bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of [18F]-FDG PET/CT in patients with meta-static breast cancer treated with cyclin-dependent inhibitors
Authors: Annovazzi Alessio , Rea Sandra , Maccora Daria , Pizzuti Laura , Ferretti Gianluigi , Vici Patrizia , Cappuzzo Federico , Sciuto Rosa
Published: July 2023

Objective

The addition of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) to endocrine therapy impressively improved the outcome of patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. Despite their great efficacy, not all patients respond to treatment and many of them develop acquired resistance. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the role of [18F]-FDG PET/CT in predicting PFS and OS in breast cancer patients treated with CDK4/6i.

Methods

114 patients who performed an [18F]-FDG PET/CT scan before (PET1) and 2-6 months (PET2) after starting treatment were retrospectively enrolled. Metabolic response was evaluated by EORTC, PERCIST and Deauville Score and correlated to PFS and OS.

Results

In patients who did not progress at PET2 (n = 90), PFS rates were not significantly different between classes of response by EORTC and PERCIST. Conversely, patients showing a Deauville score ≤3 had a longer PFS (median PFS 42 vs 21.0 months; p = 0.008). A higher total metabolic tumor volume at PET1 (TMTV1) was also associated with a shorter PFS (median 18 vs 42 months; p = 0.0026). TMTV1 and Deauville score were the only independent prognostic factors for PFS at multivariate analysis and their combination stratified the population in four definite classes of relapse risk. Conversely, the above parameters did not affect OS which was only influenced by a progressive metabolic disease at PET2 (3-years survival rate 29.8 vs 84.9%; p<0.0001).

Conclusion

TMTV and metabolic response by Deauville score were significant prognostic factors for PFS in patients with breast cancer treated with CDK4/6i. Their determination could help physicians to select patients who may need a closer follow up.
Same-day versus delayed simulation imaging after placement of a perirectal hydrogel spacer for prostate radiotherapy
Authors: Fredman Elisha , Weinstock-Sabbah Miriam , Icht Oded , Moore Assaf , Shochet Tzippora , Limon Dror , Bragilovski Dimitri
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Placement of a perirectal hydrogel spacer has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of rectal toxicity from prostate radiation. Practices vary regarding the timing of CT simulation after hydrogel placement, and the ideal schedule remains unknown.

Methods

Thirty patients with localized prostate adenocarcinoma underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided placement of an iodinated SpaceOAR™ hydrogel prior to radiotherapy. Per evolving practice, 15 completed same-day simulation and 15 returned for simulation 1–2 weeks later. Hydrogel volume, perirectal distance, air-void volume, and rectal dosimetry per NRG GU005 were compared between CT simulation, 1st fraction Cone-Beam-CT (CBCT), and final CBCT.

Results

CT simulation occurred 8.8 ± 2.4 days after placement in the delayed group, with no significant difference in the interval between simulation and 1st fraction between groups (p = 0.165). Greater observed de-creases in hydrogel volume (0.57 cc vs. 0.04 cc, p = 0.0002), and perirectal distance at both mid-gland (1.32 mm vs. 0.17 mm) and tallest point (2.40 mm vs. 0.04 mm) were seen on 1st-fraction CBCT in the same-day group (p = 0.0039; p = 0.0002). Per dosimetry recalculated on 1st fraction CBCT, five (D3 cc and D50%) versus one (D50%) rectal dose parameters were exceeded in the same-day and delayed groups, respectively, and 10 versus one parameters had a relative increase of ≥ 20%.

Conclusion

Due to the evolving anatomic changes in the days following hydrogel placement, same-day simulation scanning may introduce unintended variability in rectal dosimetry at the time of prostate radiotherapy.
Impact of RSV test positivity, patient characteristics, and treatment characteristics on the cost of hospitalization for acute bronchiolitis in a French university medical center (2010–2015)
Authors: Dervaux Benoit , Van Berleere Marine , Lenne Xavier , Wyckaert Marine , Dubos François
Published: July 2023

Background

In young children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related bronchiolitis is typically more severe than other respiratory tract infections, with a greater need for oxygen therapy and respiratory support. Few studies have compared the cost of hospitalization with regard to virological status. The objective of this study was to compare the costs of hospitalization for RSV-positive vs. RSV-negative bronchiolitis in a French university medical center between 2010 and 2015.

Methods

The cost models were compared using conventional goodness-of-fit criteria. Covariates included the characteristics of the patients, pre-existing respiratory and non-respiratory comorbidities, superinfections, medical care provided, and the length of stay.

Results

RSV was detected in 679 (58.3%) of the 1,164 hospital stays by children under 2 years with virological data. Oxygen therapy and respiratory support were twice as frequent for the RSV-positive cases. The median hospitalization cost was estimated at €3,248.4 (interquartile range: €2,572.1). The cost distribution was positively skewed with a variation coefficient (CV = standard deviation/mean) greater than one (mean = €4,212.9, standard deviation = €5,047, CV = 1.2). In univariate analyses, there was no significant cost difference between the RSV-positive and RSV-negative cases. In the best multivariate model, the significant positive effect of RSV positivity on cost waned after the introduction of medical care variables and the length of stay. The results were sensitive to the specification of the model.

Conclusions

It was impossible to firmly conclude that hospitalization costs were higher for the RSV-positive cases.
The impact of small-for-gestational-age Status on the outcomes in very-Low-birth-weight (VLBW) premature infants: a prospective cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Chia-Ying , Chang Hung-Yang , Chang Jui-Hsing , Hsu Chyong-Hsin , Jim Wai-Tim , Peng Chun-Chih , Chen Chia-Huei
Published: July 2023

Background

The impact of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) on very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) premature infants remains inconclusive. This study aimed to assess the effects of being born SGA status on the short-term and long-term outcomes in VLBW preterm infants.

Methods

We conducted a population-based, prospective cohort study on VLBW preterm infants born in Taiwan between 2012 and 2017. Sociodemographic, neonatal, growth and neurological data at 2 years of corrected age were collected. A total of 4243 VLBW infants born at 24 through 32 completed weeks' gestation participated in this study, of whom 1,005 had SGA status defined as a birth weight <10th percentile of gestation, and 3,238 did not (the non-SGA group).

We compared the risks of short-term outcomes (neonatal mortality and morbidities), long-term outcomes (growth status, including weight, height, and head circumference <10th percentile, and neurodevelopmental impairments at 2 years of age). Subgroup analysis was performed by stratification of gestation age (GA): GA 24–26, 27–29 and 30–32 weeks.

Results

In the analysis of short-term outcomes, the SGA group had an increased risk of neonatal mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.66, 2.99, and 2.19, respectively] in all GA subgroups in comparison with the non-SGA group (p < 0.05). The SGA group had a significantly increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in GA 27–29 and 30–32 weeks (adjusted OR = 2.11 and 1.86, respectively). We also found that there was an increased risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity in GA 24–26 and 27–29 weeks in the SGA group compared with the non-SGA group (adjusted OR = 1.68 and 1.59, respectively).

In the analysis of long-term outcomes, the SGA group had a significantly increased risk of NDI throughout all GA subgroups (adjusted = 1.94, 1.33, and 1.35, respectively) in comparison with the non-SGA group. The SGA groups also had an increased risk of growth status <10th percentile at 2 years of age (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

SGA VLBW premature infants had higher risks of neonatal death, growth status <10th percentile, and NDI at 2 years of corrected age compared with the non- SGA premature infants. Prenatal surveillance, postnatal attention, and long- term follow-up are warranted to improve the outcomes of VLBW SGA premature infants.
Genome-wide identification of candidate chemosensory receptors in the bean bug Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) and the functional verification of its odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) in recognizing aggregation pheromone
Authors: Liu Panjing , Guo Jianglong , Wei Hongyi , Feng Likai , Gao Zhanlin , Zhang Tao
Published: July 2023

A sophisticated and sensitive olfactory system plays a vital role in the survival and reproduction of insects. Chemosensory receptors are indispensable for the molecular recognition and discrimination of semiochemicals. Riptortus pedestris is a notorious pest of legume plants, resulting in yield losses and quality decreases in soybeans. It is well accepted that R. pedestris highly relies on its olfactory system in detecting aggregation pheromones, host volatiles, and pesticides; however, little research focused on its chemosensory receptors. In the present study, we identified 237 odorant receptors (ORs), 42 gustatory receptors (GRs), and 31 ionotropic receptors (IRs) from the reported genome of R. pedestris, and analyzed their phylogenetic relationship with other hemipteran species. Through the results of RNA-seq and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), we found that RpedORs displayed different expression levels in the antennae of R. pedestris at different development stages. To further verify the function of odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco), an obligate and unique insect OR, we silenced RpedOrco by RNA interference (RNAi) method. The results showed that silencing RpedOrco could significantly impair the response to aggregation pheromone in R. pedestris, indicating that RpedOrco plays an essential role in odorant detection. Our results can provide the theoretical foundations for revealing the olfactory recognition mechanism of R. pedestris and help explore and develop novel olfactory-based agents against this pest.
Comparative analysis of repeat content in plant genomes, large and small
Authors: Argentin Joris , Bolser Dan , Kersey Paul J. , Flicek Paul
Published: July 2023

The DNA Features pipeline is the analysis pipeline at EMBL-EBI that annotates repeat elements, including transposable elements. With Ensembl’s goal to stay at the cutting edge of genome annotation, we proved that this pipeline needed an update. We then created a new analysis that allowed the Ensembl database to store the repeat classification from the PGSB repeat classification (Recat). This new dataset was then fetched using Perl scripts and used to prove that the pipeline modification induced a gain in sensitivity. Finally, we performed a comparative analysis of transposable element distribution in all plant species available, raising new questions about transposable elements in certain branches of the taxonomic tree.
Field assessment of yield and its contributing traits in cowpea treated with lower, intermediate, and higher doses of gamma rays and sodium azide
Authors: Raina Aamir , Khan Samiullah
Published: July 2023

Across the globe, plant breeders of different organizations are working in collaboration to bring preferred traits to crops of economic importance. Among the traits, “high yielding potential” is the most important as it is directly associated with food security and nutrition, one of the sustainable development goals. The Food and Agriculture Organization acknowledges plant breeders’ role and efforts in achieving local and global food security and nutrition. Recognizing the importance of pulses and increasing pressure on food security, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2016 the “International year of Pulses” owing to their preferred traits such as climate change resilience, wide adaptability, low agriculture input, and protein- and nutrient-rich crops. Keeping all these developments in consideration, we initiated an induced mutagenesis program by treating cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) with different doses of gamma rays and sodium azide aiming to enhance the yielding potential of an otherwise outstanding variety viz., Gomati VU-89 and Pusa-578. We noticed a substantial increase in mean values of agronomic traits in putative mutants raised from seeds treated with lower and intermediate doses of mutagens. Statistical analysis such as correlation, path, hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to assess the difference between mutagenized and control populations. A significant and positive correlation of yield with yield-attributing traits was recorded. However, among all the yield attributing traits, seeds per pod (SPP) depicted the maximum direct impact upon yield, and therefore, working on this trait may yield better results. A widely used PCA revealed 40.46% and 33.47% of the total variation for var. Gomati VU-89 and var. Pusa-578, respectively. Cluster analysis clustered treated and control populations into separate clusters with variable cluster sizes. Cluster V in the variety Gomati VU-89 and cluster V and VI in the variety Pusa 578 comprised of putative mutants were higher yielding and hence could be recommended for selection in future breeding programs. We expect to release such mutant lines for farmer cultivation in Northern parts of India depending on the performance of such high-yielding mutant lines at multilocations.
A lightweight model for efficient identification of plant diseases and pests based on deep learning
Authors: Guan Hongliang , Fu Chen , Zhang Guangyuan , Li Kefeng , Wang Peng , Zhu Zhenfang
Published: July 2023

Plant diseases and pests have always been major contributors to losses that occur in agriculture. Currently, the use of deep learning-based convolutional neural network models allows for the accurate identification of different types of plant diseases and pests. To enable more efficient identification of plant diseases and pests, we design a novel network architecture called Dise-Efficient based on the EfficientNetV2 model. Our experiments demonstrate that training this model using a dynamic learning rate decay strategy can improve the accuracy of plant disease and pest identification. Furthermore, to improve the model’s generalization ability, transfer learning is incorporated into the training process. Experimental results indicate that the Dise-Efficient model boasts a compact size of 13.3 MB. After being trained using the dynamic learning rate decay strategy, the model achieves an accuracy of 99.80% on the Plant Village plant disease and pest dataset. Moreover, through transfer learning on the IP102 dataset, which represents real-world environmental conditions, the Dise-Efficient model achieves a recognition accuracy of 64.40% for plant disease and pest identification. In light of these results, the proposed Dise-Efficient model holds great potential as a valuable reference for the deployment of automatic plant disease and pest identification applications on mobile and embedded devices in the future.
Improving the service quality of cross-border e-commerce: How to understand online consumer reviews from a cultural differences perspective
Authors: Han Linlin , Han Xu
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) consumers come from different countries; thus, cultural differences may affect their evaluations and perceptions of service quality. This paper follows Hofstede’s framework as a theoretical anchor to explore how to use online consumer reviews that reflect cultural differences to improve the service quality of CBEC.

Methods

First, based on a latent Dirichlet allocation model, 14 service quality issues that consumers are concerned about in CBEC were identified. Second, a generalized ordered logistic regression model was explored to analyze the cultural influences on consumer sentiment orientation. Finally, the effect of each cultural dimension on consumer service quality perception in CBEC was evaluated by employing a binary logistic regression model.

Results

The results showed that consumers paid more attention to the service quality of logistics service, customs efficiency and tariff, shopping experience, and so on. Cultural dimensions significantly impacted consumers’ emotional tendencies. Moreover, cultural dimensions had significant impacts on consumers’ service quality perception (e.g., logistics service, trust in sellers, customs disputes, and cell phone performance). Still, consumers’ quality perceptions of some services (e.g., cell phone functions, items as described, logistics package quality, and gifts) were less affected by cultural dimensions.

Discussion

Our findings not only provide new perspectives for CBEC consumer behavior studies on quality improvement but also provide practical implications for CBEC enterprises.
Sexual harassment and abuse; disclosure and awareness of report- and support resources in Norwegian sport- and non-sport high schools: a prospective exploratory study
Authors: Sølvberg Nina , Torstveit Monica Klungland , Mountjoy Margo , Rosenvinge Jan H. , Pettersen Gunn , Sundgot-Borgen Jorunn
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To examine high school students’ disclosure of sexual harassment and abuse (SHA), and awareness of reporting systems and support mechanisms in school among students, leaders, and coaches.

Method

Norwegian 17-year-old high school elite athletes (n = 630), recreational athletes (n = 307), and reference students (n = 263) responded to an online questionnaire at two measurement points, 1 year apart (T1 and T2). Leaders and coaches (n = 249) at the participating high schools responded to an adapted version of the questionnaire at T1. Data were analyzed using ANOVA or Welch test, Pearson Chi-Square test, and McNemar test.

Results

In total, 11.4 and 34.0% of the adolescents were aware of reporting systems and support mechanisms, respectively, in their schools. Nearly all the leaders, and half of the coaches were aware of these resources. Among the adolescents with lifetime experience of SHA, 20.1% had disclosed their experiences to someone. Girls disclosed more frequently than boys. The elite- and recreational athletes disclosed less often compared with the reference students. A negative change from T1 to T2 was found in disclosure of SHA and awareness of support mechanisms. At T2, 6.5% of the adolescents reported that their school had implemented measures against SHA during the last 12 months.

Conclusion

The results emphasize a need for institutional effort to improve information about available report- and support resources and increase the relevance of use of such systems for adolescents.
Explicating peer feedback quality and its impact on feedback implementation in EFL writing
Authors: He Wenjing , Gao Ying
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Although it is commonly acknowledged that peer feedback quality is crucial to the success of peer review, there is a lack of consensus on how it could be determined. More importantly, how feedback quality interacts with other factors like feedback features and focus, and ultimately influences peer feedback implementation remains insufficiently investigated.

Methods

The present study examined peer feedback quality and its impact on Chinese students’ feedback implementation in two argumentative writing tasks. Peer feedback quality was measured according to a self-designed two-dimensional measurement scale: accuracy and revision potential.

Results

Quantitative analyses of 5,606 implementable idea units of feedback and 440 writing drafts by 110 students revealed that feedback accuracy was at a medium level and revision potential was at a low level, with accuracy demonstrating stronger predictive power on implementation; the predictive strengths of feedback accuracy and revision potential were strongest when feedback features and focus were considered; the overall peer feedback quality was low and medium-quality feedback was implemented most frequently; feedback quality significantly and most strongly predicted implementation in combination with feedback features and focus.

Discussion

The study highlights the importance of future instructions in training students to provide and implement high-quality feedback with good accuracy and high revision potential.
Assessment of math anxiety as a potential tool to identify students at risk of poor acquisition of new math skills: longitudinal study of grade 9 Italian students
Authors: Piccirilli Massimo , Lanfaloni Gianni Alberto , Buratta Livia , Ciotti Beatrice , Lepri Alessandro , Azzarelli Cristina , Ilicini Silvia , D’Alessandro Patrizia , Elisei Sandro
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Numerous international educational institutions have sounded the alarm about the gradual increase in the number of students failing to achieve a sufficient level of proficiency in mathematical abilities. Thus, the growing interest in identifying possible solutions and factors interfering with learning seems justified. In recent years, special attention has accrued to the possible role played by emotional factors.

Methods

In the present investigation, students in the first grade of a technical vocational secondary school are followed to assess the influence of math anxiety (MA) on the development of skill acquisition in calculus. A math skills assessment test is administered on two occasions, at the beginning and end of the school year.

Results

Results highlighted that the score on the anxiety scale, administered at the beginning of the year, negatively correlated with the score obtained on the mathematics test, administered at the end of the school year: the higher the level of anxiety, the worse the performance. Furthermore, the score obtained in the second administration makes it possible to divide the students tested into two groups: students who improved their performance and students who did not benefit at all from repeating the test. In these two groups, an analysis of the relationships between the outcome of the end-of-year mathematics test and the level of MA at the beginning of the year showed that MA correlates negatively with performance only in students who will fail to acquire new expertise in mathematics over the course of the school year.

Discussion

The results suggest that MA may interfere with the smooth development of math skills. Assessing the level of MA at the beginning of the school year could prove to be a useful tool in identifying which and how many students are at risk of failing to achieve the skills expected from the usual course of instruction. A consideration of anxiety as one of the variables at play in the genesis of learning difficulties may prompt educators to modify teaching methodology and strategies by increasing focus on the impact of the emotional dimension on learning.
Associations of meditation with telomere dynamics: a case–control study in healthy adults
Authors: Dasanayaka Nirodhi Namika , Sirisena Nirmala Dushyanthi , Samaranayake Nilakshi
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Telomeres are protective end caps of chromosomes which naturally shorten with each cell division and thus with age. Short telomeres have been associated with many age-related diseases. Meditation has come to the fore as a mind–body practice which could influence the telomere dynamics underlying these phenomena. We previously reported meditation to be associated with higher telomerase levels, mindfulness and quality of life. Here, reporting on the same study population, we describe associations between long-term meditation and telomere length (TL), expression of hTERT and hTR genes and methylation of the promoter region of hTERT gene.

Methods

Thirty healthy meditators and matched non-meditators were recruited. TL was measured using quantitative PCR, gene expression was assessed using reverse transcriptase PCR, and methylation level was quantified by bisulfite-specific PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. Comparisons between meditators and controls were carried out using t-tests, while Pearson correlation was used to identify correlations, and regression was used to identify predictors.

Results

Males comprised 63.4% of each group with an average age of 43 years. On average, they had meditated daily for 5.82 h (±3.45) for 6.8 years (±3.27). Meditators had longer relative TLs (p = 0.020), and TL decreased with age (p < 0.001) but was not associated with other socio-demographic variables. Regression analysis showed that age (p < 0.001) and duration of meditation (p = 0.003) significantly predicted TL. The meditators showed higher relative expression of hTERT (p = 0.020) and hTR (p = 0.029) genes while the methylation level of the promoter region of hTERT gene was significantly lower when compared to non-meditators (p < 0.001). Negative correlations were identified between the methylation level of the promoter region of hTERT gene and the expression of the hTERT gene (p = 0.001) and duration of meditation (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that meditation as a lifestyle practice has multi-level beneficial effects on telomere dynamics with potential to promote healthy aging.
Social anxiety and MDMA-assisted therapy investigation: a novel clinical trial protocol
Authors: Lear M. Kati , Smith Sarah M. , Pilecki Brian , Stauffer Chris S. , Luoma Jason B.
Published: July 2023

Background

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a serious and prevalent psychiatric condition that heavily impacts social functioning and quality of life. Though efficacious treatments exist for SAD, remission rates remain elevated and a significant portion of those affected do not access effective treatment, suggesting the need for additional evidence-based treatment options. This paper presents a protocol for an open-label pilot study of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for social anxiety disorder. The study aims to assess preliminary treatment outcomes, feasibility and safety, and psychological and physiological processes of change in the treatment of SAD with MDMA-AT. A secondary aim includes the development of a treatment manual for MDMA-AT for SAD.

Method

The outlined protocol is a randomized, open-label delayed treatment study. We will recruit 20 participants who meet criteria with moderate-to-severe social anxiety disorder (SAD) of the generalized subtype. Participants will be randomly assigned to an immediate treatment (n = 10) or delayed treatment condition (n = 10). Those in the immediate treatment condition will proceed immediately to active MDMA-AT consisting of three preparation sessions, two medicine sessions in which they receive oral doses of MDMA, and six integration sessions over approximately a 16-week period. The delayed treatment condition will receive the same intervention after a 16-week delay. Our primary outcome is SAD symptom reduction as measured by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale administered by blinded raters at post-treatment and 6 month follow up. Secondary outcomes include changes in functional impairment, feasibility and safety measures, and novel therapeutic processes of change including shame and shame-related coping, belongingness, self-concealment, and self-compassion at post-treatment. Exploratory outcomes are also discussed.

Discussion

The results of this pilot trial advance the field’s understanding of the acceptability and potential effectiveness of MDMA-AT for social anxiety disorder and provide an overview of relevant therapeutic mechanisms unique to SAD. We hope findings from this protocol will inform the design of subsequent larger-scale randomized controlled trials (RCT) examining the efficacy of MDMA-AT for SAD.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT05138068.
The influence of tissue pH and RNA integrity number on gene expression of human postmortem brain
Authors: Miyahara Kazusa , Hino Mizuki , Yu Zhiqian , Ono Chiaki , Nagaoka Atsuko , Hatano Masataka , Shishido Risa , Yabe Hirooki , Tomita Hiroaki , Kunii Yasuto
Published: July 2023

Background

Evaluating and controlling confounders are necessary when investigating molecular pathogenesis using human postmortem brain tissue. Particularly, tissue pH and RNA integrity number (RIN) are valuable indicators for controlling confounders. However, the influences of these indicators on the expression of each gene in postmortem brain have not been fully investigated. Therefore, we aimed to assess these effects on gene expressions of human brain samples.

Methods

We isolated total RNA from occipital lobes of 13 patients with schizophrenia and measured the RIN and tissue pH. Gene expression was analyzed and gene sets affected by tissue pH and RIN were identified. Moreover, we examined the functions of these genes by enrichment analysis and upstream regulator analysis.

Results

We identified 2,043 genes (24.7%) whose expressions were highly correlated with pH; 3,004 genes (36.3%) whose expressions were highly correlated with RIN; and 1,293 genes (15.6%) whose expressions were highly correlated with both pH and RIN. Genes commonly affected by tissue pH and RIN were highly associated with energy production and the immune system. In addition, genes uniquely affected by tissue pH were highly associated with the cell cycle, whereas those uniquely affected by RIN were highly associated with RNA processing.

Conclusion

The current study elucidated the influence of pH and RIN on gene expression profiling and identified gene sets whose expressions were affected by tissue pH or RIN. These findings would be helpful in the control of confounders for future postmortem brain studies.
Effects of electroconvulsive therapy on cerebral A1 adenosine receptor availability: a PET study in patients suffering from treatment-resistant major depressive disorder
Authors: Kroll Tina , Grözinger Michael , Matusch Andreas , Elmenhorst David , Novakovic Ana , Schneider Frank , Bauer Andreas
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Sleep deprivation and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) effectively ameliorate symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD). In rodents, both are associated with an enhancement of cerebral adenosine levels, which in turn likely influence adenosinergic receptor expression. The aim of the current study was to investigate cerebral A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR) availability in patients with MDD as a potential mediating factor of antidepressant effects of ECT using [18F]CPFPX and positron emission tomography (PET).

Methods

Regional A1AR availability was determined before and after a series of ECT applications (mean number ± SD 10.4 ± 1.2) in 14 subjects (4 males, mean age 49.5 ± 11.8 years). Clinical outcome, measured by neuropsychological testing, and ECT parameters were correlated with changes in A1AR availability.

Results

ECT had a strong antidepressive effect (p < 0.01) while on average cerebral A1AR availability remained unaltered between pre-and post-ECT conditions (F = 0.65, p = 0.42, mean difference ± SD 3.93% ± 22.7%). There was no correlation between changes in clinical outcome parameters and regional A1AR availability, although individual patients showed striking bidirectional alterations of up to 30–40% in A1AR availability after ECT. Solely, for the mean seizure quality index of the applied ECTs a significant association with changes in A1AR availability was found (rs = −0.6, p = 0.02).

Discussion

In the present study, therapeutically effective ECT treatment did not result in coherent changes of A1AR availability after a series of ECT treatments. These findings do not exclude a potential role for cerebral A1ARs in ECT, but shift attention to rather short-termed and adaptive mechanisms during ECT-related convulsive effects.
Increasing the use of medical rehabilitation by children and adolescents with migrant background through a multimodal information campaign: protocol of a trend study and accompanying process evaluation (MiMi-Reha-Kids, DRKS00019090)
Authors: Banaschak Hannes , Bartolini Flaminia , Salman Ramazan , Bethge Matthias
Published: July 2023

Background

Chronic illnesses can have an unfavorable impact on the participation opportunities of children and adolescents. The German health care system offers medical rehabilitation in order to prevent negative effects, however, migrant children and adolescents make use of this option less frequently than their peers without a migrant background. A multimodal information campaign was developed to increase the use of medical rehabilitation by children and adolescents with a migrant background, and to reduce disparities in health care.

Methods

The process evaluation will examine the implementation of a multimodal information campaign intended to increase the use of medical rehabilitation by migrant children and adolescents. The information campaign follows a low-threshold participatory approach. In a first step, persons from different migrant communities in Berlin and Hamburg are trained to become transcultural health mediators. These mediators then share their knowledge about chronic illnesses and medical rehabilitation with other families at information events held in their native language. The transcultural mediators also support migrant families in applying for medical rehabilitation. The effectiveness of the intervention will be tested by a trend study with repeated cross-sectional surveys. For this purpose, all families in the project regions of Berlin and Hamburg whose child has received medical rehabilitation are surveyed annually in order to be able to map changes in the proportions of children and adolescents with a migrant background over the course of the project.

Discussion

The study protocol describes a complex intervention to increase the use of medical rehabilitation by migrant children and adolescents, and the accompanying process evaluation and trend study. The intervention is intended to contribute to reducing health inequalities in Germany.

Conclusion

The study described in this protocol will provide extensive data on the multimodal information campaign and can thus help organizations and institutions adapt or further develop similar measures for other regions.

Clinical trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00019090).
Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Family Questionnaire among the caregivers of people with schizophrenia
Authors: Peng Yanan , Xiong Enhe , Li Yan , Song Lanjun , Xi Juzhe
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Expressed emotion refers to relatives' attitudes and emotional behaviors toward mentally ill family members. It is a robust predictor of patients' illness outcomes and caregivers' wellbeing in a wide range of mental disorders. However, expressed emotion has not been fully explored in the Chinese context. One reason is the lack of reliable and cost-effective measurements. A reliable, valid, and user-friendly instrument is needed to support the research and clinical practice based on expressed emotion in China. This study aimed to translate, adapt, and examine the psychometric properties (factorial structure, measurement invariance, internal consistency reliability, and concurrent validity) of a Chinese version of the Family Questionnaire.

Methods

A total of 248 caregivers participated in the study. A translation and back-translation procedure was applied to translate the Family Questionnaire into Chinese. We compared two models to examine the factor structure of the questionnaire by performing confirmatory factor analysis. We also conducted measurement invariance analysis to test whether the factor structure of the tool is invariant across male and female groups. Reliability was evaluated with Cronbach's α. The concurrent validity was examined by testing the predictivity of the expressed emotion on relevant outcomes with path analysis. We used the STROBE checklist to report.

Results

The item-total correlation coefficients of the scale ranged from 0.375 to 0.752. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the Chinese version of the Family Questionnaire displays the original two-factor structure (emotional overinvolvement and criticism; X2 = 335.50, df = 169, X2/df = 1.985, RMSEA = 0.063, SRMR = 0.058, CFI = 0.913, and TLI = 0.902). In addition, the two-factor structure was invariant across the male and female groups. The two subscales showed excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.92 for both emotional overinvolvement and criticism. The concurrent validity of the Chinese version was supported by the good predictivity of the two subscales to care burden, family function, and quality of life. All path coefficients were significant, and the absolute values of path coefficients ranged from 0.23 to 0.72.

Conclusion

The Chinese version of the Family Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measurement of expressed emotion in the Chinese context.
Revolutionizing bone regeneration: advanced biomaterials for healing compromised bone defects
Authors: Awad Kamal , Ahuja Neelam , Yacoub Ahmed S. , Brotto Leticia , Young Simon , Mikos Antonios , Aswath Pranesh , Varanasi Venu
Published: July 2023

In this review, we explore the application of novel biomaterial-based therapies specifically targeted towards craniofacial bone defects. The repair and regeneration of critical sized bone defects in the craniofacial region requires the use of bioactive materials to stabilize and expedite the healing process. However, the existing clinical approaches face challenges in effectively treating complex craniofacial bone defects, including issues such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and soft tissue loss. Given that a significant portion of individuals affected by traumatic bone defects in the craniofacial area belong to the aging population, there is an urgent need for innovative biomaterials to address the declining rate of new bone formation associated with age-related changes in the skeletal system. This article emphasizes the importance of semiconductor industry-derived materials as a potential solution to combat oxidative stress and address the challenges associated with aging bone. Furthermore, we discuss various material and autologous treatment approaches, as well as in vitro and in vivo models used to investigate new therapeutic strategies in the context of craniofacial bone repair. By focusing on these aspects, we aim to shed light on the potential of advanced biomaterials to overcome the limitations of current treatments and pave the way for more effective and efficient therapeutic interventions for craniofacial bone defects.
Applying a systems oriented ethical decision making framework to mitigating social and structural determinants of health
Authors: Smith Carlos S.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Clinical ethical decision-making models are largely geared toward individual clinician choices and individual patient outcomes, not necessarily accounting for larger systemic issues that affect optimal patient outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to provide an ethical decision-making model, drawing upon systems orientation and ethical theory, specifically incorporating and aiding in the mitigation of social and structural determinants of health.

Methods

This paper presents a systems-oriented ethical decision-making framework derived from the analysis and critique of the Four-Box Method for Ethical Decision-Making by Jonsen, Siegler, and Winslade. Drawing upon both deontological and utilitarian ethical theory, the developed framework will assist providers, organizations, and health system leaders in navigating the increasingly complex ethical dimensions of care delivery for underserved patient populations, who are largely impacted by social and structural determinants of health.

Results

The needs of underserved patients are inextricably linked to various social and structural determinants of health that, if left unaddressed, result in even poorer health outcomes, exacerbating existing health disparities. A systems-oriented ethical decision-making framework, centered on obligation, duty, and a utilitarian view of the optimal good, will aid providers, organizations, health system leaders, and community stakeholders in navigating the increasingly complex ethical dimensions of care delivery for underserved patient populations.

Conclusion

Socioeconomic and political contexts have a significant impact on the way society is organized, how people are positioned in society, and how they will fare in terms of their health. Healthcare providers, including dentists, are largely unaware of and insensitive to the social issues that underlie the biological or psychological concerns that patients from socially disadvantaged backgrounds face. A systems-oriented ethical decision-making model will aid in mitigating social and structural determinants of health and the dental profession's obligations to the underserved.
Time to first childbirth and its predictors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: survival analysis of recent evidence from the EDHS 2019
Authors: Kitaw Tegene Atamenta , Haile Ribka Nigatu
Published: July 2023

Background

Being a mother for the first time is the most significant event in a woman's life. “Age at first birth” refers to a mother's age in years when she gives birth to her first child. The age of first childbirth has physical, economic, and social implications. However, little is known about this issue in Ethiopia. Thus, this study sought to determine the time to first childbirth and its predictors at a national level.

Methods

Data were extracted from the 2019 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey using STATA version 17 software. A total of 8,885 weighted reproductive-age women (15–49 years) were included in this study. A Kaplan–Meier survivor curve was generated to estimate the time of first childbirth. A log-rank test was used to compare the difference in survival curves. Akaike information criteria and Bayesian information criteria were calculated to select the appropriate survival model for the data. The Weibull accelerated failure time model with no frailty distribution was used to identify significant predictors.

Results

The overall median survival time to first childbirth was 18 years. The significant predictors of time to first childbirth were the educational level of the mother [primary education (ϕ = 1.036, 95% CI: 1.011, 1.063), secondary and above education (ϕ = 1.154, 95% CI: 1.118, 1.191)], knowledge of any contraceptive method [know at least one (ϕ = 1.051, 95% CI: 1.006, 1.101)], and media exposure (ϕ = 1.048, 95% CI: 1.011, 1.086).

Conclusion

The median survival time to first childbirth was 18 years, which is lower than the optimal age for first childbirth (late 20 s and early 30 s). The timing of first childbirth in Ethiopia is mainly influenced by the educational level of women, knowledge of contraceptive methods, and exposure to media. Thus, exposing women to educational materials and other awareness-creation campaigns regarding the consequences of early first childbirth and strategies to improve women's knowledge of contraceptive methods is highly recommended.
Designing immersive stories with novice VR creators: a study of autobiographical VR storytelling during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bahng Sojung , McArthur Victoria , Kelly Ryan M.
Published: July 2023

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being used as a tool for eliciting empathy and emotional identification in fact-based stories. However, it may not be clear whether VR stories authentically deliver the protagonists’ perspectives if the works are not created by or with the protagonists themselves. Therefore, it is crucial for the VR community to explore effective methods for democratizing VR storytelling, and to support novice VR designers in creating autobiographical stories. In this paper, we report findings from a collaborative design research project that aimed to create autobiographical stories with novice VR designers who lacked experience in VR storytelling. We collaborated with university students in Canada to design eight individual VR stories that expressed each student’s experiences of lockdown, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted interviews with the students to understand how VR contributed to conveying their individual experiences. Our findings demonstrate how immersive VR can be used as a meaningful tool for sharing autobiographical stories by delivering the character’s feelings, creating a sense of confinement and isolation, expressing inner worlds, and showing environmental details. Our discussion draws attention to the significance of careful camera positioning and movement in VR story design, the meaningful use of limited interaction and disorienting components, and the balance between spatial and temporal information in a three-dimensional environment. Our study highlights the potential of VR as an autobiographical storytelling tool and demonstrates how VR stories can be created through iterative collaboration between VR experts and novices.
Dynamics and landscape of academic discourse on environmental attitudes and behaviors since the 1970s
Authors: Telesiene Audrone , Hadler Markus
Published: July 2023

Introduction

This study addresses the lack of systematic review and analysis of the academic discourse on environmental attitudes and behaviors. Despite the wealth of knowledge published in academic journals, there is a need to understand the order and content of this discourse, including the employed theoretical approaches and empirical evidence.

Methods

A combination of systematic literature review and quantitative content analysis methods was employed. Articles for analysis were identified through Web of Science and SCOPUS, followed by a detailed analysis of 200 papers from the journal Environment and Behavior. The study aimed to explore the historical stages, theoretical diversity, and the empirical evidence brought forward in the academic discourse on environmental attitudes and behaviors.

Results

The findings reveal distinct historical stages within the academic field of environmental attitudes and behaviors. There is a notable growth in theoretical diversity and intensity of the discourse, particularly after 2000. The dominance of socio-psychological explanatory models is evident. Furthermore, the empirical evidence base is geographically limited, mostly coming from the US.

Discussion

The study discusses the limitations of the academic discourse on environmental attitudes and behaviors and provides guidelines for future research. It emphasizes the need to address the identified shortcomings, such as expanding theoretical perspectives and increasing the geographical diversity of empirical evidence. The study's findings contribute to understanding the development and characteristics of the academic field, while also identifying avenues for further exploration.