bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome-metabolome analysis reveals how sires affect meat quality in hybrid sheep populations
Authors: Chen Bowen , Yue Yaojing , Li Jianye , Liu Jianbin , Yuan Chao , Guo Tingting , Zhang Dan , Yang Bohui , Lu Zengkui
Published: August 2022

Crossbreeding improves and enhances meat quality and is widely used in sheep production; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the meat quality of various crossbred sheep remain unknown. In this study, male Southdown, Suffolk and Hu sheep were crossbred with female Hu sheep, and the transcriptomes and metabolomes of the longissimus dorsi muscle of the F1 generation were sequenced to explore how different sire breeds affect meat quality. The results showed that 631 differentially expressed genes and 119 significantly altered metabolites contributed to muscle development characteristics and meat quality-related diversity (P < 0.05). These genes and metabolites were significantly enriched in lipid metabolism pathways, including arachidonic acid metabolism and PPAR signaling. Several candidate genes were associated with muscle growth, such as MYLK3, MYL10, FIGN, MYH8, MYOM3, LMCD1, and FLRT1. Among these, MYH8 and MYL10 participated in regulating muscle growth and development and were correlated with meat quality-related fatty acid levels (|r| > 0.5 and p < 0.05). We selected mRNA from four of these genes to verify the accuracy of the sequencing data via qRT-PCR. Our findings provide further insight into the key genes and metabolites involved in muscle growth and meat quality in hybrid sheep populations.
Automated segmentation of colorectal liver metastasis and liver ablation on contrast-enhanced CT images
Authors: Anderson Brian M. , Rigaud Bastien , Lin Yuan-Mao , Jones A. Kyle , Kang HynSeon Christine , Odisio Bruno C. , Brock Kristy K.
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer in the USA, is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Up to 60% of patients develop liver metastasis (CRLM). Treatments like radiation and ablation therapies require disease segmentation for planning and therapy delivery. For ablation, ablation-zone segmentation is required to evaluate disease coverage. We hypothesize that fully convolutional (FC) neural networks, trained using novel methods, will provide rapid and accurate identification and segmentation of CRLM and ablation zones.

Methods

Four FC model styles were investigated: Standard 3D-UNet, Residual 3D-UNet, Dense 3D-UNet, and Hybrid-WNet. Models were trained on 92 patients from the liver tumor segmentation (LiTS) challenge. For the evaluation, we acquired 15 patients from the 3D-IRCADb database, 18 patients from our institution (CRLM = 24, ablation-zone = 19), and those submitted to the LiTS challenge (n = 70). Qualitative evaluations of our institutional data were performed by two board-certified radiologists (interventional and diagnostic) and a radiology-trained physician fellow, using a Likert scale of 1–5.

Results

The most accurate model was the Hybrid-WNet. On a patient-by-patient basis in the 3D-IRCADb dataset, the median (min–max) Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was 0.73 (0.41–0.88), the median surface distance was 1.75 mm (0.57–7.63 mm), and the number of false positives was 1 (0–4). In the LiTS challenge (n = 70), the global DSC was 0.810. The model sensitivity was 98% (47/48) for sites ≥15 mm in diameter. Qualitatively, 100% (24/24; minority vote) of the CRLM and 84% (16/19; majority vote) of the ablation zones had Likert scores ≥4.

Conclusion

The Hybrid-WNet model provided fast (<30 s) and accurate segmentations of CRLM and ablation zones on contrast-enhanced CT scans, with positive physician reviews.
Clinical course and management of insidious adrenal crisis manifested initially as hyperpyrexia secondary to pembrolizumab: Case reports and literature review
Authors: Geng Dandan , Wang Yingnan , Zhang Xin , Zhao Chenguang , Fan Yao , Liu Chang , Wei Jinmei , Huo Bingjie , Zhao Yang , Zhang Fengbin , Zhang Ruixing
Published: August 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are novel drugs with a dramatic survival benefit in patients with advanced malignancies. With the widespread use, several immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have emerged, which may be life-threatening. Herein we report two patients with adrenal crisis who received anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) (pembrolizumab) therapy. Several reports of secondary adrenal insufficiency caused by pembrolizumab exist, including during treatment or late onset. Severe adrenal insufficiency according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) has rarely been described in the literature, since it initially manifests as high-grade fever. The two male patients developed adrenal crisis that was first characterized by hyperpyrexia accompanied by abdominal symptoms. These initial manifestations confused the clinicians who misdiagnosed them as infection. Timely identification, hydrocortisone pulse therapy, and fluid resuscitation improved the patients’ condition. Compliance with the standardized treatment approach and course can prevent or relieve the crisis as soon as possible. Assessment of relevant laboratory test results and patient education, including when to use stress-dose hydrocortisone and guidance on route of administration, can reduce the incidence of adrenal crisis. We report these two cases and have evaluated the literature on previously reported cases to improve our understanding of this condition and offer a more scientific approach to diagnosis and treatment options.
Leveraging Predictive Pharmacometrics-Based Algorithms to Enhance Perinatal Care—Application to Neonatal Jaundice
Authors: Koch Gilbert , Wilbaux Melanie , Kasser Severin , Schumacher Kai , Steffens Britta , Wellmann Sven , Pfister Marc
Published: August 2022

The field of medicine is undergoing a fundamental change, transforming towards a modern data-driven patient-oriented approach. This paradigm shift also affects perinatal medicine as predictive algorithms and artificial intelligence are applied to enhance and individualize maternal, neonatal and perinatal care. Here, we introduce a pharmacometrics-based mathematical-statistical computer program (PMX-based algorithm) focusing on hyperbilirubinemia, a medical condition affecting half of all newborns. Independent datasets from two different centers consisting of total serum bilirubin measurements were utilized for model development (342 neonates, 1,478 bilirubin measurements) and validation (1,101 neonates, 3,081 bilirubin measurements), respectively. The mathematical-statistical structure of the PMX-based algorithm is a differential equation in the context of non-linear mixed effects modeling, together with Empirical Bayesian Estimation to predict bilirubin kinetics for a new patient. Several clinically relevant prediction scenarios were validated, i.e., prediction up to 24 h based on one bilirubin measurement, and prediction up to 48 h based on two bilirubin measurements. The PMX-based algorithm can be applied in two different clinical scenarios. First, bilirubin kinetics can be predicted up to 24 h based on one single bilirubin measurement with a median relative (absolute) prediction difference of 8.5% (median absolute prediction difference 17.4 μmol/l), and sensitivity and specificity of 95.7 and 96.3%, respectively. Second, bilirubin kinetics can be predicted up to 48 h based on two bilirubin measurements with a median relative (absolute) prediction difference of 9.2% (median absolute prediction difference 21.5 μmol/l), and sensitivity and specificity of 93.0 and 92.1%, respectively. In contrast to currently available nomogram-based static bilirubin stratification, the PMX-based algorithm presented here is a dynamic approach predicting individual bilirubin kinetics up to 48 h, an intelligent, predictive algorithm that can be incorporated in a clinical decision support tool. Such clinical decision support tools have the potential to benefit perinatal medicine facilitating personalized care of mothers and their born and unborn infants.
Oxaliplatin Eluting CalliSpheres Microspheres for the Treatment of Unresectable or Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Bi Yonghua , Ren Kewei , Ren Jianzhuang , Ma Ji , Han Xinwei
Published: August 2022

Aim: Drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) has been widely used in unresectable and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, no study reported the clinical outcomes of drug-eluting beads TACE (DEB-TACE) with oxaliplatin-eluting CalliSpheres microspheres in the treatment of HCC. This study reports the preliminary outcomes of DEB-TACE loaded with oxaliplatin for the treatment of patients with unresectable or recurrent HCC.

Methods: From November 2019 to November 2021, 29 patients with unresectable or recurrent HCC were recruited from our department and treated by DEB-TACE loaded with oxaliplatin. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary endpoints were disease control rate and safety. Tumor response was investigated at 1, 3, and 6 months after DEB-TACE according to the criteria of the response evaluation in solid tumor (RECIST) criteria and the modified RECIST criteria (mRECIST). Survival curve was generated with the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results: A total of 49 DEB-TACE sessions were performed, with a technical success rate of 100%. The overall response rate and disease control rate were 52.4 and 95.2%, 64.7 and 76.5%, and 54.5 and 63.3%, respectively, at 1, 3, and 6 months after DEB-TACE (mRECIST). The PFS was 5.9 months, and the median overall survival was 18.8 months. The 6- and 12-month overall survival rate was 82.5% and 67.5%, respectively, No treatment-related mortality or severe adverse events were observed. Minor complications were observed in 21 patients (72.4%), and abdominal pain (41.4%) was the most common treatment-related complication.

Conclusion: DEB-TACE loaded with oxaliplatin-eluting CalliSpheres microspheres could be a safe, feasible, and efficacious palliative regimen in unresectable or recurrent HCC patients.
Safety of biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in administrative health databases: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Queiroz Mariana Jorge de , Castro Caroline Tianeze de , Albuquerque Flavia Caixeta , Brandão Celmário Castro , Gerlack Leticia Farias , Pereira Daniella Cristina Rodrigues , Barros Sandra Castro , Andrade Wenderson Walla , Bastos Ediane de Assis , Azevedo Jessé de Nobrega Batista , Carreiro Roberto , Barreto Mauricio Lima , Santos Djanilson Barbosa
Published: August 2022

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects the synovial fluid of joints, tendons, and some extra-articular sites. Biologic agents have been highly effective and are comparable in reducing RA symptoms, slowing disease progression, and improving physical function; however, concerns have been raised about the risks of several potential adverse effects. Thus, this study aimed to assess the safety of biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in observational studies using administrative health databases.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to 21 October 2021. The analysis was divided into five groups: tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) versus non-TNFi; TNFi versus csDMARDs; bDMARDs versus csDMARDs; abatacept versus bDMARDs; and TNFi versus Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi). The adverse events were cancer, cardiovascular events, infection, herpes zoster, tuberculosis, and death. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model estimated risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Thirty-one studies were eligible for inclusion in the present systematic review, published from 2014 to 2021. A total of 1,039,398 RA patients were assessed. The 31 studies evaluated eleven different biological drugs. No significant differences were found regarding safety between TNFi versus non-TNFi (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.92–1.28; p < 0.01; I2 = 93.0%), TNFi versus csDMARDs (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.75–1.10; p < 0.01; I2 = 87.0%), bDMARDs versus csDMARDs (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.82–1.20; p < 0.01; I2 = 93.0%), abatacept versus bDMARDs (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.54–1.18; p < 0.01; I2 = 90.0%), and TNFi versus JAKi (RR 3.54; 95% CI 0.30–42.09; p = 0.01; I2 = 81.0%). In the subgroup analysis, among studies comparing abatacept to TNFi, a lower risk of cardiovascular events was associated with abatacept (RR 0.37; 95% CI 0.24–0.55).

Conclusion: Our results do not suggest an increased risk of adverse events associated with biological therapy in treating RA patients, indicating a lower risk of cardiovascular events with abatacept than TNFi. However, these findings must be interpreted with caution given the limitations of this study and the low/very low certainty of the evidence.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?, identifier [CRD42020190838].
Identification of the key ferroptosis-related genes involved in sepsis progression and experimental validation in vivo
Authors: Li Zhixi , Yu Yongjing , Liu Chang , Chen Guangmin , Gong Weidong , Luo Juan , Yue Ziyong
Published: August 2022

Background: Ferroptosis has a vital role in sepsis, but the mechanism is not known. Understanding the mechanism of ferroptosis during sepsis will aid in developing improved therapeutic strategies.

Methods: We used the Gene Expression Omnibus database and FerrDb database to obtain ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between sepsis patients and healthy volunteers (HVs). Analyses of PPI networks, functional enrichment, as well as use of the MCODE algorithm were used to identify key ferroptosis-related DEGs. Expression of key ferroptosis-related DEGs was verified using: GSE57065 and GSE65682 datasets; rats in which ferroptosis was induced with erastin; sepsis-induced acute lung injury (siALI) rats. The effects of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) on ferroptosis and expression of key ferroptosis-related DEGs in the lungs of siALI rats were also observed. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to verify the effect of key ferroptosis-related DEGs on the survival of sepsis patients. Cytoscape was used to construct ceRNA networks and gene–transcription factor networks.

Results: Between sepsis patients and HVs, we identified 33 ferroptosis-related DEGs. According to analyses of PPI networks and the MCODE algorithm, we obtained four modules, of which the most significant module contained nine ferroptosis-related DEGs. Functional-enrichment analyses showed that four of the nine DEGs were enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway: MAPK14, VEGFA, TGFBR1, and DUSP1. We verified expression of these four genes in GSE57065 and GSE65682 datasets and ferroptosis rats. In addition, expression of these four genes and that of the oxidative-stress indicators GSSG and MDA was upregulated, and glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4) expression was downregulated, in siALI rats, but ACE reversed these changes. The Cox proportional hazard model showed that survival of sepsis patients in the high-risk group was shorter than that in the low-risk group. We found that the XIST−hsa-let-7b-5p−TGFBR1/DUSP1 ceRNA network and transcription factor E2F1 may be important regulators of these four DEGs.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that MAPK14, VEGFA, TGFBR1, and DUSP1 may be key regulatory targets of ferroptosis in sepsis, and that ACE pretreatment may be antioxidant treatment for sepsis and alleviate ferroptosis. These findings provide a basis for further ferroptosis-related study in sepsis and provide new targets for its treatment.
Application of a scattering foil to increase beam transmission for cyclotron based proton therapy facilities
Authors: Maradia Vivek , Meer David , Weber Damien Charles , Lomax Antony John , Schippers Jacobus Maarten , Psoroulas Serena
Published: August 2022

In proton therapy, high dose rates can reduce treatment delivery times, allowing for efficient mitigation of tumor motion, as well as increased treatment efficiency and patient throughput. In cyclotron-based facilities, however, high dose rates are difficult to achieve at low-energies. In current facilities, the emittance after the degrader is matched in both transversal planes using circular collimators; this does not provide an optimal matching to the acceptance of the following beamline. However, transmission can be substantially improved by transporting maximum acceptable emittances in the X and Y planes, but at the cost of an elliptical beam shape at the gantry entrance, leading to gantry angle-dependent beam shapes at the isocenter. Here we demonstrate that equal emittances in both planes can be recovered at the gantry entrance using a thin scattering foil, thus ensuring gantry angle-independent beam shape at the isocenter. Using modified beam optics and thin scattering foil placed in the beamline, we demonstrate experimentally that low-energy beam transmission can be increased by a factor of three compared to the currently used beam optics, whilst preserving gantry angle-independent beam shapes, at the cost of a large beam size. We expect that this approach could also bring a similar transmission improvement in other cyclotron-based proton therapy facilities.
Jasmonates in plant growth and development and elicitation of secondary metabolites: An updated overview
Authors: Sohn Soo-In , Pandian Subramani , Rakkammal Kasinathan , Largia Muthiah Joe Virgin , Thamilarasan Senthil Kumar , Balaji Sekaran , Zoclanclounon Yedomon Ange Bovys , Shilpha Jayabalan , Ramesh Manikandan
Published: August 2022

Secondary metabolites are incontestably key specialized molecules with proven health-promoting effects on human beings. Naturally synthesized secondary metabolites are considered an important source of pharmaceuticals, food additives, cosmetics, flavors, etc., Therefore, enhancing the biosynthesis of these relevant metabolites by maintaining natural authenticity is getting more attention. The application of exogenous jasmonates (JAs) is well recognized for its ability to trigger plant growth and development. JAs have a large spectrum of action that covers seed germination, hypocotyl growth regulation, root elongation, petal expansion, and apical hook growth. This hormone is considered as one of the key regulators of the plant’s growth and development when the plant is under biotic or abiotic stress. The JAs regulate signal transduction through cross-talking with other genes in plants and thereby deploy an appropriate metabolism in the normal or stressed conditions. It has also been found to be an effective chemical elicitor for the synthesis of naturally occurring secondary metabolites. This review discusses the significance of JAs in the growth and development of plants and the successful outcomes of jasmonate-driven elicitation of secondary metabolites including flavonoids, anthraquinones, anthocyanin, xanthonoid, and more from various plant species. However, as the enhancement of these metabolites is essentially measured via in vitro cell culture or foliar spray, the large-scale production is significantly limited. Recent advancements in the plant cell culture technology lay the possibilities for the large-scale manufacturing of plant-derived secondary metabolites. With the insights about the genetic background of the metabolite biosynthetic pathway, synthetic biology also appears to be a potential avenue for accelerating their production. This review, therefore, also discussed the potential manoeuvres that can be deployed to synthesis plant secondary metabolites at the large-scale using plant cell, tissue, and organ cultures.
Transcriptional profiling of two muscadine grape cultivars “Carlos” and “Noble” to reveal new genes, gene regulatory networks, and pathways that involved in grape berry ripening
Authors: Chang Yuru , Ahlawat Yogesh Kumar , Gu Tongjun , Sarkhosh Ali , Liu Tie
Published: August 2022

In commercial fruit production, synchronized ripening and stable shelf life are important properties. The loosely clustered or non-bunching muscadine grape has unrealized potential as a disease-resistant cash crop, but requires repeated hand harvesting due to its unsynchronized or long or heterogeneous maturation period. Genomic research can be used to identify the developmental and environmental factors that control fruit ripening and postharvest quality. This study coupled the morphological, biochemical, and genetic variations between “Carlos” and “Noble” muscadine grape cultivars with RNA-sequencing analysis during berry maturation. The levels of antioxidants, anthocyanins, and titratable acids varied between the two cultivars during the ripening process. We also identified new genes, pathways, and regulatory networks that modulated berry ripening in muscadine grape. These findings may help develop a large-scale database of the genetic factors of muscadine grape ripening and postharvest profiles and allow the discovery of the factors underlying the ripeness heterogeneity at harvest. These genetic resources may allow us to combine applied and basic research methods in breeding to improve table and wine grape ripening uniformity, quality, stress tolerance, and postharvest handling and storage.
The association between the romantic relationships of parents and offspring depressive symptoms: Mediating effects of offspring communication patterns and romantic relationships
Authors: Li Na , Zhang Yi-Meng , Xiong Na-Na , Sun Qi-Qing , Qian Ying , Sun Hong-Qiang
Published: August 2022

This study investigated a conceptual model by testing how parental romantic relationships influenced the depressive symptoms of grown-up children and whether the constructive communication patterns of grown-up children and romantic relationships played mediation effects within it. A total of 421 Chinese participants were enrolled in the study. The level of depressive symptoms, romantic relationship satisfaction and closeness, couple communication patterns, and parental romantic relationships were measured via self-report questionnaires. According to the results, the structural equation modeling analysis verified that the severity of participants’ depressive symptoms was negatively associated with the parental romantic relationship and that the association was mediated by participants’ constructive communication patterns and their own romantic relationships. Furthermore, compared with nondepressed participants, depressed participants were less satisfied with their parental romantic relationships, exhibited fewer constructive communication patterns, and were more distant and unsatisfied with current romantic relationships.
Teachers’ language use in United Kingdom Chinese community schools: Implications for heritage-language education
Authors: Yiakoumetti Androula
Published: August 2022

This study deals with teachers’ language use as it is manifested in community-based heritage-language classes. Specifically, it focuses on the functions of students’ dominant variety (L1, English) when harnessed by teachers for the purposes of teaching their ethnic language (L2, Mandarin Chinese). Empirical investigation was conducted at two Chinese community schools in the United Kingdom and data demonstrate that students’ L1 was utilised naturally and systematically by teachers to facilitate students’ L2 learning. Various L1 facilitative functions were identified and these generally accord well with functions recorded in other studies. In addition, this study underlines the potentially unique characteristics of community-based heritage-language education: while the target variety of students (Mandarin Chinese) is routinely the native variety of teachers, teachers struggle to explain new linguistic information in Mandarin because of students’ low proficiency while they concurrently struggle with at least some elements of students’ native or dominant variety (English). Teachers explained that the fact that students’ dominant language of English is a global language makes their use of it all the more likely. Teachers demonstrated a strong tendency to feel ill-prepared for their language teaching role. There is thus a clear need for heritage-language teachers to receive training that is sociolinguistically informed. This training should emphasise the potential utility of exploiting students’ full linguistic repertoires by drawing in particular on the crosslinguistic similarities and differences between the varieties of which students are cognisant. Teacher-training programmes that promote such awareness may well hold the key to better heritage-language education which will continue to have a crucial role in maintaining and developing minority community languages.
How to facilitate employees’ green behavior? The joint role of green human resource management practice and green transformational leadership
Authors: Chen Tingting , Wu Zhanyong
Published: August 2022

Given the severity of today’s environmental issues, companies are increasingly making green concepts a key component of their operational strategies. As an essential complement to corporate environmental strategy, employees’ green behavior has received attention from all sectors of society. Based on resource conservation theory, this study explores the formation mechanism of employees’ green behaviors in enterprises starting from two green management tools: green human resource management (HRM) practices and green transformational leadership. Through two-stage questionnaire research, 296 sample data points were obtained, and the research hypotheses were tested by using linear regression analysis. The results showed that green HRM practices in enterprises enhance employees’ green mindfulness and thus stimulate their green behaviors and that green transformational leadership and green self-efficacy play a positive moderating role in the above relationship. These results support the applicability of resource conservation theory in green management and suggest that green HRM practices and green transformational leadership can be used together in the process of green management.
Human capital, social capital, psychological capital, and job performance: Based on fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis
Authors: Xu Qian , Hou Zhe , Zhang Chao , Yu Feng , Guan Jiangyue , Liu Xiao
Published: August 2022

The present study investigated the configuration effect of human capital, social capital, and psychological capital on job performance. The human capital questionnaire, social capital scale, psychological capital scale, and job performance scale were used to survey 458 employees. Results revealed that four antecedent configurations could achieve high task performance, and three antecedent configurations can achieve high contextual performance. The high job performance driving path was characterized by “all roads lead to Rome.” Human capital, social capital, and psychological capital affected job performance in the form of configuration, which reflected the asymmetric causal relationship.
Altruistic behaviors and cooperation among gifted adolescents
Authors: Salem Ashraf Atta M. S. , Abdelsattar Mahfouz , Abu Al-Diyar Mosaad , Al-Hwailah Amthal H. , Derar Esraa , Al-Hamdan Nadiah A. H. , Tilwani Shouket Ahmad
Published: August 2022

The present study is a differential study that describes the nature of the relationship between cooperation and altruistic behavior in a sample of gifted adolescents in three universities in Egypt and Kuwait University. It also identified the differences between males/females, and senior students/junior students in both cooperation and altruism. A total of 237 gifted adolescents—with average age 21.3 ± SD 2.6 years—from three Egyptian universities: Alexandria University, Sadat Academy for Management Sciences, and Suez University (in Egypt), and Kuwait University, were involved in this study. Measures used in the study include the Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS), Generative Altruism Scale (GAlS), and The Cooperative/Competitive Strategy Scale (CCSS). Results revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between altruism and cooperation among gifted adolescents. Also, findings show that there are statistically significant differences between males and females in both altruism and cooperation. In addition, there are differences statistically significant between senior students and junior students in both altruism and cooperation in favor of senior students. It is recommended that altruism and cooperation intervention-based programs should be designed to increase the adaptive behaviors of adolescents.
Construction of interactive health education model for adolescents based on affective computing
Authors: Chen Xieping , Zhang Yu , Xie Qian
Published: August 2022

At present, people mainly focus on health education for adolescents. The health education of adolescents is related to future of adolescents. In youth, their emotions are easily influenced. Therefore, this manuscript constructs an interactive health education model for adolescents through affective computing. Researchers in various countries have done a lot of research on human–computer interaction, and affective computing is one of the research hotspots. This manuscript aims to study the use of affective computing to construct an interactive health education model for adolescents. It proposed an interactive emotional algorithm based on emotional computing and focuses on the ICABoost algorithm. The experimental results of this paper show that the surveyed junior high school students are divided into three grades: the first, second, and third grades. Among them, 11, 11, and 13 were mentally healthy, with a total percentage of only 18.5%; 16, 14, and 16 were moderately severe in health education, accounting for 24.3%. The percentage of severe cases was 29.6%. It can be seen that, through the investigation of this manuscript, it can be seen that today’s youth health education should be paid attention to. Only by constructing a corresponding interactive health education model for young people can we promote the comprehensive and healthy development of young people.
Application of data mining technology in college mental health education
Authors: Sun Xiaocong
Published: August 2022

In order to improve education and teaching methods and meet the “heart” needs of college students in the era of big data, this paper analyzes the application of data mining technology in college mental health education, and introduces database technology and decision tree algorithm to support college mental health work. This process verifies the feasibility of this kind of system with the help of an example. Using the test standards outlined in this document, 1.5 previous test tasks were completed within the timeframe. During the system test, the error rate was 14% and the number of tests was 7%.However, the error rate in the development stage is 11%, which is lower than 19% of the old version. The error rate in the acceptance stage is 14%, which is lower than 5% of the old version. That is to say, most of the errors were found in time in the system analysis and design stage. 14% of the problems found in the development stage are basically small problems in the interface display, which do not need major changes. However, the old version also includes design defects found in the development stage, and only large-scale rewriting of the involved modules. In the research process, the work of mental health in Colleges and universities has been promoted. At this time, the law of psychological changes of college students has been summarized. Therefore, the support of data mining technology can better meet the needs of mental health education in Colleges and universities.
Prediction of post-traumatic growth in the face of the COVID-19 crisis based on resilience, post-traumatic stress and social participation: A longitudinal study
Authors: Collazo-Castiñeira Paula , Rodríguez-Rey Rocío , Garrido-Hernansaiz Helena , Collado Silvia
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 crisis has generated a severe and negative psychological impact worldwide. Despite this, it is also possible to experience post-traumatic growth (PTG). This study aimed to longitudinally explore the prevalence of PTG in the Spanish population and test a predictive model for PTG from resilience, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and participation in social activities. Data were collected longitudinally in March, July, and November 2020 via an online survey. About 20% of the sample showed moderate-high levels of PTG, with no significant differences over time. The predictive model explained 19% of the variance in PTG, showing that the inverse relation between resilience and PTG was mediated by PTSS. Additionally, participation in social activities acted as a predictor of PTG. Women, young people, those who had lost their job and people who had experienced COVID-19 symptoms or the loss of a loved one presented higher PTG. Thus, people have experienced positive changes (PTG), but these did not protect them from adverse symptomatology (PTSS).
Predicting symptom response and engagement in a digital intervention among individuals with schizophrenia and related psychoses
Authors: Price George D. , Heinz Michael V. , Nemesure Matthew D. , McFadden Jason , Jacobson Nicholas C.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Despite existing work examining the effectiveness of smartphone digital interventions for schizophrenia at the group level, response to digital treatments is highly variable and requires more research to determine which persons are most likely to benefit from a digital intervention.

Materials and methods

The current work utilized data from an open trial of patients with psychosis (N = 38), primarily schizophrenia spectrum disorders, who were treated with a psychosocial intervention using a smartphone app over a one-month period. Using an ensemble of machine learning models, pre-intervention data, app use data, and semi-structured interview data were utilized to predict response to change in symptom scores, engagement patterns, and qualitative impressions of the app.

Results

Machine learning models were capable of moderately (r = 0.32–0.39, R2 = 0.10–0.16, MAEnorm = 0.13–0.29) predicting interaction and experience with the app, as well as changes in psychosis-related psychopathology.

Conclusion

The results suggest that individual smartphone digital intervention engagement is heterogeneous, and symptom-specific baseline data may be predictive of increased engagement and positive qualitative impressions of digital intervention in patients with psychosis. Taken together, interrogating individual response to and engagement with digital-based intervention with machine learning provides increased insight to otherwise ignored nuances of treatment response.
An exploratory study of pro-inflammatory cytokines in individuals with alcohol use disorder: MCP-1 and IL-8 associated with alcohol consumption, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and liver biomarkers
Authors: Kazmi Narjis , Wallen Gwenyth R. , Yang Li , Alkhatib Jenna , Schwandt Melanie L. , Feng Dechun , Gao Bin , Diazgranados Nancy , Ramchandani Vijay A. , Barb Jennifer J.
Published: August 2022

Background

High levels of sleep disturbances reported among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) can stimulate inflammatory gene expression, and in turn, may alter pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. We aimed to investigate associations between pro-inflammatory cytokine markers with subjective measures of sleep quality, psychological variables and alcohol consumption among individuals with AUD.

Methods

This exploratory study is comprised of individuals with AUD (n = 50) and healthy volunteers (n = 14). Spearman correlation was used to investigate correlations between plasma cytokine levels and clinical variables of interest (liver and inflammatory markers, sleep quality, patient reported anxiety/depression scores, and presence of mood and/or anxiety disorders (DSM IV/5); and history of alcohol use variables.

Results

The AUD group was significantly older, with poorer sleep quality, higher anxiety/depression scores, and higher average drinks per day as compared to controls. Within the AUD group, IL-8 and MCP-1 had positive significant correlations with sleep, anxiety, depression and drinking variables. Specifically, higher levels of MCP-1 were associated with poorer sleep (p = 0.004), higher scores of anxiety (p = 0.006) and depression (p < 0.001), and higher number of drinking days (p = 0.002), average drinks per day (p < 0.001), heavy drinking days (p < 0.001) and total number of drinks (p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression model for MCP-1 showed that after controlling for sleep status and heavy drinking days, older participants (p = 0.003) with more drinks per day (p = 0.016), and higher alkaline phosphatase level (p = 0.001) had higher MCP-1 level.

Conclusion

This exploratory analysis revealed associations with cytokines MCP-1 and IL-8 and drinking consumption, sleep quality, and anxiety and depression in the AUD group. Furthermore, inflammatory and liver markers were highly correlated with certain pro-inflammatory cytokines in the AUD group suggesting a possible relationship between chronic alcohol use and inflammation. These associations may contribute to prolonged inflammatory responses and potentially higher risk of co-morbid chronic diseases.
Post-COVID-19 fatigue: A systematic review
Authors: Joli Jian , Buck Patrizia , Zipfel Stephan , Stengel Andreas
Published: August 2022

Fatigue is recognized as one of the most commonly presented long-term complaints in individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. This systematic review was performed to describe symptoms, etiology, possible risk factors related to post-COVID-19 fatigue and the therapeutic approaches used for the treatment of post-COVID-19 fatigue. For the systematic literature search the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo were used. All articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed for demographics, clinical data and treatment. Included were studies which focused on an adult population (18–65 years old); elderly patients and patients with chronic somatic diseases which can also cause fatigue were excluded. We identified 2,851, screened 2,193 and finally included 20 studies with moderate to high methodological quality, encompassing 5,629 participants. Potential risk factors for post-COVID-19 fatigue were old age, female sex, severe clinical status in the acute phase of infection, a high number of comorbidities, and a prediagnosis of depression/anxiety. Lastly, a possible autoimmune etiology was suspected. Several treatment approaches have been tested mostly in small and uncontrolled studies so far: a Chinese herbal formulation improved breathlessness and fatigue. Moreover, molecular hydrogen (H2) inhalation had beneficial health effects in terms of improved physical (6-min walking test) and respiratory function in patients with post-COVID-19. Patients also noticed improvement in fatigue after undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP). Lastly. muscle strength and physical function were improved after undergoing an 8-weeks biweekly physical therapy course including aerobic training, strengthening exercises, diaphragmatic breathing techniques, and mindfulness training. However, larger and controlled studies e.g., investigating the effect of physical and / or psychotherapy for patients with post-COVID-19 fatigue are urgently warranted.

Systematic Review Registration

Unique Identifier: CRD42022320676, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/.
Communication skills in psychiatry for undergraduate students: A scoping review
Authors: Novais Filipa , Ganança Licínia , Barbosa Miguel , Telles-Correia Diogo
Published: August 2022

Communication skills are paramount in all areas of medicine but particularly in psychiatry due to the challenges posed by mental health patients and the essential role of communication from diagnosis to treatment. Despite the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in different medical specialties, particularly in primary care settings, communication skills in psychiatry and their training are not well studied and are often not included in the undergraduate medical curriculum. Our paper explores the relevance of teaching communication competencies in psychiatry for undergraduate medical students. Our work focused on reviewing the methods for teaching communication skills to undergraduate students in Psychiatry. Eleven studies were selected to be included in this review. We found considerable heterogeneity among methods for teaching communication skills but also some common elements such as the use of simulated patients and providing feedback. This review has identified two models: the Calgary–Cambridge interview model and the Kolb cycle-based model. However, most studies still lack a theoretical background model. We believe that the inclusion of communication skills training in medical curricula is fundamental to teaching medical students general communication skills but also specific training on establishing adequate communication with psychiatric patients. However, more research is needed to determine the best method for training but also regarding its translation to patient care and cost-effectiveness.
Treatment-resistant depression and major depression with suicide risk—The cost of illness and burden of disease
Authors: Sousa Rute Dinis , Gouveia Miguel , Nunes da Silva Catarina , Rodrigues Ana Maria , Cardoso Graça , Antunes Ana Filipa , Canhao Helena , de Almeida José Miguel Caldas
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) and Major Depression with Suicide Risk (MDSR) are types of depression with relevant effects on the health of the population and a potentially significant economic impact. This study estimates the burden of disease and the costs of illness attributed to Treatment-Resistant Depression and Major Depression with Suicide Risk in Portugal.

Methods

The disease burden for adults was quantified in 2017 using the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost. Direct costs related to the health care system and indirect costs were estimated for 2017, with indirect costs resulting from the reduction in productivity. Estimates were based on multiple sources of information, including the National Epidemiological Study on Mental Health, the Hospital Morbidity Database, data from the Portuguese National Statistics Institute on population and causes of death, official data on wages, statistics on the pharmaceutical market, and qualified opinions of experts.

Results

The estimated prevalence of TRD, MDSR, and both types of depression combined was 79.4 thousand, 52.5 thousand, and 11.3 thousand patients, respectively. The disease burden (DALY) due to the disability generated by TRD alone, MDSR alone, and the joint prevalence was 25.2 thousand, 21 thousand, and 4.5 thousand, respectively, totaling 50.7 thousand DALYs. The disease burden due to premature death by suicide was 15.6 thousand DALYs. The estimated total disease burden was 66.3 thousand DALYs. In 2017, the annual direct costs with TRD and MDSR were estimated at € 30.8 million, with the most important components being medical appointments and medication. The estimated indirect costs were much higher than the direct costs. Adding work productivity losses due to reduced employment, absenteeism, presenteeism, and premature death, a total cost of € 1.1 billion was obtained.

Conclusions

Although TRD and MDSR represent relatively small direct costs for the health system, they have a relevant disease burden and extremely substantial productivity costs for the Portuguese economy and society, making TRD and MDSR priority areas for achieving health gains.
Public-private partnership (3Ps) in ensuring safe use of medicines: An Indian experience
Authors: Kalaiselvan Vivekanandan , Shukla Shatrunajay , Arora Shubhang , Shrivastava Tarani Prakash , Raghuvanshi Rajeev Singh
Published: August 2022

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are major concerns to the public health. To monitor ADRs and ensure patients' safety, the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) has been established by the Government of India in 2010. The programme is intact with the Public-Private Partnership (3Ps) in pharmacovigilance for quality services, better management of human resources and risk minimization. The present work is aimed at assessing the 3Ps engagement, performance and tangible outcomes in PvPI and also mapping of resources. The study was carried out for the period of 2011 to 2021 by assessing the various benchmarking tools such as 3Ps categorization, utilization of ADRs reporting tools, trainings, and the Individual Case Safety Reports' (ICSRs) quantity, quality and transmission for regulatory intervention (RI). Under PvPI, Central or State Government medical institutions/hospitals and public health programmes constitute public partners while private medical institutions/hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, corporate hospitals and professional bodies account for private partners. We observed that public partners extensively used ADR reporting form and toll-free helpline number while private partners used mobile based app and emails/post as preferred tools for reporting ADRs. Contribution of public sector in training programmes organized, stakeholders trained and sharing of resource materials was way higher than the private sector. The study revealed that 55.1 and 44.9% ICSRs were received from public and private partners, respectively during the study period. The quality completeness of data received from public partners was found to be 0.92/1 as compared to 0.46/1 from the private partners. The ICSRs data transmitted for RI process from the public and private partners (till 2018) was found to be 79 and 21%, respectively. In terms of sharing of resources for training and capacity building, the public sector played a major role. The 3Ps in India are enabled to establish a robust system for medicines' safety surveillance; however a more focused approach is required in mapping the resources.