bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-species single-cell landscapes identify the pathogenic gene characteristics of inherited retinal diseases
Authors: Hu Hualei , Liu Fei , Gao Pan , Huang Yuwen , Jia Danna , Reilly Jamas , Chen Xiang , Han Yunqiao , Sun Kui , Luo Jiong , Li Pei , Zhang Zuxiao , Wang Qing , Lu Qunwei , Luo Daji , Shu Xinhua , Tang Zhaohui , Liu Mugen , Ren Xiang
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) affect ∼4.5 million people worldwide. Elusive pathogenic variants in over 280 genes are associated with one or more clinical forms of IRDs. It is necessary to understand the complex interaction among retinal cell types and pathogenic genes by constructing a regulatory network. In this study, we attempt to establish a panoramic expression view of the cooperative work in retinal cells to understand the clinical manifestations and pathogenic bases underlying IRDs.

Methods

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data on the retinas from 35 retina samples of 3 species (human, mouse, and zebrafish) including 259,087 cells were adopted to perform a comparative analysis across species. Bioinformatic tools were used to conduct weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), single-cell regulatory network analysis, cell–cell communication analysis, and trajectory inference analysis.

Results

The cross-species comparison revealed shared or species-specific gene expression patterns at single-cell resolution, such as the stathmin family genes, which were highly expressed specifically in zebrafish Müller glias (MGs). Thirteen gene modules were identified, of which nine were associated with retinal cell types, and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment of module genes was consistent with cell-specific highly expressed genes. Many IRD genes were identified as hub genes and cell-specific regulons. Most IRDs, especially the retinitis pigmentosa (RP) genes, were enriched in rod-specific regulons. Integrated expression and transcription regulatory network genes, such as congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) genes GRK1, PDE6B, and TRPM1, showed cell-specific expression and transcription characteristics in either rods or bipolar cells (BCs). IRD genes showed evolutionary conservation (GNAT2, PDE6G, and SAG) and divergence (GNAT2, MT-ND4, and PDE6A) along the trajectory of photoreceptors (PRs) among species. In particular, the Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) gene OTX2 showed high expression at the beginning of the trajectory of both PRs and BCs.

Conclusion

We identified molecular pathways and cell types closely connected with IRDs, bridging the gap between gene expression, genetics, and pathogenesis. The IRD genes enriched in cell-specific modules and regulons suggest that these diseases share common etiological bases. Overall, mining of interspecies transcriptome data reveals conserved transcriptomic features of retinas across species and promising applications in both normal retina anatomy and retina pathology.
Methylation of SSTR4 promoter region in multiple mental health disorders
Authors: Zhao Rongrong , Shi Huihui , Wang Yanqiu , Zheng Shuaiyu , Xu Yahui
Published: July 2024

The existence of a shared genetic basis for mental disorders has long been documented, yet research on whether acquired epigenetic modifications exhibit common alterations across diseases is limited. Previous studies have found that abnormal methylation of cg14631053 at the SSTR4 promoter region mediates the onset of alcohol use disorder. However, whether aberrant methylation of the SSTR4 gene promoter is involved in other mental health disorders remains unclear. In this study, leveraging publicly available data, we identified that changes in methylation of cg14631053 from the SSTR4 promoter region are involved in the development of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Furthermore, the direction of methylation changes in the SSTR4 promoter region is disease-specific: hypomethylation is associated with the onset of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, rather than major depressive disorder. Methylation levels of cg14631053 correlate with chronological age, a correlation that can be disrupted in patients with mental health disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In conclusion, SSTR4 promoter methylation may serve as a marker for identifying bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, providing insights into a transdiagnostic mechanism for precision medicine in the future.
Influences of water velocity on ovarian maturation and antioxidant capacity in adult grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)
Authors: Shu Tingting , Yang Jing , Yu Zhaoxi , Xiao Kan , Huang Hongtao , Dai Lingquan , Yin Zhan , Jiang Wei
Published: July 2024

Ecological operation of hydraulic engineering is essential for the conservation of fishery resources. Water velocity is known to affect the spawning of fishes delivering drifting eggs. This study aims to explore the effects of water velocity stimulation on the ovarian maturation and antioxidant capacity of adult grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) through laboratory experiments in order to understand the physiological mechanism underlying the response of natural reproduction to ecological flows. We examined the histology, sex hormones and vitellogenin (VTG) concentrations of ovary, and the transcripts of key genes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis, as well as the antioxidant activities of ovary and liver in grass carp. The results showed that although there was no discernible difference on the ovarian development characteristics of grass carp under water velocity stimulation, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α,20β-DHP), and VTG concentrations were elevated, which was related to the transcriptional regulation of the HPG axis genes. The gene expression levels (gnrh2, fshβ, lhβ, cgα, hsd20b, hsd17b3, and vtg) in the HPG axis were significantly elevated under water velocity stimulation, while those of hsd3b1, cyp17a1, cyp19a1a, hsd17b1, star, and igf3 were suppressed. In addition, appropriate water velocity stimulation could enhance body health status by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the ovary and liver. The results of this study provide the fundamental knowledge and data support for ecological operation of hydropower projects and river ecological restoration.
Evaluation of the quality and quantity of artificial intelligence-generated responses about anesthesia and surgery: using ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0
Authors: Choi Jisun , Oh Ah Ran , Park Jungchan , Kang Ryung A. , Yoo Seung Yeon , Lee Dong Jae , Yang Kwangmo
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) language model chatbot, Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT), is renowned for its ability to provide data quickly and efficiently. This study aimed to assess the medical responses of ChatGPT regarding anesthetic procedures.

Methods

Two anesthesiologist authors selected 30 questions representing inquiries patients might have about surgery and anesthesia. These questions were inputted into two versions of ChatGPT in English. A total of 31 anesthesiologists then evaluated each response for quality, quantity, and overall assessment, using 5-point Likert scales. Descriptive statistics summarized the scores, and a paired sample t-test compared ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0.

Results

Regarding quality, “appropriate” was the most common rating for both ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 (40 and 48%, respectively). For quantity, responses were deemed “insufficient” in 59% of cases for 3.5, and “adequate” in 69% for 4.0. In overall assessment, 3 points were most common for 3.5 (36%), while 4 points were predominant for 4.0 (42%). Mean quality scores were 3.40 and 3.73, and mean quantity scores were − 0.31 (between insufficient and adequate) and 0.03 (between adequate and excessive), respectively. The mean overall score was 3.21 for 3.5 and 3.67 for 4.0. Responses from 4.0 showed statistically significant improvement in three areas.

Conclusion

ChatGPT generated responses mostly ranging from appropriate to slightly insufficient, providing an overall average amount of information. Version 4.0 outperformed 3.5, and further research is warranted to investigate the potential utility of AI chatbots in assisting patients with medical information.
Auditory and speech outcomes of cochlear implantation in patients with Waardenburg syndrome: a meta-analysis
Authors: Qin Feng , Guo Siquan , Yin Xiuwen , Lu Xiaoyu , Ma Jing
Published: July 2024

Objective

This study aims to assess the potential efficacy of cochlear implantation as a treatment for patients with Waardenburg syndrome (WS) and to guide clinical work by comparing the effect of auditory and speech recovery after cochlear implantation in patients with WS and non-WS.

Methods

PubMed, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang Data were sources for retrieving literature on cochlear implantation in WS, and clinical data meeting the inclusion criteria were meta-analyzed using RevMan5.41.

Results

A total of nine articles were included in this study, including 132 patients with WS and 815 patients in the control group. Meta-analysis showed that there are no significant differences in the scores for categories of audit performance (CAP), speech intelligibility rating (SIR), and parents’ evaluation of aural/oral performance of children (PEACH) between the WS group and the control group.

Conclusion

Cochlear implantation demonstrates comparable auditory and speech recovery outcomes for WS patients and non-WS patients.
Two novel SUCLA2 variants cause mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, type 5 in two siblings
Authors: Zhang Xiaohuan , Zhang Guo , Cao Li , Zhou Wenjing , Tan Chang , Ma Shi , Yang Jiyun
Published: July 2024

Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDS), characterized by succinate-CoA ligase deficiency and loss of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), is caused by specific variants in nuclear genes responsible for mtDNA maintenance. SUCLA2-related mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, type 5 (MTDPS-5), presents as a rare, severe early progressive encephalomyopathy. This report investigates a new family exhibiting clinical manifestations of MTDPS-5 and elucidates the genetic basis of this disorder. In two affected siblings, a novel maternally inherited nonsense variant [c.1234C>T (p.Arg412*)] in the SUCLA2 gene and a unique paternally inherited indel variant (g.48569263–48571020del1758insATGA) were identified. Additionally, the siblings exhibited blood mtDNA content lower than 33% compared to age-matched controls. These findings underscore the importance of assessing SUCLA2 variants in patients with severe early progressive encephalomyopathy, even in the absence of methylmalonic aciduria or mtDNA loss, thereby broaden the mutational spectrum of this gene.
Prevalence of COVID-19 neurological manifestations in patients referred to the Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz between March 2020 to the March 2023
Authors: Mazraeh Alireza , Azaran Azarakhsh , Shalilahmadi Davood , Jalilian Shahram , Hesam Saeed
Published: July 2024

Due to the abundance of ACE2 receptors in nervous system cells, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause damage to this system. This study aims to examine the prevalence of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients. In this cross-sectional observational study, 75 COVID-19 positive patients admitted to Golestan Hospital’s neurology department in Ahvaz, Iran, from March 2020 to March 2023, were investigated. Neurological clinical symptoms were categorized into three groups: central nervous system, peripheral, and muscular symptoms. The relevant information was collected from patient files, including medical history, imaging data, and laboratory test results. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing the rank-biserial correlation coefficient (r), Mann–Whitney U tests, Phi correlation, Cramer’s V, and Kendall’s Tau to evaluate the prevalence and significance of neurological symptoms. The most common clinical symptoms observed were hemiparesis, dysarthria, Central Facial Palsy (CFP), ataxia, and nausea, respectively. Among these symptoms, headaches (p = 0.001), seizures (p = 0.024), and nausea (p = 0.046) were found to be more prevalent in younger patients. Additionally, a significant relationship was identified between the level of serum Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and seizures (p = 0.024), with lower levels observed in individuals with vomiting (p = 0.024), and higher levels observed in individuals with CFP (p = 0.040). This study highlights that patients with COVID-19 may experience serious neurological symptoms. The clinical spectrum and range of neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19 were found to be diverse and extensive, emphasizing the importance of considering this infection as a potential cause of neurological disorders.
Case report: Metastatic refractory undifferentiated small round-cell sarcoma successfully treated with surufatinib and camrelizumab
Authors: Li Yong , Huang Jinpeng , Chen Xian , Ye Yongsong , Du Xiaohua , Voutsadakis Ioannis A. , Seetharam Mahesh , Zhang Haibo , Lu Min
Published: July 2024

Background

Undifferentiated small round-cell sarcomas (uSRCSs) are a subgroup of sarcomas that are difficult to diagnose. Some uSRCSs have specific gene re-arrangements, but others do not. Currently, there is no specific treatments for advanced uSRCSs, and its treatment is largely based on general experience with sarcomas, which includes chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. In this article, we report a patient with uSRCS who responded to treatment with anti-VEGF inhibitor surufatinib and anti-PD-1 inhibitor camrelizumab after progression on first-line chemotherapy, second-line anlotinib combined with immunotherapy, and third-line chemotherapy.

Case description

In July 2020, a 37-year-old female patient was diagnosed with advanced uSRCS. Results for the Ewing sarcoma RNA binding protein 1 and Wilms tumor suppressor (EWSR1/WT1) fusion gene were negative. The patient was also negative with BCOR (BCL6 co-repressor) and CIC (capicua transcriptional repressor) fusion gene. The next-generation sequencing results revealed point mutations on Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-Bisphosphate 3-Kinase Catalytic Subunit Beta (PIK3CB), Transcription Factor Binding To IGHM Enhancer 3 (TFE3), Mucin 16 (MUC16), and AXL (Axl, also called UFO, ARK, and Tyro7, is part of a family of receptor tyrosine kinases). The patient received 4 cycles of the Ifosfamide and epirubicin hydrochloride regimen, and her best objective response was stable disease. On November 3, 2020, a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed progressive disease (PD). Two cycles of camrelizumab (a programmed death-1 inhibitor) plus anlotinib (an anti- vascular endothelial growth factor drug) were administered, but PD was again observed. Thus, a regimen of gemcitabine plus docetaxel was adopted. Unfortunately, the disease progressed once again after two cycles of the treatment. On February 4, 2021, the patient began to receive targeted therapy with surufatinib combined with camrelizumab. A CT scan showed that the tumor achieved a partial response. As of April 2023, the patient had a progression-free survival time of 26 months.

Conclusions

Surufatinib in combination with camrelizumab could be effective in the treatment of advanced uSRCSs.
Evaluation of newborn hearing screening program in Jordan
Authors: Obeidat Faten S. , Alothman Noura , Alkahtani Rania , Al-Najjar Sameer , Obeidat Mohammad , Ali Asia Y. , Ahmad Elham , Alghwiri Alia A.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS) program was officially launched in Jordan in 2021. Since its inception, no studies have examined the effectiveness of the program. This study seeks to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of the NHS program in Jordan.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the program coverage rate, referral rate, loss to follow-up rate and the hearing status of newborns who successfully completed the necessary diagnostic assessment. Live births in all hospitals administered by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Jordan from July 2021 to November 2023 were included.

Results

Out of 25,825 newborns delivered, 99.4% (25,682) were screened. A referral rate of 0.7% (189) was recorded. Approximately 61.9% of those referred (n = 117) had normal hearing, while 31.7% (60 infants) were diagnosed with hearing loss. The prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0.14%, and the mean age for identifying hearing loss was 11 months.

Discussion

The current status of the NHS program in Jordan is promising. The program has achieved most benchmarks recommended by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH), demonstrating encouraging outcomes. There is a need to investigate and address the factors causing delays in the identification of hearing loss in Jordan.
Bioassay-guided isolation of leishmanicidal cucurbitacins from Momordica charantia
Authors: Marques Maria Carolina Silva , Yoshida Nídia Cristiane , Torres-Santos Eduardo Caio , Garcez Fernanda Rodrigues , Garcez Walmir Silva
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical parasitic disease, is regarded as a major public health problem worldwide. The first-line drugs for leishmaniasis suffer from limitations related to toxicity and the development of resistance in certain parasitic strains. Therefore, the discovery of alternative treatments for leishmaniasis is imperative, and natural products represent a valuable source of potential therapeutic agents.

Methods

The present study aimed at finding new potential antileishmanial agents from the aerial parts of the medicinal plant Momordica charantia. This study was based on bioassay-guided fractionation of the M. charantia extract against promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. The cytotoxicity of the extract, fractions, and isolated compounds were evaluated against peritoneal murine macrophages by employing the MTT assay for assessing cell metabolic activity.

Results

Antileishmanial assay-guided fractionation of the M. charantia extract led to the bioactive cucurbitacin-enriched fraction and the isolation of four bioactive cucurbitacin-type triterpenoids, which exhibited significant antileishmanial activity, with IC50 values between 2.11 and 3.25 μg.mL−1 against promastigote and amastigote forms, low toxicity and selectivity indexes ranging from 8.5 to 17.2.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the fractions and cucurbitacin-type triterpenoids obtained from the aerial parts of M. charantia are promising natural leishmanicidal candidates.
Critical signaling molecules in the temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis under different magnitudes of mechanical stimulation
Authors: Liu Yuqi , Jia Fangwen , Li Kangya , Liang Chao , Lin Xiao , Geng Wei , Li Yanxi
Published: July 2024

The mechanical stress environment in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is constantly changing due to daily mandibular movements. Therefore, TMJ tissues, such as condylar cartilage, the synovial membrane and discs, are influenced by different magnitudes of mechanical stimulation. Moderate mechanical stimulation is beneficial for maintaining homeostasis, whereas abnormal mechanical stimulation leads to degeneration and ultimately contributes to the development of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA), which involves changes in critical signaling molecules. Under abnormal mechanical stimulation, compensatory molecules may prevent degenerative changes while decompensatory molecules aggravate. In this review, we summarize the critical signaling molecules that are stimulated by moderate or abnormal mechanical loading in TMJ tissues, mainly in condylar cartilage. Furthermore, we classify abnormal mechanical stimulation-induced molecules into compensatory or decompensatory molecules. Our aim is to understand the pathophysiological mechanism of TMJ dysfunction more deeply in the ever-changing mechanical environment, and then provide new ideas for discovering effective diagnostic and therapeutic targets in TMJOA.
The impact of the GLOSSY2 and GLOSSY2-LIKE BAHD-proteins in affecting the product profile of the maize fatty acid elongase
Authors: Alexander Liza Esther , Winkelman Dirk , Stenback Kenna E. , Lane Madison , Campbell Katelyn R. , Trost Elysse , Flyckt Kayla , Schelling Michael A. , Rizhsky Ludmila , Yandeau-Nelson Marna D. , Nikolau Basil J.
Published: July 2024

The maize glossy2 and glossy2-like genes are homologs, which encode proteins that belong to the BAHD family of acyltransferases. In planta genetic studies have demonstrated that these genes may be involved in the elongation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) that are precursors of the cuticular wax fraction of the plant cuticle. VLCFAs are synthesized by a fatty acyl-CoA elongase complex (FAE) that consists of four component enzymes. Previously, we functionally identified the maize FAE component enzymes by their ability to complement haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that carry lethal deletion alleles for each FAE component enzyme. In this study we used these complemented haploid strains and wild-type diploid strains to evaluate whether the co-expression of either GLOSSY2 or GLOSSY2-LIKE with individual maize FAE component enzymes affects the VLCFA product-profile of the FAE system. Wild-type diploid strains produced VLCFAs of up to 28-carbon chain length. Co-expression of GLOSSY2 or GLOSSY2-LIKE with a combination of maize 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases stimulated the synthesis of longer VLCFAs, up to 30-carbon chain lengths. However, such results could not be recapitulated when these co-expression experiments were conducted in the yeast haploid mutant strains that lacked individual components of the endogenous FAE system. Specifically, lethal yeast mutant strains that are genetically complemented by the expression of maize FAE-component enzymes produce VLCFAs that range between 20- and 26-carbon chain lengths. However, expressing either GLOSSY2 or GLOSSY2-LIKE in these complemented strains does not enable the synthesis of longer chain VLCFAs. These results indicate that the apparent stimulatory role of GLOSSY2 or GLOSSY2-LIKE to enable the synthesis of longer chain VLCFAs in diploid yeast cells may be associated with mixing plant enzyme components with the endogenous FAE complex.
Genome-wide identification and functional analysis of mRNA m6A writers in soybean under abiotic stress
Authors: Liu Peng , Liu Huijie , Zhao Jie , Yang Tengfeng , Guo Sichao , Chang Luo , Xiao Tianyun , Xu Anjie , Liu Xiaoye , Zhu Changhua , Gan Lijun , Chen Mingjia
Published: July 2024

N6-methyladenosine (m6A), a well-characterized RNA modification, is involved in regulating multiple biological processes; however, genome-wide identification and functional characterization of the m6A modification in legume plants, including soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), remains lacking. In this study, we utilized bioinformatics tools to perform comprehensive analyses of molecular writer candidates associated with the RNA m6A modification in soybean, characterizing their conserved domains, motifs, gene structures, promoters, and spatial expression patterns. Thirteen m6A writer complex genes in soybean were identified, which were assigned to four families: MT-A70, WTAP, VIR, and HAKAI. It also can be identified that multiple cis elements in the promoters of these genes, which were classified into five distinct groups, including elements responsive to light, phytohormone regulation, environmental stress, development, and others, suggesting that these genes may modulate various cellular and physiological processes in plants. Importantly, the enzymatic activities of two identified m6A writers, GmMTA1 and GmMTA2, were confirmed in vitro. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression patterns of the GmMTAs and GmMTBs under different abiotic stresses, revealing their potential involvement in stress tolerance, especially in the response to alkalinity or darkness. Overexpressing GmMTA2 and GmMTB1 in soybean altered the tolerance of the plants to alkalinity and long-term darkness, further confirming their effect on the stress response. Collectively, our findings identified the RNA m6A writer candidates in leguminous plants and highlighted the potential roles of GmMTAs and GmMTBs in the response to abiotic stress in soybean.
Documenting and defining emergent phenomenology: theoretical foundations for an extensive research strategy
Authors: Sandilands Olivier , Ingram Daniel M.
Published: July 2024

Meditation, psychedelics, and other similar practices or induction methods that can modulate conscious experience, are becoming increasingly popular in clinical and non-clinical settings. The phenomenology associated with such practices or modalities is vast. Many similar effects and experiences are also reported to occur spontaneously. We argue that this experiential range is still not fully described or understood in the contemporary literature, and that there is an ethical mandate to research it more extensively, starting with comprehensive documentation and definition. We review 50 recent clinical or scientific publications to assess the range of phenomena, experiences, effects, after-effects, and impacts associated with a broad variety of psychoactive compounds, meditative practices, and other modalities or events. This results in a large inventory synthesizing the reports of over 30,000 individual subjects. We then critically discuss various terms and concepts that have been used in recent literature to designate all or parts of the range this inventory covers. We make the case that specialized terminologies are needed to ground the nascent research field that is forming around this experiential domain. As a step in this direction, we propose the notion of “emergence” and some of its derivatives, such as “emergent phenomenology,” as possibly foundational candidates.
The effect of action observation and motor imagery on jumping and perceived performance
Authors: Çiftçi Muhammet Cihat , Yılmaz Baki
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) are cognitive processes that involve mentally rehearsing and simulating movements without physically performing them. However, the need for the evidence to support influence of imagery on performance is increasing. This study aims to investigate the impact of combining motor imagery with action observation on athletes’ performance and performance perception.

Method

Using a pre-test post-test design with a factorial setup, participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. A pre-research power analysis determined the sample size, resulting in 21 voluntary participants (10 male). Opto Jump device recorded drop jump performance measurements, while participants predicted their performance post-motor imagery and action observation practices. The experimental group underwent an 8-week AOMI intervention program, involving 24-minute motor imagery sessions during video observation thrice weekly. Post-test measurements were taken after the intervention.

Results

Results indicated no significant performance increase in the experimental group post-intervention, yet the group showed enhanced performance estimation following the video observation, but not in motor imagery condition. Conversely, this improvement was absent in the control group.

Discussion

Although AOMI intervention didn’t enhance physical performance, it has positively affected athletes’ perception toward their performance. The findings are discussed in relation to existing literature.
The geo domain: a review on the conceptualization of geographical and geopolitical entities
Authors: Falcinelli Ilenia , Fini Chiara , Mazzuca Claudia , Borghi Anna M.
Published: July 2024

Investigating how people represent the natural environment and abstract it into geographical (e.g., mountain) and geopolitical (e.g., city) categories is pivotal to comprehending how they move and interact with the places they inhabit. Yet, the conceptualization of geographical and geopolitical domains has received scant attention so far. To deal with that, we reviewed 50 articles tackling this topic. Most studies have focused on assessing the universality of these concepts—especially geographical ones—mainly using free-listing and ethnophysiographic methods. Current perspectives tend to favor a non-universalistic characterization of these kinds of concepts, emphasizing their high cross-linguistic and cross-cultural variability, especially when compared to other semantic domains. Since geographical and geopolitical features are not pre-segmented by nature, the role of categories imposed by humans is crucial for these concepts. Significantly, their variability does not only depend on “cross” differences: evidence suggests that the cognitive demand requested by the task, idiosyncratic characteristics of individuals such as expertise level, and the typology of inhabited environments are further factors impacting the conceptual flexibility of these domains. Exploring the factors influencing our understanding of geographical and geopolitical categories can provide valuable insights for instructing effective communication policies to enhance sustainable development and address ecological emergencies, taking into consideration diverse cultural backgrounds within different populations.
Efficacy and safety of pharmacogenomic-guided antidepressant prescribing in patients with depression: an umbrella review and updated meta-analysis
Authors: Tesfamicael Kiflu G. , Zhao Lijun , Fernández-Rodríguez Rubén , Adelson David L. , Musker Michael , Polasek Thomas M. , Lewis Martin David
Published: July 2024

Aim

To determine the efficacy and safety of pharmacogenomics (PGx)-guided antidepressant prescribing in patients with depression through an umbrella review and updated meta-analysis.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic search was conducted on PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane databases. The pooled effect sizes of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were expressed as mean differences for continuous data and risk ratios for noncontinuous data.

Results

Patients who received PGx-guided medications were 41% to 78% more likely to achieve remission and 20% to 49% more likely to respond to antidepressants than patients receiving treatment-as-usual (TAU).

Conclusion

PGx-guided antidepressant prescribing improves the treatment of depression. However, the significance and magnitude of the benefit varies widely between studies and different PGx testing panels.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022321324.
Major challenges in youth psychopathology: treatment-resistant depression. A narrative review
Authors: Menculini Giulia , Cinesi Gianmarco , Scopetta Francesca , Cardelli Matteo , Caramanico Guido , Balducci Pierfrancesco Maria , De Giorgi Filippo , Moretti Patrizia , Tortorella Alfonso
Published: July 2024

Major depressive disorder (MDD) represents a major health issue in adolescents and young adults, leading to high levels of disability and profoundly impacting overall functioning. The clinical presentation of MDD in this vulnerable age group may slightly differ from what can be observed in adult populations, and psychopharmacological strategies do not always lead to optimal response. Resistance to antidepressant treatment has a prevalence estimated around 40% in youths suffering from MDD and is associated with higher comorbidity rates and suicidality. Several factors, encompassing biological, environmental, and clinical features, may contribute to the emergence of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, TRD may underpin the presence of an unrecognized bipolar diathesis, increasing the overall complexity of the clinical picture and posing major differential diagnosis challenges in the clinical practice. After summarizing current evidence on epidemiological and clinical correlates of TRD in adolescents and young adults, the present review also provides an overview of possible treatment strategies, including novel fast-acting antidepressants. Despite these pharmacological agents are promising in this population, their usage is expected to rely on risk-benefit ratio and to be considered in the context of integrated models of care.
Susceptibility to e-cigarette among high school students: a study based on the ecological model of health behavior
Authors: Deng Hui , Fang Ling , Zhang Lingyun , Li Jie , Wang Jing , Wang Fan , Zheng Pinpin
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Youth e-cigarette (EC) use has rapidly increased in the last few years. It is crucial to identify the susceptible youth and prevent them from EC uptake. This study was conducted to investigate factors that affect youth susceptibility to EC use.

Methods

This study employed a cross-sectional survey design, utilizing multi-center stratified cluster sampling method to select two junior high schools and two senior high schools in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. One-third of classes of each grade in the selected schools were involved in this survey. After obtaining the informed consent of parents, an anonymous and self-administered questionnaire was distributed to students. Questionnaire was designed based on the Ecological Models of Health Behavior. Associations between EC susceptibility and covariates were identified using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Among 2,270 students who had never vaped, 38.0% were susceptible to ECs. Logistic regression analysis identified factors on different levels affecting the susceptibility. Individual factors included senior high school students (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08–1.65), sensation seeker (OR = 1.11, 95%CI: 1.08–1.14), poor academic performance (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.01–1.54), ever cigarette user (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.29–4.01), unaware of the second-hand smoke from vaping (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.25–1.96), agreeable with “I do not want to hang around vapers” (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64–0.97), agreeable with “ECs are more fashionable than cigarette” (OR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.72–3.62) and favorable attitudes toward vaping (OR = 5.09, 95% CI: 3.78–6.85) were significantly associated with susceptibility to ECs. At interpersonal level, students who believe they would not be punished by parents for vaping increased susceptibility (OR = 1.27, 95% CI:1.01–1.59). At community level, exposure of EC advertising (OR = 1.81, 95% CI:1.46–2.25), exposure to hazard information (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59–0.97) and seeing vaping in daily life (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.62–2.74), were statistically significantly associated with youth susceptibility to ECs.

Conclusion

EC susceptibility was observed in a substantial proportion of adolescents who had never vaped, influenced by factors on different levels. This research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies to prevent the youth susceptibility to ECs.
Is it premature to formulate recommendations for policy and practice, based on culture and health research? A robust critique of the CultureForHealth (2022) report
Authors: Kaasgaard Mette , Grebosz-Haring Katarzyna , Davies Christina , Musgrave George , Shriraam Jahnusha , McCrary J. Matt , Clift Stephen
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Arts and health practice and research has expanded rapidly since the turn of the millennium. A World Health Organization scoping review of a large body of evidence claims positive health benefits from arts participation and makes recommendations for policy and implementation of arts for health initiatives. A more recent scoping review (CultureForHealth) also claims that current evidence is sufficient to form recommendations for policy and practice. However, scoping reviews of arts and health research—without critical appraisal of included studies—do not provide a sound basis for recommendations on the wider implantation of healthcare interventions.

Methods

We performed a detailed assessment of 18 Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) on arts-based interventions included in Section 1 of the CultureForHealth report using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for RCTs (2023).

Results

The 18 RCTs included demonstrated considerable risks of bias regarding internal and statistical conclusion validity. Moreover, the trials are substantially heterogeneous with respect to settings, health-issues, interventions, and outcomes, which limits their external validity, reliability, and generalisability.

Conclusions

The absence of a critical appraisal of studies included in the CultureForHealth report leads to an overinterpretation and overstatement of the health outcomes of arts-based interventions. As such, the CultureForHealth review is not a suitable foundation for policy recommendations, nor for formulating guidance on implementation of arts-based interventions for health.
Case report: Side effects of etomidate in propylene glycol in five Göttingen Minipigs
Authors: Petrucci Mariafrancesca , de Brot Simone , Casoni Daniela
Published: July 2024

Etomidate, an agonist of the GABA A receptors, is available for clinical use either in combination with 35% propylene glycol or in a lipid emulsion. Its recognized ability to minimally impact the cardiovascular system made etomidate a suitable option for cardiac-compromised patients. Myoclonus and pain at the injection site are recognized side effects of etomidate in propylene glycol, affecting both human and veterinary species. There is no information available concerning potential side effect in minipigs. In the present case series, we report the side effects related to the use of etomidate in 35% propylene glycol in five Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs that underwent general anesthesia for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging days or weeks after experimentally induced myocardial infarction. Following intravenous injection of etomidate, laryngeal edema and hyperemia were observed in one case. In another case, tachycardia, apnea, and decreased oxygen saturation, accompanied by laryngeal edema and hyperemia, were observed, which resolved spontaneously in a few minutes. In the arterial or venous samples collected shortly after the induction of general anesthesia, hemolysis was macroscopically visible and subsequently confirmed with a hematological exam in all five cases, as well as hemoglobinuria. Necropsies carried out immediately after euthanasia confirmed macroscopic laryngeal edema, marked diffuse lung alveolar and interstitial edema and hyperemia at histology in one animal, and marked acute lung congestion in another animal. These side effects were not observed when etomidate in a lipid emulsion was injected into another 24 animals. The role played by the different formulations (propylene glycol versus lipidic formulation) has not yet been fully elucidated. Based on our observations, we recommend caution in using the formulation of etomidate in 35% propylene glycol in Göttingen Minipigs.
The Effect of Drought on Agronomic and Plant Physiological Characteristics of Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) Cultivars
Authors: Gaier Lukas , Poetsch Erich M. , Graiss Wilhelm , Klingler Andreas , Herndl Markus , Krautzer Bernhard
Published: July 2024

Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) is becoming increasingly important for grassland farming due to climate change, which alters precipitation and increases droughts. Although it is generally considered to be drought-tolerant, little is known about the differences between cultivars. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four different field capacity (FC) levels (80%, 60%, 40%, and rewetting to 80% after a period of 40% FC) on the yield, crude protein content, water consumption, water use efficiency (WUE), and drought susceptibility index of five European cocksfoot cultivars (cv). A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse subjected to the specified irrigation treatments over three growth periods. The results revealed significant differences in the cultivars’ responses to the irrigation treatments. Dry matter yield decreased under simulated drought conditions, while crude protein content and WUE increased. Prolana cv achieved the highest yield under drought conditions, Tandem cv had the highest WUE, and Laban cv exhibited the highest crude protein content. Rewetting to 80% FC in the last growth period resulted in similar dry matter and crude protein yields for all cultivars compared to full irrigation. These findings highlight the importance of selecting and breeding drought-tolerant cocksfoot cultivars to maintain high yields and quality in perennial grassland farming under future climate conditions.
Unveiling Determinants of Successful Dairy Farm Performance from Dairy Exporting EU Countries
Authors: Savickienė Rūta , Galnaitytė Aistė
Published: July 2024

The dairy sector is the second largest agricultural sector in the EU and Lithuania. It faces economic challenges (price volatility, farm consolidation and downsizing, etc.), but its importance outstrips other agricultural sectors (combining agro-systems and providing valuable food products for people). The aim of the study is to identify the vulnerabilities of dairy farms and to consider how to improve their performance after analysis of dairy farms in dairy exporting EU countries. As the problem of the study is complex, a set of indicators was analysed, including farm size, milk yield per cow, number of cows per annual work unit (AWU), milk production per fodder area, feed autonomy, milk price, total operating costs, depreciation, farm net value added per AWU, milk production per capita, and GDP at current prices per capita. The analysis was carried out using data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) for 2017–2019. As Lithuania’s dairy sector is export-oriented, EU countries with more than 100% milk self–sufficiency (18 countries in total) were chosen for the comparison. The multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) were used for the study. The multi-criteria evaluation revealed that countries that are leaders in dairy exports obtained the best values of dairy farm performance. These countries (Denmark, Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium) have the highest farm size, production scale, productivity, and income indicators. While Slovenian, Latvian, and Lithuanian dairy farms performed poorly in terms of productivity and economic indicators, these countries achieve competitiveness in the dairy sector through lower milk prices, higher utilisation of own resources, and higher levels of public support.
Blockchain-Backed Sustainable Management of Italian Tomato Processing Industry
Authors: Safeer Sajid , Pulvento Cataldo
Published: July 2024

This study addresses significant concerns highlighted by the European Parliament regarding the decline of the Italian tomato processing industry, which possess a threat to Italy’s culinary heritage and global market position. This research offers a solution that leverages blockchain technology to enhance transparency, traceability and operational efficiency within the tomato supply chain. By integrating Solidity, Remix IDE, MetaMask wallet and Sepolia Testnet, our proposed model establishes a robust blockchain-based smart-contract system. This system actively engages cultivators, wholesalers, retailers and end-users facilitating seamless real-time updates across the entire supply chain. Implementing this model in key tomato-producing regions such as Apulia, utilizing platforms like Mainnet or Hyperledger Fabric, aims to stabilize the industry. Furthermore, this study promotes automating smart contracts, integrating IoT devices and developing decentralized applications (DApps). This strategy ensures transparency for end-users, enhances organic food availability and mitigates contamination risks. This study also recommends government involvement to upgrade transportation and storage facilities, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses. This research establishes the groundwork for the sustainable management of the Italian tomato processing industry.
Construction and Optimization of Landslide Susceptibility Assessment Model Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Ma Xiaoyi , Guo Dianheng , Yuan Guangxiang , Huang Zhiquan
Published: July 2024

The appropriate selection of machine learning samples forms the foundation for utilizing machine learning models. However, in landslide susceptibility evaluation, discrepancies arise when non-landslide samples are positioned within areas prone to landslides or demonstrate spatial biases, leading to differences in model predictions. To address the impact of non-landslide sample selection on landslide susceptibility predictions, this study uses the western region of Henan Province as a case study. Utilizing historical data, remote sensing interpretation, and field surveys, a sample dataset comprising 834 landslide points is obtained. Ten environmental factors, including elevation, slope, aspect, profile curvature, land cover, lithology, topographic wetness index, distance from river, distance from faults, and distance from road, are chosen to establish an evaluation index system. Negative sample sampling areas are delineated based on the susceptibility assessment outcomes derived from the information value model. Two sampling strategies, whole-region random sampling (I) and partition-based random sampling (II), are employed. Random Forest (RF) and Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) models are used to forecast and delineate landslide susceptibility in the western region of Henan Province, with prediction accuracy evaluated. The model prediction accuracy is ranked as follows: II-BPNN (AUC = 0.9522) > II-RF (AUC = 0.9464) > I-RF (AUC = 0.8247) > I-BPNN (AUC = 0.8068). Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUC) curve and accuracy, the II-RF and II-BPNN models exhibit increases in the region by 12.17% and 15.61%, respectively, compared to the I-RF and I-BPNN models. Moreover, the II-BPNN model shows improvements over the I-BPNN model with increases in AUC and accuracy by 14.54% and 16.52%, respectively. This indicates enhancements in model performance and predictive capability. In terms of recall and specificity, the II-RF and II-BPNN models demonstrate increases in recall by 15.09% and 17.47%, respectively, and in specificity by 15.80% and 14.99%, respectively. These findings suggest that the optimized models have better predictive capabilities for identifying landslide and non-landslide areas, effectively reducing the uncertainty introduced by point data in landslide risk prediction.
Assessing Feature Importance in Eye-Tracking Data within Virtual Reality Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence Techniques
Authors: Bekler Meryem , Yilmaz Murat , Ilgın Hüseyin Emre
Published: July 2024

Our research systematically investigates the cognitive and emotional processes revealed through eye movements within the context of virtual reality (VR) environments. We assess the utility of eye-tracking data for predicting emotional states in VR, employing explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to advance the interpretability and transparency of our findings. Utilizing the VR Eyes: Emotions dataset (VREED) alongside an extra trees classifier enhanced by SHapley Additive ExPlanations (SHAP) and local interpretable model agnostic explanations (LIME), we rigorously evaluate the importance of various eye-tracking metrics. Our results identify significant correlations between metrics such as saccades, micro-saccades, blinks, and fixations and specific emotional states. The application of SHAP and LIME elucidates these relationships, providing deeper insights into the emotional responses triggered by VR. These findings suggest that variations in eye feature patterns serve as indicators of heightened emotional arousal. Not only do these insights advance our understanding of affective computing within VR, but they also highlight the potential for developing more responsive VR systems capable of adapting to user emotions in real-time. This research contributes significantly to the fields of human-computer interaction and psychological research, showcasing how XAI can bridge the gap between complex machine-learning models and practical applications, thereby facilitating the creation of reliable, user-sensitive VR experiences. Future research may explore the integration of multiple physiological signals to enhance emotion detection and interactive dynamics in VR.