bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond pain privacy and pain meters: a new vision for pain biomarkers
Authors: Djordjevic Charles , Saab Carl Y.
Published: October 2024

To an individual, pain is unambiguously real. To a caregiver, assessing pain in others is a challenging process shrouded in doubt. To explain this challenge, many assume that pain “belongs” exclusively to the bearer of that experience and accept the dogma that pain is private. However, privacy also entails that it is not possible to identify, share, or communicate that experience with others. Obviously, this is not true and the consequences of pain privacy would be devastating for healthcare. Pain is indeed unique and subjective, but not necessarily private. Pain is in fact readily communicable, though perhaps not as effectively and reliably as caregivers would like. On the other hand, healthcare systems mandate objective metrics in pain diagnosis. Smiley face caricatures are a staple of clinical practice and a universal standard for reporting pain levels. These conditions create a double paradox: Assess a private experience that is inaccessible, and use numerical scales to measure subjective attributes. Navigating this stressful environment, medical professionals experience intellectual dissonance, patients are frustrated, and value-based care is undermined. Offering a way out, first, we refute the privacy and objectification of pain citing philosophical, behavioral, and neuroscientific arguments. We discuss Wittgensteinian views against privacy, explore the clear evolutionary advantage of communicating pain to others, and identify neural circuits in the mammalian brain that contribute to empathy. Second, we highlight the subjectivity of pain, embracing the complexity and uniqueness of an individual's pain. We also provide compelling evidence for brain mechanisms that actively shape the pain experience according to predictive coding principles. Third, we offer a vision for the development of biomarker technologies that assess pain fairly without engendering bias against the patient's narrative. Our recommendations are based on the overwhelming appreciation that “medicine by emoji” is inadequate for capturing the multidimensional nature of pain. Our view is that the most promising candidates for pain biomarkers consist of self-reports as ground truth augmented by physiological signatures of biological relevance to pain. Integration of subjective and objective multimodal features will be key for the development of comprehensive pain assessment models.
A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing noradrenaline and adrenaline as a first-line vasopressor for fluid-refractory septic shock in neonates
Authors: Garegrat Reema , Patnaik Suprabha , Suryawanshi Sonali , Chetan Chinmay , Banait Nishant , Singh Pari , Kallimath Aditya , Soni Naharmal B. , Singh Yogen , Suryawanshi Pradeep
Published: October 2024

Background and study design

Limited data exists on noradrenaline therapy in neonatal septic shock. We compared the efficacy of noradrenaline with adrenaline in neonatal septic shock. This single center, open label, pilot randomized controlled trial included neonates with clinical evidence of sepsis and shock.

Study outcomes

Primary outcomes were: 1) resolution of shock one hour after treatment, and 2) mortality during hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included: need for additional vasopressors; hemodynamic stability without further administration of vasopressors for ≥2 h; changes in blood pressure and heart rate after 1 h of vasopressor treatment; and morbidities during the hospital stay.

Results

Of 65 eligible neonates, 42 were randomized (21 each in adrenaline and noradrenaline treatment arms) between August 2020 and January 2022, at level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College and Hospital (BVDUMCH). The mean (SD) gestational age and mean (SD) birth weight were 36.1(4.2) weeks and 1.8 (0.2) kilograms birth weight for noradrenaline and 36.9 (4.1) weeks and 1.7 (0.7) kilograms for adrenaline. Shock resolved within 1 h of vasopressor therapy in 76.2% neonates in the noradrenaline arm and 61.9% in adrenaline arm (p value-0.53). Mortality during hospital stay was 28.6% (6/21) in noradrenaline group and 33.3% (7/21) in adrenaline group (p value- 0.58). Additional vasopressors were required in 23.8% neonates of the noradrenaline group compared to 38.1% neonates in adrenaline arm (p value-0.53). Median (SD) duration of intensive care stay was 6 (SD) days in the noradrenaline group and 10 (SD) days in the adrenaline group (p value-0.045).

Conclusion

Among neonates with septic shock, the efficacy of noradrenaline was comparable to adrenaline in resolving septic shock after one hour of infusion and on the mortality during hospital stay.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?EncHid=NDI2NTc=&Enc=&userName=noradrenaline, Clinical Trials Registry – India with identifier CTRI/2020/08/027185 (17/08/2020).
Salvia miltiorrhiza in osteoporosis: a review of its phytochemistry, traditional clinical uses and preclinical studies (2014–2024)
Authors: Wang Lili , Wang Shan , Dai Xuan , Yue Gaiyue , Yin Jiyuan , Xu Tianshu , Shi Hanfen , Liu Tianyuan , Jia Zhanhong , Brömme Dieter , Zhang Shuofeng , Zhang Dongwei
Published: October 2024

Osteoporosis becomes a global public health concern due to its rising prevalence and substantial impact on life quality. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, SM) has been firstly recorded in Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, and is frequently prescribed in conjunction with other herbs for the management of osteoporosis. This systematic review aims to comprehensively analyze the recent advances of SM on osteoporosis in traditional Chinese clinical uses and preclinical investigations. Literature encompassing pertinent studies were systematically retrieved across multiple databases, including the PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese VIP Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Original investigations spanning from February 2014 to March 2024, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical trials and preclinical studies, were employed to analyze the effects and actions of SM on osteoporosis. Thirty-eight TCM clinical trials were identified to employ SM in combination with other herbs for the management of primary and secondary osteoporosis. The overall efficacy was between 77% and 96.67%. Forty preclinical studies were identified to investigate the effects and actions of SM and/or its ingredients on osteoporosis. The anti-osteoporosis actions of this herb may be attributed to inhibit osteoclastogenesis/bone resorption and promote osteoblastogenesis/osteogenesis. The ethanol extracts and its ingredients (tanshinones) inhibit osteoclastogenesis/bone resorption by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB/NFATc1 signaling pathway and cathepsin K-induced collagen degradation. Both ethanol extracts (tanshinones) and water extracts (Sal B and tanshinol) contribute to osteoblastogenesis by promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin/VEGF and ERK/TAZ pathways, and eliminating ROS production targeting Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 pathway. In conclusions, SM may offer a novel strategy for osteoporosis management. Well-designed clinical trials are still needed to evaluate the actions of this herb and its ingredients on bone remodeling.
A mathematical model for simulation of cardiovascular, renal, and hormonal responses to burn injury and resuscitation
Authors: ArabiDarrehDor Ghazal , Kramer George C. , Burmeister David M. , Salinas Jose , Hahn Jin-Oh
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Treating extensive burn injury requires an individually tailored resuscitation protocol that includes hourly-titrated intravenous fluid infusion to avert both hypovolemic shock and edema. Due to the complexity of burn pathophysiology and significant variability in treatment protocols, there is an ongoing effort to optimize burn resuscitation. The goal of this work is to contribute to this effort by developing a mathematical model of burn pathophysiology and resuscitation for in silico testing of burn resuscitation protocols and decision-support systems.

Methods

In our previous work, we developed and validated a mathematical model consisting of volume kinetics, burn-induced perturbations, and kidney function. In this work, we expanded our previous mathematical model to incorporate novel mathematical models of cardiovascular system and hormonal system (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system and antidiuretic hormone) which affect blood volume and pressure regulation. We also developed a detailed mathematical model of kidney function to regulate blood volume, pressure, and sodium levels, including components for glomerular filtration rate, reabsorption rates in nephron tubules, Tubuglomerular feedback, and myogenic mechanisms. We trained and validated the expanded mathematical model using experimental data from 15 pigs and 9 sheep with extensive burns to quantitatively evaluate its prediction accuracy for hematocrit, cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, serum sodium levels, and urinary output. We then trained and tested the mathematical model using a clinical dataset of 233 human burn patients with demographic data and urinary output measurements.

Results

The mathematical model could predict all tested variables very well, while internal variables and estimated parameters were consistent with the literature.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first mathematical model of burn injury and resuscitation which is extensively validated to replicate actual burn patients. Hence, this in silico platform may complement large animal pre-clinical testing of burn resuscitation protocols. Beyond its primary purpose, the mathematical model can be used as a training tool for healthcare providers delivering insight into the pathophysiology of burn shock, and offering novel mathematical models of human physiology which can be independently used for other purposes and contexts.
Low molecular weight carbohydrates and abiotic stress tolerance in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus): a review
Authors: Dempsey Mark , Thavarajah Dil
Published: October 2024

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is a nutrient-rich, cool-season food legume that is high in protein, prebiotic carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. It is a staple food in many parts of the world, but crop performance is threatened by climate change, where increased temperatures and less predictable precipitation can reduce yield and nutritional quality. One mechanism that many plant species use to mitigate heat and drought stress is the production of disaccharides, oligosaccharides and sugar alcohols, collectively referred to as low molecular weight carbohydrates (LMWCs). Recent evidence indicates that lentil may also employ this mechanism – especially raffinose family oligosaccharides and sugar alcohols – and that these may be suitable targets for genomic-assisted breeding to improve crop tolerance to heat and drought stress. While the genes responsible for LMWC biosynthesis in lentil have not been fully elucidated, single nucleotide polymorphisms and putative genes underlying biosynthesis of LMWCs have been identified. Yet, more work is needed to confirm gene identity, function, and response to abiotic stress. This review i) summarizes the diverse evidence for how LMWCs are utilized to improve abiotic stress tolerance, ii) highlights current knowledge of genes that control LMWC biosynthesis in lentil, and iii) explores how LMWCs can be targeted using diverse genomic resources and markers to accelerate lentil breeding efforts for improved stress tolerance.
Aesthetic experiences and their transformative power: a systematic review
Authors: Pizzolante Marta , Pelowski Matthew , Demmer Theresa Rahel , Bartolotta Sabrina , Sarcinella Eleonora Diletta , Gaggioli Andrea , Chirico Alice
Published: October 2024

Background

Transformative experiences (TEs) have been conceptualized in many ways, contexts, magnitudes, and durations, but at their heart, they entail some manner of adjustment, which contributes to changing individuals’ worldviews, actions, views of others and/or their own feelings, personality, and identity. Among the many elicitors identified as being able to foster TEs, an emerging body of literature has suggested that TEs might be prevalent in aesthetics or emerged from encounters with human art. Beyond denoting ordinary moments characterizing our daily lives, art and aesthetics could occasionally represent profound changes, causing shifts in our perceptions, beliefs and understanding of the world. However, in the realm of psychological inquiry, the extent to which art and aesthetics can be considered potential catalysts for transformation remains a topic of debate. Furthermore, a comprehensive identification of the key psychological components that contribute to the process of transformation before, during, and after aesthetic engagement is still missing.

Aims

This systematic review endeavors to address these gaps by synthesizing literature on aesthetic transformative experiences either from the field of psychology or explicitly delving into the psychological impact of transformative experiences within the realm of art and aesthetics. It encompasses both theoretical and empirical papers to determine key aspects and psychological components that characterize TEs.

Methods

Two major electronic databases were systematically searched. The review was conducted in accordance with Liberati et al. (2009) and PRISMA guidelines. All stages of the review were conducted independently by three researchers, and the protocol was published on PROSPERO (Registration no.: CRD42022298655).

Results

Although 39.440 studies were identified, only 23 peer-reviewed articles were included in this review, as most studies did not explicitly delve into the long-lasting psychological impact of art and aesthetics.

Discussion

The results confirm the potential of art and aesthetics as elicitors of transformation regardless of the type of artwork and the usage context. Moreover, it also identifies some psychological components necessary for transformation in the realm of art and aesthetics, including facilitating conditions/pre-expectations, cognitive discrepancy, epiphany and insight, and several after-effects on the recipient.

Conclusion

The review aids in refining and enriching the concept of transformative experience, paving the way for further research and applications in various fields, including not only psychology but also education and therapeutic interventions.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022298655.
Drowning in emails: investigating email classes and work stressors as antecedents of high email load and implications for well-being
Authors: Kern Marcel , Ohly Sandra , Ďuranová Lenka , Friedrichs Juliane
Published: October 2024

Introduction

High email load has been associated with impaired well-being because emails impose specific demands, disturb the workflow, and thereby overtax individuals’ action regulation toward prioritized goals. However, the causes and well-being-related consequences of email load are not yet well understood, as previous studies have neglected the interaction type and function of emails as well as co-occurring stressors as antecedents of high email load and have relied predominantly on cross-sectional designs.

Methods

In two studies, we aimed to clarify the nature of email load through the lens of action regulation theory. The first study, a two-wave investigation with a fortnightly interval, examined the lagged relationships among email load, work stressors, strain, and affective well-being. The sample included 444 individuals across various occupations and organizations, with 196 of them working from home or remotely at least part of the time. In the second cross-sectional study, we surveyed 257 individuals using a convenience sampling approach, 108 of whom worked from home or remotely at least partially. This study focused on evaluating how different email classes—distinguished by email interaction type (received vs. processed) and email function (communication vs. task)—serve as predictors of high email load.

Results

In Study 1, we found a positive lagged effect of high email load on strain, even when controlling for the co-occurring stressors time pressure and work interruptions. In addition, lagged effects of email load on time pressure and interruptions were identified, while no evidence was found for the reverse direction. The results of Study 2 suggest that only the number of communication-related emails received, but not the number of task-related emails received, or the number of all emails processed contribute to high email load.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that email load can be considered a unique stressor and that different classes of email need to be distinguished to understand its nature. Clarifying the sources of email load can help develop effective strategies to address it.
Maternal Gatekeeping Scale for infancy period (0–24 months) adaptation into Turkish: Mother and Father Form
Authors: Ergin Fatma Elif , Demirbaş Müberra
Published: October 2024

This research aimed to adapt the Maternal Gatekeeping Scale into Turkish for use with infants and to evaluate its validity and reliability with parents. The study employed a descriptive survey model, a quantitative research approach. Participants were selected using criterion sampling, a purposeful sampling technique. The study sample included 305 mothers and 209 fathers with infants aged 0–24 months, who are married, living together, and agreed to participate. The data in the study were collected with the “Demographic Information Form” and “Maternal Gatekeeping Scale” created by the researcher. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed for the construct validity of the Maternal Gatekeeping Scale- Mother Form and Maternal Gatekeeping Scale- Father Form. The internal consistency reliability coefficient of the Maternal Gatekeeping Scale-Mother Form was 0.76; the control sub-dimension was 0.75, the encouragement sub-dimension was 0.81, and the obstacle sub-dimension was 0.76. The internal consistency reliability coefficient of the Maternal Gatekeeping Scale-Father Form was 0.87; the control sub-dimension was 0.83, the encouragement sub-dimension was 0.87, and the obstacle sub-dimension was 0.87. In order to calculate item discriminations, 27% lower-upper groups were formed and independent sample t-test was applied to these groups. Item-total correlation values were calculated to determine the relationship between each item in the scale and other items. The findings of this study demonstrate that both the Mother and Father Forms of the Maternal Gatekeeping Scale are valid and reliable tools for assessing maternal gatekeeping among parents with infants in Türkiye. The adaptation of this scale represents a significant advancement in the field of maternal gatekeeping during infancy. It is anticipated that this adapted scale will serve as a foundational resource for future research, facilitating the exploration of determinants and consequences associated with maternal gatekeeping in infancy.
Moderating effects of general self-efficacy on courtesy stigma and anxiety and depressive symptoms of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Tong Jiao , Chen Xu , Wang Bin , Wang Tao , Wang Xue , Ma Shan , Shi Dongdong , Wang Xin , Yan Dongmei
Published: October 2024

Background

Stigma, anxiety and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may have a detrimental impact on the rehabilitation and treatment of children with ASD, ultimately leading to more behavioral issues and higher rates of disability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the association between general self-efficacy, courtesy stigma, and anxiety and depressive symptoms, and to further discuss whether general self-efficacy moderated the association between courtesy stigma and anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD.

Methods

A total of 409 parents of children with ASD from Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, Eastern China participated in a cross-sectional survey. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic characteristics, courtesy stigma, general self-efficacy, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to assess the associations of courtesy stigma, general self-efficacy and courtesy stigma × general self-efficacy interaction with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Simple slope analysis was used to visualize the interaction.

Results

The courtesy stigma of parents of children with ASD was positively correlated with anxiety (B = 0.374, P < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (B = 0.366, P < 0.001). General self-efficacy was negatively correlated with anxiety (B = -0.200, P < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (B = -0.210, P < 0.001). The association between courtesy stigma and anxiety symptoms was different in the high (1 standard deviation (SD) above the mean, b = 0.258, standard error (SE) = 0.056, t = 4.567, P < 0.001) and low (1 SD below the mean, b = 0.470, SE = 0.053, t = 8.870, P < 0.001) groups of general self-efficacy. In addition, the association between courtesy stigma and depressive symptoms was also different in the high (1 SD above the mean, b = 0.241, SE = 0.056, t = 4.268, P < 0.001) and low (1 SD below the mean, b = 0.469, SE = 0.053, t = 8.844, P < 0.001) groups of general self-efficacy.

Conclusions

General self-efficacy could moderate the impact of courtesy stigma on anxiety and depressive symptoms. Therefore, among parents of children with ASD who experienced high courtesy stigma, enhancing general self-efficacy could be an effective strategy to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in this population.
Efficacy of bifidobacterium-related preparations on depression: the first meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Ruihan , Liu Yongsheng
Published: October 2024

Currently, depression-induced suicide has emerged as the primary contributor to the worldwide burden of disability. However, the prevailing drug treatment not only suffers from delayed effectiveness and limited efficacy, but also there are withdrawal symptoms and rebound phenomenon. Consequently, there is an imperative to investigate safer and more efficient treatments to ameliorate the clinical manifestations of depression. At present, there is increased evidence that probiotics can improve the symptoms of depression, but the existing studies use many and mixed types of probiotics, and it is impossible to determine the specific efficacy of bifidobacteria in the treatment of depression. This review will systematically review the effects of bifidobacteria on the treatment effect of depression, Meta-analysis showed that Bifidobacterium-related preparations effectively improved depressive symptoms in patients with depression. This study represents the initial meta-analysis conducted on the use of bifidobacteria-related agents for treating depression. The objective was to determine the effect of bifidobacteria-related preparations on improving depressive symptoms. We found that Bifidobacterium and its related agents can effectively reduce depression scale scores in patients with depression, suggesting the need for further research into this potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of depression.
Relationship between eating attitudes, depression, and insight in schizophrenic patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus: a comparative study in Guangdong, China
Authors: Zhou Wenqing , Cao Weiye , Wang Wen , Zeng Gang , Liang Rongyu , Liu Cuixia , Chen Xiaodong , Lin Weicheng , Shi Xiaolei , Zhou Huarong , Gao Yun , Chen Wanhua , Xiao Lingxian
Published: October 2024

Background

Schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder, is often complicated by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), which can further impact patients’ psychological health. This study investigated the differences in eating attitudes, depression, and insight between schizophrenic patients with and without comorbid T2DM and explored the correlations among these factors to provide empirical support for clinical interventions.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted in Guangdong Province, China. From December 2022 to May 2023, a total of 300 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia (92 with comorbid T2DM and 208 without T2DM) were recruited. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire (ITAQ). Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression, were performed to examine differences and predictive factors of eating attitudes among patients. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (approval number: 2020028), and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Results

Patients with schizophrenia and comorbid T2DM exhibited significantly higher risks of eating disorders (EAT-26: 12.54 ± 9.77 vs. 9.07 ± 7.90, P=0.003), more severe depression (HAMD: 14.71 ± 7.36 vs. 11.80 ± 6.04, P=0.001), and poorer insight (ITAQ: 10.46 ± 6.01 vs. 12.16 ± 6.09, P=0.025) compared to those without T2DM. Regression analysis revealed that gender, weekly exercise frequency, depression, and insight were significant predictors of eating attitudes among patients with T2DM. For patients without T2DM, weekly exercise frequency, smoking status, and insight were significant predictors.

Conclusion

Schizophrenic patients with comorbid T2DM are facing increasing risks related to eating attitudes, depression, and insight which highlight the need for targeted interventions. Regular psychological assessment and tailored support strategies might improve their mental health and quality of life. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to clarify causal relationships and develop more effective interventions.
The role of interferon signaling in neurodegeneration and neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Sirkis Daniel W. , Oddi Alexis P. , Jonson Caroline , Bonham Luke W. , Hoang Phuong T. , Yokoyama Jennifer S.
Published: October 2024

Recent advances in transcriptomics research have uncovered heightened interferon (IFN) responses in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, primary tauopathy, Parkinson’s disease, TDP-43 proteinopathy, and related mouse models. Augmented IFN signaling is now relatively well established for microglia in these contexts, but emerging work has highlighted a novel role for IFN-responsive T cells in the brain and peripheral blood in some types of neurodegeneration. These findings complement a body of literature implicating dysregulated IFN signaling in neuropsychiatric disorders including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. In this review, we will characterize and integrate advances in our understanding of IFN responses in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease, discuss how sex and ancestry modulate the IFN response, and examine potential mechanistic explanations for the upregulation of antiviral-like IFN signaling pathways in these seemingly non-viral neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Impact of urban–rural resident basic medical insurance on consumption quality of middle-aged and older adult residents: evidence from rural China
Authors: Zhou Yajie , Ping Junyu
Published: October 2024

In the context of the Chinese government’s advocacy for “Internal Circulation”, ongoing reforms in medical insurance policies raise critical questions about whether the basic medical insurance system can stimulate resident consumption and enhance its quality. Based on five waves of panel data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS), this paper analyzes the impact of medical insurance on the consumption scale and structure of middle-aged and older adult rural residents by using the time-varying difference-in-differences (time-varying DID) method. The findings indicate that the Urban–Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URRBMI) effectively stimulates the consumption scale of rural middle-aged and older adult individuals, particularly enhancing non-food consumption, development-oriented spending, and hedonic consumption. This, in turn, optimizes the consumption structure and improves overall consumption quality. Notably, URRBMI significantly enhances the consumption scale and structure among rural middle-aged and older adult women, unmarried individuals, and residents in western China. These results suggest that URRBMI plays a crucial role in alleviating consumption inequality within rural areas and across different regions, providing a theoretical foundation for policy-making.
Exploring the association between multidimensional social isolation and heterogeneous cognitive trajectories among older adults: evidence from China
Authors: Xie Xinlong , Lyu Yanxia , Wu Fanfan , Zong Anpeng , Zhuang Zhiruo , Xu Aijun
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aims to elucidate the heterogeneous cognitive trajectories among older adults in China through a comprehensive, nationally representative longitudinal study. Furthermore, it seeks to investigate the impact of multidimensional social isolation on heterogeneous cognitive trajectories among older adults in China.

Methods

Utilizing data from three successive waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) spanning 2016 to 2020, this investigation quantified baseline social isolation across three dimensions—family isolation, friend isolation, and subjective isolation—alongside cognitive function scores of older adults, measured across all three waves. Through latent class growth models, heterogeneous cognitive trajectories were delineated. The influence of family isolation, friend isolation, and subjective isolation on these cognitive trajectories was examined employing multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

The study included 6,378 participants aged 60 and above, revealing three primary cognitive trajectories: High baseline stable group (68.8%), High baseline but declining group (21.7%), and Low baseline deteriorating group (9.5%). Adjusting for variables such as personal physical characteristics, social networks, living and working conditions, and the surrounding policy environment, the findings indicated that family isolation did not significantly affect cognitive function’s high-level decline or low-level deterioration. Conversely, friend isolation markedly increased the risk of high-level cognitive decline (OR = 1.289) and low-level cognitive deterioration (OR = 1.592). Similarly, subjective isolation significantly heightened the risk for both high-level decline (OR = 1.254) and low-level deterioration (OR = 1.29) in cognitive function.

Conclusion

Mitigating friend and subjective isolation among older adults appears to be a more effective strategy in preventing or delaying cognitive decline, potentially reducing the strain on healthcare and social welfare systems.
The impact of mind–body exercise on the quality of life in older adults: the chain mediation effect of perceived social support and psychological resilience
Authors: Yang Qingqing , Zhang Yinkai , Li Shiying
Published: October 2024

Background

With the intensification of the global aging trend, there is a contradiction between the extended lifespan and the decline of physiological functions among the older adult. It has become a global consensus to focus on and improve the quality of life for the older adult. Mind–body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) play a crucial role in promoting the quality of life for older adults, but the mechanisms and mediating effects are not yet clear.

Objective

This study examines the impact of mind–body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) on the quality of life in older adults, with a particular focus on exploring the chain mediating effects of perceived social support and psychological resilience.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional study that surveyed 1,087 older adults participating in mind–body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) in 13 districts of Beijing, China, from March 25 to May 3, 2024. The Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used to measure mind–body exercise, perceived social support, psychological resilience, and quality of life, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0, and mediation effects were tested and effect analysis was conducted through structural equation modeling (AMOS) and the Bootstrap method.

Results

The study results show that mind–body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) are significantly and positively correlated with the quality of life in older adults (r = 0.549, p < 0.01). The path coefficients for the relationships mind–body exercise → perceived social support (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) → psychological resilience (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) → quality of life in older adults (β = 0.39, p < 0.001) are significant, indicating that perceived social support and psychological resilience have a chain mediating effect between mind–body exercise and the quality of life in older adults.

Conclusion

Mind–body exercises not only improve the quality of life for older adults but also indirectly enhance it by strengthening perceived social support and psychological resilience. This study provides significant reference for developing health intervention strategies targeted at older adults, suggesting that promoting mind–body exercises can improve their sense of perceived social support and psychological resilience, thereby increasing their quality of life.
Land Access Modes and Agricultural Productivity in Benin
Authors: Akpo Christelle Yèba , Pocol Cristina Bianca , Moldovan Maria-Georgeta , Houensou Denis Acclassato
Published: October 2024

Improving productivity is an important channel for satisfying household food needs through food availability. Increasing the productivity of small-scale farmers is linked to a number of factors, including land access, labor, chemicals, fertilizers and so on. Most farmers resort to expanding their cultivated areas to increase production because of insufficient financial resources available for purchasing inputs during agricultural seasons. This situation, combined with increasing pressure on land, does not favor agricultural production and, by extension, food security. This study therefore assesses the impact of different modes of access to land on agricultural productivity. Regime-switching multinomial regression techniques were used to account for endogeneity bias due to observed and unobserved factors. The results of the study show that access through free loans, tenancy and sharecropping negatively affect agricultural yields. The counterfactual analysis reveals a positive gain estimated at 509.9 kg/ha from land access by landowners. If the lenders were landowners, their gain would be 396.6 kg/ha, whereas the farmers would gain 485.1 kg/ha if they were landowners, and similarly the sharecroppers would gain 389.8 kg/ha if they were landowners. It is clear from these results that improving agricultural yields depends on securing land and requires the establishment of an effective land ownership system. This research impacts land ownership policies, which need to be revised to address customary rights and reduce inequalities in access to secure land. It highlights the way land tenure security drives agricultural advancements and offers actionable recommendations for policy improvements on food security.
Grain Yield, Rice Seedlings and Transplanting Quantity in Response to Decreased Sowing Rate under Precision Drill Sowing
Authors: Dong Liqiang , Yang Tiexin , Li Rui , Ma Liang , Feng Yingying , Li Yuedong
Published: October 2024

Mechanical transplanting has become an important part of modern Chinese rice production, and an inadequate sowing rate severely inhibits rice seedling growth and development. Precision drill sowing is an effective method for obtaining higher quality seedlings during machine transplanting. There is a lack of systematic research on the precision drilling of rice. Therefore, we carried out research on the quality of machine-transplanted seedlings and precision drill sowing transplantation. A greenhouse experiment (Liaoning Rice Research Institute) and field experiment (Sujiatun District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China) were conducted between 2020 and 2021 to analyze the influence of precision drill sowing on rice growth and yield. Precision drill sowing was conducted at four sowing rates (3400, 3600, 3800, and 4000 seeds/tray), and traditional broadcasting was also conducted at a sowing rate of 4000 seeds/tray. We evaluated the seedling rice quality, physiological and biochemical characteristics and transplanting quantity. The results indicated that precision drill sowing at a sowing rate of 3400 seeds/tray resulted in the highest plumpness value (0.18) and seedling strength index (0.42) of individual plants. However, the empty hill rate was as high as 3.05%, which did not satisfy the field seedling number requirement. Precision drill sowing at a sowing rate of 4000 seeds/tray resulted in the lowest physiological (the average levels of SOD, POD and soluble protein were 311.78 µg/g, 8.25 µg/g and 1.28 µg/g) and biochemical indices of individual plants. The damaged seedling rate increased by 2.07%, and the dead seedling rate increased by 0.25%, resulting in poor seedling and transplanting quality. In this study, 3800 seeds/tray was the best option and had the highest yields of 10,776.60 kg/ha and 10,730.85 kg/ha over the two years. This sowing approach performs well in terms of field transplanting, provides a balance point between seedling number and quality and is conducive to rice yield production. The results of this study are important for improving rice seedling quality, enhancing field transplanting quantity and increasing rice yield and food security.
Overexpression of GmXTH1 Enhances Salt Stress Tolerance in Soybean
Authors: Song Yang , Wang Kun , Yao Dan , Zhang Qi , Yuan Boran , Wang Piwu
Published: October 2024

Soybean is an important grain, oil and feed crop, which plays an important role in ensuring national food security. However, soil salinization hinders and destroys the normal physiological metabolism of soybean, resulting in the abnormal growth or death of soybean. The XTH gene can modify the plant cell wall and participate in the response and adaptation of plants to negative stress. To elucidate the role of the overexpressed GmXTH1 gene under NaCl-induced stress in soybean, we determined the germination rate, the germination potential, the germination index, seedling SOD activity, POD activity, the MDA content and the MDA content during the germination stage of the overexpressed lines of the GmXTH1 gene, the OEAs (OEA1, OEA2 and OEA3), the interference expression line IEA2, the control mutant M18, the CAT content and the chlorophyll content. The relative expression of the GmXTH1 gene in the material OEA1 and the contents of Na+ and K+ in the roots after stress were also determined. The results showed that OEAs exhibited enhanced germination indices, including the germination rate and germination potential, and were less sensitive to stress compared with the mutant M18. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of NaCl was more pronounced in the line with a disturbed expression of GmXTH1 (IEA2). The OEAs exhibited more enzyme activities and a lower MDA content, indicating reduced oxidative stress, and maintained higher chlorophyll levels, suggesting improved photosynthetic capacity. Relative expression analysis showed that the GmXTH1 gene was rapidly up-regulated in response to NaCl, peaking at 4 h after treatment, and subsequently declining. This temporal expression pattern correlated with the enhanced salt tolerance observed in OEA1. Notably, OEA1 accumulated more Na+ and maintained higher K+ levels, indicating effective ionic homeostasis under stress. Collectively, these results suggest that the overexpression of the GmXTH1 gene may positively regulate plant responses to salt stress by modulating the antioxidant defense and ion transport mechanisms.
Potential of the Colombian Coffee Collection as a Source of Genetic Resistance to Colletotrichum kahawae JM Waller and PD Bridge
Authors: Quiroga-Cardona Julio , Várzea Vitor Manuel Pinto , Montoya-Restrepo Esther Cecilia , Gaitán-Bustamante Álvaro León , Flórez-Ramos Claudia Patricia
Published: October 2024

Coffee berry disease (CBD) is not present in the Americas and presents a potential risk for growing coffee. Therefore, Colombia, which has been in scientific cooperation with the Centro de Investigação de Ferrugens do Cafeeiro (CIFC) of Portugal for more than 30 years, has been evaluating the genetic resistance of nine populations of C. arabica to 13 isolates of Colletotrichum kahawae JM Waller and PD Bridge, which are diverse in terms of aggressiveness and geographical origin. The phenotypes observed in the interaction between C. arabica and C. kahawae were used to develop a statistically reliable scale (p-value ≥ 0.001) to categorize resistance in C. arabica into five classes, and this scale was used to classify the nine populations of C. arabica evaluated. The results allowed us to corroborate the potential of Timor Hybrid CIFC 1343 (TH CIFC 1343) as a source of genetic resistance to CBD and to identify new genetic sources not yet explored for the development of varieties in Colombia that may eventually mitigate the effects of CBD in the face of increasing rainfall events and minimum temperatures due to climate change, which can favor disease development. Additionally, the results suggest that the existence of races in the C. arabica–C. kahawae complex is probable, and a selection of genotypes was identified as a possible differential series of races in C. kahawae.
The Influence of Electrostatic Spraying with Waist-Shaped Charging Devices on the Distribution of Long-Range Air-Assisted Spray in Greenhouses
Authors: Lin Jinlong , Cai Jinping , Ouyang Jingyi , Xiao Liping , Qiu Baijing
Published: October 2024

Electrostatic spraying is considered an effective means to improve the efficacy of pesticide application and reduce pesticide consumption. However, the effectiveness of electrostatic spraying needs further validation in greenhouse environments, especially in long-range air-assisted spraying scenarios. A waist-shaped charging device has been improved to obtain a maximum charge-to-mass ratio of 4.4 mC/kg at an applied voltage of 6 kV in a laboratory setting, representing an increase of approximately 84.9% compared to a commercial circular charging electrode with a fan-shaped nozzle. A comparative air-assisted spray test between electrostatic deactivation (EDAS) and electrostatic activation (EAAS) was conducted on greenhouse tomato crops using a single hanging track autonomous sprayer equipped with a pair of waist-shaped charging devices. The results showed that EAAS yielded an overall average coverage of 28.4%, representing a significant 10.9% improvement over the 25.6% coverage achieved with EDAS. The overall coefficient of variation (CV) for EDAS and EAAS was 62.0% and 48.0%, respectively. Within these, the CV for the average coverage of the sample set reflecting axial distribution uniformity was 33.4% and 31.4%, respectively. Conversely, the CV for the average coverage of the sample group reflecting radial distribution uniformity was 33.7% and 17.9%, respectively. The results indicate that the waist-shaped charging device possesses remarkable charging capabilities, presenting favorable application prospects for long-range air-assisted spraying in greenhouses. The electrostatic application has a positive effect on enhancing the average coverage and improving the overall distribution uniformity. Notably, it significantly improves the radial distribution uniformity of the air-assisted spray at long range, albeit with limited improvement in the axial distribution uniformity.
Optimization of an N2O Emission Flux Model Based on a Variable-Step Drosophila Algorithm
Authors: Dong Lixia , Mu Shujia , Li Guang
Published: October 2024

The application of intelligent process-based crop model parameter optimization algorithms can effectively improve both the model simulation accuracy and applicability. Based on measured values of soil N2O emission flux in wheat fields from 2020 to 2022, and meteorological data from 1971 to 2022, five parameters of the N2O emission flux module in the APSIM model were optimized using the variable step Fruit Fly algorithm (VSS-FOA). The optimized parameters were the soil nitrification potential, the range of concentrated KNH4 of ammonia and nitrogen at semi-maximum utilization efficiency, the proportion of nitrogen loss to N2O during the nitrification process, the denitrification coefficient, and the Power term P for calculating the denitrification water coefficient. Contrasting the optimized parameters using the VSS-FOA algorithm versus the default values supplied with the model substantially improved the goodness-of-fit to field measurements with the overall R2 increasing from 0.41 to 0.74, and a decrease in NRMSE from 17.1% to 11.4%. This work demonstrates that the VSS-FOA algorithm affords a straightforward mechanism for the optimization of parameters in models such as APSIM to enhance the accuracy of model N2O emission flux estimates.
Evaluating Heat Stress Effects on Growth in Tunisian Local Kids: Enhancing Breeding Strategies for Arid Environments
Authors: Atoui Ahlem , Najari Sghaier , Diaz Clara , Ramón Manuel , Ragab Mohamed , Laaroussi Aicha , Abdennebi Mouldi , Carabaño Maria Jesus
Published: October 2024

This study evaluates the impact of thermal load on the weights of Tunisian local kids using 24 models with cubic and quadratic Legendre polynomials, based on daily temperatures (Tmin, Tmax, and Tavg) on the day of weight recording and averaged over 7, 14, and 21 days before weighing. The deviance information criterion (DIC) consistently shows that cubic polynomial models offer a better fit than quadratic models, highlighting their superior accuracy in studying the effects of thermal load on kid weights. The models with the best fit utilized average or maximum temperatures over 14 or 21 days. The patterns of response were similar across the temperature variables and periods, showing a stable weight response at lower temperatures (thermoneutral region) followed by a decline as the temperatures increased. The weight loss was −125 g/°C beyond the moderate heat stress threshold (Tavg21 = 17.7 °C) and −450 g/°C beyond the severe heat stress threshold (Tavg21 = 25.3 °C) for Tavg21. The heat stress thresholds for moderate heat stress (HS1) were 8.6 °C for Tmin14, 27.4 °C for Tmax14, and 18.6 °C for Tavg14; moreover, for acute heat stress (HS2), they were 17.2 °C for Tmin14, 32.4 °C for Tmax14, and 25.5 °C for Tavg14. High variability in individual responses was observed, with differences in the slope of response ranging from 2.0 kg/°C for moderate heat stress to around 3.0 kg/°C for severe heat stress for Tavg. The correlations between the weights under different temperatures were low, indicating that rankings based on weight could change with varying heat conditions. The animals with larger weight levels generally demonstrated better heat tolerance, and those with good heat tolerance under moderate conditions were also likely to have good tolerance under severe conditions.