bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A predictive model for consciousness recovery of comatose patients after acute brain injury
Authors: Zhou Liang , Chen Yuanyi , Liu Ziyuan , You Jia , Chen Siming , Liu Ganzhi , Yu Yang , Wang Jian , Chen Xin
Published: February 2023

Background

Predicting the consciousness recovery for comatose patients with acute brain injury is an important issue. Although some efforts have been made in the study of prognostic assessment methods, it is still unclear which factors can be used to establish model to directly predict the probability of consciousness recovery.

Objectives

We aimed to establish a model using clinical and neuroelectrophysiological indicators to predict consciousness recovery of comatose patients after acute brain injury.

Methods

The clinical data of patients with acute brain injury admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from May 2019 to May 2022, who underwent electroencephalogram (EEG) and auditory mismatch negativity (MMN) examinations within 28 days after coma onset, were collected. The prognosis was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 3 months after coma onset. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was applied to select the most relevant predictors. We combined Glasgow coma scale (GCS), EEG, and absolute amplitude of MMN at Fz to develop a predictive model using binary logistic regression and then presented by a nomogram. The predictive efficiency of the model was evaluated with AUC and verified by calibration curve. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical utility of the prediction model.

Results

A total of 116 patients were enrolled for analysis, of which 60 had favorable prognosis (GOS ≥ 3). Five predictors, including GCS (OR = 13.400, P < 0.001), absolute amplitude of MMN at Fz site (FzMMNA, OR = 1.855, P = 0.038), EEG background activity (OR = 4.309, P = 0.023), EEG reactivity (OR = 4.154, P = 0.030), and sleep spindles (OR = 4.316, P = 0.031), were selected in the model by LASSO and binary logistic regression analysis. This model showed favorable predictive power, with an AUC of 0.939 (95% CI: 0.899–0.979), and calibration. The threshold probability of net benefit was between 5% and 92% in the DCA.

Conclusion

This predictive model for consciousness recovery in patients with acute brain injury is based on a nomogram incorporating GCS, EEG background activity, EEG reactivity, sleep spindles, and FzMMNA, which can be conveniently obtained during hospitalization. It provides a basis for care givers to make subsequent medical decisions.
Evaluation of KRASG12C inhibitor responses in novel murine KRASG12C lung cancer cell line models
Authors: Sisler Daniel J. , Hinz Trista K. , Le Anh T. , Kleczko Emily K. , Nemenoff Raphael A. , Heasley Lynn E.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The KRAS(G12C) mutation is the most common genetic mutation in North American lung adenocarcinoma patients. Recently, direct inhibitors of the KRASG12C protein have been developed and demonstrate clinical response rates of 37-43%. Importantly, these agents fail to generate durable therapeutic responses with median progression-free survival of ~6.5 months.

Methods

To provide models for further preclinical improvement of these inhibitors, we generated three novel murine KRASG12C-driven lung cancer cell lines. The co-occurring NRASQ61L mutation in KRASG12C-positive LLC cells was deleted and the KRASG12V allele in CMT167 cells was edited to KRASG12C with CRISPR/Cas9 methods. Also, a novel murine KRASG12C line, mKRC.1, was established from a tumor generated in a genetically-engineered mouse model.

Results

The three lines exhibit similar in vitro sensitivities to KRASG12C inhibitors (MRTX-1257, MRTX-849, AMG-510), but distinct in vivo responses to MRTX-849 ranging from progressive growth with orthotopic LLC-NRAS KO tumors to modest shrinkage with mKRC.1 tumors. All three cell lines exhibited synergistic in vitro growth inhibition with combinations of MRTX-1257 and the SHP2/PTPN11 inhibitor, RMC-4550. Moreover, treatment with a MRTX-849/RMC-4550 combination yielded transient tumor shrinkage in orthotopic LLC-NRAS KO tumors propagated in syngeneic mice and durable shrinkage of mKRC.1 tumors. Notably, single-agent MRTX-849 activity in mKRC.1 tumors and the combination response in LLC-NRAS KO tumors was lost when the experiments were performed in athymic nu/nu mice, supporting a growing literature demonstrating a role for adaptive immunity in the response to this class of drugs.

Discussion

These new models of murine KRASG12C mutant lung cancer should prove valuable for identifying improved therapeutic combination strategies with KRASG12C inhibitors.
Cancer treatment data available in European cancer registries: Where are we and where are we going?
Authors: Giusti Francesco , Martos Carmen , Trama Annalisa , Bettio Manola , Sanvisens Arantza , Audisio Riccardo , Arndt Volker , Francisci Silvia , Dochez Carine , Ribes Josepa , Fernández Laura Pareja , Gavin Anna , Gatta Gemma , Marcos-Gragera Rafael , Lievens Yolande , Allemani Claudia , De Angelis Roberta , Visser Otto , Van Eycken Liesbet ,   the ENCR Working Group on Treatment Data Harmonisation
Published: February 2023

Population-based cancer registries are responsible for collecting incidence and survival data on all reportable neoplasms within a defined geographical area. During the last decades, the role of cancer registries has evolved beyond monitoring epidemiological indicators, as they are expanding their activities to studies on cancer aetiology, prevention, and quality of care. This expansion relies also on the collection of additional clinical data, such as stage at diagnosis and cancer treatment. While the collection of data on stage, according to international reference classification, is consolidated almost everywhere, data collection on treatment is still very heterogeneous in Europe. This article combines data from a literature review and conference proceedings together with data from 125 European cancer registries contributing to the 2015 ENCR-JRC data call to provide an overview of the status of using and reporting treatment data in population-based cancer registries. The literature review shows that there is an increase in published data on cancer treatment by population-based cancer registries over the years. In addition, the review indicates that treatment data are most often collected for breast cancer, the most frequent cancer in women in Europe, followed by colorectal, prostate and lung cancers, which are also more common. Treatment data are increasingly being reported by cancer registries, though further improvements are required to ensure their complete and harmonised collection. Sufficient financial and human resources are needed to collect and analyse treatment data. Clear registration guidelines are to be made available to increase the availability of real-world treatment data in a harmonised way across Europe.
Effects of physical activity on lung function and quality of life in asthmatic children: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jing Zenghui , Wang Xingzhi , Zhang Panpan , Huang Jinli , Jia Yuanyuan , Zhang Juan , Wu Huajie , Sun Xin
Published: February 2023

Background and objectives

The benefits of physical activity (PA) for asthmatic children were increasingly recognized, and as the design of studies on PA and asthma has become more refined in recent years, the latest evidence needed to be updated. We performed this meta-analysis to synthesize the evidence available from the last 10 years to update the effects of PA in asthmatic children.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in three databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials were included, and two reviewers independently conducted the inclusion screening, data extraction, and bias assessment.

Results

A total of 9 studies were included in this review after 3,919 articles screened. PA significantly improved the forced vital capacity (FVC) (MD 7.62; 95% CI: 3.46 to 11.78; p < 0.001), and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25–75) (MD 10.39; 95% CI: 2.96 to 17.82; p = 0.006) in lung function. There was no significant difference in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (MD 3.17; 95% CI: −2.82 to 9.15; p = 0.30) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) (MD −1.74; 95% CI: −11.36 to 7.88; p = 0.72). Also, PA significantly improved the quality of life as assessed by the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (all items p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This review suggested that PA could improve FVC, FEF25–75, and quality of life in asthmatic children, but there was insufficient evidence of improvement in FEV1 and airway inflammation.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022338984.
A subcritical water extract of soil grown Zingiber officinale Roscoe: Comparative analysis of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and evaluation of bioactive metabolites
Authors: Razak Azraul Mumtazah , Zakaria Siti Nor Asyikin , Abdul Sani Nur Fathiah , Ab Rani Nazirah , Hakimi Nur Haleeda , Mohd Said Mazlina , Tan Jen Kit , Gan Han Kwang , Mad Nordin Mariam Firdhaus , Makpol Suzana
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) can scavenge free radicals, which cause oxidative damage and inflamm-ageing. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of soil ginger's sub-critical water extracts (SWE) on different ages of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The antioxidant properties and yield of SWE of soil- and soilless-grown ginger (soil ginger and soilless ginger will be used throughout the passage) were compared and evaluated.

Methods: Three (young), nine (adult), and twenty-one (old) months old SD rats were subjected to oral gavage treatments with either distilled water or the SWE of soil ginger at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) for three months.

Results: Soil ginger was found to yield 46% more extract than soilless ginger. While [6]-shogaol was more prevalent in soilless ginger, and [6]-gingerol concentration was higher in soil ginger (p < 0.05). Interestingly, soil ginger exhibited higher antioxidant activities than soilless ginger by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. With ginger treatment, a reduced levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) but not interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed in young rats. In all ages of SD rats, ginger treatment boosted catalase activity while lowering malondialdehyde (MDA). Reduction of urine 15-isoprostane F2t in young rats, creatine kinase-MM (CK-MM) in adult and old rats and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in young and adult rats were also observed.

Discussion: The findings confirmed that the SWE of both soil and soilless grown ginger possessed antioxidant activities. Soil ginger produced a higher yield of extracts with a more prominent antioxidant activity. The SWE of soil ginger treatment on the different ages of SD rats ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation responses. This could serve as the basis for developing a nutraceutical that can be used as a therapeutic intervention for ageing-related diseases.
Delayed revascularization in acute ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Eastin T. Marc , Dye Justin A. , Pillai Promod , Lopez-Gonzalez Miguel A. , Huang Lei , Zhang John H. , Boling Warren W.
Published: February 2023

Stroke shares a significant burden of global mortality and disability. A significant decline in the quality of life is attributed to the so-called post-stroke cognitive impairment including mild to severe cognitive alterations, dementia, and functional disability. Currently, only two clinical interventions including pharmacological and mechanical thrombolysis are advised for successful revascularization of the occluded vessel. However, their therapeutic effect is limited to the acute phase of stroke onset only. This often results in the exclusion of a significant number of patients who are unable to reach within the therapeutic window. Advances in neuroimaging technologies have allowed better assessment of salvageable penumbra and occluded vessel status. Improvement in diagnostic tools and the advent of intravascular interventional devices such as stent retrievers have expanded the potential revascularization window. Clinical studies have demonstrated positive outcomes of delayed revascularization beyond the recommended therapeutic window. This review will discuss the current understanding of ischemic stroke, the latest revascularization doctrine, and evidence from clinical studies regarding effective delayed revascularization in ischemic stroke.
Mesenchymal stem cells elicits Anti-PD1 immunotherapy by targeted delivery of CX3CL1
Authors: Liu Jize , Ma Xiaomin , Liu Chuxuan , Cheng Yang , Li Bingjun , Zhang Wenjie , Zeng Runzhi , Chen Qishuai , Zhang Yun , Hu Sanyuan
Published: February 2023

Anti-PD1/PDL1 monotherapy has failed to acquire sufficiently ideal results in most solid tumors. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to exert therapeutic effects on some tumors, but the functions of MSCs in colorectal cancer (CRC) need further research. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and the improvement of sensitivity of MSCs to anti-PD1 antibodies (αPD1) in CRC and to evaluate the possible mechanism. The relative distribution of immune cells in tumor microenvironment was examined after the mice were treated with MSC and/or αPD1. Our study revealed that MSC recruits CX3CR1high macrophages and promotes M1 polarization to inhibit tumor growth via highly secretion of CX3CL1.The combination of MSC and αPD1 was superior to monotherapy against CRC. MSC inhibits PD1 expression on CD8+ T cells by facilitating M1 macrophage polarization, which promotes the proliferation of CD8+ T cells, thus improving the sensitivity to αPD1 therapy in CRC. Additionally, the above therapeutic effect disappeared after inhibiting the secretion of CX3CL1 in MSC. Our MSC-based immunotherapeutic strategy simultaneously recruited and activated immune effector cells at the tumor site, suggesting that the combination of MSC and αPD1 could be a potential therapy for CRC.
Effects of genetic components of plant development on yield-related traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under stress-free conditions
Authors: Horváth Ádám , Kiss Tibor , Berki Zita , Horváth Ádám D. , Balla Krisztina , Cseh András , Veisz Ottó , Karsai Ildikó
Published: February 2023

The dynamics of plant development not only has an impact on ecological adaptation but also contributes to the realization of genetically determined yield potentials in various environments. Dissecting the genetic determinants of plant development becomes urgent due to the global climate change, which can seriously affect and even disrupt the locally adapted developmental patterns. In order to determine the role plant developmental loci played in local adaptation and yield formation, a panel of 188 winter and facultative wheat cultivars from diverse geographic locations were characterized with the 15K Illumina Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) chip and functional markers of several plant developmental genes and included into a multiseason field experiment. Genome-wide association analyses were conducted on five consecutive developmental phases spanning from the first node appearance to full heading together with various grain yield–related parameters. The panel was balanced for the PPD-D1 photoperiod response gene, which facilitated the analyses in the two subsets of photoperiod-insensitive and -sensitive genotypes in addition to the complete panel. PPD-D1 was the single highest source, explaining 12.1%–19.0% of the phenotypic variation in the successive developmental phases. In addition, 21 minor developmental loci were identified, each one explaining only small portions of the variance, but, together, their effects amounted to 16.6%–50.6% of phenotypic variance. Eight loci (2A_27, 2A_727, 4A_570, 5B_315, 5B_520, 6A_26, 7A_1-(VRN-A3), and 7B_732) were independent of PPD-D1. Seven loci were only detectable in the PPD-D1-insensitive genetic background (1A_539, 1B_487, 2D_649, 4A_9, 5A_584-(VRN-A1), 5B_571-(VRN-B1), and 7B_3-(VRN-B3)), and six loci were only detectable in the sensitive background, specifically 2A_740, 2D_25, 3A_579, 3B_414, 7A_218, 7A_689, and 7B_538. The combination of PPD-D1 insensitivity and sensitivity with the extremities of early or late alleles in the corresponding minor developmental loci resulted in significantly altered and distinct plant developmental patterns with detectable outcomes on some yield-related traits. This study examines the possible significance of the above results in ecological adaptation.
Translational profile of coding and non-coding RNAs revealed by genome wide profiling of ribosome footprints in grapevine
Authors: Zhen Zhang , Dongying Fan , Yue Song , Lipeng Zhang , Jingjing Liu , Minying Liu , Yuanyuan Xu , Juan He , Shiren Song , Yi Ren , Bin Han , Chao Ma
Published: February 2023

Translation is a crucial process during plant growth and morphogenesis. In grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), many transcripts can be detected by RNA sequencing; however, their translational regulation is still largely unknown, and a great number of translation products have not yet been identified. Here, ribosome footprint sequencing was carried out to reveal the translational profile of RNAs in grapevine. A total of 8291 detected transcripts were divided into four parts, including the coding, untranslated regions (UTR), intron, and intergenic regions, and the 26 nt ribosome-protected fragments (RPFs) showed a 3 nt periodic distribution. Furthermore, the predicted proteins were identified and classified by GO analysis. More importantly, 7 heat shock-binding proteins were found to be involved in molecular chaperone DNA J families participating in abiotic stress responses. These 7 proteins have different expression patterns in grape tissues; one of them was significantly upregulated by heat stress according to bioinformatics research and was identified as DNA JA6. The subcellular localization results showed that VvDNA JA6 and VvHSP70 were both localized on the cell membrane. Therefore, we speculate that DNA JA6 may interact with HSP70. In addition, overexpression of VvDNA JA6 and VvHSP70, reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, improved the antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), increased the content of proline, an osmolyte substance, and affected the expression of the high-temperature marker genes VvHsfB1, VvHsfB2A, VvHsfC and VvHSP100. In summary, our study proved that VvDNA JA6 and the heat shock protein VvHSP70 play a positive role in the response to heat stress. This study lays a foundation for further exploring the balance between gene expression and protein translation in grapevine under heat stress.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals candidate genes associated with anther development in Lilium Oriental Hybrid ‘Siberia’
Authors: Dong Tingting , Wang Lixuan , Wang Rui , Yang Xi , Jia Wenjie , Yi Mingfang , Zhou Xiaofeng , He Junna
Published: February 2023

Lily (Lilium spp. and hybrids) is an important cut flower crop worldwide. Lily flowers have large anthers, which release a large amount of pollen that stains the tepals or clothing and thus can affect the commercial value of cut flowers. In this study, lily Oriental ‘Siberia’ was used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of lily anther development, which may provide information to prevent pollen pollution in the future. Based on the flower bud length, anther length and color, and anatomical observations, lily anther development was categorized into five stages: green (G), green-to-yellow 1 (GY1), green-to-yellow 2 (GY2), yellow (Y), and purple (P). Total RNA was extracted from the anthers at each stage for transcriptomic analysis. A total of 268.92-Gb clean reads were generated, and 81,287 unigenes were assembled and annotated. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and unique genes were largest for the pairwise comparison between the G and GY1 stages. The G and P samples were clustered separately, whereas the GY1, GY2, and Y samples were clustered together in scatter plots from a principal component analysis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses of DEGs detected in the GY1, GY2, and Y stages revealed that the pectin catabolic process, hormone levels, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were enriched. The DEGs associated with jasmonic acid biosynthesis and signaling were highly expressed at the early stages (G and GY1), whereas the DEGs associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were mainly expressed in the intermediate stages (GY1, GY2, and Y). The DEGs involved in the pectin catabolic process were expressed at advanced stages (Y and P). Cucumber mosaic virus-induced gene silencing of LoMYB21 and LoAMS caused a strongly inhibited anther dehiscence phenotype, but without affecting the development of other floral organs. These results provide novel insights for understanding the regulatory mechanism of anther development in lily and other plants.
Initial risk factors, self-compassion trajectories, and well-being outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A person-centered approach
Authors: Kil Hali , Lacourse Eric , Mageau Geneviève A. , Pelletier-Dumas Mathieu , Dorfman Anna , Stolle Dietlind , Lina Jean-Marc , de la Sablonnière Roxane
Published: February 2023

Introduction

We investigated whether initial risk classes and heterogeneous trajectories of self-compassion over the course of the pandemic may impact well-being outcomes 1 year into the pandemic.

Methods

A large, representative sample of Canadians (N = 3,613; 50.6% women) was sampled longitudinally over 11 waves (April 2020–April 2021), using a rolling cross-sectional survey design. Analyses were conducted in three steps: (1) latent class analysis to identify heterogeneity in risk factors (sociodemographic, cognitive-personality, health-related) early in the pandemic, (2) latent class growth analysis (LCGA) to identify longitudinal self-compassion trajectories, and (3) GLM to examine effects of risk factor classes and self-compassion trajectories, as well as their interaction, on later well-being (mental health, perceived control, life satisfaction).

Results and Discussion

Four risk factor classes emerged, with 50.9% of participants experiencing low risk, 14.3% experiencing multiple risks, 20.8% experiencing Cognitive-Personality and Health risks, and 14.0% experiencing sociodemographic and Cognitive-Personality risks. Four self-compassion trajectories also emerged, with 47.7% of participants experiencing moderate-high self-compassion that decreased then stabilized, 32.0% experiencing moderate self-compassion that decreased then stabilized, 17.3% experiencing high and stable self-compassion across time, and 3.0% experiencing low and decreasing self-compassion. Comparisons of well-being outcomes 1 year post-pandemic indicated that higher levels of self-compassion over time may protect against the impact of initial risk on well-being outcomes. Further work is still needed on heterogeneity in experiences of risk and protective factors during stressful life events.
Race-based trauma and post-traumatic growth through identity transformation
Authors: Chin Dorothy , Smith-Clapham Amber M. , Wyatt Gail E.
Published: February 2023

Race-based trauma has been linked to multiple adverse health and mental health outcomes, including hypertension, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. While the possibility of post-traumatic growth (PTG) has been investigated following other types of trauma, relatively less work has been done on PTG following race-based trauma. In this article, we present a theoretical framework integrating three areas of research: race-based trauma, PTG, and racial identity narratives. Based on the work on Black and Asian American identity and integrating theory and research on historical trauma and PTG, this framework posits that the transformation of externally imposed narratives into more authentic, internally generated ones can serve as an important influence that sparks PTG after racial trauma. Based on this framework, strategies and tools that enact the cognitive processes of PTG, including writing and storytelling, are suggested as ways to promote post-trauma growth in response to racial trauma.
Contemporary trends in psychological research on conspiracy beliefs. A systematic review
Authors: Pilch Irena , Turska-Kawa Agnieszka , Wardawy Paulina , Olszanecka-Marmola Agata , Smołkowska-Jędo Wiktoria
Published: February 2023

Background

The number of psychological studies on conspiracy beliefs has been systematically growing for about a dozen years, but in recent years, the trend has intensified. We provided a review covering the psychological literature on conspiracy beliefs from 2018 to 2021. Halfway through this period, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, accompanied by an explosion of movements based on conspiracy theories, intensifying researchers’ interest in this issue.

Methods

Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, the review systematically searched for relevant journal articles published between 2018 and 2021. A search was done on Scopus and Web of Science (only peer-reviewed journals). A study was included if it contained primary empirical data, if specific or general conspiracy belief(s) were measured and if its correlation with at least one other psychological variable was reported. All the studies were grouped for the descriptive analysis according to the methodology used, the participants’ characteristics, the continent of origin, the sample size, and the conspiracy beliefs measurement tools. Due to substantial methodological heterogeneity of the studies, narrative synthesis was performed. The five researchers were assigned specific roles at each stage of the analysis to ensure the highest quality of the research.

Results

Following the proposed methodology, 308 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 274 articles (417 studies) meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and included in the review. Almost half of the studies (49.6%) were conducted in European countries. The vast majority of the studies (85.7%) were carried out on samples of adult respondents. The research presents antecedents as well as (potential) consequences of conspiracy beliefs. We grouped the antecedents of conspiracy beliefs into six categories: cognitive (e.g., thinking style) motivational (e.g., uncertainty avoidance), personality (e.g., collective narcissism), psychopathology (e.g., Dark Triad traits), political (e.g., ideological orientation), and sociocultural factors (e.g., collectivism).

Conclusion and limitations

The research presents evidence on the links between conspiracy beliefs and a range of attitudes and behaviors considered unfavorable from the point of view of individuals and of the society at large. It turned out that different constructs of conspiracy thinking interact with each other. The limitations of the study are discussed in the last part of the article.
Personality traits of university students with smartphone addiction
Authors: Kheradmand Ali , Amirlatifi Elham Sadat , Rahbar Zahra
Published: February 2023

Background

Nowadays smartphone use is increasing drastically. There is a higher prevalence of smartphone addiction in some specific personality traits.

Objectives

The goal of this study is to evaluate the association of smartphone addiction with personality traits.

Methods

This study is correlational research. Three hundred and eighty two students of Tehran universities were asked to answer the smartphone addiction scale (SAS) questionnaire and the Persian version of the Cloninger temperament and character inventory (TCI) questionnaire. After the smartphone addiction questionnaire assessment, individuals with smartphone addiction were identified and compared to the non-smartphone addicted group in terms of personality traits.

Results

One hundred and ten individuals (28.8%) were prone to smartphone addiction. Mean scores of people with smartphone addiction were higher in novelty-seeking, harm avoidance, and self-transcendence than the non-addicts and were statistically significant. In persistence and self-directedness, the mean scores of the smartphone addiction group were lower than the non-addicts and were statistically significant. Individuals with smartphone addiction had higher reward dependence and lower cooperativeness however they were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

high novelty seeking, harm avoidance, self-transcendence, low persistence, and self-directedness which indicate narcissistic personality disorder, could have a role in smartphone addiction.
Association of systemic inflammatory biomarkers with depression risk: Results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2018 analyses
Authors: Li Xintong , Huan Jiaming , Lin Lin , Hu Yuanlong
Published: February 2023

Background/Aim

Depression has become a multiple disease worldwide, and is closely related to the systemic inflammatory response.

Methods

Based on the data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), this study included 2,514 depressive and 26,487 non-depressive adults. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were used to quantify systemic inflammation. The multivariate logistic regression and inverse probability weighting methods were used to analyze the effect size of SII and SIRI on the risk of depression.

Results

After adjusting for all confounders, the above associations of SII and SIRI with depression risk remained significant (SII, OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.02, p = 0.001; SIRI, OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.10, p = 0.016). Each 100-unit increase in SII was associated with a 2% increase in the risk of depression, while each one-unit increase in SIRI was associated with a 6% increase in the risk of depression.

Conclusion

Systemic inflammatory biomarkers (SII and SIRI) significantly affected the risk of depression. SII or SIRI can serve as a biomarker of anti-inflammation treatment for depression.
Determinants of quality of life of cancer patients at a tertiary care medical city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlJaffar Mohammed A. , Enani Sari S. , Almadani Ahmad H. , Albuqami Fay H. , Alsaleh Khalid A. , Alosaimi Fahad D.
Published: February 2023

Background

Incidences of cancer are increasing at an unprecedented rate in Saudi Arabia, making it a major public health concern. Cancer patients are faced with physical, psychological, social, and economic challenges, all of which can impact quality of life (QoL).

Objectives

This study aims to explore the sociodemographic, psychological, clinical, cultural, and personal factors that could affect the overall QoL of cancer patients.

Methods

A total of 276 cancer patients who attended the King Saud University Medical City's oncology outpatient clinics between January 2018 to December 2019 were included. QoL was assessed with the Arabic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30. Psychosocial factors were assessed with several validated scales.

Results

QoL was poorer among patients who were female (p = 0.001), have visited a psychiatrist (p = 0.028); were taking psychiatric medications (p = 0.022); and had experienced anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), and distress (p < 0.001). The most used method to self-treat was Islamic Ruqya (spiritual healing; 48.6%), and the most often perceived cause for developing cancer was evil eye or magic (28.6%). Good QoL outcomes were associated with biological treatment (p = 0.034) and satisfaction with health care (p = 0.001). A regression analysis showed that female sex, depression, and dissatisfaction with health care were independently associated with poor QoL.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that several factors could influence cancer patients' QoL. For instance, female sex, depression, and dissatisfaction with health care were all predictors of poor QoL. Our findings support the need for more programs and interventions to improve the social services for cancer patients, along with the need to explore the social difficulties oncology patients face and address such obstacles through improving social services by expanding the scope of social workers' contribution. Larger multicenter longitudinal studies are warranted to examine the generalizability of the results.
The influence of the trajectory of obesity indicators on the age of pubertal onset and pubertal tempo in girls: A longitudinal study in Chongqing, China
Authors: Xi Xuan , Wu Di , Wu Wenyi , Zhou Yuanke , Zhang Qin , Wang Yujie , Wang Hong , Liu Qin
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study aims to explore the influence of the trajectory of obesity indicators on the onset age of different pubertal development characteristics and pubertal tempo among girls.

Methods

Our longitudinal cohort study recruited 734 girls at baseline in May 2014 from a district of Chongqing and followed them at 6-month intervals. Data were available from baseline to the 14th follow-up with a full record of height, weight, waist circumference (WC), breast development, pubic hair, and armpit hair development, as well as the age of menarche. The Group-Based Trajectory Model (GBTM) was fitted for the optimum trajectory of the body mass index (BMI), WC, and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) of girls before the pubertal onset and menarche. The ANOVA and multiple linear regression model were conducted to analyze the influence of the trajectory of obesity indicators on the onset age of different pubertal development characteristics and pubertal tempo in girls.

Results

Compared with the healthy (gradual BMI increase) group before pubertal onset, the overweight (persistent BMI increase) group has an earlier onset age of breast development (B: −0.331, 95%CI: −0.515, −0.147) and pubic hair development (B: −0.341, 95%CI: −0.546, −0.136). The B2–B5 development time was shorter in girls in the overweight (persistent BMI increase) group (B: −0.568, 95%CI: −0.831, −0.305) and the obese (rapid BMI increase) group (B: −0.328, 95%CI: −0.524, −0.132). The age of menarche was earlier, and the B2–B5 development time was shorter in girls in the overweight (persistent BMI increase) group than in girls in the healthy (gradual BMI increase) group before menarche (B: −0.276, 95%CI: −0.406, −0.146; B: −0.263, 95%CI: −0.403, −0.123). Girls with high WC (rapid WC increase) before menarche had an earlier age of menarche than normal WC (gradual WC increase) (B: −0.154, 95%CI: −0.301, −0.006), and the B2–B5 development time was shorter in girls in the overweight (gradual WHtR increase) group than in girls in the healthy (persistent WHtR increase) (B: −0.278, 95%CI: −0.529, −0.027) group.

Conclusion

Among girls, overweight and obesity (BMI scale) before pubertal onset can not only influence pubertal onset age but also accelerate B2–B5 pubertal tempo. Overweight (BMI scale) and high WC before menarche also have an impact on the age of menarche. Overweight (WHtR scale) before menarche is significantly associated with B2–B5 pubertal tempo.
Soft robotics in wearable and implantable medical applications: Translational challenges and future outlooks
Authors: Paternò Linda , Lorenzon Lucrezia
Published: February 2023

This work explores the recent research conducted towards the development of novel classes of devices in wearable and implantable medical applications allowed by the introduction of the soft robotics approach. In the medical field, the need for materials with mechanical properties similar to biological tissues is one of the first considerations that arises to improve comfort and safety in the physical interaction with the human body. Thus, soft robotic devices are expected to be able of accomplishing tasks no traditional rigid systems can do. In this paper, we describe future perspectives and possible routes to address scientific and clinical issues still hampering the accomplishment of ideal solutions in clinical practice.
Risk perceptions of avian influenza among poultry farmers on smallholder farms along border areas of Thailand
Authors: Hinjoy Soawapak , Thumrin Pornchai , Sridet Jitphanu , Chaiyaso Chat , Smithsuwan Punnarai , Rodchangphuen Janjao , Thukngamdee Yupawat , Suddee Weerachai
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Thailand has not reported any cases of avian influenza since 2008. However, avian influenza viruses circulating in poultry in neighboring countries may have potential for transmission to humans. The aim of this study was to assess risk perceptions of poultry farmers and traders in three border provinces of Thailand adjacent to Laos.

Materials and methods

Poultry farmers and traders were interviewed in-person during October–December 2021 by health and livestock officials using a standardized questionnaire to collect demographics, job histories, knowledge, and practices related to avian influenza. Knowledge and practices were scored using 22 questions with a 5-point scale. Exploratory data analysis scores above and below the 25th percentile was used as the cut-off point for perception scores. The cut-off point was used to describe perceptions of respondent characteristics in order to compare differences between groups with more or < 10 years of experience. Age adjusted perceptions of disease risk were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of the 346 respondents, the median risk perception score was 77.3% (22 questions with a 5-point scale, so the total score was 110). Having more than 10 years of experience in poultry farming was significantly associated with an increased perception of the risk of avian influenza (adjusted odds ratio 3.9, 95% confidence interval 1.1–15.1). Thirty-two percent of participants perceived avian influenza as a risk only during the winter season, and more than one-third of the participants (34.4%) had not received recent information about new viral strains of avian influenza.

Discussion

Participants did not perceive some key information on the risks associated with avian influenza. Regular training on the risks of avian influenza could be provided by national, provincial and/or local officials and they, in turn, could share what they learn with their communities. Participants who had greater experience in poultry farming were associated with greater risk perception. Experienced poultry farmers and traders working on poultry farms can be a part of the community mentorship program to share their experiences and knowledge on avian influenza with new poultry producers to improve their perception of disease risk.
Identification and characterization of the causative agents of Focal Ulcerative Dermatitis in commercial laying hens
Authors: Ayala Diana I. , Grum Daniel S. , Evans Nicholas P. , Russo Kay N. , Kimminau Emily A. , Trible Benjamin R. , Lahoti Manohar M. , Novak Curtis L. , Karnezos Theodore P.
Published: February 2023

Focal Ulcerative Dermatitis (FUDS) is an emerging dermatological disease that affects cage-free laying flocks, it is characterized by the development of a lesion on the dorsum of the birds; FUDS is sporadic in nature and can result in a drop in egg production and up to 50% of cumulative mortality. A total of two cage-free flocks (flock 1: no history of FUDS; flock 2: birds affected with FUDS) from a commercial laying hen operation in the mid-west U.S. were sampled in this study. The microbial composition of skin, cloacal, cecal, and ileal samples from each bird was characterized through next generation sequencing (NGS). Results identified Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus agnetis as the potential causative agents of FUDS, being the most predominant in FUDS positive birds. These results were confirmed by plating, with both staphylococci as the only pathogens isolated from lesions of FUDS positive birds. A total of 68 confirmed Staphylococcus isolates from skin and environmental samples were further analyzed by whole genome sequencing (WGS) for the presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and virulence factors that could have contributed to the development of FUDS. Forty-four-point one-two percent of the isolates had between one and four acquired AMR genes encoding for macrolides, lincosamides, spectrogramines, and beta-lactams resistance. Six classes of virulence factors associated with adherence, enzyme, immune evasion, secretion system, toxin, and iron uptake were identified. The antimicrobial effect of 4 proprietary Bacillus Direct Fed Microbial (DFM) combinations was evaluated against the Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus agnetis isolates, by agar well-diffusion (AWD) assay and competitive exclusion (CE) on broth culture. Through this antimicrobial screening, a particular two-strain combination of Bacillus pumilus was identified as the most effective inhibitor of both staphylococci. A customized Bacillus pumilus product is being used at different farms with history of FUDS resulting in the successful inhibition of both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus agnetis, decreasing FUDS mortalities, and improving harvestable eggs.
“Entrepreneurizing” College Programs to Increase Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Mediation Framework
Authors: Fallatah Mahmoud Ibrahim , Ayed Tahar Lazhar
Published: February 2023

The impact of entrepreneurship on the development of emerging economies is widely recognized. Research has focused on studying factors that increase entrepreneurship in societies, including the role of education in increasing entrepreneurial intentions among students. In this paper, we contribute to the entrepreneurship and education literature by examining the impact of entrepreneurial college programs on entrepreneurial intentions. Further, we study the mediating roles of perceived benefits and individual creativity. Using a sample of 438 students from a public university in Saudi Arabia, our findings reveal that students enrolled in entrepreneurial programs have higher levels of entrepreneurial intentions that those enrolled in non-entrepreneurial programs, and that perceived benefits and individual creativity partially mediate the aforementioned relationship. The paper opens the door for future research in the entrepreneurship and education literature and provides several managerial implications.
Response of Organic Fertilizer Application to Soil Microorganisms and Forage Biomass in Grass–Legume Mixtures
Authors: Yan Huilin , Zhou Xueli , Zheng Kaifu , Gu Songsong , Yu Hao , Ma Kun , Zhao Yangan , Wang Yingcheng , Zheng Hua , Liu Hanjiang , Shi Dejun , Lu Guangxin , Deng Ye
Published: February 2023

It has been widely recognized that organic fertilizer (OF) application under monoculture and continuous cropping can change the microbial community and increase forage biomass in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. However, as a commonly used grassland planting pattern, the way in which grass–legume mixtures respond to OF application remains unclear. To clarify application effects of organic fertilizer in the grass–legume mixtures, we conducted a field experiment at the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and collected the rhizospheric and bulk soils to reveal their microbial community by using high-throughput sequencing and molecular ecological networks. It was found that OF application changed the microbial community and increased the forage biomass under monoculture. However, in grass–legume mixtures, we found that OF application did not promote the increase of forage (Gramineae) biomass (Student t-test: p > 0.05). By analyzing both prokaryote and fungal communities, it was found that OF application had a greater impact on bulk soil microorganisms than on those of the rhizosphere in grass–legume mixtures. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that the rhizosphere and bulk soil networks of grass–legume mixtures were significantly more vulnerable under OF treatment (vulnerability of prokaryotes in grass: 0.1222; vulnerability of prokaryotes in legumes: 0.1730; fungal vulnerability in grass: 0.0116; fungal vulnerability in legumes: 0.0223) than non-OF treatment (vulnerability of prokaryotes in grass: 0.1015; vulnerability of prokaryotes in legumes: 0.1337; fungal vulnerability in grass: 0.0046; fungal vulnerability in legumes: 0.0126), which indicated that OF application did not provide favorable conditions for microbial interactions in grass–legume mixtures. In addition, structural equation modeling showed that OF application had some significant negative impacts on soil physicochemical properties and the robustness of the prokaryote community. The robustness of fungi had a significant negative (p < 0.001) impact on forage biomass, but OF application had no significant (p > 0.05) direct impact on the forage biomass, which indicated that the OF did not promote forage biomass in grass–legume mixtures. These results suggest that the application of organic fertilizer is unnecessary for grass–legume mixtures, because it does not promote the interactions between rhizospheric microbes and forage.
Bioengineering of Canopy Photosynthesis in Rice for Securing Global Food Security: A Critical Review
Authors: Vishwakarma Chandrapal , Krishna Gopinathan Kumar , Kapoor Riti Thapar , Mathur Komal , Lal Shambhu Krishan , Saini Ravi Prakash , Yadava Pranjal , Chinnusamy Viswanathan
Published: February 2023

The emerging threat of climate change is posing a scientific conundrum for global food and nutritional security. As a primary staple food, half of the global human population is supported by rice crop. Thus, enhancing rice yield is highly critical to ensure food security. Photosynthesis is the defining physiological process of plants that determines maximum attainable yield. Efficiently capturing solar radiation and converting the carbon assimilates into rice grain is critical to achieve high yield. Genetic interventions to modify the plant architecture for enhanced light capture can improve rice yield significantly. Enhancement of cellular photosynthesis by synthetic biology approaches targeting important nodes of the light harvesting and carbon assimilation pathways are critical for breaking yield ceiling. The possible targets for improving photosynthesis include the light capture, chloroplast electron transport, Calvin cycle enzymes, sugar transport mechanisms, minimization of photorespiration, and improving source–sink relations. Conversion of C3 rice into a C4 type plant is also an option being vigorously pursued. Here, we review the determinants of canopy photosynthesis in rice with special reference to genetic factors and cellular photosynthetic capacity.
Determining the Beginning of Potato Tuberization Period Using Plant Height Detected by Drone for Irrigation Purposes
Authors: Martins Sarah , Lhissou Rachid , Chokmani Karem , Cambouris Athyna
Published: February 2023

Insolation and precipitation instability associated with climate change affects plant development patterns and water demand. The potato root system and soil properties lead to water vulnerability, impacting crop yield. Regarding potato physiology, plants stop growing when the root depth stabilizes, and then the tuberization period begins. Since this moment, water supply is required. Consequently, an approach based on plant physiology may enable farmers to detect the beginning of the irrigation period precisely. Remote sensing is a fast and precise method for obtaining surface information using non-invasive data collection. The database comprises root depth (RD) and plant height (H) data collected during 2019, 2020, and 2021. This research aims to develop a dynamic approach based on remote sensing and crop physiology to accurately determine the beginning of the tuberization period, called here the irrigation critical point (ICP). The results indicate a high correlation between RD and H (>0.85) which is independent of in-field soil and relief variations > 0.95). Further, plant growth rate corroborates the correlation results with decreasing patterns in time (R2 > 0.80), independent of environmental variations. In short, it was possible to determine the ICP based on the crop growth dynamics, independently of climate variations, field placement, or irrigation system.