychosis” (PAFIP from the Spanish abbreviation) (N = 350). These cohorts will be used to create the predictor, which will then be validated in a new cohort, the FarmaPRED cohort (N = 300). The FarmaPRED-PEP project has been designed to overcome several of the limitations identified in pharmacogenetic studies in psychiatry: (1) the sample size; (2) the phenotype heterogeneity and its definition; (3) the complexity of the phenotype and (4) the gender perspective. The global reach of the FarmaPRED-PEP project is to facilitate the effective deployment of precision medicine in national health systems.
Machine learning prediction of anxiety symptoms in social anxiety disorder: utilizing multimodal data from virtual reality sessions
Authors: Park Jin-Hyun , Shin Yu-Bin , Jung Dooyoung , Hur Ji-Won , Pack Seung Pil , Lee Heon-Jeong , Lee Hwamin , Cho Chul-Hyun
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Machine learning (ML) is an effective tool for predicting mental states and is a key technology in digital psychiatry. This study aimed to develop ML algorithms to predict the upper tertile group of various anxiety symptoms based on multimodal data from virtual reality (VR) therapy sessions for social anxiety disorder (SAD) patients and to evaluate their predictive performance across each data type.

Methods

This study included 32 SAD-diagnosed individuals, and finalized a dataset of 132 samples from 25 participants. It utilized multimodal (physiological and acoustic) data from VR sessions to simulate social anxiety scenarios. This study employed extended Geneva minimalistic acoustic parameter set for acoustic feature extraction and extracted statistical attributes from time series-based physiological responses. We developed ML models that predict the upper tertile group for various anxiety symptoms in SAD using Random Forest, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), and categorical boosting (CatBoost) models. The best parameters were explored through grid search or random search, and the models were validated using stratified cross-validation and leave-one-out cross-validation.

Results

The CatBoost, using multimodal features, exhibited high performance, particularly for the Social Phobia Scale with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) of 0.852. It also showed strong performance in predicting cognitive symptoms, with the highest AUROC of 0.866 for the Post-Event Rumination Scale. For generalized anxiety, the LightGBM’s prediction for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-trait led to an AUROC of 0.819. In the same analysis, models using only physiological features had AUROCs of 0.626, 0.744, and 0.671, whereas models using only acoustic features had AUROCs of 0.788, 0.823, and 0.754.

Conclusions

This study showed that a ML algorithm using integrated multimodal data can predict upper tertile anxiety symptoms in patients with SAD with higher performance than acoustic or physiological data obtained during a VR session. The results of this study can be used as evidence for personalized VR sessions and to demonstrate the strength of the clinical use of multimodal data.
The role of anti-inflammatory diets and supplementation in metabolic syndrome and symptom remission in adults with schizophrenia: a systematic review
Authors: Suschana Elizabeth , Anderson Thea , Hong Catriona , Narikatte Arun , Silverberg Jillian , Sharma Manu Suresh
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation have been hypothesized as potential pathways in metabolic syndrome and schizophrenia. Anti-inflammatory diets have the potential not only to treat metabolic syndrome but also to reduce the symptom burden in schizophrenia. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the role of anti-inflammatory diets and vitamin supplementation in the management of metabolic syndrome and in symptom remission in people with schizophrenia.

Methods

This systematic review included research articles from PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials. The primary outcomes were markers of metabolic syndrome and symptoms of psychosis.

Results

Our search identified 2,124 potential studies, of which 1,559 were screened based on the title and abstract, resulting in 81 full-text articles assessed for eligibility. A total of 17 studies were included, which demonstrated mixed findings on the impacts of anti-inflammatory diet interventions on metabolic markers and symptom remission in schizophrenia. Prebiotic, probiotic, and fish oil supplementation showed improvements in metabolic markers. Fish oil and vitamin D supplementation demonstrated symptom remission in some trials.

Conclusion

It is important to consider that people with schizophrenia may experience common external barriers that hinder adherence to dietary interventions. These findings underscore the need for larger trials with standardized dietary protocols and consistent metabolic and symptom outcome measures in order to better understand the potential role of anti-inflammatory interventions in this population.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024511596.
Plastic but not progressive changes in cognitive function and hippocampal volume in an adolescent with bipolar disorder: a case report
Authors: Liu Bo , Sun Hui , Zhao Qiannan , Li Li , Tian Rong , Lui Su , Zhu Hongru
Published: January 2025

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a prevalent mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania, often accompanied by varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairments often serve as indicators of a bleak prognosis or the likelihood of progressing to dementia. Additionally, some studies suggest that individuals diagnosed with BD may undergo a decline in hippocampal volume. However, the potential for reversibility of these changes, particularly in adolescents, remains unclear. We present an intriguing case involving an 18-year-old male student who experiences concurrent occurrences of both BD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), accompanied by a subtle reduction in hippocampal volume. Initially, the individual exhibited impaired general cognitive function, as indicated by an IQ score of 80 on the Standard Raven’s Progressive Matrices test, and demonstrated slightly reduced bilateral hippocampal volume compared to the normative reference, as determined through quantitative structural magnetic resonance imaging (qsMRI). The deposition profiles of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide in the brain were not identified with 18F-AV45 PET/MRI. Following six months of combined psychopharmacological treatment and cognitive behavioral therapy, the individual’s psychopathological symptoms improved significantly, leading to a restoration of his IQ score to 116 and normalization of hippocampal volume. This case suggests that the hippocampal volume reduction and cognitive impairment seen in some adolescents with BD may demonstrate greater plasticity compared to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These findings highlight the potential importance of early intervention in young BD patients with cognitive impairments.
Regional disparities and dynamic evolution of suicide prevention and intervention efficiency in Japan
Authors: Tang Yin
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This study investigates the cost-effectiveness of suicide prevention and intervention (SPI) efforts by prefectural governments in Japan. It represents the first application of a public sector efficiency evaluation model to assess government SPI initiatives. The research aims to identify spatial disparities and dynamic evaluation in SPI efficiency, providing actionable insights for policymakers.

Methods

We employed a three-stage Modified Slacks-Based Measure of Super Efficiency to evaluate the SPI implementation efficiency of prefectural governments. This approach accounted for exogenous environmental and stochastic factors to isolate actual managerial efficiency. Additionally, the Luenberger productivity index was utilized to analyze the changes in SPI efficiency over time, focusing on the contributions of technological advancements and efficiency improvements.

Results

The analysis revealed significant spatial disparities in SPI efficiency across prefectural governments. However, a substantial portion of these differences was attributable to exogenous environmental and stochastic factors, indicating relatively limited variations in actual managerial efficiency. The Luenberger productivity index indicated an overall upward trend in SPI productivity, driven primarily by technical change. Conversely, the analysis highlighted a decline in efficiency changes, predominantly due to reduced scale efficiency.

Discussion

The findings underscore the importance of considering external environmental and stochastic factors when evaluating SPI efficiency. While technical advancements have positively influenced SPI productivity, policymakers should address the deteriorating trend in scale efficiency changes to ensure sustainable improvements in efficiency. Strategies that balance technical change and efficiency enhancements are essential for optimizing local SPI efforts.
Sociodemographic characteristics and vaping motives as potential correlates of early vaping initiation
Authors: Al-Naimi Aisha , Al-Obaidli Fatma , Al-Rashdi Reem , Chokor Fatima Al Zahraa , Al-Hamdani Mohammed
Published: January 2025

Background

Vaping’s popularity has particularly increased among young people, with its prevalence varying across different regions, including the Middle East. The health impacts of vaping, especially when initiated early, are a growing concern.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the correlates of early vaping initiation (EVI) and explored the sociodemographic characteristics and vaping motives influencing EVI among vapers from Arab countries.

Methods

An online cross-sectional survey recruited 428regular vapers, aged 18–60 who resided in Arab countries at the time of the study. Sociodemographic and vaping motives data were collected. Stepwise logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with EVI.

Results

The study findings revealed that older participants and expats have lower odds of EVI. Males and vapers from Qatar had around 4–5 times the odds of EVI as compared to females and those from Egypt, respectively.

Conclusion

Targeted social marketing and education campaigns may benefit groups at risk of EVI, including residents of Qatar, males, and those who are strongly influenced by social media or who have friends or family members who vape. Reducing EVI is particularly important, as vaping often begins at an early age, and early intervention is vital to prevent early initiation and subsequent addiction.
Social determinants of financial stress and association with psychological distress among young adults 18–26 years in the United States
Authors: Nasir Anaiya , Javed Umair , Hagan Kobina , Chang Ryan , Kundi Harun , Amin Zahir , Butt Sara , Al-Kindi Sadeer , Javed Zulqarnain
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Financial stress (FS) during young adulthood may have lasting effects on financial security, physical health, and overall wellbeing. This study examines the burden, social determinants and mental health consequences of experienced FS among young adults in the United States, based on objective measures of financial stress.

Methods

We studied young adults aged 18–26 years using pooled data from the 2013–18 National Health Interview Survey. FS was assessed as an aggregate score (6–24) based on worry about six life tasks: paying for: monthly bills, housing expenses, healthcare, illness/accident, maintaining standard of living, saving money for retirement. Individuals in the highest quartile of the score were defined as having high FS. Psychological distress (PD) was measured using the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6); high PD was defined as total K6 score ≥13. Multivariable ordinal and logistic regression models were used to assess key social determinants of FS and the association between FS and PD, respectively.

Results

Study sample included 19,821 individuals aged 18–26 years (34 million annualized). Overall, 17% (5.8 million nationally) of young adults reported high FS. Female, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic, low income/low education, uninsured, non-citizen and comorbidities were associated with high FS burden. In fully adjusted models, high FS was associated with over 6-fold (OR = 6.17, 95% CI 4.43–8.61) higher risk of high PD.

Discussion

One in six young adults in the US experiences high FS, which portends high risk of PD. These findings should inform stakeholder deliberations to identify and mitigate the unintended mental health consequences of FS in this vulnerable population.