bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impacts of physical activity on psychological and behavioral problems, and changes in physical activity, sleep and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic in preschoolers, children, and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pang Johnson C. Y. , Chan Eric L. S. , Lau Herman M. C. , Reeves Kara K. L. , Chung Tina H. Y. , Hui Heidi W. L. , Leung Alfred H. L. , Fu Allan C. L.
Published: March 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the level of physical activity (PA). However, little is known about its effect on health outcomes.

Methods

Articles without language restrictions published from the database inception through March 16, 2022, were retrieved using the CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases. High-quality articles assessing the effect of PA on psychological and behavioral problems. Additionally, PA, QoL, and/or sleep problems before and during the pandemic were included. Articles without data regarding PA or involving non-general populations were excluded. The PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines were followed. Data quality of the selected articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and GRADE approach. Data were pooled using a random-effects model and sensitivity analysis if heterogenicity was high (I2 ≥ 50%). The relationship between PA and psychological and behavioral problems; and changes in PA, QoL, and sleeping patterns before and during the pandemic in preschoolers, children, and adolescents were investigated. A meta-analysis was conducted; odds ratios (ORs), mean differences (MD), and standardized MDs (SMDs) were calculated.

Results

Thirty-four articles involving 66,857 participants were included. The results showed an overall significant protective effect between PA and psychological and/or behavioral problems (OR = 0.677; 95% CI = 0.630, 0.728; p-value <0.001; I2 = 59.79%). This relationship was also significant in the subgroup analysis of children (OR = 0.690; 95% CI = 0.632, 0.752; p-value <0.001; I2 = 58.93%) and adolescents (OR = 0.650; 95% CI = 0.570, 0.741; p-value <0.001; I2 = 60.85%); however, no data on the relationship in preschoolers were collected. In addition, the overall time spent on PA significantly decreased by 23.2 min per day during the COVID-19 pandemic (95% CI = −13.5, −32.9; p-value <0.001; I2 = 99.82%). Moreover, the results showed an overall significant decrease in QoL (SMD = −0.894, 95% CI = −1.180, −0.609, p-value <0.001, I2 = 96.64%). However, there was no significant difference in sleep duration during the COVID-19 pandemic (MD = 0.01 h per day, 95% CI = −0.027, 0.225; p-value = 0.125; I2 = 98.48%).

Conclusion

During the pandemic, less PA was contributed to poor QoL and sleep quality. However, increases in PA are associated with reduced occurrences of psychological and behavioral problems. Implementing recovery plans to address the health effect of the pandemic is essential.
Adequacy of sedation analgesia to support the comfort of neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia and its impact on short-term neonatal outcomes
Authors: Nakhleh-Philippe Pauline , Zores Claire , Stern-Delfils Amélie , Escande Benoît , Astruc Dominique , Severac François , Kuhn Pierre
Published: March 2023

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate (1) whether sedation analgesia (SA) used during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) was efficient to support the wellbeing of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, (2) the SA level and its adjustment to clinical pain scores, and (3) the impact of inadequate SA on short-term neonatal outcomes evaluated at discharge.

Methods

This was an observational retrospective study performed between 2011 and 2018 in two level III centers in Alsace, France. We analyzed the wellbeing of infants by using the COMFORT-Behavior (COMFORT-B) clinical score and SA level during TH, according to which we classified infants into four groups: those with excess SA, adequate SA, lack of SA, and variability of SA. We analyzed the variations in doses of SA and their justification. We also determined the impact of inadequate SA on neonatal outcomes at discharge by multivariate analyses with multinomial regression, with adequate SA as the reference.

Results

A total of 110 patients were included, 89 from Strasbourg university hospital and 21 from Mulhouse hospital. The COMFORT-B score was assessed 95.5% of the time. Lack of SA was mainly found on the first day of TH (15/110, 14%). In all, 62 of 110 (57%) infants were in excess of SA over the entire duration of TH. Most dose variations were related to clinical pain scores. Inadequate SA was associated with negative short-term consequences. Infants with excess of SA had a longer duration of mechanical ventilation [mean ratio 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13–1.89, p = 0.005] and higher incidence of abnormal neurological examination at discharge (odds ratio 2.61, 95% CI, 1.10–6.18, p = 0.029) than infants with adequate SA.

Discussion

Adequate SA was not easy to achieve during TH. Close and regular monitoring of SA level may help achieve adequate SA. Excess of SA can be harmful for newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy who are undergoing TH.
Discomfort relief after paracetamol administration in febrile children admitted to a third level paediatric emergency department
Authors: Chiappini Elena , Bestetti Matilde , Masi Stefano , Paba Teresa , Venturini Elisabetta , Galli Luisa
Published: March 2023

Background

international guidelines recommend treating fever in children not at a predefined body temperature limit but based on the presence of discomfort. However few studies evaluated discomfort relief after administration of antipyretics in children.

Methods

Between 1st January and 30th September 2021 a single-center prospective observational study was performed in febrile children consecutively admitted to a pediatric emergency department and treated with paracetamol orally. For each child, body temperature, presence and severity of discomfort, defined using a previously published semiquantitative likert scale, were evaluated at baseline and 60 min after administration of paracetamol, and differences were analyzed.

Results

172 children (males: 91/172; 52.9%; median age: 41.7 months) were included. Significant reductions in body temperature (median body temperature at T0: 38.9 °C; IQR: 38.3–39.4, median body temperature at T60: 36.9 °C; IQR: 36.4–37.5; P < 0.0001), and in the level of discomfort (proportion of children with severe discomfort at T0: 85% and at T60:14%; P < 0.0001) were observed. Severe discomfort at T60 persisted in a minority of children (24/172; 14%) and it was not related to body temperature values.

Conclusions

paracetamol in febrile children is associated not only with significantly reduction in body temperature but also with discomfort relief.
Validation of a scale to assess adherence to oral chemotherapy based on the experiences of patients and healthcare professionals (EXPAD-ANEO)
Authors: Talens Amparo , LÓpez-Pintor Elsa , Guilabert Mercedes , Cantó-Sancho Natalia , Aznar María Teresa , Lumbreras Blanca
Published: March 2023

Background: Lack of adherence to Oral antineoplastic agents (OAAs) treatment has important clinical, social and economic consequences.

Objective: To develop and validate a novel instrument for assessing adherence to OAAs, based on the reported experiences of people with cancer in relation to their treatment and the opinions of the healthcare professionals who care for them.

Methods: We performed a multicenter validation study of a scale designed to assess adherence to OAAs. First, a steering committee developed the items for an initial scale, based on the results of a qualitative study that evaluated patients’ and professionals’ experiences with this treatment. We then assessed the validity and reliability of the initial scale in a sample of 268 outpatients with cancer who received their OAAs from four Spanish hospitals.

Results: The mean age of the sample of 268 outpatients was 64.1 (standard deviation [SD] 12.4) years, and 47% of participants were women. With the results of this analysis, we developed the EXPAD-ANEO scale, which has 2 factors, one for beliefs and expectations and another for behavior. Both factors explain 52% of the explained common variance. Good reliability was obtained, with a McDonald’s omega of 0.7 for the first factor and 0.6 for the second factor. The fit indices were optimal (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.02, Comparative Fit Index = 0.99, Tucker Lexis Index = 0.99 and Standardized Root Mean Squared Residual = 0.03), which verifies the appropriateness of the items to the model. We measured EXPAD-ANEO criterion validity against pill count, obtaining a specificity of 80%. We measured convergent validity with the Morisky-Green test and found a significant association (p < 0.001). We measured divergent validity with questions on health literacy from the 16-item European Health Literacy Survey and found no correlation (p = 0.153).

Conclusion: EXPAD-ANEO is the first validated instrument for evaluating patients’ experiences with and adherence to OAAs, providing valuable information that can help health professionals to establish individual strategies or collective programs for improving therapeutic results and reducing healthcare costs.
Acute pharmacological profile of 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe in male Wistar rats—pharmacokinetics, effects on behaviour and thermoregulation
Authors: Syrová Kateřina , Šíchová Klára , Danda Hynek , Lhotková Eva , Jorratt Pascal , Pinterová-Leca Nikola , Vejmola Čestmír , Olejníková-Ladislavová Lucie , Hájková Kateřina , Kuchař Martin , Horáček Jiří , Páleníček Tomáš
Published: March 2023

Introduction:N-2-methoxy-benzylated (“NBOMe”) analogues of phenethylamine are a group of new psychoactive substances (NPS) with reported strong psychedelic effects in sub-milligram doses linked to a number of severe intoxications, including fatal ones. In our present work, we provide a detailed investigation of pharmacokinetics and acute behavioural effects of 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe (2-(8-bromo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo [1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran-4-yl)-N-[(2-methoxybenzyl]ethan-1-amine), an analogue of popular psychedelic entactogen 2C-B (4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine).

Methods: All experiments were conducted on adult male Wistar rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters of 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe (1 mg/kg subcutaneously; s. c.) in blood serum and brain tissue were analysed over 24 h using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS). For examination of behavioural parameters in open field test (OFT) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle reaction (ASR), 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe (0.2, 1 and 5 mg/kg s. c.) was administered in two temporal onsets: 15 and 60 min after administration. Thermoregulatory changes were evaluated in individually and group-housed animals over 8 h following the highest dose used in behavioural experiments (5 mg/kg s. c.).

Results: Peak drug concentrations were detected 30 and 60 min after the drug application in serum (28 ng/ml) and brain tissue (171 ng/g), respectively. The parental compound was still present in the brain 8 h after administration. Locomotor activity was dose-dependently reduced by the drug in both temporal testing onsets. ASR was also strongly disrupted in both temporal onsets, drug’s effect on PPI was weaker. 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe did not cause any significant thermoregulatory changes.

Discussion: Our results suggest that 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe penetrates animal brain tissue in a relatively slow manner, induces significant inhibitory effects on motor performance, and attenuates sensorimotor gating. Its overall profile is similar to closely related analogue 2C-B and other NBOMe substances.
Factors influencing medication adherence in multi-ethnic Asian patients with chronic diseases in Singapore: A qualitative study
Authors: Yoon Sungwon , Kwan Yu Heng , Yap Wei Liang , Lim Zhui Ying , Phang Jie Kie , Loo Yu Xian , Aw Junjie , Low Lian Leng
Published: March 2023

Background: Poor medication adherence can lead to adverse health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Although reasons for medication adherence have been widely studied, less is explored about factors affecting medication adherence for patients in non-Western healthcare setting and from Asian cultures. This study aimed to explore cultural perspectives on factors influencing medication adherence among patients with chronic diseases in a multi-ethnic Asian healthcare setting.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with patients with chronic conditions purposively recruited from a community hospital in Singapore until data saturation was achieved. A total of 25 patients participated in this study. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Themes were subsequently mapped into the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework of Medication Adherence.

Results: Participants commonly perceived that sides effects (therapy-related dimension), poor understanding of medication (patient-related dimension), limited knowledge of condition (patient-related dimension), forgetfulness (patient-related dimension) and language issues within a multi-ethnic healthcare context (healthcare team and system-related dimension) as the main factors contributing to medication adherence. Importantly, medication adherence was influenced by cultural beliefs such as the notion of modern medicines as harms and fatalistic orientations towards escalation of doses and polypharmacy (patient-related dimension). Participants made various suggestions to foster adherence, including improved patient-physician communication, enhanced care coordination across providers, use of language familiar to patients, patient education and empowerment on the benefits of medication and medication adjustment.

Conclusion: A wide range of factors influenced medication adherence, with therapy- and patient-related dimensions more pronounced compared to other dimensions. Findings demonstrated the importance of cultural beliefs that may influence medication adherence. Future efforts to improve medication adherence should consider a person-centered approach to foster more positive health expectations and self-efficacy on medication adherence, supplemented with routine reviews, development of pictograms and cultural competence training for healthcare professionals.
Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis constructs a CXCL model for predicting survival and immunotherapy effectiveness in ovarian cancer
Authors: Li Shuang , Zou Dawei , Liu Zhaoqian
Published: March 2023

Background: Immunotherapy has limited effectiveness in ovarian cancer (OC) patients, highlighting the need for reliable biomarkers to predict the effectiveness of these treatments. The C-X-C motif chemokine ligands (CXCLs) have been shown to be associated with survival outcomes and immunotherapy efficacy in cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of 16 CXCLs in OC patients.

Methods: We analyzed RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus, and UCSC Xena database and conducted survival analysis. Consensus cluster analysis was used to group patients into distinct clusters based on their expression patterns. Biological pathway alterations and immune infiltration patterns were examined across these clusters using gene set variation analysis and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. We also developed a CXCL scoring model using principal component analysis and evaluated its effectiveness in predicting immunotherapy response by assessing tumor microenvironment cell infiltration, tumor mutational burden estimation, PD-L1/CTLA4 expression, and immunophenoscore analysis (IPS).

Results: Most CXCL family genes were overexpressed in OC tissues compared to normal ovarian tissues. Patients were grouped into three distinct CXCL clusters based on their CXCL expression pattern. Additionally, using differentially expressed genes among the CXCL clusters, patients could also be grouped into three gene clusters. The CXCL and gene subtypes effectively predicted survival and immune cell infiltration levels for OC patients. Furthermore, patients with high CXCL scores had significantly better survival outcomes, higher levels of immune cell infiltration, higher IPS, and higher expression of PD-L1/CTLA4 than those with low CXCL scores.

Conclusion: The CXCL score has the potential to be a promising biomarker to guide immunotherapy in individual OC patients and predict their clinical outcomes and immunotherapy responses.
Natural coumarins from Murraya paniculata as mixed-type inhibitors of cholinesterases: In vitro and in silico investigations
Authors: Khalid Asaad , Khan Waqasuddin , Zia Komal , Azizuddin  , Ahsan Waquar , Alhazmi Hassan A. , Abdalla Ashraf N. , Najmi Asim , Khan Andleeb , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Ul-Haq Zaheer , Khan Ajmal
Published: March 2023

Currently, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibiting drugs in clinical use, such as tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, and galanthamine, are associated with serious side effects and short half-lives. In recent years, numerous phytochemicals have been identified as inhibitors of cholinesterases with potential applications in the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study three natural coumarins, 2′-O-ethylmurrangatin (1), murranganone (2), and paniculatin (3) isolated previously by our group from the leaves of Murraya paniculata, were tested against the two cholinesterases (ChE) enzymes, AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) using in vitro assay. Molecular docking was performed to highlight the structural properties that contribute to the molecular recognition pattern in the inhibition of ChE and the structural differences resulting in the selectivity of these compounds toward AChE. Classical enzyme inhibition kinetics data suggested that compounds 2 and 3 were potent inhibitors of AChE and BChE, while 1 was found inactive against both enzymes. The findings from molecular docking studies revealed the competitive and non-competitive inhibition mechanisms of compounds 2 and 3 against both enzymes. Molecular docking and simulations have revealed that hydrogen bonding, mediated by ketone and hydroxyl functionalities in various positions, significantly contributes to the binding of the inhibitor to the receptor. According to MD simulation studies, the stability of the ligand-AChE complex for the most active compound (3) is found to be comparable to that of the widely used drug Tacrine. In addition, to evaluate the drug-likeness of compounds, in silico ADME evaluation was performed, and the compounds presented good ADME profiles. Data suggested that the coumarin nucleus having diverse side chains at the C-8 position can serve as a potential inhibitor of cholinesterases and can act as a lead to develop a new semisynthetic drug for the treatment of AD.
Suppressive effects of a transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) agonist on hyperthermia-induced febrile seizures in infant mice
Authors: Moriyama Hiroshi , Nomura Sadahiro , Imoto Hirochika , Oka Fumiaki , Maruta Yuichi , Mori Naomasa , Fujii Natsumi , Suzuki Michiyasu , Ishihara Hideyuki
Published: March 2023

Background: Febrile seizures (FSs) are the most frequent type of seizures in infancy and childhood. Epileptiform discharges (EDs) on electroencephalogram at the time of first FS recurrence can increase the risk of epilepsy development. Therefore, inhibition of EDs is important. Recently, WS-3, a transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) agonist, reportedly suppressed penicillin G-induced cortical-focal EDs. However, the effects of TRPM8 agonists on FSs remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of the TRPM8 agonist, and the absence of TRPM8 channels, on hyperthermia-induced FS by analyzing the fast ripple band.

Methods: Hyperthermia (43°C for 30 min) induced by a heating pad caused FSs in postnatal day 7 wild-type (WT) and TRPM8 knockout (TRPM8KO) mice. FSs were defined as EDs occurring during behavioral seizures involving hindlimb clonus and loss of the righting reflex. Mice were injected with 1% dimethyl sulfoxide or 1 mM WS-3 20 min before the onset of hyperthermia, and electroencephalograms; movies; and rectal, brain and heating pad temperatures were recorded.

Results: In wild-type mice, WS-3 reduced the fast ripple amplitude in the first FS without changing rectal and brain temperature thresholds. In contrast, the anti-FS effect induced by the TRPM8 agonist was not observed in TRPM8KO mice and, compared with wild-type mice, TRPM8 deficiency lowered the rectal and brain temperature thresholds for FSs, exacerbated the fast ripple amplitude, and prolonged the duration of the initial FS induced by hyperthermia.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that TRPM8 agonists can be used to treat hyperthermia-induced FSs.
A percolation-based micromechanical model for elastic stiffness and conductivity of foam concrete
Authors: Wang Fengjuan , Xin Zhongyi , Jiang Jinyang , Sui Shiyu
Published: March 2023

Void morphology effect on percolation and even physico-mechanical performance of foam concrete is of great interest in the evaluation of service-life of civil and hydraulic infrastructures. For experiments, it is a huge challenge to quantify the percolation threshold of voids affected by their morphologies, and the dependence of elastic modulus and conductivity of foam concrete on void configurations. In this work, we focus on the prolate spheroidal void morphologies with the aspect ratios of 2.5 and 2, following the microscopic measurements reported in the literature. A numerical framework is developed to capture the percolation threshold characterized by the critical porosity of voids with both morphological types. For the verification purpose, Measurement on the critical porosity of spherical voids using the present framework as a benchmark is compared against the percolation threshold of monodisperse overlapping spheres reported in literature. Furthermore, this work proposes a simple and powerful percolation-based micromechanical model for precisely predicting the effective elastic modulus and thermal conductivity of foam concrete. It can be convinced of a general micromechanical framework to elucidate the intrinsic relationship of void morphology and percolation to the physico-mechanical properties of concrete. The present framework is capable of tailoring physical and mechanical properties through void configuration and enable foam concrete design and multifunctional applications.
Longitudinal ultrasound imaging and network modeling in rats reveal sex-dependent suppression of liver regeneration after resection in alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Barnhart Benjamin K. , Kan Toshiki , Srivastava Ankita , Wessner Corinne E. , Waters John , Ambelil Manju , Eisenbrey John R. , Hoek Jan B. , Vadigepalli Rajanikanth
Published: March 2023

Liver resection is an important surgical technique in the treatment of cancers and transplantation. We used ultrasound imaging to study the dynamics of liver regeneration following two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) in male and female rats fed via Lieber-deCarli liquid diet protocol of ethanol or isocaloric control or chow for 5–7 weeks. Ethanol-fed male rats did not recover liver volume to the pre-surgery levels over the course of 2 weeks after surgery. By contrast, ethanol-fed female rats as well as controls of both sexes showed normal volume recovery. Contrary to expectations, transient increases in both portal and hepatic artery blood flow rates were seen in most animals, with ethanol-fed males showing higher peak portal flow than any other experimental group. A computational model of liver regeneration was used to evaluate the contribution of physiological stimuli and estimate the animal-specific parameter intervals. The results implicate lower metabolic load, over a wide range of cell death sensitivity, in matching the model simulations to experimental data of ethanol-fed male rats. However, in the ethanol-fed female rats and controls of both sexes, metabolic load was higher and in combination with cell death sensitivity matched the observed volume recovery dynamics. We conclude that adaptation to chronic ethanol intake has a sex-dependent impact on liver volume recovery following liver resection, likely mediated by differences in the physiological stimuli or cell death responses that govern the regeneration process. Immunohistochemical analysis of pre- and post-resection liver tissue validated the results of computational modeling by associating lack of sensitivity to cell death with lower rates of cell death in ethanol-fed male rats. Our results illustrate the potential for non-invasive ultrasound imaging to assess liver volume recovery towards supporting development of clinically relevant computational models of liver regeneration.
Glomus mosseae improved the adaptability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to the coexistence of cadmium-polluted soils and elevated air temperature
Authors: Gao Yun-feng , Jia Xia , Zhao Yong-hua , Ding Xiao-yi , Zhang Chun-yan , Feng Xiao-juan
Published: March 2023

The coexistence of heavy metal-polluted soils and global warming poses serious threats to plants. Many studies indicate that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance the resistance of plants to adverse environments such as heavy metals and high temperature. However, few studies are carried out to explore the regulation of AMF on the adaptability of plants to the coexistence of heavy metals and elevated temperature (ET). Here, we investigated the regulation of Glomus mosseae on the adaptability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to the coexistence of cadmium (Cd)-polluted soils and ET. G. mosseae significantly enhanced total chlorophyll and carbon (C) content in the shoots by 15.6% and 3.0%, respectively, and Cd, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) uptake by the roots by 63.3%, 28.9%, and 85.2%, respectively, under Cd + ET. G. mosseae significantly increased ascorbate peroxidase activity, peroxidase (POD) gene expression, and soluble proteins content in the shoots by 13.4%, 130.3%, and 33.8%, respectively, and significantly decreased ascorbic acid (AsA), phytochelatins (PCs), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents by 7.4%, 23.2%, and 6.5%, respectively, under ET + Cd. Additionally, G. mosseae colonization led to significant increases in POD (13.0%) and catalase (46.5%) activities, Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase gene expression (33.5%), and MDA (6.6%), glutathione (22.2%), AsA (10.3%), cysteine (101.0%), PCs (13.8%), soluble sugars (17.5%), and proteins (43.4%) contents in the roots and carotenoids (23.2%) under ET + Cd. Cadmium, C, N, G. mosseae colonization rate, and chlorophyll significantly influenced shoots defenses and Cd, C, N, P, G. mosseae colonization rate, and sulfur significantly affected root defenses. In conclusion, G. mosseae obviously improved the defense capacity of alfalfa under ET + Cd. The results could improve our understanding of the regulation of AMF on the adaptability of plants to the coexistence of heavy metals and global warming and phytoremediation of heavy metal-polluted sites under global warming scenarios.
Overexpression of GmWRKY172 enhances cadmium tolerance in plants and reduces cadmium accumulation in soybean seeds
Authors: Xian Peiqi , Yang Yuan , Xiong Chuwen , Guo Zhibin , Alam Intikhab , He Zihang , Zhang Yakun , Cai Zhandong , Nian Hai
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Cadmium (Cd) stress is a significant threat to soybean production, and enhancing Cd tolerance in soybean is the focus of this study. The WRKY transcription factor family is associated with abiotic stress response processes. In this study, we aimed to identify a Cd-responsive WRKY transcription factor GmWRKY172 from soybean and investigate its potential for enhancing Cd tolerance in soybean.

Methods

The characterization of GmWRKY172 involved analyzing its expression pattern, subcellular localization, and transcriptional activity. To assess the impact of GmWRKY172, transgenic Arabidopsis and soybean plants were generated and examined for their tolerance to Cd and Cd content in shoots. Additionally, transgenic soybean plants were evaluated for Cd translocation and various physiological stress indicators. RNA sequencing was performed to identify the potential biological pathways regulated by GmWRKY172.

Results

GmWRKY172 was significantly upregulated by Cd stress, highly expressed in leaves and flowers, and localized to the nucleus with transcriptional activity. Transgenic plants overexpressing GmWRKY172 showed enhanced Cd tolerance and reduced Cd content in shoots compared to WT. Lower Cd translocation from roots to shoots and seeds was also observed in transgenic soybean. Under Cd stress, transgenic soybean accumulated less malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) than WT plants, with higher flavonoid and lignin contents, and peroxidase (POD) activity. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that many stress-related pathways were regulated by GmWRKY172 in transgenic soybean, including flavonoid biosynthesis, cell wall synthesis, and peroxidase activity.

Discussion

Our findings demonstrated that GmWRKY172 enhances Cd tolerance and reduces seed Cd accumulation in soybean by regulating multiple stress-related pathways, and could be a promising candidate for breeding Cd-tolerant and low Cd soybean varieties.
Do intensified job demands predict burnout? How motivation to lead and leadership status may have a moderating effect
Authors: Lehtiniemi Katariina , Tossavainen Anni , Auvinen Elina , Herttalampi Mari , Feldt Taru
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate how intensified job demands (job-related planning demands, career-related planning demands, and learning demands) are associated with burnout. We explored whether affective-identity motivation to lead moderates this association and, thus, functions as a personal resource regardless of leadership status. We further investigated whether the possible buffering effect is stronger for those professionals who became leaders during the follow-up.

Methods

Our sample consisted of highly educated Finnish professionals (n = 372): part of them (n = 63, 17%) occupied a leadership position during the 2-year follow-up while the rest maintained their position without formal leadership duties.

Results

The results of hierarchical linear modeling indicated that intensified learning demands were associated with later burnout. High affective-identity motivation to lead was not found to buffer against the negative effects of intensified job demands - instead, it strengthened the connection of intensified job- and career-related demands to burnout. Nevertheless, among the whole sample, professionals with high affective-identity motivation to lead reported lower burnout when job demands were not highly intensified. The leadership status also played a role: High affective-identity motivation to lead strengthened the connection of career-related demands to burnout in those professionals who became leaders during the follow-up.

Conclusions

Altogether, we propose that in certain circumstances, affective-identity motivation to lead might help professionals, with and without formal leadership duties, to be more ready to lead their own work and well-being. However, in order to promote sustainable careers, the vulnerability role of high affective-identity motivation to lead should be considered as well.
Qualitative and quantitative analyses of artificial intelligence ethics in education using VOSviewer and CitNetExplorer
Authors: Yu Liheng , Yu Zhonggen
Published: March 2023

The new decade has been witnessing the wide acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, followed by serious concerns about its ethics. This study examined the essence and principles of AI ethics used in education, as well as the bibliometric analysis of AI ethics for educational purposes. The clustering techniques of VOSviewer (n = 880) led the author to reveal the top 10 authors, sources, organizations, and countries in the research of AI ethics in education. The analysis of clustering solution through CitNetExplorer (n = 841) concluded that the essence of AI ethics for educational purposes included deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue, while the principles of AI ethics in education included transparency, justice, fairness, equity, non-maleficence, responsibility, and privacy. Future research could consider the influence of AI interpretability on AI ethics in education because the ability to interpret the AI decisions could help judge whether the decision is consistent with ethical criteria.
The screen inferiority depends on test format in reasoning and meta-reasoning tasks
Authors: Wang Xun , Chen Luyao , Liu Xinyue , Wang Cai , Zhang Zhenxin , Ye Qun
Published: March 2023

Influential work has confirmed screen inferiority in reading tasks that reading on screen is less productive than reading on paper. Recent researches suggest that poor cognitive performance in screen environments may be primarily due to cognitive defects rather than technological flaws. Although some studies have explored screen inferiority in reasoning tasks from cognitive and metacognitive perspectives, related theories have yet to be enriched. Here, we found that screen inferiority exists in reasoning performance regardless of the test format (multiple-choice VS. open-ended), which may result from shallow processing consistent with the previous findings. However, meta-reasoning monitoring showed screen inferiority only in the multiple-choice test format. Our results indicate that the screens exhibit robust inferiority in reasoning scores, while the influence of the media on meta-reasoning may vary with external triggers. Our research may shed light on how to conduct efficient reasoning in the screen age.
How did consumers’ self-protective behavior formed during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Xue Hu , Jin Shanshan , Wu Qianrong , Geng Xianhui
Published: March 2023

Introduction

This study explored the formation mechanism of consumers’ self-protective behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is very important for policy settings to regulate consumer behavior. Based on the basic framework of the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM), this study analyzed the formation mechanism of consumers’ self-protective willingness from the perspective of risk information, and explained the deviation between consumers’ self-protective willingness and behavior from the perspective of protective behavior attributes.

Methods

Based on 1,265 consumer survey data during the COVID-19 pandemic, the empirical test was carried out.

Results and Discussion

The amount of risk information has a significant positive impact on the consumers’ self-protective willingness, where the credibility of risk information plays a positive moderating role between them. Risk perception plays a positive mediating role between the amount of risk information and the consumers’ self-protective willingness, and the positive mediating effect of risk perception is negatively moderated by the credibility of risk information. In the protective behavior attributes, hazard-related attributes play a positive moderating role between the consumers’ self-protective willingness and behavior, while resource-related attributes play the opposite role. Consumers pay more attention to hazard-related attributes than resource-related attributes, and they are willing to consume more resources to reduce risk.
An investigation of the psychological stress of medical staff in Shanghai shelter hospital during COVID-19
Authors: Zhou Yaqing , Liu Aiming , Pu Zunguo , Zhou Minlu , Ding Hongsheng , Zhou Jia
Published: March 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the psychological status of medical workers from other locations who helped support the fight against COVID-19 in Shanghai and to provide a basis for psychological crisis intervention plans under designated emergencies.

Methods

While supporting the Shanghai Lingang Shelter Hospital, we investigated 1,097 medical staff from other cities working in the hospital. A questionnaire comprising the general information questionnaire, health questionnaire depression scale, generalized anxiety scale, insomnia severity index scale, and mental health self-assessment questionnaire was used.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders among subjects of different genders, ages, and educational levels. There were statistically significant differences in the incidences of anxiety, depression, stress response, and sleep disturbance among subjects with different levels of worry about COVID-19.

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lingang Shelter Hospital team experienced more psychological pressure, suggesting that medical institutions should pay attention to the mental health of frontline medical workers during COVID-19 and prepare psychological intervention measures for team members.
The power of calmness in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: The different roles of peace of mind and career calling in enhancing work engagement—A mediation analysis based on social support
Authors: Xi Yiheng , Zhou Li , Guo Dong
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on a “New Normal” form, which necessitates a calm and peaceful social mentality. This study delves into the Chinese socioculturally oriented emotion construct of peace of mind (PoM) with regard to how it may affect employees’ work engagement in times of the pandemic. Based on the conversation of resource (COR) theory, we develop a model in which the relationship between PoM (i.e., a low-arousal positive affective state) and work engagement and the relationship between career calling (i.e., a high-arousal positive state) and work engagement are both mediated by social support.

Methods

A total of 292 employees from 18 companies in Wuxi and Dalian, China, were surveyed at two different time points during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

The results show that both relationships were mediated by social support; furthermore, after the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between PoM and work engagement was controlled for, the relationship between career calling and social support failed to reach significance.

Discussion

The findings attest to the unique advantages of PoM in boosting employees’ resource conservation and interpersonal communication in public crises. Possible implications on applying the incentive mechanism of PoM in the workplace are discussed.
How can childhood maltreatment affect post-traumatic stress disorder in adult: Results from a composite null hypothesis perspective of mediation analysis
Authors: Xu Haibo , Shao Zhonghe , Zhang Shuo , Liu Xin , Zeng Ping
Published: March 2023

Background

A greatly growing body of literature has revealed the mediating role of DNA methylation in the influence path from childhood maltreatment to psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adult. However, the statistical method is challenging and powerful mediation analyses regarding this issue are lacking.

Methods

To study how the maltreatment in childhood alters long-lasting DNA methylation changes which further affect PTSD in adult, we here carried out a gene-based mediation analysis from a perspective of composite null hypothesis in the Grady Trauma Project (352 participants and 16,565 genes) with childhood maltreatment as exposure, multiple DNA methylation sites as mediators, and PTSD or its relevant scores as outcome. We effectively addressed the challenging issue of gene-based mediation analysis by taking its composite null hypothesis testing nature into consideration and fitting a weighted test statistic.

Results

We discovered that childhood maltreatment could substantially affected PTSD or PTSD-related scores, and that childhood maltreatment was associated with DNA methylation which further had significant roles in PTSD and these scores. Furthermore, using the proposed mediation method, we identified multiple genes within which DNA methylation sites exhibited mediating roles in the influence path from childhood maltreatment to PTSD-relevant scores in adult, with 13 for Beck Depression Inventory and 6 for modified PTSD Symptom Scale, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results have the potential to confer meaningful insights into the biological mechanism for the impact of early adverse experience on adult diseases; and our proposed mediation methods can be applied to other similar analysis settings.
Dissociated deficits of anticipated and experienced regret in at-risk suicidal individuals
Authors: Ai Hui , Duan Lian , Huang Lin , Luo Yuejia , Aleman André , Xu Pengfei
Published: March 2023

Backgrounds

Decision-making deficits have been reported as trans-diagnostic characteristics of vulnerability to suicidal behaviors, independent of co-existing psychiatric disorders. Individuals with suicidal behaviors often regret their decision to attempt suicide and may have impairments in future-oriented processing. However, it is not clear how people with suicidal dispositions use future-oriented cognition and past experience of regret to guide decision-making. Here, we examined the processes of regret anticipation and experience in subclinical youth with and without suicidal ideation during value-based decision-making.

Methods

In total, 80 young adults with suicidal ideation and 79 healthy controls completed a computational counterfactual thinking task and self-reported measures of suicidal behaviors, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, rumination, hopelessness, and childhood maltreatment.

Results

Individuals with suicidal ideation showed a reduced ability to anticipate regret compared to healthy controls. Specifically, suicidal ideators’ experience of regret/relief was significantly different from that of healthy controls upon obtained outcomes, while their disappointment/pleasure experience was not significantly different from healthy controls.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that young adults with suicidal ideation have difficulty predicting the consequences or the future value of their behavior. Individuals with suicidal ideation showed impairments in value comparison and flat affect to retrospective rewards, whereas individuals with high suicidality showed blunted affect to immediate rewards. Identifying the counterfactual decision-making characteristics of at-risk suicidal individuals may help to elucidate measurable markers of suicidal vulnerability and identify future intervention targets.
Physical and mental illness comorbidity among individuals with frequent self-harm episodes: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Sadath Anvar , Troya M. Isabela , Nicholson Sarah , Cully Grace , Leahy Dorothy , Ramos Costa Ana Paula , Benson Ruth , Corcoran Paul , Griffin Eve , Phillip Eunice , Cassidy Eugene , Jeffers Anne , Shiely Frances , Alberdi-Páramo Íñigo , Kavalidou Katerina , Arensman Ella
Published: March 2023

Background

Research has indicated an increased risk of self-harm repetition and suicide among individuals with frequent self-harm episodes. Co-occurring physical and mental illness further increases the risk of self-harm and suicide. However, the association between this co-occurrence and frequent self-harm episodes is not well understood. The objectives of the study were (a) to examine the sociodemographic and clinical profile of individuals with frequent self-harm (regardless of suicidal intent) episodes and, (b) the association between physical and mental illness comorbidity, self-harm repetition, highly lethal self-harm methods, and suicide intent.

Methods

The study included consecutive patients with five or more self-harm presentations to Emergency Departments across three general hospitals in the Republic of Ireland. The study included file reviews (n = 183) and semi-structured interviews (n = 36). Multivariate logistic regression models and independent samples t-tests were used to test the association between the sociodemographic and physical and mental disorders comorbidity on highly lethal self-harm methods and suicidal intent, respectively. Thematic analysis was applied to identify themes related to physical and mental illness comorbidity and frequent self-harm repetition.

Findings

The majority of individuals with frequent self-harm episodes were female (59.6%), single (56.1%), and unemployed (57.4%). The predominant current self-harm method was drug overdose (60%). Almost 90% of the participants had history of a mental or behavioral disorder, and 56.8% had recent physical illness. The most common psychiatric diagnoses were alcohol use disorders (51.1%), borderline personality disorder (44.0%), and major depressive disorder (37.8%). Male gender (OR = 2.89) and alcohol abuse (OR = 2.64) predicted the risk of a highly lethal self-harm method. Suicide intent was significantly higher among those with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (t = 2.43; p = 0.020). Major qualitative themes were (a) the functional meaning of self-harm (b) self-harm comorbidity (c) family psychiatric history and (d) contacts with mental health services. Participants described experiencing an uncontrollable self-harm urge, and self-harm was referred to as a way to get relief from emotional pain or self-punishment to cope with anger and stressors.

Conclusion

Physical and mental illness comorbidity was high among individuals with frequent self-harm episodes. Male gender and alcohol abuse were associated with highly lethal self-harm methods. The mental and physical illness comorbidity of individuals with frequent self-harm episodes should be addressed via a biopsychosocial assessment and subsequent indicated treatment interventions.
The relationship between social anxiety and self-injury of junior high school students: Mediation by intolerance of uncertainty and moderation by self-esteem
Authors: Yao Zhendong , Pang Lu , Xie Jin , Shi Seqin , Ouyang Min
Published: March 2023

Objective

The problem of adolescents' self-injury has gradually attracted social attention, however, a lack of research exists on the internal mechanism between social anxiety and self-injury. This study explored the relationship between social anxiety and self-injury in Chinese junior high school students.

Method

An adolescent self-injury questionnaire, social anxiety scale, intolerance of uncertainty questionnaire and self-injury questionnaire were used to survey 614 junior high school students.

Results

The results showed that: (1) social anxiety had a significant positive predictive effect on self-injury; (2) intolerance of uncertainty had a significant mediating effect between social anxiety and self-injury; and (3) self-esteem had a significant moderating effect on the mediating effect of intolerance of uncertainty.

Conclusion

The study suggested that social anxiety in junior high school students has an impact on self-injury through mediation of intolerance of uncertainty and modulation of self-esteem.