bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum total TDP-43 levels are decreased in frontotemporal dementia patients with C9orf72 repeat expansion or concomitant motoneuron disease phenotype
Authors: Katisko Kasper , Huber Nadine , Kokkola Tarja , Hartikainen Päivi , Krüger Johanna , Heikkinen Anna-Leena , Paananen Veera , Leinonen Ville , Korhonen Ville E. , Helisalmi Seppo , Herukka Sanna-Kaisa , Cantoni Valentina , Gadola Yasmine , Archetti Silvana , Remes Anne M. , Haapasalo Annakaisa , Borroni Barbara , Solje Eino
Published: October 2022

Background

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) covers a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders with various clinical and neuropathological subtypes. The two major pathological proteins accumulating in the brains of FTD patients, depending on their genetic background, are TDP-43 and tau. We aimed to evaluate whether total TDP-43 levels measured from the serum associate with the genotype or clinical phenotype of the FTD patients and whether serum TDP-43 provides prognostic or diagnostic value in the FTD spectrum disorders.

Methods

The study cohort included 254 participants with a clinical diagnosis of FTD (including all major genotypes and clinical phenotypes) and 105 cognitively healthy controls. Serum total TDP-43 levels measured with a single-molecule array (Simoa) were compared within the FTD group according to the genotype, clinical phenotype, and predicted neuropathological subtype of the patients. We also evaluated the associations between the TDP-43 levels and disease severity or survival in FTD.

Results

Total TDP-43 levels in the serum were significantly lower in the FTD group as compared to the healthy control group (275.3 pg/mL vs. 361.8 pg/mL, B = 0.181, 95%CI = 0.014–0.348, p = 0.034). The lowest TDP-43 levels were observed in the subgroup of FTD patients harboring predicted TDP-43 brain pathology (FTD-TDP, 241.4 pg/mL). The low levels in the FTD-TDP group were especially driven by C9orf72 repeat expansion carriers (169.2 pg/mL) and FTD patients with concomitant motoneuron disease (FTD-MND, 113.3 pg/mL), whereas GRN mutation carriers did not show decreased TDP-43 levels (328.6 pg/mL). Serum TDP-43 levels showed no correlation with disease severity nor progression in FTD.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the total levels of TDP-43 in the serum are decreased especially in FTD patients with the C9orf72 repeat expansion or FTD-MND phenotype, both subtypes strongly associated with TDP-43 type B brain pathology. Serum-based measurement of TDP-43 could represent a useful tool in indicating C9orf72 repeat expansion and FTD-MND-related TDP-43 neuropathology for future diagnostics and intervention studies.
High visceral adipose tissue area is independently associated with early allograft dysfunction in liver transplantation recipients: a propensity score analysis
Authors: Yuan Guanjie , Li Shichao , Liang Ping , Chen Gen , Luo Yan , Shen Yaqi , Hu Xuemei , Hu Daoyu , Li Jiali , Li Zhen
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the association between adipose tissue distribution and early allograft dysfunction (EAD) in liver transplantation (LT) recipients.

Methods

A total of 175 patients who received LT from April 2015 to September 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The areas of abdominal adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of all patients were measured based on the preoperative CT images. The appropriate statistical methods including the propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis were performed to identify the association between adipose tissue distribution and EAD.

Results

Of 175 LT recipients, 55 patients (31.4%) finally developed EAD. The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that preoperative serum albumin (odds ratio (OR) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17–0.70), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.18–4.79), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.56–6.43) were independent associated with EAD. After PSM analysis, VAT area was still significantly associated with EAD (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.16–13.51). In survival analysis, no significant difference was identified in one-year graft failure (log-rank: p = 0.487), and conversely result was identified in overall survival (OS) (log-rank: p = 0.012; hazard ratio (HR) 4.10, 95% CI 1.27–13.16).

Conclusions

LT recipients with high VAT area have higher risk for the occurrence of EAD, and high VAT area might have certain clinical value for predicting the poor OS of patients. For LT candidates with large amount of VAT, the clinicians can take clinical interventions by suggesting physical and nutritional treatments to improve outcomes after LT.
Construction of a transposase accessible chromatin landscape reveals chromatin state of repeat elements and potential causal variant for complex traits in pigs
Authors: Jiang Tao , Ling Ziqi , Zhou Zhimin , Chen Xiaoyun , Chen Liqing , Liu Sha , Sun Yingchun , Yang Jiawen , Yang Bin , Huang Jianzhen , Huang Lusheng
Published: October 2022

Background

A comprehensive landscape of chromatin states for multiple mammalian tissues is essential for elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying regulatory variants on complex traits. However, the genome-wide chromatin accessibility has been only reported in limited tissue types in pigs.

Results

Here we report a genome-wide landscape of chromatin accessibility of 20 tissues in two female pigs at ages of 6 months using ATAC-seq, and identified 557,273 merged peaks, which greatly expanded the pig regulatory element repository. We revealed tissue-specific regulatory elements which were associated with tissue-relevant biological functions. We identified both positive and negative significant correlations between the regulatory elements and gene transcripts, which showed distinct distributions in terms of their strength and distances from corresponding genes. We investigated the presence of transposable elements (TEs) in open chromatin regions across all tissues, these included identifications of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) exhibiting high accessibility in liver and homology of porcine specific virus sequences to universally accessible transposable elements. Furthermore, we prioritized a potential causal variant for polyunsaturated fatty acid in the muscle.

Conclusions

Our data provides a novel multi-tissues accessible chromatin landscape that serve as an important resource for interpreting regulatory sequences in tissue-specific and conserved biological functions, as well as regulatory variants of loci associated with complex traits in pigs.
A novel germline mutation of TP53 with breast cancer diagnosed as Li–Fraumeni syndrome
Authors: Kai Masaya , Kubo Makoto , Shikada Sawako , Hayashi Saori , Morisaki Takafumi , Yamada Mai , Takao Yuka , Shimazaki Akiko , Harada Yurina , Kaneshiro Kazuhisa , Mizuuchi Yusuke , Shindo Koji , Nakamura Masafumi
Published: October 2022

TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene and, when dysfunctional, it is known to be involved in the development of cancers. Li–Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a hereditary tumor with autosomal dominant inheritance that develops in people with germline pathogenic variants of TP53. LFS frequently develops in parallel to tumors, including breast cancer. We describe a novel germline mutation in TP53 identified by performing a multi-gene panel assay in a breast cancer patient with bilateral breast cancer.
Functionally-explicit sampling can answer key questions about the specificity of plant–microbe interactions
Authors: Fleishman Suzanne M. , Eissenstat David M. , Bell Terrence H. , Centinari Michela
Published: October 2022

The rhizosphere is a nexus for plant–microbe interactions and, as a host-structured environment, a location of high activity for distinct microbes and plant species. Although our insights into this habitat have exploded in recent years, we are still limited in our ability to answer key questions about the specificity of these root-microbial relationships. In particular, it can be difficult to confirm or reject microbiome heritability in many plant systems and to pinpoint which microbial taxa are key to plant functioning. Like other host-structured environments, the rhizosphere is structurally, chemically, and biologically complex, driven largely by differences in root anatomy, location, and function. In this Correspondence, we describe a review of 377 “rhizosphere microbiome” research papers and demonstrate how matching a sampling method to the biological question can advance our understanding of host-microbe interactions in a functionally heterogeneous environment. We found that the vast majority of studies (92%) pool all roots from a root system during sampling, ignoring variation in microbial composition between roots of different function and limiting insight into key root-microbial relationships. Furthermore, approaches for removing root-associated microbes are highly variable and non-standard, complicating multi-study analyses. Our understanding of the strength and nature of host-microbe relationships in heterogenous host-microbiome environments can be clarified by targeting sampling to locations of high interaction. While the high complexity of the rhizosphere creates logistical challenges, we suggest that unambiguous language and refined approaches will improve our ability to match methods to research questions and advance our understanding of the specificity of plant-microbial interactions.
Genetic Variants within NOGGIN, COL1A1, COL5A1, and IGF2 are Associated with Musculoskeletal Injuries in Elite Male Australian Football League Players: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Jacob Ysabel , Anderton Ryan S. , Cochrane Wilkie Jodie L. , Rogalski Brent , Laws Simon M. , Jones Anthony , Spiteri Tania , Hince Dana , Hart Nicolas H.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Australian Football is a dynamic team sport that requires many athletic traits to succeed. Due to this combination of traits, as well as technical skill and physicality, there are many types of injuries that could occur. Injuries are not only a hindrance to the individual player, but to the team as a whole. Many strength and conditioning personnel strive to minimise injuries to players to accomplish team success.

Purpose

To investigate whether selected polymorphisms have an association with injury occurrence in elite male Australian Football players.

Methods

Using DNA obtained from 46 elite male players, we investigated the associations of injury-related polymorphisms across multiple genes (ACTN3, CCL2, COL1A1, COL5A1, COL12A1, EMILIN1, IGF2, NOGGIN, SMAD6) with injury incidence, severity, type (contact and non-contact), and tissue (muscle, bone, tendon, ligament) over 7 years in one Australian Football League team.

Results

A significant association was observed between the rs1372857 variant in NOGGIN (p = 0.023) and the number of total muscle injuries, with carriers of the GG genotype having a higher estimated number of injuries, and moderate, or combined moderate and high severity rated total muscle injuries. The COL5A1 rs12722TT genotype also had a significant association (p = 0.028) with the number of total muscle injuries. The COL5A1 variant also had a significant association with contact bone injuries (p = 0.030), with a significant association being found with moderate rated injuries. The IGF2 rs3213221-CC variant was significantly associated with a higher estimated number of contact tendon injuries per game (p = 0.028), while a higher estimated number of total ligament (p = 0.019) and non-contact ligament (p = 0.002) injuries per game were significantly associated with carriage of the COL1A1 rs1800012-TT genotype.

Conclusions

Our preliminary study is the first to examine associations between genetic variants and injury in Australian Football. NOGGIN rs1372857-GG, COL5A1 rs12722-TT, IGF2 rs3213221-CC, and COL1A1 rs1800012-TT genotypes held various associations with muscle-, bone-, tendon- and ligament-related injuries of differing severities. To further increase our understanding of these, and other, genetic variant associations with injury, competition-wide AFL studies that use more players and a larger array of gene candidates is essential.
Ultrasound parameters associated with stroke in patients with moyamoya disease: a logistic regression analysis
Authors: Zheng Shuai , Wang Fumin , Cheng Linggang , Li Rui , Zhang Dong , He Wen , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2022

Background

Moyamoya disease can lead to stroke with devastating consequences, it is necessary to find a non-invasive and effective approach to identify the occurrence of stroke. In this study, we aim to analyze the association between ultrasound parameters and ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere stroke in patients with moyamoya disease by logistic regression analysis.

Methods

In this retrospective case–control study, 88 patients with MMD (153 cerebral hemispheres) hospitalized in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from November 2020 to October 2021 were analyzed. According to the occurrence of stroke, the 153 cerebral hemispheres were divided into a stroke group and a non-stroke group. Clinical data and ultrasound parameters of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery, superficial temporal artery, maxillary artery, and posterior cerebral artery were recorded. The ultrasound parameters were divided into four groups according to interquartile range, and then they were compared between the stroke group and the non-stroke group. Those with significant differences were scored by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

There were 75 cerebral hemispheres (49.0%) in the stroke group and 78 cerebral hemispheres (51.0%) in the non-stroke group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the internal diameter of the internal carotid artery, peak systolic velocity of the internal carotid artery and peak systolic velocity of the posterior cerebral artery were independently correlated factors for stroke in patients with MMD. The fourth quartile group of the above three ultrasound parameters was taken as the reference group, and the odds ratio of the first quartile group were 11.679 (95% CI 2.918–46.749, P = 0.001), 19.594 (95% CI 4.973–77.193, P < 0.001), and 11.657 (95% CI 3.221–42.186, P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Ultrasound parameters are independently correlated with ipsilateral cerebral stroke in patients with MMD. Ultrasound provides a new way to identify stroke in MMD patients. Future prospective cohort studies are needed to verify the clinical value of ultrasound in identifying patients with MMD at high risk of stroke.
Review on the structural understanding of the 10S myosin II in the era of Cryo-electron microscopy
Authors: Bharda Anahita Vispi , Jung Hyun Suk
Published: October 2022

The compact smooth muscle 10S myosin II is a type of a monomer with folded tail and the heads bending back to interact with each other. This inactivated form is associated with regulatory and enzymatic activities affecting myosin processivity with actin filaments as well as ATPase activity. Phosphorylation by RLC can however, shuttle myosin from the inhibited 10S state to an activated 6S state, dictating the equilibrium. Multiple studies contributed by TEM have provided insights in the structural understanding of the 10S form. However, it is only recently that the true potential of Cryo-EM in deciphering the intramolecular interactions of 10S myosin state has been realized. This has led to an influx of new revelations on the 10S inactivation, unfolding mechanism and association in various diseases. This study reviews the gradual development in the structural interpretation of 10S species from TEM to Cryo-EM era. Furthermore, we discuss the utility of Cryo-EM in future myosin 10S studies and its contribution to human health.
PAR3 restricts the expansion of neural precursor cells by regulating hedgehog signaling
Authors: Hirose Tomonori , Sugitani Yoshinobu , Kurihara Hidetake , Kazama Hiromi , Kusaka Chiho , Noda Tetsuo , Takahashi Hidehisa , Ohno Shigeo
Published: October 2022

During brain development, neural precursor cells (NPCs) expand initially, and then switch to generating stage-specific neurons while maintaining self-renewal ability. Because the NPC pool at the onset of neurogenesis crucially affects the final number of each type of neuron, tight regulation is necessary for the transitional timing from the expansion to the neurogenic phase in these cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this transition are poorly understood. Here, we report that the telencephalon-specific loss of PAR3 before the start of neurogenesis leads to increased NPC proliferation at the expense of neurogenesis, resulting in disorganized tissue architecture. These NPCs demonstrate hyperactivation of hedgehog signaling in a smoothened-dependent manner, as well as defects in primary cilia. Furthermore, loss of PAR3 enhanced ligand-independent ciliary accumulation of smoothened and an inhibitor of smoothened ameliorated the hyperproliferation of NPCs in the telencephalon. Thus, these findings support the idea that PAR3 has a crucial role in the transition of NPCs from the expansion phase to the neurogenic phase by restricting hedgehog signaling through the establishment of ciliary integrity.
MCC is a centrosomal protein that relocalizes to non-centrosomal apical sites during intestinal cell differentiation
Authors: Tomaz Lucian B. , Liu Bernard A. , Meroshini M  , Ong Sheena L. M. , Tan Ee Kim , Tolwinski Nicholas S. , Williams Christopher S. , Gingras Anne-Claude , Leushacke Marc , Dunn N. Ray
Published: October 2022

The gene mutated in colorectal cancer (MCC) encodes a coiled-coil protein implicated, as its name suggests, in the pathogenesis of hereditary human colon cancer. To date, however, the contributions of MCC to intestinal homeostasis and disease remain unclear. Here, we examine the subcellular localization of MCC, both at the mRNA and protein levels, in the adult intestinal epithelium. Our findings reveal that Mcc transcripts are restricted to proliferating crypt cells, including Lgr5+ stem cells, where the Mcc protein is distinctly associated with the centrosome. Upon intestinal cellular differentiation, Mcc is redeployed to the apical domain of polarized villus cells where non-centrosomal microtubule organizing centers (ncMTOCs) are positioned. Using intestinal organoids, we show that the shuttling of the Mcc protein depends on phosphorylation by casein kinases 1δ and ε, which are critical modulators of WNT signaling. Together, our findings support a role for MCC in establishing and maintaining the cellular architecture of the intestinal epithelium as a component of both the centrosome and ncMTOC.
Level of biofilm production by Staphylococcus aureus isolates is critical for resistance against most but not all antimicrobial drugs
Authors: Din Salah-ud- , Awan Asad Bashir , Arshad Muhammad Mohsin , Haque Abdul
Published: October 2022

Background and Objective: Staphylococcal biofilms cause a wide range of acute and chronic infections, both in hospital and community settings across the world. This study explores biofilm forming propensity among Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates from Faisalabad, Pakistan and their association with antimicrobial drug resistance.

Methods: The study was conducted during July to December 2020. The biofilm forming ability of S. aureus isolates was assessed by crystal violet staining in 96 well plates. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method against ten antimicrobials representing whole spectrum of antimicrobial drugs.

Results: All the isolates (n=22) produced biofilm; 14 (63.6%) were strong, and 8 (36.4%) moderate biofilm producers. Comparative data were obtained for moderate and strong biofilm producers. Increased biofilm production did not affect azithromycin, clindamycin and mupirocin. However, stronger biofilm production significantly increased resistant isolates in case of augmentin (23.2%), cefoxitin (17.9%), levofloxacin (26.8%), tetracycline (23.2%), vancomycin (14.3%) and trimethoprim (21.4%).

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the ability to produce large amount of biofilm is an important factor, and S. aureus isolates with this ability, do not require acquisition of drug resistance genes from other bacteria. Our study also provides a guideline for selection of antimicrobials which are not adversely affected by level of biofilm production by various strains of S. aureus.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.6276

How to cite this:Salah-ud-din, Awan AB, Arshad MM, Haque A. Level of biofilm production by Staphylococcus aureus isolates is critical for resistance against most but not all antimicrobial drugs. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(8):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.6276

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Characterization of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance pattern of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains in a tertiary care center
Authors: Kumar M Naveen , Bhat Sevitha , Bhat K Archana , Saralaya Vishwas , Shenoy Mulki Shalini
Published: October 2022

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most prevalent bacterial infection in humans. The uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) expresses a range of virulence factors that contribute to their pathogenicity. The emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR)-associated UTI is increasing. This study monitors the distribution of virulence factors among UPEC strains to note the antibiogram, outcome and type of associated UTI.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional time-bound study of six months was done on clinically significant urinary isolates of Escherichia coli. Detection of haemolysin production and serum resistance was done by phenotypic methods. Genotypic characterization of the virulence genes (papC, iutA, hlyA, cnf1) was done by multiplex PCR. Demographic data, clinical history, antibiogram and type of UTI was collected from clinical case records.

Results:75 E.coli isolates from patients with suspected UTIs were included. Females had a higher preponderance of UTI (66.7%). 93% of patients were adults and the remaining 7% were from paediatrics.  24 (32%) isolates showed haemolysis by plate haemolysis and all isolates were serum-resistant. Out of 75 isolates, 65 were positive for at least one of four targeted genes, while remaining ten isolates were negative for all four genes. Multidrug resistance was found in 40 (53.3%) isolates. 97.4% of the UTI cases had a favourable clinical outcome at discharge. Mortality due to urosepsis was 2.6%.

Conclusion: Association of hemolysin production with resistance to imipenem and norfloxacin in UPEC strains was significant. Presence of hlyA gene is positively associated with ceftazidime resistance. Nitrofurantoin, piperacillin, tazobactam, and cefaperazone sulbactam are possible candidates for empirical therapy of UTIs. Drugs like aminoglycosides, carbapenems and fosfomycin may be used as reserve drugs in the treatment of MDR-UTI. However, inappropriate usage can increase antibiotic resistance. Hence proper selection of antibiotics in hospitals taking into account the local antibiogram is needed to reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance.
Księga Sędziów: Księgi Samuela i fragment 1 Księgi Królewskiej
Authors: Piela Marek
Published: October 2022

Tłumaczenie arcydzieła biblijnej prozy narracyjnej, które oddajemy do rąk czytelnika, to dalszy ciąg przedsięwzięcia translatorskiego zapoczątkowanego przekładem Księgi Rodzaju i Księgi Wyjścia. Naczelną zasadą, którą kierował się tłumacz, jest niedosłowność, miejscami przechodząca w spolszczenie. Przekład zawiera archaizmy rodem z powieści historycznych Henryka Sienkiewicza, ale również wyrażenia właściwe współczesnej polszczyźnie potocznej oraz nawiązania do polskiej literatury pięknej. Jest przeznaczony dla miłośników literatury pięknej, którzy chcą czytać opowieści o Samuelu, Saulu, Dawidzie i Jonatanie, lecz nie są wielbicielami tradycyjnego stylu biblijnego. Tłumaczeniu towarzyszy eksperyment przekładoznawczy, którego celem jest stwierdzenie, do jakiego stopnia mogą być do siebie podobne tłumaczenia tego samego oryginału, powstałe niezależnie od siebie.
Shrinking Factor Dimension: A Reduced-Rank Approach
Authors: He Ai , Huang Dashan , Li Jiaen , Zhou Guofu
Published: October 2022

We provide a reduced-rank approach (RRA) to extract a few factors from a large set of factor proxies and apply the extracted factors to model the cross-section of expected stock returns. Empirically, we find that the RRA five-factor model outperforms the well-known Fama–French five-factor model as well as the corresponding principal component analysis, partial least squares, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator models for pricing portfolios. However, at the stock level, our RRA factor model still has large pricing errors even after adding more factors, suggesting that the representative factor proxies of our study do not have sufficient information for pricing individual stocks.

This paper was accepted by Lukas Schmid, finance.

Funding: D. Huang acknowledges that this study was partially funded at the Singapore Management University through a research [Grant MSS20B016] from the Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund Tier 1.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4563 .
The Value of Response Time Information in Supply Chain Bargaining
Authors: Chen Fadong , Zhao Yingshuai , Thonemann Ulrich
Published: October 2022

Problem definition: We analyzed the value of response time information in supply chain bargaining and how the transparency of response times affects bargaining dynamics and outcomes. Academic/practical relevance: The research on supply chain bargaining has focused on agents’ choices, whereas the value of process data, such as response times, has received limited attention. The process data underlying a decision can contain valuable information about the agents’ preference. Methodology: We conducted two laboratory experiments with multiround bargaining between a supplier and a retailer, where the supplier had private information about production costs. The retailer proposed wholesale prices to the supplier, and the supplier decided whether to reject or accept them. The experiments were composed of treatments with response time information (RT-Treatments) and those without response time information (noRT-Treatments). Suppliers’ response times were transparent to retailers in the RT-Treatment but were not transparent to those in the noRT-Treatment. Results: We found that suppliers’ response times could indicate their preference strengths regarding retailers’ proposals. In the RT-Treatment, retailers could use suppliers’ response times to their advantage. Compared with those in the noRT-Treatment, retailers in the RT-Treatment made lower initial proposals. The final wholesale prices in agreements were also lower in this treatment, resulting in higher average retailer and channel profits but lower supplier profits. Managerial implications: We demonstrated that response time information in supply chain bargaining revealed bargainers’ preferences and affected bargaining dynamics and outcomes. Bargainers could use their partners’ response times to improve their bargaining outcomes.

Funding: F. Chen gratefully acknowledges support from the Ministry of Science and Technology [Grant 2021ZD0200409] and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 71803174 and 72173113]. Y. Zhao and U. Thonemann gratefully acknowledge support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [Grant TH 1425/2-1].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.1138 .
The Latent Growth Model of the Korean Language and Mathematics Academic Performance in Children aged 6-12
Authors: Lee Eun Ju
Published: October 2022

Objectives: This study is a foundation for preparing learning support measures for children with developmental language disabilities through research on the academic relationship development of the Korean language and mathematics. The degree and developmental relationship of Korean language and mathematics academic performance according to age from kindergarten before entering elementary school to 4th grade were examined. Methods: Latent Growth Model Analysis (LGMA) was conducted on the results of the evaluation of Korean language and mathematics academic performance from 2014 to 2018 (4th grade in elementary school). Results: Korean language and mathematics developed with significant influence on each other. It was confirmed that the basic ability to perform the Korean language has a significant effect on both the basic ability and the change in the academic ability in mathematics. It is a fact that Korean language ability is the basis of mathematical academic ability through the implementation of the mathematical sentence system. In addition, although Korean language ability and mathematics influence each other, in the case of mathematics, the cognitive ability of individual children played a more significant role compared to the Korean language in the academic performance results. Conclusion: Korean language ability and mathematics developed with a significant influence on each other. It was confirmed through the Latent Growth Model that Korean language ability has a significant effect on the basic ability and the change of mathematic academic performance.
Correlation between Ratios of Word-finding Behavior and CIU in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia of Alzheimer’s Type
Authors: Choi Hyunjoo
Published: October 2022

Objectives: Anomia is the primary language symptom in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia of Alzheimer’s type (DAT). The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the ratios of word-finding behavior and Correct information Unit (CIU) through spontaneous speech task in patients with MCI and DAT. Methods: The participants of this study were 31 healthy elderly, 29 patients with MCI, and 27 patients with mild DAT. The picture description tasks were used, and word-finding behaviors and CIU ratio analysis were used. Results: First, it was found that there were significant differences according to groups in the ratio of empty words, repetitions, insertions, and global index. Second, there was no significant correlation between the ratio of word-finding behavior and the CIU ratio in the healthy elderly, but there were significant correlations between the ratios of the word-finding behavior and the CIU ratio in patients with MCI and DAT. Finally, according to the regression analysis results, it was found that the ratio of the global index significantly predicted the CIU ratio in the MCI and DAT groups. Conclusion: From the results of this study, it can be seen that the ratios of word-finding behavior through spontaneous speech tasks in patients with MCI and DAT is related to information delivery ability.
Effects of Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) using Telepractice on Word Retrieval in Korean-Speakers with Non-Fluent Aphasia
Authors: Kim So Eun , La Eun Young , Sung Jee Eun
Published: October 2022

Objectives: Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) is a semantic treatment that aims to improve lexical retrieval across a hierarchy of linguistic contexts, including sentences and discourse. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of VNeST using telepractice on Korean individuals with moderate to severe non-fluent aphasia and examine the advantages of telepractice treatment. Methods: Three Korean individuals with aphasia caused by a single lesion in the left hemisphere participated in this study. They received VNeST via ZOOM in real time at their home. VNeST protocol consisted of 6 steps: step 1, generate three agents and themes for the target verb; step 2, read each scenario aloud; step 3, choose the appropriate case marker and answer three wh-questions about agent-theme pairs; step 4, judge semantic plausibility of sentences; step 5, confront naming on animation target verb task; step 6, repeat the prompts of Step 1 without cues. Multiple-baseline design across behaviors was employed, and effect sizes of the treatment were obtained. Results: The results of this study are as follows: 1) all participants showes large effect sizes, 2) all participants showed a generalization effect, 3) the CIU rate of all participants improved, 4) all participants showed increased score or performance on language assessment task, 5) all participants and their careers responded that they were very satisfied with the telepractice treatment. Conclusion: The current study suggest that VNeST via telepractice is effective as off-line treatment in promoting generalization from single word naming in person with moderate to severe non-fluent aphasia.
Interpretation Accuracy and Acceptance according to AAC Types and Message Error Types
Authors: Choi Jeewoo , Baik Kyungrang , Kim Young Tae
Published: October 2022

Objectives: This study aims to find which AAC type(high-tech, low-tech) and error type (omission, substitution, and inversion) is more influential to communication partners’ accuracy, acceptance, as well as the attitude of the AAC users. Methods: The error message scripts were constructed based on everyday life expressions; and omisson, substitution, and inversion error videos produced by high-tech and low-tech AAC. The participants of the study were AAC users’ family groups and 30 AAC inexperienced groups. The study participants watched the video and answered online questionnaires regarding interpretation accuracy, acceptance, and attitude of the AAC users. A three-way mixed ANOVA was used to confirm the difference in accuracy and acceptance; and in the case of attitude, the difference was analyzed through a two-way mixed ANOVA. Results: There was no difference between groups in the accuracy and acceptance of message interpretation according to the AAC type and message error type, however the difference according to the error type was found to be significant. In terms of accuracy analysis, high scores were recorded in the order of inversion, substitution, and omission error; and in the case of acceptance, high scores were recorded in the order of inversion, omission, and substitution. There was no significant difference in attitudes toward AAC users between groups. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that in order for communication through AAC to be successful, direct intervention for AAC users and indirect intervention for communication partners must be provided together. Training for communication partners should be provided, along with interventions to minimize omission and substitution errors by AAC users.
Research Trends Regarding Language Development and Language Impairment of Infancy and Toddlerhood: From 2012 to 2021
Authors: Hong Gyung-Hun , Yang Hui Jae , Oh Eun-Byel , Yi Roodah
Published: October 2022

Objectives: This study aims to examine Korean and English research trends regarding language development and language impairment, and to suggest future directions for later research. Methods: Sixty-five Korean research papers published in Communication Science & Disorders and 129 English research published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research were classified according to the subject, time dimension, observational method, independent variable, and dependent variable. The frequency and rate of publication of each type were yielded. Results: Nearly half of the subjects were typically developing toddlers, but there were some differences between the research in the two journals. Cross-sectional studies had higher rates in Korean research, and longitudinal studies had higher rates in English research. In Korean journals, most articles were descriptive studies, with very few experimental studies. In English journals, various independent variables were used relatively evenly, whereas the variables related to the characteristics of the subject were used at higher rates in the Korean journals. Both journals mostly used variables associated with expressive language as dependent variables. Conclusion: Although more research has been published and the types of studies have become more diverse than in the past, during the recent decade in Korea the amount and types of studies are limited when compared to English research. In this regard, this study discussed the direction in which future research related to infant language disorder should proceed.
Applications and Performances of Artificial Intelligence in Assessment and Diagnosis of Communication Disorders: A Systematic Review of the Literatures
Authors: Kang Hye Won , Kang Jin Kyong , Lee Soo Bok , Sim Hyun Sub
Published: October 2022

Objectives: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken (1) to investigate research trends on how artificial intelligence is being used for assessment and diagnosis in the field of communication disorders and (2) to suggest consideration and a directions for the effective use of artificial intelligence in clinical settings. Methods: A total of 328 articles published in foreign journals between January 2016 and August 2021 were searched using 6 databases and a manual search, and 18 articles were finally selected according to PICO strategy (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) inclusion and exclusion criteria. Four authors determined the report selection and data extraction. They also independently analyzed the quality of the selected papers using QUADAS-II (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-II). Results: Firstly, the selected studies had a generally low risk of bias. Secondly, the major subjects of studies were children with communication disorders. Thirdly, most of the studies included in the analysis were experimental studies to verify the effectiveness of using artificial intelligence. Lastly, the extracted features for assessment and diagnosis were biased against acoustic features at the levels of phoneme and word in speaking tasks. The performance of artificial intelligence in the selected studies differed according to the research purpose and evaluation metrics. Conclusion: This study suggests that in order for artificial intelligence to be used in the assessment and diagnosis system, it is essential to acquire clinically reliable and high-quality big data on the characteristics of speech and language of people with communication disorders.
Oral Language Abilities in Children with Dyslexia and Poor Comprehension in Grades 3–6
Authors: Yoon Hyojin , Park Minyoung
Published: October 2022

Objectives: This study investigated receptive vocabulary and morphosyntactic skills of children with dyslexia, poor comprehension, and typically developing children in grade 3 to 6. Methods: A total of 45 children with dyslexia, poor comprehension, and typically developing children participated. In order to qualify for each group, children with dyslexia scored below 85 on the word decoding test, and poor comprehenders scored below 85 on the reading comprehension, but scored above 90 on decoding test. Typically developing children scored a standard score of 90 on both decoding and reading comprehension. All children were administered a receptive vocabulary, sentence comprehension, sentence repetition, morphological awareness, and syntactic awareness tasks. Results: The results showed that there were significant differences in all language tasks. Poor comprehenders scored the lowest on all tasks, followed by children with dyslexia. In the results receptive vocabulary task, there were differences between all three groups; and poor comprehenders performed lower than children with dyslexia and typically developing children on sentence comprehension. In the sentence repetition task, children with poor reading comprehension and dyslexia showed lower performance than typically developing children. Additionally, there were only differences between poor comprehenders and typically developing children in the morphological and syntactic awareness tasks. Conclusion: Poor comprehenders showed difficulties in vocabulary and morphosyntax, and children with dyslexia exhibited weakness of vocabulary and sentence repetitions that require linguistic knowledge and phonological memory. Their weakness of oral language may negatively influence reading development.
The role of total quality management in improving patient experiences and outcomes
Authors: Haroun Anas , Ayaad Omar , Al-Ruzzieh Majeda A , Ayyad Malik
Published: October 2022

Total quality management refers to efforts at all levels of an organisation to create and sustain an atmosphere in which employees can continuously develop their ability to provide on-demand products and/or services that customers find especially valuable. Total quality management has been used in the healthcare sector since the late 1980s. This study explores the impact of total quality management on patient experiences and outcomes, considering the different dimensions of total quality management: customer focus, total employee involvement, integrated systems, continual improvement, fact-based decision making and communication. Overall, total quality management was found to have a positive impact on patients, although further evaluation is needed regarding how total quality management has improved patient outcomes and experiences, and can continue to do so in the future.
Lost in space: Orthodontic Space Analysis. Part 2
Authors: Wallis Colin , Atack NE , Ireland AJ
Published: October 2022

Orthodontic diagnosis is complex and multifactorial, and an initial space analysis informing a decision whether or not to extract teeth, is consistently highlighted as the most significant diagnostic factor, with other clinical factors being secondary. Although most clinicians are taught a method of space analysis, few subsequently place their confidence in any formal method and furthermore may not consider the space implications of the curve of Spee. A survey of orthodontists revealed a surprising variability in the assessment of crowding, as well as a tendency to make a different diagnostic decision on the same case sometime later. This two-part series explores the current status of space analysis and suggests how we may be able to limit the potential for making poor extraction decisions. Part 1 explored the various factors that need to be considered in an orthodontic space analysis, and in particular, the space implications of the curve of Spee. Part 2 examines the various methods and tools available to the clinician in assessing orthodontic crowding. We also look at ways in which potentially poor extraction decisions may be mitigated in clinical practice.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: To help understand the clinical significance of space analysis as the key diagnostic factor informing a decision whether to extract teeth or not.
Synthesis and characterization of steroidal, anellated aminothiophenes by Gewald reaction
Authors: Kraft Oliver , Mittag Gregor C , Hoenke Sophie , Heise Niels , Al-Harrasi Ahmed , Csuk René
Published: October 2022

Gewald 3-component reactions (G-3CR), i.e., reactions of a carbonyl compound with an activated nitrile in the presence of a secondary amine and sulfur, lead straightforwardly to anellated 2-aminothiophenes. Interestingly, their application to steroidal hydrocarbons has been limited to a single example. We could show in this work that Gewald 3-component reactions can be performed successfully for molecules holding a cholesterol or sitostanol skeleton, such as 5a-cholestan3-one (8) and 5a-sitostan-3-one (11), thus leading in good yields to the corresponding anellated steroidal 2-amino-thiophenes 12-15. Gewald reaction proved to be an excellent method to access heterocyclic steroids.
UV-Vis Spectroscopic Characterization of β-Cyclodextrin-Vanillin Inclusion Complex
Authors: Eteer Shahrazad Ali
Published: October 2022

Cyclodextrin molecules can form inclusion complexes with various compounds of appropriate shape and size. The complexation can enhance the solubility and stability of the inclusion guest compound. The stoichiometry and stability constant of the host-guest complex are highly important for physical, chemical, biological, and environmental studies. A simple and rapid spectroscopic method investigated the inclusion of vanillin and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The continuous variation technique was used to estimate the stoichiometry of the inclusion complex. The association constant of vanillin with β-CD was determined by using Benesi- Hildebrand and Scott's methods which were calculated to be 179 and 187 M-1, respectively, with the stoichiometry ratio, was 1:1 for the inclusion complex of β-CD with vanillin.
Time-domain convolution model for studying oscillation dynamics in an injection-locked optoelectronic oscillator
Authors: Yuan Weichen , Fu Zhenwei , Wu Yilin , Peng Di , Zhang Lingjie , Zeng Zhen , Zhang Yali , Zhang Zhiyao , Zhang Shangjian , Liu Yong
Published: October 2022

A time-domain convolution model is proposed to study the oscillation dynamics in the injection-locked optoelectronic oscillator (OEO). The model has the ability to calculate multiple characteristics of the oscillation signal, such as the spectrum and the phase noise. Based on the model, the injection locking, the frequency pulling and the asymmetrical spectrum generation phenomena are numerically simulated in success. The simulation results fit in with the experimental results, indicating that the proposed model accurately describes the oscillation dynamics in the injection-locked OEO. In addition, the building-up process of the oscillation signal in the OEO is simulated. Alternating appearance of the sidebands on both sides of the primary oscillation mode is observed for the first time in the asymmetrical spectrum generation. This model is a powerful tool to study the oscillation dynamics in the injection-locked OEO.
Sociodemographic characteristics as predictors of knowledge regarding mode of transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis among population of Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Ramesh , Acharya Devaraj , Wagle Aakriti
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The majority of the districts of Nepal (63 out of 77) were detected as prevalent of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), with an average prevalence of 13 percent ranging from less than one to 39 percent in Nepal. Despite people’s ignorance about the LF, the government has a target to eliminate LF by 2020. The study aimed to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge of the mode of transmission of LF.

Materials and methods

The study used a cross-sectional design. Secondary data from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016 were analysed. Altogether, 11040 participants participated in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics were the independent variables, whereas household heads’ knowledge of LF transmission was the dependent variable. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge of the mode of transmission.

Results

Findings showed that only 28 percent of household-heads correctly identified the mode of transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis in the study. Household head’s age, sex, wealth status, place of residence in terms of areas, geo-belt and province, migration history, and household assets such as bed nets, Radio, TV were significantly associated with the knowledge of the mode of transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis. Variables: wealth status, sex, residence, eco-belts, possessing bed nets, and Radio appeared as significant predictors for knowledge of the mode of transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis. The richest to the poorest people had lower odds ranging from 0.22 to 0.53 for knowing the mode of transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis compared to the richest people (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The study identified the population groups with a low level of knowledge of modes of transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis. Thus, it can be inferred from the study that relevant programs need to focus on women, people residing in the mountains and Terai, and those belonging to the middle and poor wealth index. The study also emphasizes that information, education, and communication materials can effectively impart knowledge of Lymphatic Filariasis.