bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between BDNF content in cord blood and early neurobehavior in newborns with subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy: a preliminary study
Authors: Xu Hui , Du Ya-Nan , Yang Shuai , Guo Yu-Wen
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Research on neurobehavioral abnormalities in neonates of mothers with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is limited. The link between umbilical cord blood brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and neurobehavioral outcomes in neonates has not been explored. This study investigates the correlation between alterations in umbilical cord blood BDNF levels and early neurobehavioral abnormalities in neonates born to pregnant women with SCH.

Methods

This study recruited 72 pregnant women with SCH and 76 healthy controls (HC). The study collected general information for all subjects, including body mass index, parity, thyroid function assessed during early to late pregnancy, and neonatal birth weight. Neonatal behavioral and neural abilities were evaluated using the Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA). BDNF levels in umbilical cord blood were measured using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method.

Results

The results indicated that neonates with SCH during pregnancy had lower total NBNA scores, behavioral ability, passive muscle tone, active muscle tone, primitive reflexes, general assessment, and lower levels of cord blood BDNF compared to healthy controls. The cord blood BDNF of newborns with SCH during pregnancy was positively correlated with total NBNA score, behavioral ability, active muscle tone, and general assessment. Moreover, multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated an association between cord blood BDNF levels in pregnant patients with SCH and multiple measures of newborn health, including total NBNA score, behavioral ability, active muscle tone, and general assessment.

Conclusion

Infants born to pregnant women with SCH exhibit reduced behavioral and neural abilities linked to BDNF levels in umbilical cord blood.
Construction of a poor prognosis prediction and visualization system for intracranial aneurysm endovascular intervention treatment based on an improved machine learning model
Authors: Lei Chunyu , Fu Anhui , Li Bin , Zhou Shengfu , Liu Jun , Cao Yu , Zhou Bo
Published: January 2025

Objective

To evaluate the clinical utility of improved machine learning models in predicting poor prognosis following endovascular intervention for intracranial aneurysms and to develop a corresponding visualization system.

Methods

A total of 303 patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with endovascular intervention at four hospitals (FuShun County Zigong City People's Hospital, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Third People's Hospital of Yibin, The Sixth People's Hospital of Yibin) from January 2022 to September 2023 were selected. These patients were divided into a good prognosis group (n = 207) and a poor prognosis group (n = 96). An improved machine learning model was employed to analyze patient clinical data, aiding in the construction of a prediction model for poor prognosis in intracranial aneurysm endovascular intervention. This model simultaneously performed feature selection and weight determination. Logistic multivariate analysis was used to validate the selected features. Additionally, a visualization system was developed to automatically calculate the risk level of poor prognosis.

Results

In the training set, the improved machine learning model achieved a maximum F1 score of 0.8633 and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9118. In the test set, the maximum F1 score was 0.7500, and the AUC was 0.8684. The model identified 10 key variables: age, hypertension, preoperative aneurysm rupture, Hunt-Hess grading, Fisher score, ASA grading, number of aneurysms, intraoperative use of etomidate, intubation upon leaving the operating room, and surgical time. These variables were consistent with the results of logistic multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The application of improved machine learning models for the analysis of patient clinical data can effectively predict the risk of poor prognosis following endovascular intervention for intracranial aneurysms at an early stage. This approach can assist in formulating intervention plans and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Analysis of risk factors for acute cerebral infarction in patients with intracranial tuberculosis
Authors: Huang Xiao-Shan , Qiu Xiao-Wei , Wang An-Long , He Fei , Wang Yi-Jing
Published: January 2025

Objective

Acute cerebral infarction is a common complication of intracranial tuberculosis (TB), causing irreversible damage to brain tissue and significantly affecting patient prognosis. This study aims to explore the risk factors associated with acute cerebral infarction in patients with intracranial tuberculosis.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from eligible intracranial TB patients treated at our hospital between January 2020 and March 2023. Based on MRI findings, patients were categorized into a cerebral infarction group and a non-infarction group. Clinical data, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations, and imaging features (such as hydrocephalus, cerebral arteritis, and meningeal thickening) were compared between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for acute cerebral infarction in patients with intracranial TB.

Results

A total of 102 patients were included, with 24 in the cerebral infarction group and 78 in the non-infarction group. Male patients accounted for 87.5% in the infarction group and 58.3% in the non-infarction group. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3–10 accounted for 45.8% in the infarction group compared to 15.4% in the non-infarction group. The incidence of hydrocephalus, cerebral arteritis, and meningeal thickening was significantly higher in the infarction group (37.5, 54.2, and 79.2%, respectively) compared to the non-infarction group (6.4, 6.4, and 43.6%, respectively) (p < 0.05). The parenchymal type of intracranial TB was less frequent in the infarction group (20.8%) than in the non-infarction group (56.4%), while the mixed type was more frequent in the infarction group (62.5%) compared to the non-infarction group (26.9%) (p < 0.05). Patients with meningeal thickening involving the cisterns and basal cisterns had a higher risk of cerebral infarction (p < 0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (OR = 13.56; 95% CI 1.25–38.30) and cerebral arteritis (OR = 19.32; 95% CI 0.94–37.64) were independent risk factors for cerebral infarction in intracranial TB patients.

Conclusion

Male sex and the presence of cerebral arteritis are independent risk factors for acute cerebral infarction in patients with intracranial tuberculosis.
Olfactory dysfunction as potential biomarker in neurodegenerative diseases: a narrative review
Authors: De Cleene Nicolas , Schwarzová Katarína , Labrecque Samuel , Cerejo Clancy , Djamshidian Atbin , Seppi Klaus , Heim Beatrice
Published: January 2025

Neurodegenerative diseases represent a group of disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of neurons in the central nervous system, leading to a range of cognitive, motor, and sensory impairments. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the association between neurodegenerative diseases and olfactory dysfunction (OD). Characterized by a decline in the ability to detect or identify odors, OD has been observed in various conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This phenomenon often precedes the onset of other clinical symptoms, suggesting its potential utility as an early marker or prodromal symptom of neurodegenerative diseases. This review provides a vast literature overview on the current knowledge of OD in PD, AD, ALS, and HD in order to evaluate its potential as a biomarker, particularly in the early and prodromal stages of these diseases. We summarize the most common methods used to measure olfactory function and delve into neuropathological correlations and the alterations in neurotransmitter systems associated with OD in those neurodegenerative diseases, including differences in genetic variants if applicable, and cater to current pitfalls and shortcomings in the research.
The research progress and prospects of circadian rhythm in obesity: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Dou Ye , Guo Xiaojin , Wang Xuefei , He Aolong , Li Fanghe , Gao Kuo
Published: January 2025

Background

Numerous studies have shown a link between circadian rhythms disruptions and a higher risk of obesity. This article aims to conduct an extensive bibliometric analysis to deepen our understanding of the relationship between circadian rhythms and obesity.

Methods

The literature related to the circadian rhythm of obesity, published from the inception of the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) until June 30, 2024, was extracted from the WoSCC databases (SCIE, SSCI, ESCI). Using CiteSpace, Vosviewer, WPS, and other software, this paper examines the publication trends, including the number of papers, countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords.

Results

A total of 2,870 articles were included in this analysis, revealing a consistent year by year increase in research on the circadian rhythm of obesity. These publications originate from 460 institutions in 88 countries. Among the authors analysis, Garaulet, Marta was the most prolific, and Turek FW was the most co-cited. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America emerged as the journal with the highest number of publications, and American Journal of Physiology had the highest centrality. The most frequently used keywords were “obesity,” “circadian rhythm,” “circadian clock,” “metabolic syndrome,” “metabolism.” Additionally, research areas involving intermittent fasting, restricted feeding, and gut microbiota were rapidly developing and represented the forefront of research on circadian rhythms and obesity.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that research on circadian rhythms in obesity has been rapidly expanding, with increasingly in-depth exploration of the topic. It is recommended to strengthen cooperation between countries and institutions to jointly promote research in this field. The gene expression of obesity is an early hotspot in the study of circadian rhythm and obesity, and emerging research areas such as intermittent fasting, restricted feeding, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and gut microbiota will become significant hotspots and trends in the field of circadian rhythm and obesity. These findings provide researchers critical directions for future studies and may have significant implications for clinical practice and public health policy.
Preoperative CT-based radiomics nomogram to predict the micropapillary pattern in lung adenocarcinoma of size 2 cm or less
Authors: Pan Xiaoyu , Fu Liang , Lv Jiecai , Feng Lijuan , Li Kai , Chen Siqi , Deng Xi , Long Liling
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To develop and validate a radiomics nomogram model for predicting the micropapillary pattern (MPP) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tumors of ≤2 cm in size.

Methods

In this study, 300 LUAD patients from our institution were randomly divided into the training cohort (n = 210) and an internal validation cohort (n = 90) at a ratio of 7:3, besides, we selected 65 patients from another hospital as the external validation cohort. The region of interest of the tumor was delineated on the computed tomography (CT) images, and radiomics features were extracted. A nomogram model was established using radiomics features, clinical features and conventional radiographic features. The nomogram model was compared with the radiomics model and the clinical model alone to test its diagnostic validity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, areas under the ROC curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) results were plotted to evaluate the model performance and clinical application.

Results

The nomogram model exhibited superior performance, with an AUC of 0.905 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.857-0.951) in the training cohort, which decreased to 0.817 (95% CI: 0.698-0.936) in the external validation cohort. The clinical model had AUCs of 0.820 (95% CI: 0.753-0.886) and 0.730 (95% CI: 0.572-0.888) in the training and external validation cohorts, respectively. The radiomics model had AUCs of 0.895 (95% CI: 0.840-0.949) and 0.800 (95% CI: 0.675-0.924) for training and external validation, respectively. DCA confirmed that the nomogram model had the better clinical benefit.

Conclusions

The nomogram model achieved promising prediction efficiency for identifying the presence of the MPP in LUAD tumors ≤2 cm, allowing clinicians to develop more rational and efficacious personalized treatment strategies.
Survival status of women with cervical cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2024
Authors: Emagneneh Tadele , Mulugeta Chalie , Ejigu Betelhem , Alamrew Abebaw , Hiwot Aynalem Yetwale , Feleke Sefineh Fenta
Published: January 2025

Background

Despite the availability of vaccination and early treatment, cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern globally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to screening and treatment is often limited.

Methods

In this study, researchers conducted a survey of four international databases—Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Henare—along with Google Scholar to search for gray literature. The keywords used for searching the international databases included “Uterine Cervical Neoplasms [Mesh],” “Survival OR Survival Analysis OR Survival Rate,” and “Sub-Saharan countries” (including the names of specific countries). Six researchers independently screened and extracted data from the articles. All studies published in English were included without restriction and assessed for quality using the adapted Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for cohort and cross-sectional studies. The results of this systematic review were reported in accordance with the PRISMA checklist.

Results

Out of the 2,180 articles initially identified, 23 were deemed eligible and reported on the survival status of patients with cervical cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed the multi-year survival rates (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years) of patients with cervical cancer. Based on the random-effects model, the overall pooled 1-year survival was 65.0% [95% confidence interval (CI), 52–78] with I² = 99.31 and p-value < 0.001. The 2-year survival rate was 60% (95% CI, 46–74) with I² = 99.12 and p-value < 0.001, the 3-year survival was 48% (95% CI, 35–62) with I² = 98.45 and p-value < 0.001, the 4-year survival was 42.9% (95% CI, 32.7–53.1) with I² = 96.80 and p-value < 0.001, and the 5-year survival was 35% (95% CI, 27–44) with I² = 98.74 and p-value < 0.001.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that the survival rates for patients with cervical cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa are much lower than the global averages. The results show that the 5-year survival rate can be as low as 35%, highlighting serious challenges in managing cervical cancer in this region. To address this issue, collaboration among governments, healthcare providers, and international organizations is essential to enhance the availability and quality of care. Future research should focus on developing effective early detection and treatment strategies and monitoring long-term survival outcomes.
Real-world experiences with brentuximab vedotion-based regimens in systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a multi-center retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Zhiqiang , Yu Qinchuan , Su Liping , He Jianxia , Tao Jie , Xi Yanfeng , Guo Yujiao , Luo Yanhong , Wang Lieyang
Published: January 2025

Background

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) has demonstrated high remission rates in clinical trials for systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL), yet its real-world effectiveness in China remains unconfirmed. This retrospective observational study evaluates BV-based regimens in patients with sALCL, treated from 2020 to 2023.

Methods

A multi-center observational retrospective study was conducted on patients with sALCL received BV plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (CHP) upfront or BV plus gemcitabine, oxaliplatin(GemOx), gemcitabine, cisplatin, dexamethasone(GDP), or isocyclophosphamide, carboplatin, etoposide (ICE)for later lines. Primary endpoints were complete response rate (CRR) and overall response rate (ORR); secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), duration of response (DOR), and the incidence of adverse events (AEs).

Results

Among the 38 patients (28 newly diagnosed and 10 with refractory/relapsed disease), the ORR were 100% (with 89.3% CR) for newly diagnosed patients and 70% (with 50% CR) for refractory/relapsed patients. The median duration of response was 14 months for newly diagnosed patients and 23.8 months for those with refractory/relapsed disease. 2-year Survival rates were 100% for newly diagnosed patients and 80% for refractory/relapsed patients, with 2-year PFS rates of 92.8% and 70%, respectively. Neurological toxicities were commonly observed but resolved following the completion of treatment.

Conclusion

BV has proven to be effective and well-tolerated in real-world settings for the treatment of sALCL, reinforcing its potential as a promising option for first-line or subsequent therapy. The sustained efficacy observed post-CR suggests that these patients may have a prolonged disease control.
Opportunities for predictive proteogenomic biomarkers of drug treatment sensitivity in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Philips Trudy J. , Erickson Britt K. , Thomas Stefani N.
Published: January 2025

Genomic analysis has played a significant role in the identification of driver mutations that are linked to disease progression and response to drug treatment in ovarian cancer. A prominent example is the stratification of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) characterized by mutations in DNA damage repair genes such as BRCA1/2 for treatment with PARP inhibitors. However, recent studies have shown that some epithelial ovarian tumors respond to PARP inhibitors irrespective of their HRD or BRCA mutation status. An exclusive focus on the genome overlooks the significant insight that can be gained from other biological analytes, including proteins, which carry out cellular functions. Proteogenomics is the integration of genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics and proteomics data. This review paper provides novel insight into the role of proteogenomics as an analytical approach to identify predictive biomarkers of drug treatment response in epithelial ovarian cancer. Proteogenomic analysis can facilitate the identification of predictive biomarkers of drug treatment response, consequently greatly improving the stratification of patients with EOC for treatment towards a goal of personalized medicine.
Epidemiological characterization of COVID-19 in children under 18 years old in Mexico: an analysis of the pandemic
Authors: Takane-Cabrera Isamu Daniel , Ortega-Vargas Fanny Yasmin , Díaz-Torres Ilen Adriana , Herrera-González Aldo Agustin , Villa Antonio R. , García-León Miguel Leonardo , Bautista-Carbajal Patricia , Pérez-Sastre Miguel A. , Cortazar-Maldonado Luis Alberto , Díaz-Ramírez Jorge Baruch , Wong-Chew Rosa Maria
Published: January 2025

Objective

The study aimed to describe the characteristics and risk factors associated with disease severity across six waves of COVID-19 in the pediatric population in Mexico.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted using data from the Mexican Ministry of Health, covering the period from March 2020 to March 2023. The dataset included patients under 18 years of age with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine demographic and clinical characteristics, mortality across waves, and age group distributions.

Results

Of the total cohort, 9.5% were children, with 497,428 confirmed cases. Among these, 50% were male, 4.4% required hospitalization, and there were 1,447 (0.03%) deaths. The highest prevalence was observed in the 12–17-year age group (52%), followed by the 5–11-year age group (32%), with incidence rates peaking towards the end of 2021 and the early 2022. Although the 0–2-year age group represented 9.6% of cases, it had higher hospitalization (40%), ICU admission (58%), and case fatality rate (CFR) (44%). Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and immunosuppression were identified as risk factors for severe outcomes. The initial wave displayed the highest CFR (OR 5.28) especially in children aged 0–2 years.

Conclusions

Children were less affected during the pandemic compared to adults; however, children under two years-old experienced more severe outcomes. Currently, with 95% of the population estimated to be immune due to vaccination and/or prior infection, children under 2 years of age are now at higher risk of severe disease and should be evaluated for vaccination as a public health policy.
Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral injection of dexamethasone palmitate combined with ropivacaine for the treatment of thoracic herpes zoster-related pain: protocol for a prospective, randomized controlled, single-center study
Authors: Wang Liu , Xu Shengrong , Jiang Zongbin , He Ruilin
Published: January 2025

Background

Herpes zoster (HZ) patients often experience herpes zoster-associated pain (ZAP). Thoracic paravertebral nerve block has been proven effective in relieving ZAP and reducing the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Compared to dexamethasone, dexamethasone palmitate (DXP) has stronger anti-inflammatory effects, a longer duration of action, and fewer adverse reactions. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral injection of DXP combined with ropivacaine for treating thoracic ZAP, compared to traditional famciclovir therapy.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label, endpoint-blinded, single-center trial will recruit 254 patients with ZAP. Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (thoracic paravertebral injections of DXP combined with ropivacaine and antiviral therapy) or the control group (antiviral therapy). Assessments will include pain intensity, quality of life, sleep quality, inflammatory markers, and adverse events.

Ethics and registration

This study strictly adheres to the 2013 SPIRIT Statement and the Declaration of Helsinki and has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (Approval Number: 2024-KY(0505)). This clinical trial is registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry platform (ChiCTR) at https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html (ChiCTR2400087273), registered on 2024-07-24. The results will be disseminated through scientific journals and conferences, aiming to provide evidence supporting the global management of ZAP. The study is expected to start on 1 August 2024, and continue until 31 July 2027.
Iterative optimization annotation pipeline and ALSS-YOLO-Seg for efficient banana plantation segmentation in UAV imagery
Authors: He Ang , Wu Ximei , Xu Xing , Chen Jing , Guo Xiaobin , Xu Sheng
Published: January 2025

Precise segmentation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-captured images plays a vital role in tasks such as crop yield estimation and plant health assessment in banana plantations. By identifying and classifying planted areas, crop areas can be calculated, which is indispensable for accurate yield predictions. However, segmenting banana plantation scenes requires a substantial amount of annotated data, and manual labeling of these images is both timeconsuming and labor-intensive, limiting the development of large-scale datasets. Furthermore, challenges such as changing target sizes, complex ground backgrounds, limited computational resources, and correct identification of crop categories make segmentation even more difficult. To address these issues, we propose a comprehensive solution. First, we designed an iterative optimization annotation pipeline leveraging SAM2’s zero-shot capabilities to generate high-quality segmentation annotations, thereby reducing the cost and time associated with data annotation significantly. Second, we developed ALSS-YOLO-Seg, an efficient lightweight segmentation model optimized for UAV imagery. The model’s backbone includes an Adaptive Lightweight Channel Splitting and Shuffling (ALSS) module to improve information exchange between channels and optimize feature extraction, aiding accurate crop identification. Additionally, a Multi-Scale Channel Attention (MSCA) module combines multi-scale feature extraction with channel attention to tackle challenges of varying target sizes and complex ground backgrounds. We evaluated the zero-shot segmentation performance of SAM2 on the ADE20K and Javeri datasets. Our iterative optimization annotation pipeline demonstrated a significant reduction in manual annotation effort while achieving high-quality segmentation labeling. Extensive experiments on our custom Banana Plantation segmentation dataset show that ALSS-YOLO-Seg achieves state-of-the-art performance. Our code is openly available at https://github.com/helloworlder8/computer_vision.
An autonomous navigation method for orchard mobile robots based on octree 3D point cloud optimization
Authors: Li Hailong , Huang Kai , Sun Yuanhao , Lei Xiaohui , Yuan Quanchun , Zhang Jinqi , Lv Xiaolan
Published: January 2025

Three-dimensional (3D) LiDAR is crucial for the autonomous navigation of orchard mobile robots, offering comprehensive and accurate environmental perception. However, the increased richness of information provided by 3D LiDAR also leads to a higher computational burden for point cloud data processing, posing challenges to real-time navigation. To address these issues, this paper proposes a 3D point cloud optimization method based on the octree data structure for autonomous navigation of orchard mobile robots. This approach includes two key components: 1) In terms of orchard mapping, the spatial indexing and segmentation features of the octree data structure are introduced. According to the sparsity and density of the point cloud, the 3D orchard map is adaptively divided and the key information of the orchard is retained. 2) In terms of path planning, by using octree nodes as the unit nodes for RRT* random tree expansion, an improved RRT* algorithm based on octree is proposed. Field experiments were conducted in a pear orchard based on this method. The experimental results show that: 1) The overall number of point cloud data points in the map was reduced by approximately 76.32%, while important features, including tree morphology, trellis structure, and road surface information, were fully preserved. 2) When different octree node resolutions were applied, the improved RRT* algorithm demonstrated significant improvements in path generation time, sampling point utilization, path length, and curvature. The lateral tracking error increased as the resolution of octree nodes decreased. At a resolution of 0.20 m, the maximum average lateral tracking error was 0.079 m, indicating strong path trackability. This method exhibits tremendous potential for processing large-scale 3D point cloud data and enhancing path planning efficiency, providing a valuable technical reference for the real-time autonomous navigation of mobile robots in complex orchard environments.
Media battles in the cybersphere: analyzing news and social media agendas during the 2015 Greek bailout referendum
Authors: Sergidou Nelly-Maria , Triga Vasiliki , Tsapatsoulis Nicolas
Published: January 2025

On June 27, 2015, the Greek coalition government, led by the left-wing SYRIZA party, announced the July 5th referendum, asking citizens to decide on the adoption of the EU-proposed economic plan. Referendums in Greece are infrequent, and this decision sparked various interpretations of the motives behind it. In events like the 2016 US presidential elections and the Brexit referendum of the same year, public opinion, especially as expressed on platforms like Twitter, often diverged from the narrative set by the news media agenda. The outcome of the Greek referendum reflected Twitter users’ preferences more closely, surprising many and challenging the traditional role of news media in shaping public opinion. This paper revisits the 2015 Greek referendum, comparing topics discussed in news media with those on Twitter to understand whether the disparity between the two platforms resulted from the dominance of news media agenda-setting or other factors, such as Twitter’s inclination toward alternative voices. The study employs content analysis and topic modeling on a dataset comprising news articles and tweets. Results indicate that the news media agenda predominantly influenced topics discussed by “YES” supporters on Twitter, while it played a less significant role in shaping the topics discussed by “NO” supporters during the 2015 Greek referendum.
The effect of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program on the spiritual health of mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Arasteh Naeime , Moghimian Shahrbabaki Reihane , Nematollahi Monirsadat , Ahmadi Atefe , Bagherian Behnaz
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The birth and admission of a premature infant to the NICU is often an unexpected experience and a mental and spiritual challenge for families. Spiritual health is an influential factor affecting how a mother faces and endures a stressful situation. Improving the mother's spiritual health requires cognitive therapy approaches, including mindfulness techniques. Nurses can help mothers of infants admitted to the NICU to go through the hospitalization period more peacefully by using mindfulness techniques. To this end, the present study sought to investigate the effect of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program on spiritual health in mothers of infants admitted to the NICU.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pre-test-post-test design in two intervention and control groups. The participants were 50 mothers of infants admitted to the NICU of Afzalipur Hospital, Kerman, who were selected via convenience sampling and randomly divided into two control and intervention groups (25 mothers in each group). The intervention involved providing counseling using a short-term mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program carried out in four 2-h sessions for the participants in the intervention group. The participants in the control group received routine NICU care. The participants in both groups completed a demographic information questionnaire and the Spiritual WellBeing Scale (SWBS) before and after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS-25 software.

Results

The data showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). Moreover, the mean score of spiritual health in the intervention group was 92.80 ± 12.14 and that of the control group was 92.16 ± 16.35 before the intervention. The mean score of spiritual health in the intervention group was 104.04 ± 6.60 and that of the control group was 92.56 ± 16.35 after the intervention. The results of the paired samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of spiritual health and its dimensions before and after the intervention in the intervention group (P < 0.001).

Discussion

The findings from the present study indicated that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention was effective in improving the spiritual health of mothers with infants admitted to the NICU. NICU nurses can use mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as a practical intervention to improve the spiritual health of mothers of premature infants and promote the sense of meaningfulness and meaning of life in these mothers.
Crucial role of craftsmanship spirit in fostering innovative behavior among skilled talents in the manufacturing sector
Authors: Li Yuzhu , Zhang Qiuyue , Yang Wenyin
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Innovation remains pivotal for establishing and sustaining a competitive edge within the manufacturing industry. Skilled talents play a vital role in driving innovation and entrepreneurship in this sector. Their creative prowess significantly determines the success of a nation’s innovation-centric development strategy. Craftsmanship spirit emerges as an indispensable mental fortitude for exceptionally skilled talents.

Methods

Drawing on social cognitive theory and social exchange theory, this study constructed a theoretical model to explore the intricate relationship between craftsmanship spirit and the innovative behavior of skilled talents, which was subsequently validated through empirical research.

Results

This study showed that craftsmanship spirit actively fostered the innovative behavior of skilled talents. This facilitation was mediated through two interconnected variables: innovative self-efficacy and knowledge sharing among skilled talents, with organizational innovation climate assuming a nuanced regulatory role.

Discussion

Consequently, enterprises are encouraged to nurture craftsmanship spirit, amplify innovative self-efficacy, promote knowledge sharing, and proactively instill an innovative climate within their organization. These measures can collectively inspire and amplify innovative behavior among skilled talents.
Where do “chemical imbalance” beliefs come from? Evaluating the impact of different sources
Authors: Schroder Hans S. , Tovey Jordyn , Forer Reni , Schultz William , Kneeland Elizabeth T. , Moser Jason S.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Although the etiology of depression is incredibly complex, the narrative that it is caused by a simple “chemical imbalance” persists in lay settings. We sought to understand where people are exposed to this explanation (i.e., the “source”), and the relative influence of each source.

Methods

A total of 1,219 college students were asked where they had heard of the chemical imbalance explanation and how much they believed this to be true. Independent raters coded open-ended responses and we used self-report measures to capture chemical imbalance belief endorsement.

Results

The most common sources of exposure to this explanation were the classroom, the Internet/media, other people (e.g., friends), and healthcare providers. In a regression analysis, only learning about the chemical imbalance explanation from healthcare providers uniquely predicted the adoption of the chemical imbalance belief. The correlation held even after controlling for depression symptoms, a family history of depression, and having had a diagnosis or treatment of mental health disorder (all of which also uniquely predicted chemical imbalance belief endorsement).

Discussion

These results suggest that healthcare providers play an important role in the dissemination of the chemical imbalance message, which is an oversimplified, scientifically controversial, and potentially treatment-interfering narrative. Interventions directed at healthcare providers may help them engage with more accurate messages.
Comprehensibility of gender-fair language in German-language video lectures
Authors: Friedrich Marcus C. G. , Krenz Bianca
Published: January 2025

In many languages, it is common to use masculine-only forms when all genders are meant or gender is irrelevant to the actual statement. This practice is criticized for making women and members of other genders, their achievements and interests, less visible. Gender-fair language is intended to represent all genders equally. Recently introduced forms such as the glottal stop and the gender star are intended to also represent people outside the male–female dichotomy on the linguistic surface. However, it is often argued that gender-fair language would make texts less comprehensible and less aesthetically appealing. The critics’ assumptions were tested in an experiment with 272 participants. Subjects watched a screencast on self-regulated learning and were randomly assigned to either a version using masculine-only forms or a version using the glottal stop and the gender star. Subsequently, participants rated the comprehensibility and aesthetic appeal of the video they had watched. Structural equation models show no statistically significant influence of the use of gender-fair language on the comprehensibility (β = −0.13) or the aesthetic appeal (β = −0.16) of the videos. The critics’ assumptions are therefore not supported. But further studies are needed, especially regarding the corresponding singular forms and with non-academic participants.
Eating disorders in medical students: prevalence, risk factors, comparison with the general population
Authors: Motorga Raluca , Ionescu Mihaela , Nechita Florina , Micu Daniela , Băluțoiu Iulia , Dinu Maria Mădălina , Nechita Dan
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The main objectives were to investigate the prevalence of ED and associated risk factors among medical students in Romania, as well as to determine which variables may predict ED and to explore the differences between medical students and the general population.

Methods

The Eating Disorders Inventory questionnaire (EDI-3) was applied. Also, the body mass index of the students was calculated, socio-demographic information regarding personal and family medical history was collected (mental and chronic diseases, self-reported sleep difficulties in the past 6 months, family history of obesity) and potentially risky events (history of ridicule, major negative events, social pressure to be thin from family, friends, media).

Results

37.1% students are at risk of eating disorders, 41% females and 23% males, according to the EDI-3. 14.42% were underweight, 65.05% normal weight, 16.99% overweight and 3.53% obese. Compared to the nationally representative sample in Romania, medical students had significantly higher scores for ED risk and for all other psychological factors.

Conclusion

Medical students have a high risk of developing ED, even higher than the general population. Several factors were associated with the ED risk, including female gender, experiencing sleeping difficulties, feelings of ridicule, family pressure and media pressure, prior ED history, high BMI, negative events and family history of mental illness. The regression analysis showed that family pressure is a strong predictor for ED risk.
Poor control of pain increases the risk of depression: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zeng Junjian , Liao Zhiqiang , Lin Aiqing , Zou Yu , Chen Yixun , Liu Zhonghua , Zhou Zhidong
Published: January 2025

Background

Inadequate pain management not only results in prolonged physical discomfort but also causes a range of psychological and social issues, such as anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and diminished work performance. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the duration of pain and depression.

Methods

This study utilized data on pain and depression from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014. Participants with a health questionnaire score ≥10 were considered to have depressive symptoms. Weighted univariate, multivariate logistic regression analysis, sensitivity analysis, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were used to examine the relationship between pain duration and the risk of depression. Additionally, subgroup analysis was conducted to identify potential confounding factors that might affect this relationship.

Results

Among the 2,248 participants, 442 (19.6%) were diagnosed with depressive symptoms, with an average age of 52 years, 69% of whom were female. After adjusting for all confounding factors, our results show a significant association between pain duration (in months) and depression. Individuals in the highest quartile of pain duration had a 154% higher likelihood of developing depression compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR = 3.375, 95% CI 2.329-4.886, P < 0.001), and the trend test was also significant (P for trend < 0.001). The RCS analysis indicated a linear relationship between pain duration and depression (P for nonlinearity = 0.427).

Conclusion

This study’s results indicate that inadequate pain control, resulting in extended pain duration, places patients at a higher risk for depression.
The availability and functionality of medical equipment and the barriers to their use at comprehensive specialized hospitals in the Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Woldeyohanins Alem Endeshaw , Molla Nigatu Mihretu , Mekonen Abibo Wondie , Wondimu Abrham
Published: January 2025

Background

Public healthcare practices, particularly disease prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients, heavily rely on the availability and functionality of medical equipment. The absence of sufficient medical equipment and the malfunctioning of existing equipment impede the ability to provide effective healthcare services and directly affect patient rehabilitation, while the challenges related to medical equipment utilization are huge, especially in countries with limited resources such as Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the availability, functionality, and barriers associated with the use of medical equipment at public comprehensive specialized hospitals in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design involving both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted. Eight (n = 8) comprehensive specialized hospitals in the Amhara region were selected purposefully and included in this study. The data used to assess the availability and functionality of medical equipment items (n = 78) listed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health that are supposed to be available in all of the comprehensive specialized hospitals were collected from 29 May to 18 June 2023. Self-administered structured questionnaires, observational checklists, and key informant interview guides were used to collect the necessary data. To analyze the quantitative data, descriptive statistics were employed, and qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic approach.

Results

The study revealed that the availability of medical equipment in at least one hospital was 55.93% on average, and the availability of at least one piece of medical equipment in the surveyed hospitals was only 25.6%. The overall functional status of medical equipment was 74.68%. The present study also indicated that 75% of the surveyed facility's biomedical engineers did not receive on-the-job training regularly. Of the eight surveyed facilities, only one had spare parts and accessories for their medical equipment and the majority (87.5%) of the facilities did not have enough medical equipment storage space and did not have medical equipment policies. The qualitative findings of this study showed that issues with the utilization of the Medical Equipment Management Information System, a lack of spare parts and accessories, the absence of a well-equipped and standardized maintenance workshop, and insufficient operator training were the major challenges.

Conclusion

This study revealed critical deficiencies in medical equipment availability, functionality, and barriers to maintenance at the surveyed facilities. Therefore, to improve healthcare service delivery, collaborative efforts and targeted interventions are essential in optimizing the availability and functionality of medical equipment at each and every health facility.
Heuristics: The Mental Shortcuts We Use When We Solve Problems Under Pressure
Authors: Ayyappan Vikash , Carter Alexandria , Hegdé Jay
Published: January 2025

When we solve problems under time pressure or when there is a lot of uncertainty, we tend not to use strict logical reasoning. Instead, we tend to resort to one or more mental shortcuts, also known as heuristics, to solve the problem. The upside of using heuristics is that they allow us to make decisions quickly, whereas going through all the steps of strict logical reasoning can be exhausting and time consuming. The downside is that heuristic reasoning can lead to specific types of errors in our decision making. Studies have shown that both experts and non-experts use heuristics in solving problems in every walk of life, including medicine, business, politics, law enforcement, and even in science. Researchers have also identified multiple different heuristics. In this article, we will focus on three of the most extensively studied heuristics and show how they can affect real-life, and even life-or-death, decisions.
Assessing gut barrier integrity and reproductive performance following pre-mating oral administration of solid-lipid-nanoparticles designed for drug delivery
Authors: Lacconi Valentina , Massimiani Micol , Antonello Giulia , Gasco Paolo , Bernardini Roberta , Ferrari Cristiana , Ippoliti Lorenzo , La Sala Gina , Pietroiusti Antonio , Fenoglio Ivana , Riganti Chiara , Campagnolo Luisa
Published: January 2025

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have gained interest as drug delivery carriers due to their efficient cellular internalization and increased therapeutic effect of the loaded drug, with minimal side effects. Although recently several studies have shown the possibility to administer SLNs during pregnancy to vehicle mRNA to the placenta, data about the effect of premating exposure to SLNs on pregnancy outcome are scant. Considering that assumption of drug-delivering nanocarriers in reproductive age may potentially affect women’s reproductive health, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether repeated oral administration of SLNs to female mice prior to mating would influence key pregnancy outcomes. For this purpose, SLNs melatonin loaded (SLN + mlt) or unloaded were orally administered to CD1 female mice at two different dosages—low (7.5 mg/kg) and high (750 mg/kg) —three times a week for 6 weeks. Females mice were mated and pregnancy was monitored from conception to delivery. All the assessed pregnancy parameters, including time to pregnancy, pregnancy duration, litter size, and the presence of any gross anomalies in the pups, and maternal key biochemical parameters were not significantly affected by SLN administration. Embryonic development was also evaluated and no effects on the number of implantation sites, fetus numbers, incidence of fetal resorptions, and measurements of crown-rump length, as well as fetal and placental weights, were observed in the treated mothers. The impact of SLNs on maternal intestinal barrier integrity and inflammation was assessed both in vivo in mice and in vitro using an intestinal epithelial barrier model by qRT-PCR. Results showed that unloaded SLNs, but not the SLN + mlt, affected intestinal barrier integrity. Although variation in the expression of inflammatory cytokines was recorded, this did not reflect in significant histological alterations and the integrity of the intestinal barrier was maintained. The in vitro model further confirmed the biocompatibility of SLNs, showing that both loaded and unloaded SLNs did not affect the integrity of the simulated intestinal epithelial barrier. In conclusion, these data suggest that administering SLNs, as a drug delivery vehicle, prior to conception does not affect either maternal health or fetal development, posing no risk to future pregnancy.