bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voluntary Intellectual Capital Disclosure and Information Asymmetry: Study of Indian Firms
Authors: Singhal Soumya , Gupta Seema
Published: February 2024

This article develops a disclosure index to examine the extent and quality of intellectual capital disclosure in Indian firms. Furthermore, it assesses the gap between stakeholder expectations and industry disclosure procedures by conducting five years database analysis. To analyze the extent and quality of intellectual capital disclosure, a content analysis technique was applied to a sample of 30 non-financial firms listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange for five years, 2018–2022. A disclosure index of 42 items was constructed based on previous studies under three intellectual capital categories: Structural Capital, Relational Capital, and Human Capital. It was found that Indian companies had a low level of intellectual capital disclosure, although it increased by 28% from 2018 to 2022. Also, there was an upward movement in the disclosure of all intellectual capital components. Structural capital is disclosed by the number of organizations, whereas human capital is being disclosed the lowest. This study developed a new disclosure index consisting of 42 intellectual capital items based on extant research conferred by experts. In addition, the study considered a Sensex non-financial company for the analysis. Third, this study uses graphs to represent disclosure quality.
Overcoming Confirmation Bias in Misinformation Correction: Effects of Processing Motive and Jargon on Climate Change Policy Support
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Weirui
Published: February 2024

A 2 (jargon vs. no jargon) × 3 (motive: control vs. accuracy vs. impression) between-subjects experiment examined the impact of jargon and processing motive in correcting climate change misinformation and promoting policy support. The results revealed a positive effect of jargon use when participants were asked to focus on accuracy during information processing. This effect was mediated by reduced anger, increased systematic processing, and enhanced perceptions of message credibility. However, jargon had a negative effect when no specific motive was induced, and it did not make a difference in correction outcomes when participants were asked to focus on making positive social impressions. These findings provide theoretical implications for information processing and practical insights for addressing misinformation in the context of climate change.
A Transcultural Teacher’s Creative Ecologies: Poetry-ing the Entanglements of Institutional Privilege and Love’s Care in a Melbourne College
Authors: Tan Jack
Published: February 2024

This article is a transcultural teacher’s critical autoethnography of entangled privilege and care in a university residential college. Using prose poetry as poetic inquiry, I write the entanglements of institutional privilege and love’s care in a college. I write my pedagogical subjectivity evocatively, where I am interdependent with my creative ecologies of humans and environment. In this article, I first discuss transculturality, creative ecologies, and pedagogical lived experience that inform a poetic inquiry method. I then offer a series of critical autoethnographic prose poems as inquiry into transcultural pedagogy in the college, evoking interconnected privilege and care in the college.
Revitalizing oncology medications access in Saudi Arabia: Current challenges and recommendations by the Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly
Authors: Alkhudair Nora , Howaidi Jude , Alnuhait Mohammed , Alshamrani Majed , Khan Mansour , Alharbi Atika , Alnajjar Fouad , Bajnaid Eshtyag , Almodaheem Hajer , Alhowimel Mansour , Alzahrani Ali , Khardaly Amr , Alnahedh Mohammed , Elsoudi Hamdi , Alabdulkareem Hana , Alrashidan Ahmed , Alzahrani Musa , Alrajhi Abdullah
Published: February 2024

Background

Cancer care is posing immense challenges to healthcare systems globally. Advances in screening, monitoring, and treating cancer improved patient outcomes and survival rates yet amplified the disease burden. Multiple barriers might impede early access to innovative therapies. We thoroughly examined the current challenges in oncology medication access in Saudi Arabia and provided consensus recommendations to revitalize the process.

Methods

A focus group discussion was conducted. Expert healthcare providers (pharmacists and physicians) were invited to participate based on prespecified criteria. The research team conducted a qualitative analysis of the discussion to identify themes and formulate recommendations.

Results

Fourteen experts were equally distributed into two groups, limiting the number in each group to 7. Pharmacists were 12 (∼86%), and physicians were 2 (∼14%). Ten were practicing in governmental hospitals, four representing different sectors; regulatory bodies, including Ministry of Health, National Unified Procurement Company, and Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Five themes were identified: national cancer burden, local data availability, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, patients reported outcomes, administration, and procurement. Consensus recommendations were formulated to optimize the formulary management process, enabling informed decision-making and facilitating early medication access for cancer patients.

Conclusions

The formulary management process can be enhanced by addressing the national cancer burden, promoting local data availability, conducting pharmacoeconomic evaluations, focusing on patient outcomes, and improving administration and procurement procedures. Implementing these recommendations can improve access to oncology medications and improve patient care outcomes in Saudi Arabia.
The role of pentraxin 3 and oxidative status in the prognosis of multiple myeloma
Authors: Oğuzman Hamdi , Kaçmaz Murat
Published: February 2024

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a bone marrow malignancy characterized by plasma cell proliferation. It was aimed to investigate pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels, oxidative/antioxidative status, and their correlation in MM. In the study, four groups were established, including newly diagnosed MM (NDMM), MM in remission (Rem-MM), relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) patients, and a healthy control group. PTX3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were assessed with an autoanalyzer. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated using the formula: OSI (arbitrary unit) = TOS (µmol H2O2 Eq/L)/TAS (mmol Trolox Eq/L) × 100. The study involved comparing PTX3, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels among these four groups. PTX3 levels were significantly elevated in NDMM and RRMM groups compared to controls and the Rem-MM group (NDMM vs control; p < 0.001, NDMM vs Rem-MM; p < 0.001, RRMM vs control; p < 0.001, and RRMM vs Rem-MM; p = 0.006). TAS was higher in NDMM and RRMM groups versus controls (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively), and TOS was higher in rem-MM group versus NDMM and control groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.016, respectively). OSI was higher in the Rem-MM group than in NDMM and RRMM groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed associations between MM groups and PTX3 levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed high specificity (90%) and sensitivity (79%) for PTX3 in NDMM at a >0.56 ng/mL cut-off value. This study suggests that PTX3 levels may have diagnostic and prognostic potential in MM and its relationship with oxidative stress requires further exploration.
Development of halochromic electrospun labels for non-invasive shelf life assessment of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Incorporation of barberry anthocyanin extract in protein-based smart packaging
Authors: Aliakbari Faezeh Sadat , Kashiri Mahboobeh , Ghorani Behrouz , Khomeiri Morteza , Jafari Seid Mahdi
Published: February 2024

Using barberry ( Berberis vulgaris L.) as a natural dye in combination with electrospinning technology represents a promising approach for the development of intelligent packaging systems. In this study, the influence of different concentrations of zein (16, 18, and 20%) and barberry anthocyanin-rich powder (BARP) (16, 18, and 20%) on the surface tension and rheological properties of the solution were evaluated. The most favorable nanofibers (NFs) were obtained from a solution containing 18% (w/w) zein under constant voltage. The surface morphology, size, and color-changing properties of electrospun NFs derived from zein polymers containing different concentrations of BARP (16, 18, and 20%) under various electrical fields (20, 22, and 24 kV) were evaluated. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the interaction of BARP within the zein-based NFs. The results indicated that the concentration of BARP had a noticeable impact on the physicochemical properties of the NFs. Furthermore, efficacy of the appropriately fabricated halochromic label was evaluated for monitoring the packed rainbow trout fillet during refrigerated storage. On the 10th day, a noticeable visual color turned from pink to pale yellow was observed in response to pH variations. Additionally, the TVN value confirmed the effectiveness of halochromic electrospun labels for non-invasive assessment of fish fillet quality.
Do Happier People Like Traveling More?
Authors: Ma Jing , Wang Xinjing , Tian Lihui
Published: February 2024

This study argues that happy people spend more on products that promote happiness, such as travel. A positive cyclical relationship is documented between happiness and tourism. This association is particularly significant for economies featuring low levels of happiness and tourism consumption. The identified trend is verified using two-part models based on a large database assembled from four rounds of the China Household Finance Survey. The replacement of the dependent variable, the instrumental variable method, and a grouping study, enhance the robustness of our conclusions. Further investigation shows that the level of one’s social network mediates the positive impact of happiness on tourism consumption.
Successful resolution of serous macular detachment following glaucoma-filtering surgery alone for acquired optic disc pit maculopathy
Authors: Venkatesh Ramesh , Shroff Sujani , Kathare Rupal , Handa Ashit , Prabhu Vishma , Chhablani Jay
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To describe a case of acquired glaucomatous optic disc pit-related maculopathy successfully treated with glaucoma filtering surgery alone.

Case description

A 67-year-old male was diagnosed with advanced primary open angle glaucoma in both eyes, with a cup: disc ratio of 0.85 in the right eye and 0.95 in the left eye. Visual acuity at presentation was 20/60, and intraocular pressure was 14 mm Hg in the left eye. The fundus of the left eye revealed a serous macular retinal detachment due to an acquired optic disc pit.

Results

The left eye of the patient underwent combined cataract and glaucoma filtering surgery. The serous macular detachment resolved completely 15 months after surgery, with a documented visual acuity of 20/40 and intraocular pressure of 10 mm Hg without the use of additional antiglaucoma medications. There was no recurrence of serous macular detachment even after the two-year follow-up visit.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates that controlling intraocular pressure alone resulted in complete resolution of serous macular detachment in acquired optic disc pit maculopathy without the need for pars plana vitrectomy.
A pilot study of an intergenerational program for people in residential aged care with cognitive impairment and children from a co-located early learning centre during COVID-19
Authors: D’Cunha Nathan M , Holloway Helen , Cave Breanna , Mulhall Stephanie , Blair Annaliese , Anderson Katrina , Castro De Jong Daniela , Kurrle Susan , Isbel Stephen
Published: February 2024

Intergenerational programs in residential aged care may improve well-being and combat loneliness and social isolation in older people with cognitive impairment. This pilot study investigated the effects of a semi-structured intergenerational group, including children from a co-located early learning centre and people living in residential aged care with cognitive impairment. This 9-week study used a mixed methods pre- and post-program design. Sessions were designed and delivered once per week by Occupational Therapists and took into account residents’ interests and children’s developmental needs and interests, identified in pre-program interviews. Nine older people with cognitive impairment and 13 children participated. The program was well attended despite disruptions and complications caused by COVID-19 and weather conditions. Older people valued the opportunity to engage with the children. Children were observed to gain confidence in communicating and forming friendships with older people with different levels of ability. There did not appear to be any change in loneliness or neuropsychiatric symptoms. The intergenerational program benefited participants and received strong support from family members and staff of the early learning centre and aged care home.
Efficacy of Intervention of Participation and Executive Functions (I-PEX) for Adults Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Preliminary Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Eliav Rotem , Nadler Tzadok Yael , Segal-Rotenberg Shir , Kizony Rachel
Published: February 2024

Background

Participation restrictions following traumatic brain injury are associated with executive function (EF) deficits (EFDs). The subacute recovery phase’s specific characteristics (enhanced brain plasticity and impaired self-awareness) and contextual factors (inpatient setting) warrant adjusting cognitive rehabilitation protocols. The Intervention of Participation and Executive Functions (I-PEX) was designed to improve EFDs during subacute inpatient rehabilitation.

Objective

To investigate the I-PEX’s preliminary efficacy to improve EFDs during the performance of complex daily activities and enhance self-awareness, cognitive self-efficacy, participation, and quality of life postdischarge.

Methods

A pilot pre-, post-, and follow-up double-blind randomized controlled trial with 25 participants randomly allocated to the I-PEX (n = 13) or treatment-as-usual (n = 12) group. Cognitive assessments were administered pre- and postintervention, and quality of life and participation questionnaires 1-month postdischarge. Data analysis included repeated measures analysis of variance mixed design and independent t-tests, extracting effect sizes.

Results

Significant group-by-time interaction effect with a medium effect size was found for the primary outcome measure; EFs manifested in complex daily activities, indicating a larger improvement for the experimental group. The group effect was not significant. The experimental group’s mean delta score (pre–post improvement) was significantly higher (1.75 ± 2.89; t(23) = 2.52, P = .019), with a large effect size ( d = 1.012, 95% confidence interval [0.166-1.840]). We found no significant group and interaction effects for EFs, self-awareness, and cognitive self-efficacy or no significant differences in participation or quality of life postdischarge.

Conclusions

Results provide initial evidence for the I-PEX efficacy in treating EFDs in the subacute phase and could help determine effect size for future studies.

Clinical Trial Registry Number:

ClinicalTrial.gov NCT04292925.
Who am I? – Exploring secondary education school leaders’ professional identity
Authors: Mommers Janine , Runhaar Piety , Den Brok Perry
Published: February 2024

This study explored school leaders’ professional identity by examining the guiding standards school leaders pursue in their jobs and the professional roles they identify themselves with. Using professional roles in school leadership that were formulated in (inter)national frameworks, 36 Dutch school leaders in secondary education provided their identity standards and their professional role identification. Standards were grouped per topic for each professional role. Role identification was visualized and grouped using radar charts. Results showed that in general ‘interactions and interpersonal contact’ formed significant aspects of these school leaders’ professional identities. Identity standards covered all professional roles and were mostly formulated in terms of contact and interaction. School leaders sometimes identified themselves primarily with a specific social or analytical role. Some school leaders identified themselves with multiple professional roles. Additionally, a new role, focusing on performing practical ‘hands on’ tasks, emerged. The identity standards as well as the identification patterns can be used in helping school leaders to gain more insight into their personal leadership preferences and their motivation for certain dimensions in their work and how these relate to specific demands and expectations in the work context.
Optimization strategies of the envelope insulation for a detached house based on load sensitivity and thermal storage performance
Authors: Zhou Botao , Zhao Juan , Li Yongcai , Gao Junmei , Huang Bojing , Wu Ritu , Zhang Wenjie , Tan Biao
Published: February 2024

Reasonable thermal insulation in cold regions is the key to improve the indoor thermal environment. In this paper, the detached house is taken as the research object, and the sensitivity analysis method is used to quantify the influence of each parameter on the building heat load in three different climate zones. The attenuation characteristics of the heat storage body to the outdoor temperature wave are studied by using the A·M Shklovel calculation method, and the thermal insulation strategy of the envelope structure is optimized by genetic algorithm (GA). The results show that the heat transfer coefficient of roof and exterior wall has the most significant influence on the building heat load. The mean effect response of each factor shows that the Delta (Delta is the value used in Taguchi design methodology to express the relative effect of each factor on the response) of roofs in the three regions is the highest, 3.061, 4.061, and 5.88, respectively. The influence of the type and thickness of the insulation material on the heat storage performance is different. The indoor and outdoor temperature wave penetration attenuation multiple increases with the increase of the thickness of the insulation layer, increases with the decrease of the thermal conductivity of the insulation material, and increases with the increase of the specific heat capacity. The choice of insulation materials is not only related to the above two parameters, but also directly affected by the price. Considering the influence of various factors, the economy of choosing expanded polystyrene board for thermal insulation in the three regions is the best. The optimal thermal insulation thickness of the north wall and roof is 8 and 16 cm (3A climate zone), 10 and 17 cm (2B climate zone), 13 and 20 cm (2A climate zone), respectively.
Effect of critical thinking disposition on employee innovative behavior: A meta-theory of personality perspective
Authors: Xu Zhihua , Yang Fu
Published: February 2024

In today's highly uncertain and complex environment, innovation plays a critical role in an organization's survival and development. Therefore, examining factors that drive employee innovative behavior is necessary. Drawing from meta-theory of personality, this study explores the influence of critical thinking disposition on employee innovative behavior. Using data from a three-wave questionnaire survey of 481 employees, the analysis reveals that: (1) intrinsic motivation mediates the positive relationship between critical thinking disposition and employee innovative behavior; (2) supervisor support for innovation moderates the positive relationship between critical thinking disposition and intrinsic motivation. This relationship is stronger when supervisors provide high levels of support for innovation than low levels of support; and (3) supervisor support for innovation also moderates the indirect influence of critical thinking disposition on innovative behavior through intrinsic motivation. This effect is stronger when supervisors offer high levels of support for innovation. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms through which critical thinking disposition influences innovative behavior. Moreover, they have important practical implications for managers in implementing staff selection and training, and creating a supportive environment that promotes employee innovative behavior.
AIDS-Associated BK Virus Nephropathy in Native Kidneys: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ebrahimi Niloufar , Al Baghdadi Maha , Zuppan Craig W. , Rogstad Daniel K. , Abdipour Amir
Published: February 2024

BK virus (BKV) is a small DNA virus, a member of the polyomavirus family, that causes an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients, especially kidney transplant patients. This virus establishes a lifelong infection in most of the population, and once it reactivates in an immunocompromised state, leads to BKV nephropathy. This review seeks to assess the correlation between severe immunosuppression, evident by low CD4 cell counts in HIV-positive patients, and the reactivation of BKV, causing nephropathy. A literature review was conducted, extracting, and analyzing case reports of HIV-positive patients showing correlations between their degree of immunosuppression, as evidenced by their CD4 counts, and the degree of BKV infectivity, confirmed by kidney biopsy. A total of 12 cases of BKV nephropathy in HIV-infected patients were reviewed. A common finding was the presence of profound immunosuppression, with most patients having CD4 counts ≤50 cells/ mm3. A substantial number also had comorbid malignancies, with some undergoing chemotherapy, potentially increasing the risk of BKV reactivation. In addition to the HIV status and malignancies, other risk factors for BKV reactivation included older age, male gender, diabetes mellitus, Caucasian race, and ureteral stent placement. BKV nephropathy in HIV patients with native kidneys is closely correlated with severe immunosuppression. Although therapeutic strategies exist for post-transplant patients, aside from the treatment of HIV with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), which potentially helps with clearing BKV by increasing CD4 count, there is no definitive treatment for a native kidney BKV nephropathy in patients with AIDS. The complexity of the cases and severity of comorbidities indicate the need for further research to develop therapeutic strategies tailored to this population.
Outcomes of Isolated Endoscopic Gluteal Tendon Repair Compared With Concomitant Endoscopic Gluteal Tendon Repair and Arthroscopic Hip Labral Repair: A Propensity-Matched Analysis With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up
Authors: Larson Jordan H. , Brusalis Christopher M. , Allahabadi Sachin , Fenn Thomas W. , Chapman Reagan S. , Browning Robert B. , Kaplan Daniel J. , Nho Shane J.
Published: February 2024

Background:

Both gluteal and labral tears are common sources of hip pain, but no studies have evaluated how concomitant arthroscopic labral repair and correction of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) affect outcomes after endoscopic gluteus/minimus repair.

Purpose:

(1) To compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and clinically significant outcomes achievements between patients who underwent endoscopic gluteus medius/minimus and arthroscopic hip labral repair with correction of FAIS versus endoscopic gluteus medius/minimus repair without labral repair and (2) to define threshold scores required to achieve the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) for the Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living, Hip Outcome Score–Sports Specific, modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), 12-item international Hip Outcome Tool, and visual analog scale for pain in these patients.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients who underwent primary endoscopic gluteus medius/minimus repair between 2012 and 2020 were identified. Those who underwent concomitant arthroscopic labral repair and correction of FAIS with femoroplasty or acetabuloplasty as indicated were propensity matched in a 1 to 1 ratio by sex, age, and body mass index to patients who underwent gluteus medius/minimus repair without labral repair. Patients who completed the study PROs were assessed preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively. Threshold scores required to achieve the MCID and PASS thresholds were calculated.

Results:

A total of 32 patients who underwent simultaneous gluteal and labral repair (G+L) were matched to 32 patients who underwent gluteal repair without labral repair (G); 75% of patients in the G cohort underwent labral debridement, while 25% in this cohort received no labral treatment. A significant difference was observed between groups in preoperative mHHS scores (G+L, 54.4 ± 12.9 vs G, 46.3 ± 14; P = .048) but no differences in any other PRO scores ( P≥ .207). The MCID/PASS thresholds were as follows: Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (11.14/83.82), Hip Outcome Score–Sports Specific (16.07/59.72), mHHS (11.47/70.95), 12-item international Hip Outcome Tool (13.73/45.49), and visual analog scale for pain (14.30/22). There were no significant differences in MCID or PASS achievement rates between the 2 groups ( P≥ .108).

Conclusion:

Patients who underwent combined G+L demonstrated comparable PROs and clinically significant outcomes achievement rates to patients who underwent G, highlighting sustained successful outcomes for patients with gluteal tendon pathology and concomitant FAIS and labral tears.
Experiential Fallibilism and Decision-Making Process: A Perspective from a Patient with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Senghor Abdou Simon
Published: February 2024

Patient choice in healthcare follows a process in which references to evidence and experience are intertwined. From the perspective of a patient with chronic kidney disease, I propose experiential fallibilism as the use of uncertain evidence and experience, along with knowledge gained in new contexts, situations, and experiences, to attain truth and promote shared decision-making. Thus, because of their uncertain nature, both the patient’s experience and the doctor’s focus on evidence should be integrated into a decision-making process through a co-learning perspective so that they can mutually enrich each other and prevent inappropriate actions and decisions in other clinical contexts. The risks perceived by both the patient and the doctor should be valued equally to encourage an honest discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of the proposed treatments after considering the patient’s social, economic, and medical situation. Further, experience measurement tools, both quantitative and qualitative, should be used or developed to test their transferability and effectiveness in contexts involving healthcare decisions between doctors and patients.
Multistage hydrometallurgical process for enhanced recovery and individual separation of Nd and Pr from NdFeB magnet scrap
Authors: Salehi Hossein , Khani Somayeh , Adeli Mandana , Aboutalebi Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2024

This study introduces a multistage hydrometallurgical process designed for the recovery and individual separation of Nd and Pr from NdFeB magnet scrap. Following demagnetization, the magnet underwent crushing, grinding, and leaching using a sulfuric acid solution. The pH of the resultant leachate was subsequently adjusted to 1.2 using a NaOH solution, leading to the precipitation of Nd and Pr as sodium double sulfates. The produced double sulfate was then mixed with a saturated NaOH solution, resulting in the formation of rare earth hydroxide. The hydroxide was further decomposed into oxides (REO) after calcination at 500°C. The REO was dissolved in hydrochloric acid and nitric acid solutions to investigate the individual separation of Nd and Pr using the D2EHPA–TOA extractant system and compare the results with D2EHPA-only system. It was concluded that the extraction mechanism of D2EHPA–TOA system is highly dependent on the acidity of the solution, with TOA having a synergistic effect on the REE extraction when pH > 3, and an antagonistic effect when pH ≤ 3. In terms of extraction efficiency, both extractant systems demonstrated efficiency levels exceeding 99% when the pH was ≥2, with similar behavior when extraction was performed in HCl and HNO3 media. Although both extractant systems yielded unsatisfactory outcomes in the separation of Nd and Pr, a marginal improvement was observed with the incorporation of TOA into the extractant system. This observation implies the potential of exploring analogous combinations in future studies.
Associations of combined lifestyle index with migraine prevalence and headache frequency: a cross-sectional study from the MECH-HK study
Authors: Deng Yunyang , Wang Harry Haoxiang , Ngai Fei Wan , Zhang Dexing , Qin Jing , Chen Xiangyan , Xie Yao Jie
Published: February 2024

Background

Prior research has shown that individual lifestyles were associated with migraine. Yet, few studies focused on combined lifestyles, particularly in Chinese populations. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationships of a combined lifestyle index with migraine in Hong Kong Chinese women.

Methods

Baseline data from a cohort study named Migraine Exposures and Cardiovascular Health in Hong Kong Chinese Women (MECH-HK) were used for analysis. In total 3510 women aged 55.2 ± 9.1 years were included. The combined lifestyle index comprised eight lifestyle factors: smoking, physical activity, sleep, stress, fatigue, diet, body mass index, and alcohol. Each component was attributed a point of 0 (unhealthy) or 1 (healthy). The overall index was the sum of these points, ranging from 0 (the least healthy) to 8 points (the healthiest). Migraine was diagnosed by the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition. Additionally, for women with migraine, the data on migraine attack frequency (attacks/month) was collected.

Results

A total of 357 women with migraine (10.2%) were identified. The prevalence of migraine for the 0–3-point, 4-point, 5-point, 6-point, and 7–8-point groups were 18.0% (162/899), 10.9% (86/788), 6.6% (51/776), 6.0% (38/636), and 4.9% (20/411), respectively. In the most-adjusted model, compared to the 0–3-point group, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the 4-point, 5-point, 6-point, and 7–8-point groups were 0.57 (0.43–0.75), 0.33 (0.24–0.46), 0.30 (0.21–0.44), and 0.25 (0.15–0.41), respectively (all p < 0.001). For each component, migraine was significantly associated with sleep, stress, fatigue, and diet; but was unrelated to smoking, physical activity, body mass index, and alcohol. Among women with migraine, per point increase in the combined lifestyle index was associated with a reduced migraine attack frequency (β = − 0.55; 95% confidence interval = − 0.82, − 0.28; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A combined lifestyle index was inversely associated with migraine and migraine attack frequency in Hong Kong Chinese women. Adhering to a healthy lifestyle pattern might be beneficial to the prevention of migraine attacks. Conversely, it is also plausible that women with migraine might have a less healthy lifestyle pattern compared to those without headaches.
Associations of residential greenness exposure during early pregnancy with the risk of spontaneous abortion: the China Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Cui Yuchen , Gao Shen , Yang Boyi , Lin Lizi , Yue Wentao , Su Shaofei , Zhang Enjie , Liu Jianhui , Xie Shuanghua , Zhang Yue , Zhang Zheng , Liu Ruixia , Dong Guanghui , Yin Chenghong
Published: February 2024

Background

Living in higher greenness level community has many benefits for pregnancy outcomes, however, few research have explored the relationship between greenness and spontaneous abortion (SAB). We aimed to analyze relationships between SAB and community greenness in Chinese pregnant women, and further assessed the modifying effects from air pollutants.

Methods

We studied 90 890 pregnant women from the China Birth Cohort Study from February 2018 to December 2021. We diagnosed SAB by certified obstetricians and gynecologists. The level of exposure to greenness during the first trimester was measured using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the enhanced vegetation index (EVI). Particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) were used as proxies of ambient air pollution. Time-dependent multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, with gestational weeks as the time scale, were used to analyze the association between SAB and greenness. We additionally performed subgroup analyses stratified by age, urbanicity, research location, season of birth, temperature, humidity and air pollution levels.

Results

Lower SAB prevalence was related to living in greener places. A 0.1 unit increase in NDVI500m and EVI500m was significantly associated with a 12.3% (95% CI 9.9%, 15.5%) and 16.2% (95% CI 11.4%, 20.6%) lower risks of SAB, respectively. In sensitivity analysis, these relationships remained consistent. The associations were stronger among older, participants lived in the north of China and lived in places with higher PM2.5 and lower NO2 levels.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate significantly inverse associations between community greenness and SAB in Chinese pregnant women, especially for older and participants who live in the north of China, the PM2.5 and NO2 may modify the effects of greenness on SAB.
Proformer: a hybrid macaron transformer model predicts expression values from promoter sequences
Authors: Kwak Il-Youp , Kim Byeong-Chan , Lee Juhyun , Kang Taein , Garry Daniel J. , Zhang Jianyi , Gong Wuming
Published: February 2024

The breakthrough high-throughput measurement of the cis-regulatory activity of millions of randomly generated promoters provides an unprecedented opportunity to systematically decode the cis-regulatory logic that determines the expression values. We developed an end-to-end transformer encoder architecture named Proformer to predict the expression values from DNA sequences. Proformer used a Macaron-like Transformer encoder architecture, where two half-step feed forward (FFN) layers were placed at the beginning and the end of each encoder block, and a separable 1D convolution layer was inserted after the first FFN layer and in front of the multi-head attention layer. The sliding k-mers from one-hot encoded sequences were mapped onto a continuous embedding, combined with the learned positional embedding and strand embedding (forward strand vs. reverse complemented strand) as the sequence input. Moreover, Proformer introduced multiple expression heads with mask filling to prevent the transformer models from collapsing when training on relatively small amount of data. We empirically determined that this design had significantly better performance than the conventional design such as using the global pooling layer as the output layer for the regression task. These analyses support the notion that Proformer provides a novel method of learning and enhances our understanding of how cis-regulatory sequences determine the expression values.
Long-read sequencing reveals the structural complexity of genomic integration of HPV DNA in cervical cancer cell lines
Authors: Wang Zhijie , Liu Chen , Liu Wanxin , Lv Xinyi , Hu Ting , Yang Fan , Yang Wenhui , He Liang , Huang Xiaoyuan
Published: February 2024

Background

Cervical cancer (CC) causes more than 311,000 deaths annually worldwide. The integration of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a crucial genetic event that contributes to cervical carcinogenesis. Despite HPV DNA integration is known to disrupt the genomic architecture of both the host and viral genomes in CC, the complexity of this process remains largely unexplored.

Results

In this study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) at 55-65X coverage utilizing the PacBio long-read sequencing platform in SiHa and HeLa cells, followed by comprehensive analyses of the sequence data to elucidate the complexity of HPV integration. Firstly, our results demonstrated that PacBio long-read sequencing effectively identifies HPV integration breakpoints with comparable accuracy to targeted-capture Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods. Secondly, we constructed detailed models of complex integrated genome structures that included both the HPV genome and nearby regions of the human genome by utilizing PacBio long-read WGS. Thirdly, our sequencing results revealed the occurrence of a wide variety of genome-wide structural variations (SVs) in SiHa and HeLa cells. Additionally, our analysis further revealed a potential correlation between changes in gene expression levels and SVs on chromosome 13 in the genome of SiHa cells.

Conclusions

Using PacBio long-read sequencing, we have successfully constructed complex models illustrating HPV integrated genome structures in SiHa and HeLa cells. This accomplishment serves as a compelling demonstration of the valuable capabilities of long-read sequencing in detecting and characterizing HPV genomic integration structures within human cells. Furthermore, these findings offer critical insights into the complex process of HPV16 and HPV18 integration and their potential contribution to the development of cervical cancer.
The effect of esketamine combined with propofol-induced general anesthesia on cerebral blood flow velocity: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Yan Shuang , Li Qiying , He Kaihua
Published: February 2024

Background

Esketamine is increasingly used in clinical anesthesia. The effect of esketamine on the blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery has a clinical guiding effect. To investigate the effect of esketamine combined with propofol-induced general anesthesia for endotracheal intubation on the blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery and hemodynamics during the induction period.

Methods

The randomized clinical trial included 80 patients aged 20-65 years who would undergo non-intracranial elective surgery under general anesthesia in our hospital from May 2022 to May 2023. The participants were divided into two groups based on anesthesia drugs: sufentanil 0.5μg/kg (group C) or 1.5mg/kg esketamine (group E). The primary outcome was variation value in average cerebral blood velocity. The secondary outcomes included cerebral blood flow velocities (CBFV), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) at four different time points: before induction of general anesthesia (T0), 1 min after the induction drug injected (T1), before endotracheal intubation (T2), and 1min after endotracheal intubation (T3). The occurrence of hypotension, hypertension, tearing and choking during induction was also documented.

Results

The variation of average CBFV from time T0 to T2(ΔVm1) and the variation from time T3 to T0 (ΔVm2) were not obviously different. The median consumption of intraoperative sufentanil in group C was obviously lower than that in group E. At T1, the mean HR of group E was significantly higher than that of group C. At T2 and T3, the BP and HR of group E were obviously higher than that of group C. At T2, the CBFV in the group E were obviously higher than those in the group C. The incidence of hypotension was significantly reduced in the group E compared with the group C. There were no differences in the other outcomes.

Conclusions

The induction of esketamine combined with propofol does not increase the blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery. Esketamine is advantageous in maintaining hemodynamic stability during induction. Furthermore, the administration of esketamine did not result in an increased incidence of adverse effects.

Trial Registration

15/06/2023 clinicaltrials.gov ChiCTR2300072518 https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=176675.
Leading determinants of incident dementia among individuals with and without the apolipoprotein E ε4 genotype: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ye Siting , Roccati Eddy , Wang Wei , Zhu Zhuoting , Kiburg Katerina , Huang Yu , Zhang Xueli , Zhang Xiayin , Liu Jiahao , Tang Shulin , Hu Yijun , Ge Zongyuan , Yu Honghua , He Mingguang , Shang Xianwen
Published: February 2024

Background

Little is known regarding the leading risk factors for dementia/Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in individuals with and without APOE4. The identification of key risk factors for dementia/Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in individuals with and without the APOE4 gene is of significant importance in global health.

Methods

Our analysis included 110,354 APOE4 carriers and 220,708 age- and sex-matched controls aged 40–73 years at baseline (between 2006–2010) from UK Biobank. Incident dementia was ascertained using hospital inpatient, or death records until January 2021. Individuals of non-European ancestry were excluded. Furthermore, individuals without medical record linkage were excluded from the analysis. Moderation analysis was tested for 134 individual factors.

Results

During a median follow-up of 11.9 years, 4,764 cases of incident all-cause dementia and 2065 incident AD cases were documented. Hazard ratios (95% CIs) for all-cause dementia and AD associated with APOE4 were 2.70(2.55–2.85) and 3.72(3.40–4.07), respectively. In APOE4 carriers, the leading risk factors for all-cause dementia included low self-rated overall health, low household income, high multimorbidity risk score, long-term illness, high neutrophil percentage, and high nitrogen dioxide air pollution. In non-APOE4 carriers, the leading risk factors included high multimorbidity risk score, low overall self-rated health, low household income, long-term illness, high microalbumin in urine, high neutrophil count, and low greenspace percentage. Population attributable risk for these individual risk factors combined was 65.1%, and 85.8% in APOE4 and non-APOE4 carriers, respectively. For 20 risk factors including multimorbidity risk score, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and particulate matter air pollutants, their associations with incident dementia were stronger in non-APOE4 carriers. For only 2 risk factors (mother’s history of dementia, low C-reactive protein), their associations with incident all-cause dementia were stronger in APOE4 carriers.

Conclusions

Our findings provide evidence for personalized preventative approaches to dementia/AD in APOE4 and non-APOE4 carriers. A mother’s history of dementia and low levels of C-reactive protein were more important risk factors of dementia in APOE4 carriers whereas leading risk factors including unhealthy lifestyle habits, multimorbidity risk score, inflammation and immune-related markers were more predictive of dementia in non-APOE4 carriers.
Risk factors for post-cerebral infarction cognitive dysfunction in older adults: a retrospective study
Authors: Ma Fanyuan , Zhang Qian , Li Jinke , Wu Liping , Zhang Hua
Published: February 2024

Objective

Our research aims to elucidate the significance of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and provides an insight into a novel risk model for post-cerebral infarction cognitive dysfunction (PCICD).

Methods

Our study recruited inpatients hospitalized with cerebral infarction in Xijing hospital, who underwent cognitive assessment of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) from January 2010 to December 2021. Cognitive status was dichotomized into normal cognition and cognitive impairment. Collected data referred to Demographic Features, Clinical Diseases, scale tests, fluid biomarkers involving inflammation, coagulation function, hepatorenal function, lipid and glycemic management.

Results

In our pooled dataset from 924 eligible patients, we included 353 in the final analysis (age range 65–91; 30.31% female). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to show that Rural Areas (OR = 1.976, 95%CI = 1.111–3.515, P = 0.020), T2D (OR = 2.125, 95%CI = 1.267–3.563, P = 0.004), Direct Bilirubin (OR = 0.388, 95%CI = 0.196–0.769, P = 0.007), Severity of Dependence in terms of Barthel Index (OR = 1.708, 95%CI = 1.193–2.445, P = 0.003) that were independently associated with PCICD, constituting a model with optimal predictive efficiency.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides a practicable map of strategical predictors to robustly identify cognitive dysfunction at risk of post-cerebral infarction for clinicians in a broad sense. Of note, our findings support that the decline in serum direct bilirubin (DBil) concentration is linked to protecting cognitive function.
Subjective versus objective refraction in healthy young adults
Authors: Kozlov Yuval , Kinori Michael , Armarnik Sharon , Yahalomi Tal , Ekshtein Aya , Levian Leora , Mezad-Koursh Daphna , Pikkel Joseph , Ben-Ari Oded
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To evaluate objective and subjective refraction differences in healthy young adults.

Methods

Data concerning candidates for the Israeli Air Force Flight Academy, as well as active air force pilots in all stages of service who underwent a routine health checkup between the years 2018 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Objective refraction measured using a single autorefractometer was compared with subjective refraction measured by an experienced military optometrist during the same visit. The results were converted to power vectors (spherical equivalent [SE], J0, and J45). To interpret astigmatism using power vector values, the cylinder power (Cp) was determined.

Results

This study included 1,395 young adult participants. The average age was 22.17 years (range, 17–39, 84.8% males). The average SE was − 0.65 ± 1.19 diopter (D) compared with − 0.71 ± 0.91D in the auto- and subjective refraction, respectively (p = 0.001). Cp was 0.91 ± 0.52D and 0.67 ± 0.40D, respectively (p < 0.001). This difference was more common in older participants (p < 0.001). J0 and J45 value differences were not significant. The absolute SE value of subjective refraction was lower in the myopic (p < 0.001) and hyperopic (p < 0.001) patients.

Conclusions

Young hyperopic participants tended to prefer “less plus” in subjective refraction compared with autorefraction. Young myopic participants tended to prefer “less minus” in subjective refraction compared with autorefraction. All participants, but mainly older participants, preferred slightly “less Cp” than that measured using autorefraction; The astigmatic axis did not differ significantly between the methods.