bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional cortical perfusion increases induced by a 6-month endurance training in young sedentary adults
Authors: Upadhyay Neeraj , Schörkmaier Theresa , Maurer Angelika , Claus Jannik , Scheef Lukas , Daamen Marcel , Martin Jason A. , Stirnberg Rüdiger , Radbruch Alexander , Attenberger Ulrike , Stöcker Tony , Boecker Henning
Published: August 2022

Physical inactivity is documented as a health risk factor for chronic diseases, accelerated aging, and cognitive impairment. Physical exercise, on the other hand, plays an important role in healthy aging by promoting positive muscular, cardiovascular, and central nervous system adaptions. Prior studies on the effects of exercise training on cerebral perfusion have focused largely on elderly cohorts or patient cohorts, while perfusion effects of exercise training in young sedentary adults have not yet been fully assessed. Therefore, the present study examined the physiological consequence of a 6-month endurance exercise training on brain perfusion in 28 young sedentary adults randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; regular physical exercise) or a control group (CG; without physical exercise). The IG performed an extensive running interval training three times per week over 6 months. Performance diagnostics and MRI were performed every 2 months, and training intensity was adapted individually. Brain perfusion measurements with pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling were analyzed using the standard Oxford ASL pipeline. A significant interaction effect between group and time was found for right superior temporal gyrus (STG) perfusion, driven by an increase in the IG and a decrease in the CG. Furthermore, a significant time effect was observed in the right middle occipital region in the IG only. Perfusion increases in the right STG, in the ventral striatum, and in primary motor areas were significantly associated with increases in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). Overall, this study identified region-specific increases in local perfusion in a cohort of young adults that partly correlated with individual performance increases, hence, suggesting exercise dose dependency. Respective adaptations in brain perfusion are discussed in the context of physical exercise-induced vascular plasticity.
Neuromodulation of OCD: A review of invasive and non-invasive methods
Authors: Kammen Alexandra , Cavaleri Jonathon , Lam Jordan , Frank Adam C. , Mason Xenos , Choi Wooseong , Penn Marisa , Brasfield Kaevon , Van Noppen Barbara , Murray Stuart B. , Lee Darrin Jason
Published: August 2022

Early research into neural correlates of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has focused on individual components, several network-based models have emerged from more recent data on dysfunction within brain networks, including the the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC)-ventromedial caudate, limbic, salience, and default mode networks. Moreover, the interplay between multiple brain networks has been increasingly recognized. As the understanding of the neural circuitry underlying the pathophysiology of OCD continues to evolve, so will too our ability to specifically target these networks using invasive and noninvasive methods. This review discusses the rationale for and theory behind neuromodulation in the treatment of OCD.
Blood pressure control and risk of post-stroke dementia among the elderly: A population-based screening study
Authors: Wu Hao , Ren Zhihong , Gan Jinghuan , Lü Yang , Niu Jianping , Meng Xinling , Cai Pan , Li Yang , Gang Baozhi , You Yong , Lv Yan , Liu Shuai , Wang Xiao-Dan , Ji Yong
Published: August 2022

Background

Post-stroke dementia (PSD) has adverse effects on the quality of work and life in elderly stroke survivors. There are inconsistent results on the impacts of blood pressure control on the risk of PSD in people aged 65 years and above.

Objective

This study was performed to explore whether poorly-controlled blood pressure was associated with an increasing risk of PSD.

Methods

The study population was enrolled from cross-sectional research conducted in 106 communities of rural northern China. In Phase I, a total of 7,448 people aged ≥65 years, including 830 with stroke history, completed a questionnaire, a physical examination, and a cognitive assessment. Phase II further confirmed the diagnosis of PSD. Well-controlled blood pressure was defined as an average systolic blood pressure of <140 mmHg and average diastolic blood pressure of <90 mmHg over two readings in person. Failure to meet these criteria was considered as poorly-controlled blood pressure.

Results

The crude prevalence rate of PSD among stroke survivors aged 65 years and over was 17.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.2–20.4%]. Among the 830 stroke survivors, the proportions of PSD gradually increased with age and the crude prevalence rates for PSD were 10.2% (95% CI 5.6–14.9%), 14.8% (95% CI 10.1–19.5%), 18.8% (95% CI 14.1–23.5%), and 27.4% (95% CI 20.8–34.1%) in subjects aged 65–69, 70–74, 75–79 and ≥80 years, respectively. Participants in the poorly-controlled blood pressure group were more likely to suffer from PSD (28.4 vs.15.3%, P < 0.001), be older (75.81 ± 4.97 vs. 74.74 ± 5.83, P < 0.05), and have a worse cognitive level (22.26 ± 7.05 vs. 24.10 ± 6.02, P < 0.05). Compared with well-controlled blood pressure patients, poorly-controlled blood pressure in stroke survivors significantly increased risk of PSD (odds ratio = 2.20, 95% CI 1.45–3.32) after adjusting for age, gender, and education.

Conclusions

The crude prevalence of PSD among stroke survivors aged ≥65 years was 17.8% at community level. In addition to lower education level and older age, poorly-controlled blood pressure was also an independent risk factor for PSD among the elderly, which is amenable to intervention. Therefore, it is essential to control blood pressure to reduce PSD incidence.
Ependymoblastoma with pulmonary metastasis in an adolescent: A case report
Authors: Xu Xinmin , Li Angcheng , Xu Xia , Gong Qiangjun , Zhu Shengjie , Chu Wenya , Ding Shubo
Published: August 2022

Ependymoblastoma is a rare embryonal neoplasm of the nervous system, and the entity is even rare with distant metastasis. This case can help refine the existing literature and provide lessons for the management of other patients with ependymoblastoma. The present case concerns an adolescent with supratentorial ependymoblastoma, who received gross-total resection (GTR), postoperative radiotherapy, and six cycles of chemotherapy, with disease-free survival (DFS) of about 5.3 years. Subsequently, pulmonary metastasis occurred, but no intracranial lesion was found. Finally, combined treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy significantly reduced the lung lesions, with progression-free survival (PFS) of 10 months and long-term survival of 6.3 years. This case indicates that the lung metastases of ependymoblastoma are relatively sensitive to radiation, but lung metastases have not completely disappeared. Perhaps, increasing the radiation dose to lung metastases can improve the efficacy, which is worth exploring.
Keep Your Mask On: The Benefits of Masking for Behavior and the Contributions of Aging and Disease on Dysfunctional Masking Pathways
Authors: Gall Andrew J. , Shuboni-Mulligan Dorela D.
Published: August 2022

Environmental cues (e.g., light-dark cycle) have an immediate and direct effect on behavior, but these cues are also capable of “masking” the expression of the circadian pacemaker, depending on the type of cue presented, the time-of-day when they are presented, and the temporal niche of the organism. Masking is capable of complementing entrainment, the process by which an organism is synchronized to environmental cues, if the cues are presented at an expected or predictable time-of-day, but masking can also disrupt entrainment if the cues are presented at an inappropriate time-of-day. Therefore, masking is independent of but complementary to the biological circadian pacemaker that resides within the brain (i.e., suprachiasmatic nucleus) when exogenous stimuli are presented at predictable times of day. Importantly, environmental cues are capable of either inducing sleep or wakefulness depending on the organism’s temporal niche; therefore, the same presentation of a stimulus can affect behavior quite differently in diurnal vs. nocturnal organisms. There is a growing literature examining the neural mechanisms underlying masking behavior based on the temporal niche of the organism. However, the importance of these mechanisms in governing the daily behaviors of mammals and the possible implications on human health have been gravely overlooked even as modern society enables the manipulation of these environmental cues. Recent publications have demonstrated that the effects of masking weakens significantly with old age resulting in deleterious effects on many behaviors, including sleep and wakefulness. This review will clearly outline the history, definition, and importance of masking, the environmental cues that induce the behavior, the neural mechanisms that drive them, and the possible implications for human health and medicine. New insights about how masking is affected by intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, temporal niche, and age will be discussed as each relates to human health. The overarching goals of this review include highlighting the importance of masking in the expression of daily rhythms, elucidating the impact of aging, discussing the relationship between dysfunctional masking behavior and the development of sleep-related disorders, and considering the use of masking as a non-invasive treatment to help treat humans suffering from sleep-related disorders.
Adenosquamous Carcinoma of Skene’s Gland: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Gao Qian , Liu Xiaoyun , Ye Lin , Lv Tingting , Teng Yanyi , Lan Jian , Li Tingchao , Tian Min , Chen Juqi , He Shanshan , Xie Shengyan , Zou Yan
Published: August 2022

Skene’s gland is homologous to the male prostate and can secrete prostate fluid. However, Skene’s gland carcinoma is extremely rare, with only 20 cases reported in the literature thus far. We report the first case of adenosquamous carcinoma of Skene’s gland. The patient was a 54-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital due to vaginal bleeding and a vaginal mass, accompanied by multiple lymph nodes and vulvar metastases. She had a history of dysuria and episodic hematuria for 2 years. Contrast-enhanced pelvic MRI showed a mass in the right labia majora and swelling of the right inguinal lymph nodes. In addition, a mass in the anterior vaginal wall surrounded the urethra and grew in a semi-encircled manner. After receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, MRI revealed that the mass surrounding the urethra had shrunk, and the nodular shadow of the right labia majora was larger than before. The patient underwent elective surgery. Surgical pathology showed adenosquamous carcinoma, and immunohistochemistry suggested intestinal differentiation. Forty-six days after surgery, the patient subsequently died of tumor consumption and organ insufficiency due to cerebral infarction, recurrence, and multiple metastases. This paper describes the clinical, radiological, and histopathologic features as well as the prognosis of the rare disease adenosquamous carcinoma of Skene’s gland. In addition, we briefly review the published literature.
Adverse outcomes of artificial pneumothorax under right bronchial occlusion for patients with thoracoscopic-assisted oesophagectomy in the prone position versus the semiprone position
Authors: Li Qiongzhen , Zhao Mingye , Wu Dongjin , Guo Xufeng , Wu Jingxiang
Published: August 2022

Background

There are few studies on the impact of body position on variations in circulation and breathing, and it has not been confirmed whether body position changes can reduce the pulmonary complications of thoracoscopic-assisted oesophagectomy.

Methods

A single-center retrospective study included patients undergoing thoracoscopic-assisted oesophagectomy in the prone position or semiprone position between 1 July 2020, and 30 June 2021, at the Shanghai Chest Hospital. There were 103 patients with thoracoscopic-assisted oesophagectomy in the final analysis, including 43 patients undergoing thoracoscopic-assisted oesophagectomy in the prone position. Postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC) incidence was the primary endpoint. The incidence of cardiovascular and other complications was the secondary endpoint. Chest tube duration, patient-controlled anaesthesia (PCA) pressing frequency within 24 h, ICU stay, and the postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS) were also collected.

Results

Compared with the semiprone position, the prone position decreased the incidence of atelectasis (12% vs. 30%, P = 0.032). Nevertheless, there were no considerable differences in the rates of cardiovascular and other complications, ICU stay, or LOS (P >0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the prone position (OR = 0.196, P = 0.011), no smoking (OR = 0.103, P <0.001), preoperative DLCO% ≥90% (OR = 0.230, P = 0.003), and an operative time <180 min (OR = 0.268, P = 0.006) were associated with less atelectasis.

Conclusions

Our study shows that artificial pneumothorax under right bronchial occlusion one-lung ventilation for patients with thoracoscopic-assisted oesophagectomy in the prone position can decrease postoperative atelectasis compared with the semiprone position.
Relapsed and refractory yolk sac tumor of the peritoneum (mesentery): A case report and literature review
Authors: Zhou Xue , Zhao Lanbo , Feng Xue , Pan Zhenni , Bin Yadi , Zhang Siyi , Li Min , Guo Miao , Hou Huilian , Li Qiling
Published: August 2022

Background

Extragonadal yolk sac tumor (YST) of peritoneum is a rare malignancy.

Case Description

A 37-year-old Chinese woman was admitted to hospital with a 3-month abdominal pain 4 years ago. Alpha-fetoprotein was 228,499.0 ng/mL. Computed tomography scan revealed a massive mass in the left lower abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy exposed a huge mesenteric mass. Then, mesenteric tumor resection, partial sigmoidectomy, and single-lumen fistula of sigmoid colon were performed. Postoperative pathologic diagnosis reported a stage IV mesenteric YST. After surgery, the patient received 6 courses of BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin) chemotherapy. Seven months later, the patient underwent stoma reversion of sigmoid colon and received another 2 courses of BEP chemotherapy. Three months after the last chemotherapy, liver metastases were diagnosed. She subsequently underwent 3 surgeries, radiotherapy for liver metastases, and multiple tiers of palliative chemotherapies, including TP (docetaxel and carboplatin), VIP (ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide), TIP (paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin), and so on. After the third surgery (left hepatic lesion resection and right iliac lymph node resection), she received 4 cyclic chemotherapies of BEP´ (boanmycin, etoposide, and cisplatin) without pulmonary toxic side effects.

Conclusion

Postoperative histopathology and immunohistochemistry are gold standards for the diagnosis of peritoneal YST. The standard first-line treatment is surgery plus BEP chemotherapy. Second-line therapy regimens and above, including VIP and TIP, improve the prognosis of recurrent germ cell tumors. This relapsed and refractory patient with peritoneal YST benefits from the secondary BEP´ chemotherapy.
Quality assessment of clinical practice guidelines on psychological distress of cancer patients using the AGREE II instrument
Authors: Hao Ran , Jin Haoyu , Zuo Jinfan , Zhao Rumeng , Hu Jie , Qi Yixin
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess the quality of the clinical practice guidelines on psychological distress among cancer patients and provide users with recommendations for coping with psychological distress.

Methods

A systematic search of relevant clinical practice guidelines was undertaken to identify and select the clinical practice guidelines related to psychological distress among cancer patients. Literature databases were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Excerpta Medica Database, the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, China Biology Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang and Weipu Journal Database. The guideline databases include Yimaitong Guidelines Network, National Guideline Clearinghouse, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), New Zealand Guidelines Group, Scottish Intercollegiate GuidelinesNetwork, American Psychological Association, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario and Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). Four independent reviewers assessed the eligible guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument.

Results

Six clinical practice guidelines were included and assessed for critical evaluation. The median score for the scope and purpose domain was 71.5% (IQR 64%-77.25%), the stakeholder involvement domain was 65% (IQR 47.5%-74.5%), the rigour of the development domain was 61.5% (IQR 45.5%-85.25%), the clarity of the presentation domain was 91% (IQR 72.25%-94.5%), the applicability domain was 70% (IQR 33%-78.75%), and the editorial independence domain was 48.84% (IQR 61.75%-95%). Four guidelines (ASCO, 2014; Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, 2015; NCCN, 2020, and CCO, 2016) were classified as “recommended,” and the remaining (European Palliative Care Research Collaborative and Chinese Psychosocial Oncology Society) were “recommended with modifications,” especially in the domains of Stakeholder involvement, rigour of development, and applicability. The inter-rater consistency of each domain showed moderate level (0.52–0.90) analyzing by intraclass correlation.

Conclusions

The clinical practice guidelines on psychological distress among cancer patients varied in quality, and there were discrepancies in terms of the recommendations and recommendation grades. These findings could contribute to improving the quality of clinical practice guidelines on psychological distress, and enable the development and implementation of evidence-based guidelines for cancer patients.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42020209204.
Chemotherapy-associated oral microbiome changes in breast cancer patients
Authors: Klymiuk Ingeborg , Bilgilier Ceren , Mahnert Alexander , Prokesch Andreas , Heininger Christoph , Brandl Ingeborg , Sahbegovic Hanka , Singer Christian , Fuereder Thorsten , Steininger Christoph
Published: August 2022

Cytotoxic chemotherapy with or without a combination of humanized monoclonal antibodies is regarded as the gold standard of personalized medicine for the treatment of breast cancer patients. Significant medication-related side effects are common accompanying phenomena for these patients, such as oral discomfort, mucositis, or even osteonecrosis of the jaw. In this study, we analyze the saliva samples of 20 breast cancer patients at three time points throughout their chemotherapy: at the baseline prior to treatment initiation (T1), after four-to-six cycles of chemotherapy (T2), and 1 year after the start of the treatment (T3) to investigate and characterize the long-term effects of chemotherapy on the oral microbiome. We aimed to characterize changes in the oral bacterial microbiome based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis during chemotherapeutic treatment, as a potential target to treat common oral side effects occurring during therapy. The chemotherapeutic drugs used in our study for patient treatment were trastuzumab, docetaxel, pertuzumab, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide. We find a significant increase in the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic taxa like Escherichia/Shigella and non-significant trends in the relative abundance of, for example, Actinomyces ssp. In conclusion, the role of microbiota in the oral side effects of chemotherapeutic treatment needs to be considered and should be analyzed in more detail using larger patient cohorts. Oral side effects in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are a common burden and should be treated for a better tolerability of the therapy.
The global change of gene expression pattern caused by PTEN mutation affects the prognosis of glioblastoma
Authors: Zhou Shengjun , Wang Haifeng , Huang Yi , Wu Yiwen , Lin Zhiqing
Published: August 2022

Glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive primary tumor, is common in humans, accounting for 12–15% of all intracranial tumors, and has median survival of fewer than 15 months. Since a growing body of evidence suggests that conventional drugs are ineffective against GBM, our goal is to find emerging therapies that play a role in its treatment. This research constructs a risk model to predict the prognosis of GBM patients. A set of genes associated with GBM was taken from a GBM gene data bank, and clinical information on patients with GBM was retrieved from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data bank. One-way Cox and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed to identify genes in relation to prognosis. Groups were classified into high and low expression level of PTEN expression. Prognosis-related genes were further identified, and multi-factor Cox regression analysis was used to build risk score equations for the prognostic model to construct a survival prognostic model. The area under the ROC curve suggested that the pattern had high accuracy. When combined with nomogram analysis, GJB2 was considered an independent predictor of GBM prognosis. This study provides a potential prognostic predictive biological marker for GBM patients and confirms that GJB2 is a key gene for GBM progression.
Dynamic vascular optical spectroscopy for monitoring peripheral arterial disease patients undergoing a surgical intervention
Authors: Marone A. , Maheshwari N. , Kim S. K. , Bajakian D. R. , Hielscher A. H.
Published: August 2022

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients experience a reduction in blood supply to the extremities caused by an accumulation of plaque in their arterial system. In advanced stages of PAD, surgical intervention is often required to reopen arteries and restore limb perfusion to avoid necrosis and amputations. To determine the success of an intervention, it is necessary to confirm that reperfusion was achieved after the intervention in areas of the foot that lacked perfusion before the intervention. The standard procedure to obtain this information is to perform repeated X-ray angiography. However, this approach requires a relatively high radiation dose and the extensive use of contrast agents. To overcome these issues, our lab has developed a system that uses dynamic vascular optical spectroscopy (DVOS) to monitor perfusion in the foot in real-time before, during, and after an intervention. In the explorative study presented in this paper, we monitored ten patients undergoing revascularization surgery. We found that there is a clear change in the DVOS signal in cases when reperfusion to affected areas in the foot is established. It was also possible to assess the effects that balloon inflations and deflations and contrast agent injections had on the downstream vasculature of the patients.
Passive Control of Hydrodynamic Forces on a Circular Obstacle in a Transient Flow: FEM Computations
Authors: Ain Qurrat Ul , Khan Y. , Mahmood Rashid , Alameer A. , Majeed Afraz Hussain , Faraz N.
Published: August 2022

Hydrodynamic forces are crucial in engineering applications; therefore, various research initiatives have been conducted to limit them. In this research, a passive control technique to investigate the fluid forces acting on a circular cylinder in a laminar flow regime is studied. The reliability of the usage of a splitter plate (passive control device) downstream of the obstacle in suppressing the fluid forces on a circular obstacle of diameterD=0.1is presented. The first parameter of the current study is the attachment of splitter plates of various lengths(Li)with the obstacle, whereas the gap separation(Gi)between the splitter plate and the obstacle is used as a second parameter. The control element of the first and second parameters are varied from0.1to0.3. For the attached splitter plates of lengths0.2and0.3, the oscillatory behavior of transient flow atRe=100is successfully controlled. For the gap separations0.1and0.2, the suppression of vortex shedding is also observed. However, it is observed that a splitter plate of too short length and a plate located at an inappropriate gap from an obstacle are worthless. Moreover, the present study is extended for power-law fluid in the same domain, and maximum drag reduction is achieved using the same strategy as for Newtonian fluid. The finite element method is utilized as a computational strategy for complicated nonlinear governing equations. For a clear physical depiction of the problem, velocity and pressure plots have been provided. It is concluded that the presence of a splitter plate has suppressed the vortex shedding and the flow regime turns out to be steady, as is evident from the nonoscillatory drag and lift coefficients.
The pathophyiological role of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in digestive system diseases
Authors: Wusiman Wugelanmu , Zhang Zerui , Ding Qiang , Liu Mei
Published: August 2022

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) catalyze the ligation of amino acids to their cognate transfer RNAs and are indispensable enzymes for protein biosynthesis in all the cells. Previously, ARSs were considered simply as housekeeping enzymes, however, they are now known to be involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, such as tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and immune response. In this review, we summarize the role of ARSs in the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, as well as the auxiliary organs such as the pancreas, liver, and the gallbladder. Furthermore, we specifically focus on the diagnostic and prognostic value of ARSs in cancers, aiming to provide new insights into the pathophysiological implications of ARSs in tumorigenesis.
Development of plant systemic resistance by beneficial rhizobacteria: Recognition, initiation, elicitation and regulation
Authors: Zhu Lin , Huang Jiameng , Lu Xiaoming , Zhou Cheng
Published: August 2022

A plant growing in nature is not an individual, but it holds an intricate community of plants and microbes with relatively stable partnerships. The microbial community has recently been demonstrated to be closely linked with plants since their earliest evolution, to help early land plants adapt to environmental threats. Mounting evidence has indicated that plants can release diverse kinds of signal molecules to attract beneficial bacteria for mediating the activities of their genetics and biochemistry. Several rhizobacterial strains can promote plant growth and enhance the ability of plants to withstand pathogenic attacks causing various diseases and loss in crop productivity. Beneficial rhizobacteria are generally called as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that induce systemic resistance (ISR) against pathogen infection. These ISR-eliciting microbes can mediate the morphological, physiological and molecular responses of plants. In the last decade, the mechanisms of microbial signals, plant receptors, and hormone signaling pathways involved in the process of PGPR-induced ISR in plants have been well investigated. In this review, plant recognition, microbial elicitors, and the related pathways during plant-microbe interactions are discussed, with highlights on the roles of root hair-specific syntaxins and small RNAs in the regulation of the PGPR-induced ISR in plants.
Can empowering leadership promote employees’ pro-environmental behavior? Empirical analysis based on psychological distance
Authors: Yue Ting , Gao Chenchen , Chen Feiyu , Zhang Lan , Li Mengting
Published: August 2022

Leadership styles, especially empowering leadership, affect the psychological relationship between employees and organizations, and then affect employees’ positive behavior in the organization. In this research, we studied the effects of empowering leadership and psychological distance on employees’ pro-environmental behavior and explored the mechanism of green organizational climate (GOC). By adopting correlation analysis, statistical analysis, and regression analysis, we conducted a multisource field study of 873 valid employee questionnaires to verify our theoretical model. The results showed that empowering leadership had a significant positive impact on psychological distance and employees’ pro-environmental behavior; and psychological distance played a partly intermediation role in the relationship between empowering leadership and employees’ pro-environmental behavior. Moreover, GOC can promote employees’ pro-environmental behavior, but it cannot regulate between psychological distance and employees’ pro-environmental behavior. The findings obtained some intriguing insights that could help to better guide employees toward pro-environmental behavior.
British Adolescents Are More Likely Than Children to Support Bystanders Who Challenge Exclusion of Immigrant Peers
Authors: Gönültaş Seçil , Ketzitzidou Argyri Eirini , Yüksel Ayşe Şule , Palmer Sally B. , McGuire Luke , Killen Melanie , Rutland Adam
Published: August 2022

The present study examined British children’s and adolescents’ individual and perceived group evaluations of a challenger when a member of one’s own group excludes a British national or an immigrant newcomer to the school (Turkish or Australian) from participating in a group activity. Participants included British children (n = 110, Mage in years = 9.69, SD = 1.07, 44 girls, aged 8–11) and adolescents (n = 193, Mage in years = 14.16, SD = 0.92, 104 girls, aged 13–16), who were inducted into their group and heard hypothetical scenarios in which a member of their own group expressed a desire to exclude the newcomer from joining their activity. Subsequently, participants heard that another member of the ingroup challenged the exclusionary act by stating that they should be inclusive. Children’s and adolescents’ individual evaluations of the bystander who challenged the social exclusion of an immigrant peer were more positive than their perceived group evaluations, recognizing that groups are often exclusionary. Only adolescents but not children differed in their individual and perceived group evaluations in the social exclusion of British peers. When the newcomer was an immigrant peer, adolescents were more likely to evaluate the challenger positively in both their individual and perceived group evaluations compared to children. Further, children, compared to adolescents, were more likely to reason about social and group norms to justify their evaluations only when the excluded peer was an immigrant but not when the excluded peer was British. Adolescents were more likely to reason about fairness, rights, and equality. The findings indicate that exclusionary group norms surrounding immigrants begin in childhood. Interventions that focus on changing group norms to be more inclusive could be effective in reducing prejudicial attitudes toward immigrants in childhood.
Aesthetic experiences and flourishing in science: A four-country study
Authors: Jacobi Christopher J. , Varga Peter J. , Vaidyanathan Brandon
Published: August 2022

In response to the mental health crisis in science, and amid concerns about the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientists, this study seeks to identify the role of a heretofore under-researched factor for flourishing and eudaimonia: aesthetic experiences in scientific work. The main research question that this study addresses is: To what extent is the frequency of encountering aesthetics in terms of beauty, awe, and wonder in scientific work associated with greater well-being among scientists? Based on a large-scale (N = 3,061) and representative international survey of scientists (biologists and physicists) in four countries (India, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States), this study employs sets of nested regressions to model the associations of aesthetic experiences with flourishing while controlling for demographic factors and negative workplace and life circumstances such as burnout, job/publication pressure, mistreatment, COVID-19 impacts, other stressful life events, serious psychological distress, and chronic health conditions. The results show that the frequency of aesthetic experiences in scientific work in the disciplines of biology and physics has a very large and statistically significant association with flourishing and eudaimonia that remains robust even when controlling for demographic factors and negative workplace and life circumstances, including COVID-19 impacts. Aesthetic experiences in scientific work are even as strongly associated with flourishing as the presence of serious psychological distress and are most strongly associated with the flourishing domain of meaning in life, thus pointing to a link with eudaimonic well-being. In line with neurophysiological evidence and positive psychological models of flow, self-transcendence, and intrinsic motivation, aesthetics are a key source of flourishing for scientists in the disciplines of biology and physics. While future research needs to test the causal mechanism, the strength of the findings could encourage leaders of scientific labs and research organizations generally to remove obstacles to experiencing the aesthetic dimensions of science. Fostering cultures in which the aesthetic experiences that are intrinsic to scientific practice are fully appreciated might potentially protect or boost flourishing by reducing the impacts of burnout, job/publication pressure, and mistreatment-related experiences in science.
Intergenerational relationship quality, sense of loneliness, and attitude toward later life among aging Chinese adults in Hong Kong
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhou Shuai , Bai Xue
Published: August 2022

A positive attitude toward later life is crucial for wellbeing among older adults. Maintaining a healthy relationship with adult children can help reduce older parents’ sense of loneliness and nurture a positive life attitude. This study aimed to investigate the associations between multidimensional intergenerational relationship quality and attitudes toward later life among aging Chinese adults in Hong Kong and examine the mediating effects of a sense of loneliness. Representative survey data were collected from 801 participants (aged 50 years and over) with at least one adult child. Multiple linear regression was employed to investigate the associations between overall intergenerational relationship quality with a sense of loneliness as well as the attitude toward later life. To examine the mediating effects of a sense of loneliness, causal mediational analyses were performed. Results demonstrated that overall intergenerational relationship quality was positively associated with aging parents’ attitude toward later life, and this relationship could be partially mediated by a sense of loneliness. Among the four subdomains of intergenerational relationship quality, the influences of structural-associational solidarity and intergenerational conflict on attitude toward later life were almost fully mediated by a sense of loneliness, whereas the influences of consensual-normative solidarity and affectual closeness were partially mediated. These findings contributed to an improved understanding of the relationship between intergenerational relationship quality, sense of loneliness, and attitude toward later life, and could inform future policies and service programs that promote aging adults’ social integration and positive aging.
Adverse childhood experiences and behavioral problems in early adolescence: An empirical study of chinese children
Authors: Chen Yunfan
Published: August 2022

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between ACEs and behavioral problems of children in their early adolescence in Chinese society. Results from bivariate analyses of 2,910 Chinese children in early adolescence indicated that children begin to exhibit behavioral problems being related to the exposure of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Compared to those with 0 ACEs, children with 4 or more ACEs were 4.45 times (p < 0.001), 4.44 times (p < 0.001), 7.80 times (p < 0.001), 4.49 times (p < 0.001), and 6.63 times (p < 0.001) more likely to demonstrate hyperactivity, peer communication problems, pro-social problems, emotional problems and conduct problems, respectively. Rural children, children of mothers with low education, and boys were particularly likely to have been exposed to multiple categories of ACE. This study evidenced that there was a strong association between exposure to ACEs and behavioral problems in early adolescence in China.
Head rotation and illusory force sensation by lateral skin stretch on the face
Authors: Miyakami Masahiro , Takahashi Akifumi , Kajimoto Hiroyuki
Published: August 2022

Various methods for inducing an illusory force sensation to present a sense of force to users in energy-saving and space-saving systems have been proposed. One of them is the illusion of force sensation induced by cutaneous sensory stimulation. In this study, we hypothesized and empirically verified that lateral skin stretch alone on the face can induce an illusory force sensation in the direction of the stretch. We focused on the anterior temporal and cheekbone regions, in which the cushion part of the head-mounted display contacts the skin, and applied skin stretches of different intensities to these regions, envisioning a force presentation device built into the head-mounted display. Head rotations of approximately 40 and 50 degrees were generated by skin stretches in the anterior temporal and cheekbone regions, respectively, confirming the illusory force sensation in the direction of rotation. We confirmed a positive correlation between the head-turning angle and the amount of skin deformation. The intensity of the illusory force sensation can be controlled by changing the amount of lateral skin deformation; this may be applied to the development of a new force presentation head-mounted device.
Skeletal muscle metastasis from extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A case report and literature review
Authors: Qian Hongwei , Huang Zhikun , Sun Xuezheng , Ren Peitu
Published: August 2022

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a type of malignant tumor that arises from the epithelium of the bile ducts. According to anatomical location, CCA can be classified as intrahepatic (ICC), perihilar (PCC), or extrahepatic (ECC). CCA can invade and metastasize to other tissues in various ways, but distal skeletal muscle metastasis (SMM) is extremely rare. There are several reports on SMM from ICC or PCC, but SMM from ECC has not yet been reported.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old woman was diagnosed with ECC, for which she underwent pancreatoduodenectomy and partial hepatectomy. Nine months after surgery, she was re-admitted to the hospital complaining of a rapidly growing mass on her right thigh with progressive lower extremity edema. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right thigh showed two masses with iso-signal intensity on T1-weighted images and hyper-intensity on T2-weighted images compared with the surrounding muscles. Pathological examination of the fine-needle biopsy specimen revealed that it was similar to the previously detected ECC, and the diagnosis was metastasis of ECC. The patient was treated with opioid analgesics and died of systemic failure three months later.

Conclusion

SMM should be considered during the follow-up period despite its low incidence, and perineural invasion may be an essential pathway of distant metastasis in CCA.
A case report of primary colonic paraganglioma with lymph node metastasis
Authors: Zhu Xinyi , Huang Zhen , Dong Lin , Zhao Hong , Lu Haizhen
Published: August 2022

Background

Paraganglioma is a kind of neuroendocrine tumor that originates from paraganglia outside the adrenal gland. Gastrointestinal tract paraganglioma is very rare and only four cases of paraganglioma originating in the colon have been reported.

Case Presentation

We report a case of metastatic paraganglioma originating in the colon, in which the differential diagnosis was established by comprehensively considering clinical information, histology, immunohistochemistry, and findings of fluorescence in situ hybridization and next generation sequencing analyses. The patient has remained well for over 14 months after the treatment.

Conclusion

Since all paraganglioma have metastatic potential, we believe that radical surgical resection and regular follow-up are necessary. Genetic testing may be indicative of metastatic potential and prognosis. Because colonic paraganglioma is very rare, differential diagnosis is very important. Our report provides experience for the diagnosis and study of paraganglioma in rare sites.
Functional properties of equine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells cultured with equine platelet lysate
Authors: Hagen Alina , Niebert Sabine , Brandt Vivian-Pascal , Holland Heidrun , Melzer Michaela , Wehrend Axel , Burk Janina
Published: August 2022

Successful translation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapies into clinical reality relies on adequate cell production procedures. These should be available not only for human MSC, but also for MSC from animal species relevant to preclinical research and veterinary medicine. The cell culture medium supplementation is one of the critical aspects in MSC production. Therefore, we previously established a scalable protocol for the production of buffy-coat based equine platelet lysate (ePL). This ePL proved to be a suitable alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) for equine adipose-derived (AD-) MSC culture so far, as it supported AD-MSC proliferation and basic characteristics. The aim of the current study was to further analyze the functional properties of equine AD-MSC cultured with the same ePL, focusing on cell fitness, genetic stability and pro-angiogenic potency. All experiments were performed with AD-MSC from n = 5 horses, which were cultured either in medium supplemented with 10% FBS, 10% ePL or 2.5% ePL. AD-MSC cultured with 2.5% ePL, which previously showed decreased proliferation potential, displayed higher apoptosis but lower senescence levels as compared to 10% ePL medium (p < 0.05). Non-clonal chromosomal aberrations occurred in 8% of equine AD-MSC cultivated with FBS and only in 4.8% of equine AD-MSC cultivated with 10% ePL. Clonal aberrations in the AD-MSC were neither observed in FBS nor in 10% ePL medium. Analysis of AD-MSC and endothelial cells in an indirect co-culture revealed that the ePL supported the pro-angiogenic effects of AD-MSC. In the 10% ePL group, more vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) was released and highest VEGF-A concentrations were reached in the presence of ePL and co-cultured cells (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, AD-MSC expressed the VEGF receptor-2 at higher levels in the presence of ePL (p < 0.05). Finally, AD-MSC and 10% ePL together promoted the growth of endothelial cells and induced the formation of vessel-like structures in two of the samples. These data further substantiate that buffy-coat-based ePL is a valuable supplement for equine AD-MSC culture media. The ePL does not only support stable equine AD-MSC characteristics as demonstrated before, but it also enhances their functional properties.
Network analysis of live pig movements in North Macedonia: Pathways for disease spread
Authors: O'Hara Kathleen C. , Beltrán-Alcrudo Daniel , Hovari Mark , Tabakovski Blagojcho , Martínez-López Beatriz
Published: August 2022

Globalization of trade, and the interconnectivity of animal production systems, continues to challenge efforts to control disease. A better understanding of trade networks supports development of more effective strategies for mitigation for transboundary diseases like African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF), and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). North Macedonia, bordered to the north and east by countries with ongoing ASF outbreaks, recently reported its first incursion of ASF. This study aimed to describe the distribution of pigs and pig farms in North Macedonia, and to characterize the live pig movement network. Network analyses on movement data from 2017 to 2019 were performed for each year separately, and consistently described weakly connected components with a few primary hubs that most nodes shipped to. In 2019, the network demonstrated a marked decrease in betweenness and increase in communities. Most shipments occurred within 50 km, with movements <6 km being the most common (22.5%). Nodes with the highest indegree and outdegree were consistent across years, despite a large turnover among smallholder farms. Movements to slaughterhouses predominated (85.6%), with movements between farms (5.4%) and movements to market (5.8%) playing a lesser role. This description of North Macedonia's live pig movement network should enable implementation of more efficient and cost-effective mitigation efforts strategies in country, and inform targeted educational outreach, and provide data for future disease modeling, in the region.
Employee Mental Health During COVID-19 Adaptation: Observations of Occupational Safety and Health/Human Resource Professionals in Ireland
Authors: Chen Yanbing , Ingram Carolyn , Downey Vicky , Roe Mark , Drummond Anne , Sripaiboonkij Penpatra , Buckley Claire , Alvarez Elizabeth , Perrotta Carla , Buggy Conor
Published: August 2022

Objectives: This study aims to understand mental health issues among Irish employees arising from COVID-19 adaptation from the perspective of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and/or Human Resource (HR) professionals.

Methods: Fifteen focus groups including 60 OSH/HR professionals from various sectors were conducted covering four predetermined themes. The data were transcribed verbatim, with transcripts entered into Nvivo for thematic analysis incorporating intercoder reliability testing.

Results: The mental health impacts among employees are identified from three stages: pre-adaptation, during adaptation, and post-adaptation. Most issues were reported during the second stage when working conditions dramatically changed to follow emerging COVID-19 policies. The identified mental health support from participating organizations included providing timely and reliable information, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), informal communication channels, hybrid work schedules and reinforcement of control measures.

Conclusion: This study explores the challenges facing employees during the different stages of COVID-19 adaptation and the associated mental health impacts. Gender’s influence on mental health consultations should be considered when planning for public health emergencies, and further research conducted in male dominated industries.