bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symbiotic Algae of Hydra viridissima Play a Key Role in Maintaining Homeostatic Bacterial Colonization
Authors: Bathia Jay , Schröder Katja , Fraune Sebastian , Lachnit Tim , Rosenstiel Philip , Bosch Thomas C. G.
Published: June 2022

The freshwater polyp Hydra viridissima (H. viridissima) harbors endosymbiotic Chlorella algae in addition to a species-specific microbiome. The molecular basis of the symbiosis between Hydra and Chlorella has been characterized to be metabolic in nature. Here, we studied the interaction between the extracellularly located microbiota and the algal photobiont, which resides in Hydra’s endodermal epithelium, with main focus on Legionella bacterium. We aimed at evaluating the influence of the symbiotic algae on microbial colonization and in shaping the host microbiome. We report that the microbiome composition of symbiotic and aposymbiotic (algae free) H. viridissima is significantly different and dominated by Legionella spp. Hvir in aposymbiotic animals. Co-cultivation of these animals resulted in horizontal transmission of Legionella spp. Hvir bacteria from aposymbiotic to symbiotic animals. Acquisition of this bacterium increased the release of algae into ambient water. From there, algae could subsequently be taken up again by the aposymbiotic animals. The presence of algal symbionts had negative impact on Legionella spp. Hvir and resulted in a decrease of the relative abundance of this bacterium. Prolonged co-cultivation ultimately resulted in the disappearance of the Legionella spp. Hvir bacterium from the Hydra tissue. Our observations suggest an important role of the photobiont in controlling an invasive species in a metacommunity and, thereby, shaping the microbiome.
Gut Microbiome Signatures in the Progression of Hepatitis B Virus-Induced Liver Disease
Authors: Li Ranxi , Yi Xinzhu , Yang Junhao , Zhu Zhou , Wang Yifei , Liu Xiaomin , Huang Xili , Wan Yu , Fu Xihua , Shu Wensheng , Zhang Wenjie , Wang Zhang
Published: June 2022

The gut microbiome is associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver disease, which progresses from chronic hepatitis B, to liver cirrhosis, and eventually to hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies have analyzed the gut microbiome at each stage of HBV-induced liver diseases, but a consensus has not been reached on the microbial signatures across these stages. Here, we conducted by a systematic meta-analysis of 486 fecal samples from publicly available 16S rRNA gene datasets across all disease stages, and validated the results by a gut microbiome characterization on an independent cohort of 15 controls, 23 chronic hepatitis B, 20 liver cirrhosis, and 22 hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The integrative analyses revealed 13 genera consistently altered at each of the disease stages both in public and validation datasets, suggesting highly robust microbiome signatures. Specifically, Colidextribacter and Monoglobus were enriched in healthy controls. An unclassified Lachnospiraceae genus was specifically elevated in chronic hepatitis B, whereas Bilophia was depleted. Prevotella and Oscillibacter were depleted in liver cirrhosis. And Coprococcus and Faecalibacterium were depleted in hepatocellular carcinoma. Classifiers established using these 13 genera showed diagnostic power across all disease stages in a cross-validation between public and validation datasets (AUC = 0.65–0.832). The identified microbial taxonomy serves as non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring the progression of HBV-induced liver disease, and may contribute to microbiome-based therapies.
Potassium Channel Conductance Is Involved in Phenylephrine-Induced Spontaneous Firing of Serotonergic Neurons in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Yingzi , Du Xiaona , Zhang Hailin
Published: June 2022

The serotonergic (5-HT) network from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) of the brain has been demonstrated to regulate cognition, emotion, and behaviors, including learning and the sleep-wake cycle. Dysregulation of the activity of 5-HT neurons in the DRN is thought to play an important role in emotional disorders. The activity of 5-HT neurons is regulated by norepinephrine (NE) released from the projection terminals of noradrenergic input from the locus coeruleus (LC) via activation of the α1-adrenoceptor. However, insight into the molecular mechanism underlying this NE-induced regulation of 5-HT neuron activity is not clear. In this study, using the agonist of α1-adrenoceptor phenylephrine (PE), brain slices, and patch clamp, we found that A-type, Kv7/KCNQ, and calcium-activated low-conductance K+ channels (SK) underlie PE-induced spontaneous firing in DRN 5-HT neurons. Using single-cell PCR and immunofluorescence, we also identified the isoforms of these K+ channel families that might contribute to the NE/PE-induced spontaneous firing of DRN 5-HT neurons.
The Effectiveness of Unilateral Cochlear Implantation on Performance-Based and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Finnish Recipients
Authors: Dietz Aarno , Heinrich Antje , Törmäkangas Timo , Iso-Mustajärvi Matti , Miettinen Petrus , Willberg Tytti , Linder Pia H.
Published: June 2022

Understanding speech is essential for adequate social interaction, and its functioning affects health, wellbeing, and quality of life (QoL). Untreated hearing loss (HL) is associated with reduced social activity, depression and cognitive decline. Severe and profound HL is routinely rehabilitated with cochlear implantation. The success of treatment is mostly assessed by performance-based outcome measures such as speech perception. The ultimate goal of cochlear implantation, however, is to improve the patient’s QoL. Therefore, patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) would be clinically valuable as they assess subjective benefits and overall effectiveness of treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the patient-reported benefits of unilateral cochlear implantation in an unselected Finnish patient cohort of patients with bilateral HL. The study design was a prospective evaluation of 118 patients. The patient cohort was longitudinally followed up with repeated within-subject measurements preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The main outcome measures were one performance-based speech-in-noise (SiN) test (Finnish Matrix Sentence Test), and two PROMs [Finnish versions of the Speech, Spatial, Qualities of Hearing questionnaire (SSQ) and the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ)]. The results showed significant average improvements in SiN scores, from +0.8 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) preoperatively to −3.7 and −3.8 dB SNR at 6 and12 month follow-up, respectively. Significant improvements were also found for SSQ and NCIQ scores in all subdomains from the preoperative state to 6 and 12 months after first fitting. No clinically significant improvements were observed in any of the outcome measures between 6 and 12 months. Preoperatively, poor SiN scores were associated with low scoring in several subdomains of the SSQ and NCIQ. Poor preoperative SiN scores and low PROMs scoring were significantly associated with larger postoperative improvements. No significant association was found between SiN scores and PROMs postoperatively. This study demonstrates significant benefits of cochlear implantation in the performance-based and patient-reported outcomes in an unselected patient sample. The lack of association between performance and PROMs scores postoperatively suggests that both capture unique aspects of benefit, highlighting the need to clinically implement PROMs in addition to performance-based measures for a more holistic assessment of treatment benefit.
Dysregulation of Astrocytic Glutamine Transport in Acute Hyperammonemic Brain Edema
Authors: Zielińska Magdalena , Albrecht Jan , Popek Mariusz
Published: June 2022

Acute liver failure (ALF) impairs ammonia clearance from blood, which gives rise to acute hyperammonemia and increased ammonia accumulation in the brain. Since in brain glutamine synthesis is the only route of ammonia detoxification, hyperammonemia is as a rule associated with increased brain glutamine content (glutaminosis) which correlates with and contributes along with ammonia itself to hyperammonemic brain edema-associated with ALF. This review focuses on the effects of hyperammonemia on the two glutamine carriers located in the astrocytic membrane: Slc38a3 (SN1, SNAT3) and Slc7a6 (y + LAT2). We emphasize the contribution of the dysfunction of either of the two carriers toglutaminosis- related aspects of brain edema: retention of osmotically obligated water (Slc38a3) and induction of oxidative/nitrosative stress (Slc7a6). The changes in glutamine transport linkglutaminosis-evoked mitochondrial dysfunction to oxidative-nitrosative stress as formulated in the “Trojan Horse” hypothesis.
Acanthocytes Identified in Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Yu Yueyi , Lu Yuanyuan , Wang Fen , Lu Yan , Xie Beijia , Meng Xiaosheng , Tang Yi
Published: June 2022

Background

Neuroacanthocytosis (NA) and Huntington’s disease (HD) are neurodegenerative conditions that share clinical symptoms and imaging findings, despite their distinct genetic etiologies. Usually, the presence of acanthocytes can help narrow the differential diagnosis of a familial choreiform disorder, as the diagnosis of NA syndrome is supported by the presence of acanthocytes in peripheral blood. In this study, we demonstrate four patients who present with HD and acanthocytosis.

Methods

We retrieved the data of 40 HD patients with fresh peripheral blood screened for erythrocytes in our hospital from 2014 to 2022. Of these 40 patients, four patients with acanthocytes were recruited for this study. Patients’ investigations included clinical and laboratory studies, HTT gene sequencing, and whole-exome sequencing. Fresh peripheral blood was screened for erythrocytes by scanning electron microscopy.

Results

The four adult patients were Han Chinese and unrelated. The age ranged from 45 to 61 years, with a disease duration of 4–10 years. The main neurological features at diagnosis included progressive involuntary movements, psychiatric changes, and dementia. Genetic analysis showed an expansion at the HTT gene. The mean proportion of acanthocytes was mild (6–10%) elevated in patient one and high (>20%) elevated in patients 2–4 by scanning electron microscopy examination.

Conclusion

Our study illustrates that HD can combine with acanthocytosis, which may expand the clinical phenotype. Even though the primary gene defect appears to be predominately directed at the brain, a peripheral defect can be seen in HD. Our study highlights the complexity and diversity of HD.
A Simplified Herbal Formula Improves Cardiac Function and Reduces Inflammation in Mice Through the TLR-Mediated NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Dong Xiaoming , Han Xiaowei , Zhang Xiaojiao , Li Sijing , Li Ziru , Kang Jinhua , Jiang Jialin , Ni Shihao , Lu Lu , He Zhiling , Huang Haoming , Xian Shaoxiang , Yuan Tianhui , Yang Zhongqi , Long Wenjie , Wan Zemin
Published: June 2022

Nuanxinkang tablet (NXK), a Chinese herbal formula, can improve heart function and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the mechanisms of action of NXK are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of NXK on inflammation in the CHF mouse model. This model was established by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and treated with NXK for 8 weeks. Then, the cardiac function and myocardial fibrosis were evaluated. The monocytes/macrophages were evaluated by immunofluorescence. The mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), while TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB p65, P-IκBα, TLR2, TLR7 and TLR9 protein levels were evaluated by Western blot. The results showed that NXK improved the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-systolic dimension, reversed myocardial fibrosis, and inhibited pro-inflammatory (CD11b + Ly6C+) monocytes/macrophages in the TAC mouse model. NXK also reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the above markers. Taken together, NXK improved heart function and reduced inflammation through the TLR-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway, suggesting that it might be used as an innovative treatment strategy for CHF.
Harnessing Clinical Trial and Real-World Data Towards an Understanding of Sex Effects on Drug Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Efficacy
Authors: Oi Yan Chan Joyce , Moullet Marie , Williamson Beth , Arends Rosalinda H. , Pilla Reddy Venkatesh
Published: June 2022

Increasing clinical data on sex-related differences in drug efficacy and toxicity has highlighted the importance of understanding the impact of sex on drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Intrinsic differences between males and females, such as different CYP enzyme activity, drug transporter expression or levels of sex hormones can all contribute to different responses to medications. However, most studies do not include sex-specific investigations, leading to lack of sex-disaggregated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data. Based available literature, the potential influence of sex on exposure-response relationship has not been fully explored for many drugs used in clinical practice, though population-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling is well-placed to explore this effect. The aim of this review is to highlight existing knowledge gaps regarding the effect of sex on clinical outcomes, thereby proposing future research direction for the drugs with significant sex differences. Based on evaluated drugs encompassing all therapeutic areas, 25 drugs demonstrated a clinically meaningful sex differences in drug exposure (characterised by ≥ 50% change in drug exposure) and this altered PK was correlated with differential response.
Acute Effects of Barbell Bouncing and External Cueing on Power Output in Bench Press Throw in Resistance-Trained Men
Authors: Saeterbakken Atle Hole , Loken Jorund , Solstad Tom Erik Jorung , Stien Nicolay , Prieske Olaf , Scott Suzanne , Andersen Vidar
Published: June 2022

The aims of this study were to compare power output during a bench press throw (BPT) executed with (BPTbounce) and without (BPT) the barbell bounce technique, and examine the effect of cueing different barbell descent velocities on BPT power output in resistance-trained males. In total, 27 males (age 23.1 ± 2.1 years; body mass 79.4 ± 7.4 kg; height 178.8 ± 5.5 cm; and 4.6 ± 1.9 years of resistance training experience) were recruited and attended one familiarization session and two experimental sessions (EXP 1 and EXP 2). The force–velocity profile during maximal BPT and BPTbounce (randomized order) under different loads (30–60 kg) was established (EXP 1), and the effect of varying external barbell descent velocity cues “slow, medium, and as fast as possible” (i.e., “fast”) on the power output for each technique (BPT and BPTbounce) was examined (EXP 2). Comparing two BPT techniques (EXP 1), BPTbounce demonstrated 7.9–14.1% greater average power (p ≤ 0.001, ES = 0.48–0.90), 6.5–12.1% greater average velocity (p ≤ 0.001, ES = 0.48–0.91), and 11.9–31.3% shorter time to peak power (p ≤ 0.001–0.05, ES = 0.33–0.83) across the loads 30–60 kg than BPT. The cueing condition “fast” (EXP 2) resulted in greater power outcomes for both BPT and BPTbounce than “slow.” No statistically significant differences in any of the power outcomes were observed between “medium” and “slow” cuing conditions for BPT (p = 0.097–1.000), whereas BPTbounce demonstrated increased average power and velocity under the “medium” cuing condition, compared to “slow” (p = 0.006–0.007, ES = 0.25–0.28). No statistically significant differences were observed in barbell throw height comparing BPT and BPTbounce under each cuing condition (p = 0.225–1.000). Overall, results indicate that both bouncing the barbell and emphasizing barbell descent velocity be considered to improve upper body power in athlete and non-athlete resistance-training programs.
Nuclear Receptors (PPARs, REV-ERBs, RORs) and Clock Gene Rhythms in Goldfish (Carassius auratus) Are Differently Regulated in Hypothalamus and Liver
Authors: Gómez-Boronat Miguel , De Pedro Nuria , Alonso-Gómez Ángel L. , Delgado María J. , Isorna Esther
Published: June 2022

The circadian system is formed by a network of oscillators located in central and peripheral tissues that are tightly linked to generate rhythms in vertebrates to adapt the organism to the cyclic environmental changes. The nuclear receptors PPARs, REV-ERBs and RORs are transcription factors controlled by the circadian system that regulate, among others, a large number of genes that control metabolic processes for which they have been proposed as key genes that link metabolism and temporal homeostasis. To date it is unclear whether these nuclear receptors show circadian expression and which zeitgebers are important for their synchronization in fish. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether the two main zeitgebers (light-dark cycle and feeding time) could affect the synchronization of central (hypothalamus) and peripheral (liver) core clocks and nuclear receptors in goldfish. To this aim, three experimental groups were established: fish under a 12 h light-12 h darkness and fed at Zeitgeber Time 2; fish with the same photoperiod but randomly fed; and fish under constant darkness and fed at Circadian Time 2. After one month, clock genes and nuclear receptors expression in hypothalamus and liver and circulating glucose were studied. Clock genes displayed daily rhythms in both tissues of goldfish if the light-dark cycle was present, with shifted-acrophases of negative and positive elements, as expected for proper functioning clocks. In darkness-maintained fish hypothalamic clock genes were fully arrhythmic while the hepatic ones were still rhythmic. Among studied nuclear receptors, in the hypothalamus only nr1d1 was rhythmic and only when the light-dark cycle was present. In the liver all nuclear receptors were rhythmic when both zeitgebers were present, but only nr1d1 when one of them was removed. Plasma glucose levels showed significant rhythms in fish maintained under random fed regimen or constant darkness, with the highest levels at 1-h postprandially in all groups. Altogether these results support that hypothalamus is mainly a light-entrained-oscillator, while the liver is a food-entrained-oscillator. Moreover, nuclear receptors are revealed as clear outputs of the circadian system acting as key elements in the timekeeping of temporal homeostasis, particularly in the liver.
Strain Construction and Process Development for Efficient Recombinant Production of Mannuronan C-5 Epimerases in Hansenula polymorpha
Authors: Tøndervik Anne , Aune Randi , Degelmann Adelheid , Piontek Michael , Ertesvåg Helga , Skjåk-Bræk Gudmund , Sletta Håvard
Published: June 2022

Alginates are linear polysaccharides produced by brown algae and some bacteria and are composed of β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L-guluronic acid (G). Alginate has numerous present and potential future applications within industrial, medical and pharmaceutical areas and G rich alginates are traditionally most valuable and frequently used due to their gelling and viscosifying properties. Mannuronan C-5 epimerases are enzymes converting M to G at the polymer level during the biosynthesis of alginate. The Azotobacter vinelandii epimerases AlgE1-AlgE7 share a common structure, containing one or two catalytic A-modules (A), and one to seven regulatory R-modules (R). Despite the structural similarity of the epimerases, they create different M-G patterns in the alginate; AlgE4 (AR) creates strictly alternating MG structures whereas AlgE1 (ARRRAR) and AlgE6 (ARRR) create predominantly G-blocks. These enzymes are therefore promising tools for producing in vitro tailor-made alginates. Efficient in vitro epimerization of alginates requires availability of recombinantly produced alginate epimerases, and for this purpose the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha is an attractive host organism. The present study investigates whether H. polymorpha is a suitable expression system for future large-scale production of AlgE1, AlgE4, and AlgE6. H. polymorpha expression strains were constructed using synthetic genes with reduced repetitive sequences as well as optimized codon usage. High cell density cultivations revealed that the largest epimerases AlgE1 (147 kDa) and AlgE6 (90 kDa) are subject to proteolytic degradation by proteases secreted by the yeast cells. However, degradation could be controlled to a large extent either by co-expression of chaperones or by adjusting cultivation conditions. The smaller AlgE4 (58 kDa) was stable under all tested conditions. The results obtained thus point toward a future potential for using H. polymorpha in industrial production of mannuronan C-5 epimerases for in vitro tailoring of alginates.
Characterization and Comparison of Convergence Among Cephalotus follicularis Pitcher Plant-Associated Communities With Those of Nepenthes and Sarracenia Found Worldwide
Authors: Bittleston Leonora S. , Benson Elizabeth L. , Bernardin Jessica R. , Pierce Naomi E.
Published: June 2022

The Albany pitcher plant, Cephalotus follicularis, has evolved cup-shaped leaves and a carnivorous habit completely independently from other lineages of pitcher plants. It is the only species in the family Cephalotaceae and is restricted to a small region of Western Australia. Here, we used metabarcoding to characterize the bacterial and eukaryotic communities living in C. follicularis pitchers at two different sites. Bacterial and eukaryotic communities were correlated in both richness and composition; however, the factors associated with richness were not the same across bacteria and eukaryotes, with bacterial richness differing with fluid color, and eukaryotic richness differing with the concentration of DNA extracted from the fluid, a measure roughly related to biomass. For turnover in composition, the variation in both bacterial and eukaryotic communities primarily differed with fluid acidity, fluid color, and sampling site. We compared C. follicularis-associated community diversity with that of Australian Nepenthes mirabilis, as well as a global comparison of Southeast Asian Nepenthes and North American Sarracenia. Our results showed similarity in richness with communities from other pitcher plants, and specific bacterial taxa shared among all three independent lineages of pitcher plants. Overall, we saw convergence in richness and particular clades colonizing pitcher plants around the world, suggesting that these highly specialized habitats select for certain numbers and types of inhabitants.
How Did People Cope During the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Structural Topic Modelling Analysis of Free-Text Data From 11,000 United Kingdom Adults
Authors: Wright Liam , Fluharty Meg , Steptoe Andrew , Fancourt Daisy
Published: June 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had substantial impacts on lives across the globe. Job losses have been widespread, and individuals have experienced significant restrictions on their usual activities, including extended isolation from family and friends. While studies suggest population mental health worsened from before the pandemic, not all individuals appear to have experienced poorer mental health. This raises the question of how people managed to cope during the pandemic.

Methods

To understand the coping strategies individuals employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, we used structural topic modelling, a text mining technique, to extract themes from free-text data on coping from over 11,000 UK adults, collected between 14 October and 26 November 2020.

Results

We identified 16 topics. The most discussed coping strategy was ‘thinking positively’ and involved themes of gratefulness and positivity. Other strategies included engaging in activities and hobbies (such as doing DIY, exercising, walking and spending time in nature), keeping routines, and focusing on one day at a time. Some participants reported more avoidant coping strategies, such as drinking alcohol and binge eating. Coping strategies varied by respondent characteristics including age, personality traits and sociodemographic characteristics and some coping strategies, such as engaging in creative activities, were associated with more positive lockdown experiences.

Conclusion

A variety of coping strategies were employed by individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coping strategy an individual adopted was related to their overall lockdown experiences. This may be useful for helping individuals prepare for future lockdowns or other events resulting in self-isolation.
Self-Efficacy in the Prediction of GPA and Academic Computer Use in Undergraduate Translation Students at a Saudi University
Authors: Brashi Abbas
Published: June 2022

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, academic institutions have faced the challenge of understanding the social-psychological features that produce better academic performance among translation students in an online learning environment. Although self-efficacy is widely studied in a variety of teaching and learning models, few studies have examined self-efficacy in regard to translation students. This empirical study aims to examine the roles of general self-efficacy and computer self-efficacy in terms of the academic achievement and computer use of translation students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants included 83 undergraduate translation students at the English Language Department of Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia. They completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale and Computer Self-Efficacy Scale questionnaires. The results found self-efficacy scores were a significant predictor of overall GPA scores, highly predictive of computer self-efficacy, and also predicted an increased typing frequency and computer usage. This study suggests that translation students with greater levels of self-efficacy will be more likely to possess social-psychological features that align with the independent, self-directed nature of online learning environments.
Prevalence, Influencing Factors, and Clinical Characteristics of Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: Liu Guojun , Zhang Xiaoying , Huo Xiaoning , Li Wei
Published: June 2022

Aims

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, influencing factors, and clinical characteristics of cognitive impairment in elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Materials and Methods

A total of 264 elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia and 156 normal controls were enrolled in the current study. The Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess their overall cognitive function, the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess their psychotic symptoms, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to assess their depressive symptoms, while Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL) was used to assess their daily living ability.

Results

The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 77.7% (205/264) in elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia, which was much higher than that [16.7% (26/156)] in normal controls. By using stepwise binary regression analysis, we found that hobbies (p < 0.001, OR = 0.224, 95% CI: 0.114–0.441) might be a protective factor for cognitive impairment, and this relationship remained statistically significant after adjusting for total scores of GDS, ADL and PANSS (modelb) (p = 0.016, OR = 0.406, 95% CI: 0.195–0.847). Compared with individuals without cognitive impairment, individuals with cognitive impairment tend to have more depression and psychiatric symptoms as well as worse activities of daily living (p < 0.05). Through linear regression analysis of the mediating model, we found that hobbies may improve cognitive function by improving psychiatric symptoms, and play a partial mediating role (B = −4.789, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Cognitive impairment is a very prominent problem in elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia. Elderly schizophrenia patients with cognitive impairment tended to have more depressive mood, more psychotic symptoms and worse activities of daily living. Hobbies will help prevent cognitive impairment in elderly patients with schizophrenia and may improve their cognitive function by influencing psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, we should encourage elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia to develop their own hobbies. However, the above conclusion still need to be further verified, as we cannot exclude the effects of age and education.
Comparative Safety Signal Assessment of Hospitalization Associated With the Use of Atypical Antipsychotics
Authors: Yunusa Ismaeel , Teng Chengwen , Karaye Ibraheem M. , Crounse Emily , Alsahali Saud , Maleki Nasim
Published: June 2022

Background

Persons with symptoms of psychosis receiving treatment with atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) can experience serious adverse events (AEs) requiring admission to the hospital. The comparative likelihood of AE-related hospitalization following the use of all AAPs has not been fully characterized. Therefore, we evaluated the safety signals of hospitalizations associated with the use of AAPs.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database (from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2021) to examine disproportionality in reporting hospitalizations suspected to be associated with 12 AAPs (aripiprazole, asenapine, brexpiprazole, clozapine, iloperidone, lurasidone, olanzapine, paliperidone, and pimavanserin, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone). Hospitalization in the FAERs database is an outcome that is recorded as a result of an AE occurring at any drug dose. We estimated reporting odds ratios (RORs) by comparing the odds of hospitalization occurring with a particular AAP to the odds of its occurrence with other drugs. In addition, we considered the presence of a significant safety signal when the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the ROR is >1.

Results

A total of 204,287 cases of hospitalizations were reported to the FDA for individuals treated with AAPs. There were significant safety signals of hospitalization associated with using clozapine (ROR, 2.88; 95% CI, 2.84–2.92), olanzapine (ROR, 2.61; 95% CI, 2.57–2.64), quetiapine (ROR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.85–1.89), risperidone (ROR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.39–1.43), aripiprazole (ROR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.32–1.35), and ziprasidone (ROR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10–1.18). However, no hospitalization-related safety signals were observed with the use of paliperidone, pimavanserin, iloperidone, asenapine, lurasidone, and brexpiprazole. The ROR estimates were numerically higher among older adults than younger adults.

Conclusions

This cross-sectional assessment of data from FAERs (2004–2021) suggested that users of clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, aripiprazole, and ziprasidone were more likely to report being hospitalized than users of other AAPs. Given that the FAERs database only contains spontaneous reports of AEs experienced by persons exposed to a drug but without information on exposed persons who did not have an event, a cohort study comparing hospitalizations among new users of individual AAPs against each other is needed to delineate these safety signals further.
The Triple Dusk-Dawn Aberration of the Solar Wind at Earth
Authors: Borovsky Joseph E.
Published: June 2022

In this Brief Report it is pointed out that there are three dusk-dawn aberrations of the solar-wind plasma and magnetic structure approaching Earth and the magnitudes of these aberrations are estimated for various solar-wind types monitored from L1. Solar-wind monitors closer to the Earth than L1 would have superior performances.
Cellular Carcinogenesis: Role of Polarized Macrophages in Cancer Initiation
Authors: Undi Ram Babu , Filiberti Adrian , Ali Naushad , Huycke Mark M.
Published: June 2022

Inflammation is an essential hallmark of cancer. Macrophages are key innate immune effector cells in chronic inflammation, parainflammation, and inflammaging. Parainflammation is a form of subclinical inflammation associated with a persistent DNA damage response. Inflammaging represents low-grade inflammation due to the dysregulation of innate and adaptive immune responses that occur with aging. Whether induced by infection, injury, or aging, immune dysregulation and chronic macrophage polarization contributes to cancer initiation through the production of proinflammatory chemokines/cytokines and genotoxins and by modulating immune surveillance. This review presents pre-clinical and clinical evidence for polarized macrophages as endogenous cellular carcinogens in the context of chronic inflammation, parainflammation, and inflammaging. Emerging strategies for cancer prevention, including small molecule inhibitors and probiotic approaches, that target macrophage function and phenotype are also discussed.
EPA Modulates KLK Genes via miR-378: A Potential Therapy in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yu Kai-Jie , Ji De-Yi , Hsieh Ming-Li , Chuang Cheng-Keng , Pang See-Tong , Weng Wen-Hui
Published: June 2022

It is known that miRNA-378a-3p (miR-378) could be induced by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid. Herein, we first demonstrated how miR-378 exerts anti-prostate cancer (PCa) actions by influencing multiple target genes, including KLK2, KLK4, KLK6, and KLK14, which are implicated in PCa development, cell proliferation, and cell survival. Furthermore, these genes also correlate with androgen and mTOR signaling transduction, and are considered pivotal pathways for the onset and progression of PCa. In total, four PCa cell lines and eight pairing tissues (tumor vs. normal) from clinical PCa patients were included in the current study. The results showed high significance after EPA induced tumor cells containing higher expression levels of miR-378, and led the PCa cells having low cell viabilities, and they progressed to apoptosis when compared with normal prostate cells (p < 0.001). The findings indicated that EPA might become a potential therapy for PCa, especially because it is derived from the components of natural fish oil; it may prove to be a great help for solving the problem of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
A Decade-Long Change in the Elevational Distribution of Non-Volant Small Mammals on Mount Meru, Tanzania
Authors: Gebrezgiher Genet Berhe , Makundi Rhodes H. , Meheretu Yonas , Mulungu Loth S. , Katakweba Abdul A. S.
Published: June 2022

Understanding species distribution across elevational gradients is crucial for developing conservation strategies for montane biotic systems. A survey of small mammals was conducted on Mount Meru at six elevations, ranging between 1500 m and 3650 m. A total of 803 small mammal individuals, including 2 shrew species and 13 rodent species, were documented. Of these, Crocidura newmarki and Lophuromys verhageni were endemic on Mount Meru. Species richness was highest at mid–elevations, which is in line with the global pattern for small mammals. Prior to our study, the most complete data on small mammals on Mount Meru was collected in 2009. Our study provides an opportunity to show how small mammal elevational distribution has changed, over the last decade. We found six species (Arvicanthis niloticus, Mastomys natalensis, Lemniscomys striatus, Dasymys incomtus, Cricetomys ansorgei, and Montemys delectorum), which were not documented in 2009, but did not find Otomys tropicalis. Interestingly, the community composition at higher elevations in 2021 resembles that at lower elevations in 2009, suggesting that small mammal species have moved their range upward over time. Climate change could be a factor associated with the distributional shift found.
Stability Analysis of a Typical Salt Cavern Gas Storage in the Jintan Area of China
Authors: Li Jingcui , Wan Jifang , Liu Hangming , Jurado Maria Jose , He Yuxian , Yuan Guangjie , Xia Yan
Published: June 2022

Using underground space to store natural gas resources is an important means by which to solve emergency peak shaving of natural gas. Rock salt gas storage is widely recognized due to its high-efficiency peak shaving and environmental protection. Damage and stress concentrations inside the cavern injection during withdrawal operations and throughout the storage facility life have always been among the most important safety issues. Therefore, accurate evaluation of the stability of rock salt gas storage during operation is of paramount significance to field management and safety control. In this study, we used the finite element numerical analysis software Flac3D to numerically simulate large displacement deformations of the cavern wall during gas storage—in addition to the distribution of the plastic zone of the rock around the cavern and the surface settlement—under different working conditions. We found that the maximum surface settlement value occurred near the upper part of the cavern. The surface settlement value increased as a function of creep time, but this increase leveled off, that is, a convergence trend was observed. The value was relatively small and, therefore, had little impact on the surface. The application of gas pressure inhibited the growth of the plastic zone, but on the whole, the plastic zone’s range increased proportionally to creep time. For the 20-year creep condition, the deformation value of the cavern’s surrounding rock was large. Combined with the distribution of the plastic zone, we believe that the cavern’s surrounding rock is unstable; thus, corresponding reinforcement measures must be taken.
A Core Damage Constitutive Model for the Time-Dependent Creep and Relaxation Behavior of Coal
Authors: Cai Tingting , Shi Lei , Jiang Yulong , Feng Zengchao
Published: June 2022

The creep and stress relaxation behaviors of coal are common in coal mining. The unified constitutive model is suitable to describe and predict both the creep and relaxation evolution characteristics of rocks. The generalized Kelvin model is the core element for traditional and improved component models to reflect both the nonlinear creep and relaxation. In this paper, an improved core damage model, which could both reflect the creep and stress relaxation in relation to the damage evolution, was established based on a comparison of the traditional and improved component models, and the responding constitutive equations (creep and stress relaxation equation) at constant stress/strain were deduced. Then, the core damage model was validated to the uniaxial compressive multistage creep and stress relaxation test results of coal, showing that the model curves had great accordance with the experimental data. Moreover, the model comparisons on accuracy, parameter meaning, and popularization among the core damage model, hardening-damage model, and the fractional derivative model were further discussed. The results showed that the parameters in the core damage model had clear and brief physical significances. The core damage model was also popularized to depict the time-dependent behaviors of other rocks, showing great accuracy.
Analgesic Effects of Continuous Wound Infusion Combined with Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia for Thoracic Surgery: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Jang Bo Hyun , So Keum Young , Kim Sang Hun
Published: June 2022

Continuous wound infusion analgesia (CWA) with local anesthetics is a loco-regional anesthetic approach for multimodal analgesia management in surgical procedures. This study analyzed whether the combination of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and CWA would be more effective than PCA alone for postoperative analgesia and in preventing chronic postsurgical pain syndrome (PSPS) after thoracic surgeries. We enrolled 166 patients after propensity score matching, the PCA alone (PCA group, n = 83) and the combination of PCA and CWA (PCA-CWA group, n = 83), through a review of electronic medical records. The primary endpoint was the numeric rating scale (NRS) at postoperative days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The secondary endpoint was the presence of PSPS at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The NRS were lower in the PCA-CWA group than in the PCA group throughout the postoperative period (p < 0.001). The sedation incidence was lower in the PCA-CWA group (1.2%) than in the PCA group (9.6%) (p = 0.034), and there was no significant difference in other postoperative complications or in the incidence of PSPS (p = 1.000). The combination of intravenous PCA and CWA is an effective postoperative analgesic modality for thoracic surgery.
Prospective Cohort Study of Sociodemographic and Work-Related Factors and Subsequent Unemployment under COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kuroishi Makiko , Nagata Tomohisa , Hino Ayako , Tateishi Seiichiro , Ogami Akira , Tsuji Mayumi , Matsuda Shinya , Mori Koji , Fujino Yoshihisa ,   on behalf of the CORoNaWork Project
Published: June 2022

The previous studies found that women and low-income households were more likely to experience unemployment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is no cohort study to examine the relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. We surveyed the socioeconomic status, personal characteristics, and occupation of recruited workers at baseline (22–25 December 2020); subsequent unemployment was examined at follow-up (18–19 February 2021). We determined the odds ratio of unemployment by sociodemographic status and occupation. The multivariate model was adjusted for sex and age. Among the 19,941 participants, 725 (3.6%) had experienced unemployment. Multivariate analysis showed significant high unemployment amongst women and participants of younger age, bereaved or divorced, unmarried, of lower income, or with short educational background. By occupation, the unemployment rate of temporary or contract employees and self-employed is high. COVID-19 expelled socially vulnerable groups from employment. This suggests the need for employment and economic support for such individuals.
Prostate Cancer Eligible for Radical Prostatectomy: Self-Esteem of Patients and Forms of Coping with Stress
Authors: Skwirczyńska Edyta , Wróblewski Oskar , Tejchman Karol , Ostrowski Piotr , Serwin Natalia
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the strategies and styles of coping with stress and self-esteem in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. One hundred and five patients with prostate cancer participated in the study. Coping strategies were assessed with the Mini-Cope questionnaire, coping styles were assessed with the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, and self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Patients’ self-esteem and stress coping styles and strategies were analyzed using a Pearson correlation analysis. A stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of self-esteem. The self-esteem level was positively related to the task-focused style (r = 0.228) and negatively related to the emotion-focused style (r = −0.329). The self-esteem level was significantly positively related to the strategies of active coping (r = 0.358), planning (r = 0.355), and seeking emotional support (r = 0.319) and was negatively related to self-blaming (r = −0.448) and to substance use (r = −0.301). The predictors of self-esteem level were: the strategies of self-blaming, planning, and the support-seeking dimension (F(3, 95) = 17.65; p < 0.001), explaining 33.8% of the variability in subjects’ self-esteem level. The moderating effect of age occurred in patients up to 65 years; it was statistically insignificant in patients older than 65 years. Replacement of the self-blame strategy and the emotion-focused style may lead to higher self-esteem of patients. The level of self-esteem can predict the strategies of self-blaming, planning, and the dimension of seeking support. For patients up to 65 years, psychological support should include reinforcement of adaptive forms of coping.
Study of Oil Particle Concentration Vertical Distribution of Various Sizes under Displacement Ventilation System in Large-Space Machining Workshop
Authors: Wang Fei , Meng Qinpeng , Lin Chengjie , Wang Xin , Weng Wenbing
Published: June 2022

The widespread use of metal working fluids (MWFs) in machining processes leads to the production of a large number of harmful oil particles, which may pose serious health hazards to workers. The oil particle concentration has an inhomogeneous distribution in large spaces under displacement ventilation (DV) system, and the supply air volume required to maintain a low particle concentration under a DV system may be less than that needed under a mixing ventilation system. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to study the particle concentration distribution rules and characteristics under various particle sizes in a large-space machine workshop with a DV system. Several distribution indices, such as the inhomogeneity factor and stratification height were utilized to analyze the inhomogeneous distribution of particle concentration; furthermore, sensitivity analyses were conducted for these indices. We found that the particle concentration shows a similar inhomogeneity factor distribution rule along the vertical direction under an air change rate of 2–6 in the DV system. The workspace inhomogeneity factor of particles smaller than 5 μm is less than 0.25, whereas that of 10-μm particles declines with an increase in air supply volume. Approximately double the supply air volume is required to keep the 10-μm particle concentration at the same level as particles smaller than 5 μm. The workspace inhomogeneity factor of small particles (<5 μm) is more sensitive to the machine height and machine surface temperature than other parameters, whereas that of large particles (>5 μm) is more sensitive to the supply air volume than other parameters. The results of this study can be applied for the design and control of displacement ventilation systems in large-space machining workshops.
Simple and Autonomous Sleep Signal Processing System for the Detection of Obstructive Sleep Apneas
Authors: Moscoso-Barrera William D. , Urrestarazu Elena , Alegre Manuel , Horrillo-Maysonnial Alejandro , Urrea Luis Fernando , Agudelo-Otalora Luis Mauricio , Giraldo-Cadavid Luis F. , Fernández Secundino , Burguete Javier
Published: June 2022

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by repetitive upper airway obstruction, intermittent hypoxemia, and recurrent awakenings during sleep. The most used treatment for this syndrome is a device that generates a positive airway pressure—Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), but it works continuously, whether or not there is apnea. An alternative consists on systems that detect apnea episodes and produce a stimulus that eliminates them. Article focuses on the development of a simple and autonomous processing system for the detection of obstructive sleep apneas, using polysomnography (PSG) signals: electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), respiratory effort (RE), respiratory flow (RF), and oxygen saturation (SO2). The system is evaluated using, as a gold standard, 20 PSG tests labeled by sleep experts and it performs two analyses. A first analysis detects awake/sleep stages and is based on the accumulated amplitude in a channel-dependent frequency range, according to the criteria of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The second analysis detects hypopneas and apneas, based on analysis of the breathing cycle and oxygen saturation. The results show a good estimation of sleep events, where for 75% of the cases of patients analyzed it is possible to determine the awake/asleep states with an effectiveness of >92% and apneas and hypopneas with an effectiveness of >55%, through a simple processing system that could be implemented in an electronic device to be used in possible OSA treatments.