bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Young people's experiences of physical activity insecurity: a qualitative study highlighting intersectional disadvantage in the UK
Authors: Dodd-Reynolds Caroline , Griffin Naomi , Kyle Phillippa , Scott Steph , Fairbrother Hannah , Holding Eleanor , Crowder Mary , Woodrow Nicholas , Summerbell Carolyn
Published: March 2024

Background

Intersecting socioeconomic and demographic reasons for physical activity (PA) inequalities are not well understood for young people at risk of experiencing marginalisation and living with disadvantage. This study explored young people’s experiences of PA in their local area, and the associated impacts on opportunities for good physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

Methods

Seven local youth groups were purposefully sampled from disadvantaged areas across urban, rural and coastal areas of England, including two that were specifically for LGBTQ + young people. Each group engaged in three interlinked focus groups which explored young people’s perceptions and lived experience of PA inequalities. Data were analysed using an inductive, reflexive thematic approach to allow for flexibility in coding.

Results

Fifty five young people aged 12–21 years of different sexualities, gender and ethnicity took part. Analysis yielded four themes: PA experiences across spaces; resigned to a lack of inclusivity and ‘belonging’; safety first; complexities in access and accessibility. Young people felt more comfortable to be active in spaces that were simpler to navigate, particularly outdoor locations largely based in nature. In contrast, local gyms and sports clubs, and the school environment in general, were spoken about often in negative terms and as spaces where they experienced insecurity, unsafety or discomfort. It was common for these young people to feel excluded from PA, often linked to their gender and sexuality. Lived experiences or fears of being bullied and harassed in many activity spaces was a powerful message, but in contrast, young people perceived their local youth club as a safe space. Intersecting barriers related to deprivation, gender and sexuality, accessibility, disability, Covid-19, affordability, ethnicity, and proximity of social networks. A need emerged for safe spaces in which young people can come together, within the local community and choose to be active.

Conclusions

The overarching concept of ‘physical activity insecurity’ emerged as a significant concern for the young people in this study. We posit that PA insecurity in this context can be described as a limited or restricted ability to be active, reinforced by worries and lived experiences of feeling uncomfortable, insecure, or unsafe.
Influence of biopsychosocial factors on self-reported anxiety/depression symptoms among first-generation immigrant population in the U.S.
Authors: Adzrago David , Thapa Kiran , Rajbhandari-Thapa Janani , Sulley Saanie , Williams Faustine
Published: March 2024

Background

Despite increasing studies on mental health among immigrants, there are limited studies using nationally representative samples to examine immigrants’ mental health and its potential biopsychosocial contributing factors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored and estimated the influence of life satisfaction, social/emotional support, and other biopsychosocial factors on self-reported anxiety/depression symptoms among a nationally representative sample of first-generation immigrants in the U.S.

Methods

We conducted a secondary data analysis using the 2021 National Health Interview Survey among first-generation adults aged ≥ 18 years (n = 4295). We applied survey weights and developed multivariable logistic regression model to evaluate the study objective.

Results

The prevalence of daily, weekly, or monthly anxiety/depression symptoms was 10.22% in the first-generation immigrant population. There were 2.04% daily, 3.27% weekly, and 4.91% monthly anxiety/depression among the population: about 8.20%, 9.94%, and 9.60% experienced anxiety symptoms, whereas 2.49%, 3.54%, and 5.34% experienced depression symptoms daily, weekly, and monthly, respectively. The first-generation population aged 26–49 years were less likely to experience anxiety/depression daily, weekly, or monthly compared to those aged 18–25. Females (versus males) were more likely to experience anxiety/depression daily, weekly, or monthly. Those who identified as gay/lesbian had higher odds of experiencing anxiety/depression daily, weekly, or monthly compared to heterosexual persons. Relative to non-Hispanic White individuals, non-Hispanic Asian, Black/African American, and Hispanic individuals had lower odds, while other/multi-racial/ethnic groups were more likely to experience anxiety/depression daily, weekly, or monthly. A higher life satisfaction score was associated with lower odds of experiencing anxiety/depression daily, weekly, or monthly. Having social/emotional support sometimes/rarely or using healthcare within the past one/two years was associated with experiencing anxiety/depression daily, weekly, or monthly.

Conclusions

The findings reveal significant burden of anxiety and depression among first-generation population in the U.S., with higher risks among subgroups like young adults, females, sexual minorities, and non-Hispanic White and other/multi-racial individuals. Additionally, individuals with lower life satisfaction scores, limited social/emotional support, or healthcare utilization in the past one or two years present increased risk. These findings highlight the need for personalized mental health screening and interventions for first-generation individuals in the U.S. based on their diversity and health-related risks.
Impact of confrontation to patient suffering and death on wellbeing and burnout in professionals: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Delafontaine Anne-Catherine , Anders Royce , Mathieu Bernard , Salathé Cornelia Rolli , Putois Benjamin
Published: March 2024

Background

Palliative care and oncology generate a risk of burnout and psychological distress in professionals. The purpose of this study is to identify both psychopathological and positive factors related to mental health at work. It aims (i) to explore the extent to which these professionals are confronted with suffering, illness, and death; and to explore the prevalence of psychological distress and/or burnout, (ii) to identify potential determinants of burnout and psychological wellbeing at work, (iii) to develop an integrative model of mental health; and to identify frequency and impact of confrontations with death, and (iv) to identify profiles of professionals are at risk of developing a mental health disorder or, conversely, characterized by wellbeing.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in palliative care and oncology evaluating confrontations with death, coping, burnout, psychological distress, personality, self-esteem, well-being and meaning at work. Regressions, clustering, and structural equation modeling analyses were performed.

Results

109 professionals participated (58% from oncology and 42% from palliative care), of which 79% were female, and 65% were between 30 and 49 years old. Aim i: 30% witnessed an intolerable suffering at least 9 times a month, 45% reported moderate to high levels of burnout, 39% suffered from anxiety and 11% from depression. Aim ii: the determinants of burnout were the personality traits conscientiousness and neuroticism, low meaning of work, and low wellbeing (R2 = 0.44). The determinants of wellbeing were work meaning, depersonalization, self-esteem, fulfillment and low emotional exhaustion (R2 = 0.71). Aim iii: the integrative model included both well-being (self-esteem, conscientiousness) and psychopathology (neuroticism, anxiety) parameters, and strongly satisfied the standard SEM goodness of fit indices (e.g., CFI, IFI, and TLI ≥ 0.95). Aim iv: three profiles were identified: (a) a “distressed profile” with a majority of professionals at the patient’s bedside, (b) a “disengaged profile” with professionals working as second-line consultants, (c) a “wellbeing profile” contains profiles of caregivers insensitive to psychological distress and with a high level of positive Impact of confrontation on different areas of their lives.

Conclusions

An integrative approach is essential to understand the full range of mental health issues for professionals. Meaning of work is a key factor in professional interventions that should primarily affect front-line professionals with limited experience.
Perceptions of students and faculty on NCAAA-accredited health informatics programs in Saudi Arabia: an evaluative study
Authors: Alzghaibi Haitham
Published: March 2024

Background

As the healthcare sector becomes increasingly reliant on technology, it is crucial for universities to offer bachelor’s degrees in health informatics (HI). HI professionals bridge the gap between IT and healthcare, ensuring that technology complements patient care and clinical workflows; they promote enhanced patient outcomes, support clinical research, and uphold data security and privacy standards. This study aims to evaluate accredited HI academic programs in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This study employed a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design utilising a self-reported electronic questionnaire consisting of predetermined items and response alternatives. Probability-stratified random sampling was also performed.

Result

The responses rates were 39% (n = 241) for students and 62% (n = 53) for faculty members. While the participants expressed different opinions regarding the eight variables being examined, the faculty members and students generally exhibited a strong level of consensus on many variables. A notable association was observed between facilities and various other characteristics, including student engagement, research activities, admission processes, and curriculum. Similarly, a notable correlation exists between student engagement and the curriculum in connection to research, attrition, the function of faculty members, and academic outcomes.

Conclusion

While faculty members and students hold similar views about the institution and its offerings, certain areas of divergence highlight the distinct perspectives and priorities of each group. The perception disparity between students and faculty in areas such as admission, faculty roles, and internships sheds light on areas of improvement and alignment for universities.
Attitudes towards career choice and general practice: a cross-sectional survey of medical students and residents in Tyrol, Austria
Authors: Mahlknecht Angelika , Engl Adolf , Barbieri Verena , Bachler Herbert , Obwegeser Alois , Piccoliori Giuliano , Wiedermann Christian J.
Published: March 2024

Background

The global primary healthcare workforce is declining, leading to a shortage of general practitioners. Although various educational models aim to increase interest in general practice, effective interventions are limited. The reasons for this low appeal among medical graduates remain unclear.

Methods

This cross-sectional study surveyed medical students’ and residents’ attitudes towards general practice in Tyrol, Austria. The online questionnaire addressed professional values, general practice-related issues, personal professional intentions, and demographics. Data analysis employed chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression to explore predictors of interest in general practice.

Results

The study included 528 students and 103 residents. Key values identified were stable positions, assured income, and work-family reconciliation. General practice was recognised for long-term patient relationships and patient contact, with students attributing more positive work-environmental characteristics and higher reputation to it than residents. Few participants (students: 3.2%, residents: 11.7%) had opted for general practice; about half were considering it as career option. Reasons not to choose general practice were preferences for other specialties, intrinsic characteristics of general practice, workload, insufficient time for the patients, financial pressures, low reputation, and perceived mediocre training quality. Predictors of interest in general practice included perception of independent decision-making, importance of work-family balance (students), better practical experiences in general practice during medical school (students and residents), younger age, and perceiving general practice as offering a promising future (residents). Both groups felt underprepared by medical school and/or general practice training for general practice roles. The attractiveness of specialist medicine over general practice was related to clearer content boundaries, better career opportunities, and higher incomes.

Conclusions

According to these results, measures to improve attractiveness of general practice should focus on (i) high-quality undergraduate education including practical experiences, and (ii) on ensuring professional autonomy, work-family reconciliation, and job stability. Efforts to encourage more graduates to pursue this essential healthcare sector are crucial for strengthening primary healthcare and public health services.

Trial registration

The study has not been registered as it did not include a direct medical intervention on human participants.
Cultivating compassion in medicine: a toolkit for medical students to improve self-kindness and enhance clinical care
Authors: Mehta Krisha K. , Salam Shafkat , Hake Austin , Jennings Rebecca , Rahman Afra , Post Stephen G.
Published: March 2024

Background

Compassionate care lies at the foundation of good patient care and is a quality that patients and providers continue to value in the fast-paced setting of contemporary medicine. Compassion is often discussed superficially in medical school curricula, but the practical aspect of learning this skill is often not taught using a formal framework. In the present work, the authors present an 8-session curriculum with a mindfulness-based approach to compassion that addresses this need. It is hypothesized that students in this curriculum will improve in their levels of compassion based on validated scales.

Methods

The curriculum was delivered to fourth-year medical students at Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University who had just completed their clerkship year. It was developed as a customizable set of modules that could be delivered in various ways. The students were taught with evidence-based cognitive exercises followed by group discussions and written reflections based on compassion-focused thematic questions. All students completed a pre- and post-Self-Compassion Scale, Compassion Scale, and Toronto Mindfulness Scale. Students in this course were compared with students in different courses about non-clinical topics delivered at the same time. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests and Mann Whitney U tests were used to assess potential associations between pre- and post-survey responses for the validated scales and subscales.

Results

17 fourth-year medical students completed pre- and post-course tests, 11 participated in the compassion curriculum while 6 participated from the other courses. Before any of the courses began, all students performed similarly on the pre-test across all scales. The students in the compassion curriculum demonstrated a significant increase in their total Self-Compassion score by 8.7 [95% CI 4.3 to 13.2] points (p = 0.008), total Compassion score by 6.0 [95% CI 1.4 to 10.6] points (p = 0.012), and the curiosity component of the Toronto Mindfulness Scale by 4.4 [95% CI 1.0 to 7.7] points (p = 0.012). There was no statistically significant difference between pre- and post-tests among the non-compassion curriculum students in the aforementioned scales (p = 0.461, p = 0.144, p = 0.785, respectively).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the students in our course developed an enhanced ability to engage in self-compassion, to understand the shared human experience, and to be motivated to act to alleviate suffering. Regardless of a program’s existing compassion education, this customizable model allows for easy integration into a medical student’s crowded curriculum. Furthermore, although teaching compassion early and often in a clinician’s training is desirable, our study that targeted fourth-year medical students suggests an additional benefit of rekindling the loss of compassion well described in a medical student’s clinical years.
Identifying a survival-associated cell type based on multi-level transcriptome analysis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Xu Fei , Tong Yun , Yang Wenjun , Cai Yiyang , Yu Meini , Liu Lei , Meng Qingkang
Published: March 2024

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with a five-year survival rate of less than 40%. There is significant variability in survival time among IPF patients, but the underlying mechanisms for this are not clear yet.

Methods and results

We collected single-cell RNA sequence data of 13,223 epithelial cells taken from 32 IPF patients and bulk RNA sequence data from 456 IPF patients in GEO. Based on unsupervised clustering analysis at the single-cell level and deconvolution algorithm at bulk RNA sequence data, we discovered a special alveolar type 2 cell subtype characterized by high expression of CCL20 (referred to as ATII-CCL20), and found that IPF patients with a higher proportion of ATII-CCL20 had worse prognoses. Furthermore, we uncovered the upregulation of immune cell infiltration and metabolic functions in IPF patients with a higher proportion of ATII-CCL20. Finally, the comprehensive decision tree and nomogram were constructed to optimize the risk stratification of IPF patients and provide a reference for accurate prognosis evaluation.

Conclusions

Our study by integrating single-cell and bulk RNA sequence data from IPF patients identified a special subtype of ATII cells, ATII-CCL20, which was found to be a risk cell subtype associated with poor prognosis in IPF patients. More importantly, the ATII-CCL20 cell subtype was linked with metabolic functions and immune infiltration.
Equity in the recovery of elective and oncological surgery volumes after the COVID-19 lockdown: a multicentre cohort study in Italy
Authors: Di Girolamo Chiara , Onorati Roberta , Landriscina Tania , Gnavi Roberto , Cesaroni Giulia , Calandrini Enrico , Bisceglia Lucia , Fanizza Caterina , Spadea Teresa
Published: March 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and still has, a profound impact on national health systems, altering trajectories of care and exacerbating existing inequalities in health. Postponement of surgeries and cancellation of elective surgical procedures have been reported worldwide. In Italy, the lock-down measures following the COVID-19 pandemic caused cancellations of surgical procedures and important backlogs; little is known about potential social inequalities in the recovery process that occurred during the post-lockdown period. This study aims at evaluating whether all population social strata benefited equally from the surgical volumes’ recovery in four large Italian regions.

Methods

This multicentre cohort study covers a population of approximately 11 million people. To assess if social inequalities exist in the recovery of eight indicators of elective and oncological surgery, we estimated Risk Ratios (RR) through Poisson models, comparing the incidence proportions of events recorded during COVID-19 (2020-21) with those in pre-pandemic years (2018-19) for each pandemic period and educational level.

Results

Compared to 2018-19, volumes of elective surgery showed a U-shape with the most significant drops during the second wave or the vaccination phase. The recovery was socially unequal. At the end of 2021, incidence proportions among highly educated people generally exceeded the expected ones; RRs were 1.31 (95%CI 1.21–1.42), 1.24 (95%CI 1.17–1.23), 1.17 (95%CI 1.08–1.26) for knee and hip replacement and prostatic surgery, respectively. Among low educated patients, RR remained always < 1. Oncological surgery indicators showed a similar social gradient. Whereas volumes were preserved among the highly educated, the low educated were still lagging behind at the end of 2021.

Conclusions

Surgical procedures generally returned to pre-pandemic levels but the low educated experienced the slowest recovery. An equity-oriented appraisal of trends in healthcare provision should be included in pandemic preparedness plans, to ensure that social inequalities are promptly recognised and tackled.
A confirmed case of xylazine-induced skin ulcers in a person who injects drugs in Miami, Florida, USA
Authors: Warp Peyton V. , Hauschild Maia , Serota David P. , Ciraldo Katrina , Cruz Irasema , Bartholomew Tyler S. , Tookes Hansel E.
Published: March 2024

Background

Xylazine is an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that has emerged as a contaminant in the illicit drug supply of fentanyl. Xylazine use may be suspected in naloxone-resistant overdoses and atypical, chronic wounds in people who use drugs (PWUD). This case is unique because it is the first case to our knowledge describing wound care for a xylazine-induced wound with a confirmatory xylazine test strip (XTS) in the setting of a syringe services program (SSP) and in the state of Florida.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old woman with a past medical history of severe opioid use disorder and stimulant use disorder presented to a student-run clinic at a Miami SSP for wound care. She had multiple ulcerations diffusely over her bilateral forearms with surrounding erythema and warmth. Seven weeks later, she presented to clinic again for wound care because her wounds had progressed. At this visit, a XTS was used to confirm the presence of xylazine in her urine. Wound care management and harm reduction strategies employed at both visits were informed by best clinical judgement due to lack of formal guidelines at the time. Wound outcomes are unknown as the patient has not returned to clinic.

Conclusions

Many PWUD at highest risk for acute and chronic health consequences of xylazine-adulterated fentanyl do not have access to healthcare outside of low barrier clinics and SSPs due to lack of insurance or mistrust of the traditional healthcare system due to stigma. There is an urgent need for access to XTS for PWUD and clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of xylazine-related wounds in outpatient clinics.
Liver injury in COVID-19: an insight into pathobiology and roles of risk factors
Authors: Tazarghi Abbas , Bazoq Sahar , Taziki Balajelini Mohammad Hosein , Ebrahimi Mohsen , Hosseini Seyed Mehran , Razavi Nikoo Hadi
Published: March 2024

COVID-19 is a complex disease that can lead to fatal respiratory failure with extrapulmonary complications, either as a direct result of viral invasion in multiple organs or secondary to oxygen supply shortage. Liver is susceptible to many viral pathogens, and due to its versatile functions in the body, it is of great interest to determine how hepatocytes may interact with SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients. Liver injury is a major cause of death, and SARS-CoV-2 is suspected to contribute significantly to hepatopathy. Owing to the lack of knowledge in this field, further research is required to address these ambiguities. Therefore, we aimed to provide a comprehensive insight into host-virus interactions, underlying mechanisms, and associated risk factors by collecting results from epidemiological analyses and relevant laboratory experiments. Backed by an avalanche of recent studies, our findings support that liver injury is a sequela of severe COVID-19, and certain pre-existing liver conditions can also intensify the morbidity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in synergy. Notably, age, sex, lifestyle, dietary habits, coinfection, and particular drug regimens play a decisive role in the final outcome and prognosis as well. Taken together, our goal was to unravel these complexities concerning the development of novel diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic approaches with a focus on prioritizing high-risk groups.
Validity and reliability of the Modified Four Square Step Test in individuals with ankle sprain
Authors: Yetiş Mehmet , Kocaman Hikmet , Canli Mehmet , Alkan Halil , Yildirim Hasan , Yildiz Nazim Tolgahan , Kuzu Şafak
Published: March 2024

Background

Postural instability and gait abnormalities are frequently observed after an ankle sprain. A modified Four Square Step Test (mFSST) was developed to assess dynamic balance during gait. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the mFSST in individuals with ankle sprains.

Methods

The study included 39 individuals with grade 1 and 2 ankle sprains with a mean age of 30.36 ± 6.21 years. The dynamic balance of the participants was assessed with the mFSST and Timed Up & Go test (TUG). To determine the test-retest reliability of the mFSST, the test was repeated approximately 1 h apart.

Results

The test-retest reliability of the mFSST was excellent (ICC = 0.85). Furthermore, when the concurrent validity of the mFSST was examined, a high correlation was found between with the TUG (r = 0.78, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The mFSST is a valid and reliable clinical assessment method for evaluating dynamic balance during walking in individuals with ankle sprains. We think that the mFSST is preferable in clinical evaluations because its platform is easy to prepare and requires very little equipment.
Decision making of iatrogenic coronary embolism after SAVR: a case report
Authors: Mitsuishi Atsuyuki , Orihashi Kazumasa , Miura Yujiro , Saito Ren
Published: March 2024

Background

Acute coronary artery obstruction is a rare but lethal complication of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), which may be caused by embolization of resected native tissue such as calcium plaque, thrombus, or perivalvular aortic tissue like fat embolus. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are the main treatment modalities. PCI is less invasive, but it is difficult to determine its feasibility intraoperatively.

Case presentation

We report an 86-year-old woman who had asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. She had scleroderma with an intractable left leg ulcer and bilateral leg varices. Considering the possibility of the spread of infection from the leg wound, SAVR was performed via right anterior thoracotomy to avoid complications such as mediastinitis. Coronary artery occlusion was suspected after weaning of cardiopulmonary bypass in the operation room due to asynergy with ST elevation and new severe mitral regurgitation. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) helped diagnose coronary obstruction by embolus based on the degree of stenosis and the movement of the stenosis site. Percutaneous catheter intervention was performed successfully to restore coronary perfusion.

Conclusion

TEE facilitated the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis caused by an embolus and helped in determining the feasibility of percutaneous catheter intervention, thus allowing us to choose PCI over CABG as a less invasive surgery. This is especially invaluable in cases where obtaining a saphenous graft for CABG is difficult or where CABG would have required conversion from minimally invasive surgery (anterolateral approach) to median sternotomy.
Significant thrombus in saccular aneurysm in a patient with polycythemia: a case report
Authors: Mitsuishi Atsuyuki , Nakamura Hiromasa , Miura Yujiro , Miyata Tsuyoshi , Orihashi Kazumasa , Yoshida Keisuke , Araki Kouhei
Published: March 2024

Background

Morphologically, the risk of aortic aneurysm rupture is mainly evaluated based on its type (e.g., fusiform or saccular) and diameter. Based on the finite element analysis, peak wall stress has been identified as a more sensitive and specific predictor of rupture in recent years. Moreover, in finite analysis, the neck of aneurysm is the highest peak wall stress and is associated with the rupture point.

Case presentation

A saccular aortic aneurysm (84 mm) was incidentally detected during preoperative examination for chronic empyema in a 74-year-old male patient with a history of polycythemia. Aortic arch graft replacement using an open stent was performed.

Conclusions

Morphologically, this case was associated with a very high risk of rupture; nevertheless, it did not rupture. In this case, a mural thrombus (likely formed due to polycythemia) covered the neck of aneurysm that is experiencing the highest peak wall stress and is associated with the rupture point. The mural thrombus decreased peak wall stress and could reduce the risk of rupture even for huge saccular aneurysms. Furthermore, the mural thrombus was fully occupied in aneurysms, such as during coil embolization. Thus, polycythemia could decrease the risk of rupture of huge saccular aneurysms.
New artificial hematophagy system with attractive polymeric biofilm for maintenance of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the laboratory
Authors: Milech Angelita , Braga Caroline Quintana , dos Santos Bermann Carolina , de Souza Jaqueline Ferreira , Fajardo André Ricardo , Vianna Élvia Silveira , Oliveira Camila Belmonte
Published: March 2024

Background

Maintaining mosquito colonies in the laboratory requires a blood supply so that females' oocytes can mature and oviposition can take place. In this study, a new artificial hematophagy system for colonization and maintenance of Culex quinquefasciatus in the laboratory was developed and tested.

Methods

We developed an attractive polymeric biofilm including 25% l-lactic acid for use as a membrane in an artificial hematophagy system and compared the feeding rate of females with Parafilm-M®. We also evaluated the oviposition rate, larval survival and adult emergence of females fed through the attractive biofilm.

Results

The average percentage of female Cx. quinquefasciatus fed through the attractive biofilm was 87%, while only 20% became engorged with Parafilm-M® (p < 0.0001). Feeding through the attractive biofilm developed in this study produced high levels of evaluated biological parameters; the percentage of egg laying by females that underwent artificial hematophagy through the biofilm was 90%, with an average of 158 eggs per raft. From these eggs, 97% of the larvae hatched, of which 95% reached the pupal stage. The adult emergence rate corresponded to 93% of pupae.

Conclusions

Insects fed with attractant through the biofilm system had a higher engorgement rate compared to those fed through Parafilm-M®. Our study is preliminary and suggests that polymeric biofilm has great potential for artificially feeding mosquitoes in the laboratory. Based on this research, new studies will be carried out with biofilm and different systems.

Graphical Abstract
Orthoptera-TElib: a library of Orthoptera transposable elements for TE annotation
Authors: Liu Xuanzeng , Zhao Lina , Majid Muhammad , Huang Yuan
Published: March 2024

Transposable elements (TEs) are a major component of eukaryotic genomes and are present in almost all eukaryotic organisms. TEs are highly dynamic between and within species, which significantly affects the general applicability of the TE databases. Orthoptera is the only known group in the class Insecta with a significantly enlarged genome (0.93-21.48 Gb). When analyzing the large genome using the existing TE public database, the efficiency of TE annotation is not satisfactory. To address this limitation, it becomes imperative to continually update the available TE resource library and the need for an Orthoptera-specific library as more insect genomes are publicly available. Here, we used the complete genome data of 12 Orthoptera species to de novo annotate TEs, then manually re-annotate the unclassified TEs to construct a non-redundant Orthoptera-specific TE library: Orthoptera-TElib. Orthoptera-TElib contains 24,021 TE entries including the re-annotated results of 13,964 unknown TEs. The naming of TE entries in Orthoptera-TElib adopts the same naming as RepeatMasker and Dfam and is encoded as the three-level form of “level1/level2-level3”. Orthoptera-TElib can be directly used as an input reference database and is compatible with mainstream repetitive sequence analysis software such as RepeatMasker and dnaPipeTE. When analyzing TEs of Orthoptera species, Orthoptera-TElib performs better TE annotation as compared to Dfam and Repbase regardless of using low-coverage sequencing or genome assembly data. The most improved TE annotation result is Angaracris rhodopa, which has increased from 7.89% of the genome to 53.28%. Finally, Orthoptera-TElib is stored in Sqlite3 for the convenience of data updates and user access.
Identification of miR-20b-5p as an inhibitory regulator in cardiac differentiation via TET2 and DNA hydroxymethylation
Authors: Li Ke-Xin , Li Jia-Ru , Zuo Sheng-Jia , Li Xudong , Chen Xian-Tong , Xiao Pei-Yi , Li Hui-Tao , Sun Ling , Qian Tao , Zhang Hao-Min , Zhu Dongxing , Yu Xi-Yong , Chen Guojun , Jiang Xue-Yan
Published: March 2024

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a prevalent congenital cardiac malformation, which lacks effective early biological diagnosis and intervention. MicroRNAs, as epigenetic regulators of cardiac development, provide potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of CHD. However, the mechanisms underlying miRNAs-mediated regulation of cardiac development and CHD malformation remain to be further elucidated. This study aimed to explore the function of microRNA-20b-5p (miR-20b-5p) in cardiac development and CHD pathogenesis.

Methods and results

miRNA expression profiling identified that miR-20b-5p was significantly downregulated during a 12-day cardiac differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), whereas it was markedly upregulated in plasma samples of atrial septal defect (ASD) patients. Our results further revealed that miR-20b-5p suppressed hESCs-derived cardiac differentiation by targeting tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, leading to a reduction in key cardiac transcription factors including GATA4, NKX2.5, TBX5, MYH6 and cTnT. Additionally, knockdown of TET2 significantly inhibited cardiac differentiation, which could be partially restored by miR-20b-5p inhibition.

Conclusions

Collectively, this study provides compelling evidence that miR-20b-5p functions as an inhibitory regulator in hESCs-derived cardiac differentiation by targeting TET2, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for ASD.
Sex disparities revealed by single-cell and bulk sequencing and their impacts on the efficacy of immunotherapy in esophageal cancer
Authors: Yan Huimeng , Huang Jinyuan , Li Yingying , Zhao Bin
Published: March 2024

Background

There is an ongoing debate on whether sex affects immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy. Here, we explored the underlying molecular bases for sex dimorphisms and their impact on the efficacy of immunotherapy in esophageal cancer (EC).

Methods

2360 EC patients from phase 3 trials were pooled to compare overall survivals by calculating hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Genomic data of 1425 samples were integrated to depict the genomic landscapes and antigenic features. We also examined the sex disparities based on single-cell RNA sequencing and T cell receptor-sequencing data from 105,145 immune cells in 60 patients.

Results

Immunotherapy was associated with favorable outcomes in men (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65–0.79; P < 0.001), but not in women (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.78–1.23; P = 0.84) (Pinteraction =0.02). The frequencies of 8 gene mutations, 12 single base substitutions signatures, and 131 reactome pathways were significantly different between male and female. Additionally, six subtypes of HLA-II antigens were enriched in women. Hence, we constructed and then validated a sex-related signature to better predict the outcomes of immunotherapy. Exhausted CD8+ T cells were highly infiltrated in men, while naïve CD8+ T cells were more common in women. Further examinations on multiple malignancies suggested exhausted CD8+ T cells were enriched in patients who responded to immunotherapy.

Conclusions

Our study delineated the robust genomic and cellular sex disparities in EC. Furthermore, male, rather than female, derived significantly benefits from immunotherapy. These results have implications for treatment decision-making and developing immunotherapy for personalized care.

Plain English Summary

In the past several years, immunotherapy has gradually replaced the traditional chemotherapy as the standard treatment in esophageal cancer. It is well-established that immunological responses in male and female differ significantly. However, there is an ongoing debate on whether sex can impact the treatment outcomes in immunotherapy. In the present study, we systematically characterized the genomic and cellular landscapes of esophageal cancer, and revealed the significant differences between male and female patients. Furthermore, with over 2000 patients with esophageal cancer, we showed that only men can benefit from immunotherapy. In women, immunotherapy failed to show superior over chemotherapy. These results have implications for treatment decision-making and developing next-generation immunotherapy for personalized care.
Suppression of P2X4 and P2X7 by Lactobacillus rhamnosus vitaP1: effects on hangover symptoms
Authors: Kwon Jeong Eun , Hong Woojae , Jeon Hyelin , Kim Cha Soon , Kim Hyunggun , Kang Se Chan
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to identify substances including Lactobacillus rhamnosus vitaP1 (KACC 92054P) that alleviate hangover-induced emotional anxiety and liver damage. The association between emotional anxiety caused by hangover and the genes P2X4, P2X7, SLC6A4 was investigated. In vitro and in vivo analyses were conducted to assess the influence of free-panica on alcohol-induced upregulated gene expression. Additionally, the concentration of AST, ALT, alcohol, and acetaldehyde in blood was measured. Free-panica, consisting of five natural products (Phyllanthus amarus, Phoenix dactylifera, Vitis vinifera, Zingiber officinale, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus), were evaluated for their regulatory effects on genes involved in alcohol-induced emotional anxiety and liver damage. The combination of these natural products in free-panica successfully restored emotional anxiety, and the concentration of AST, ALT, alcohol, and acetaldehyde in blood to those of the normal control group. These findings support the potential development of free-panica as a health functional food or medicinal intervention for relieving hangover symptoms and protecting liver from alcohol consumption.
Stereotype-driven emotional responses and their impact on discriminatory intentions towards suicidal individuals
Authors: Lee Hannah , An Soontae
Published: March 2024

Background

This research delves into the role of stereotypes and emotional prejudice in behavioral intentions, particularly towards individuals with suicidal tendencies. The study extends the cognitive-affective-behavioral process model, identifying pathways that negative stereotypes use to impact emotional responses and behavioral intentions.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in South Korea, utilizing the largest Korean online panel (1,623,938 users) to recruit 552 eligible participants (49.1% male, 50.9% female) aged 20 and above with online access and no history of suicide attempts. The survey assessed negative stereotypes, prejudices, and behavioral intentions related to suicidal thoughts, employing specific measurements.

Results

The findings established the correlation between negative stereotypes and both stigmatized emotional responses and discriminatory intentions. The study uniquely demonstrated that emotional responses act as a bridge between negative stereotypes and behavioral intentions towards suicidal individuals. These findings carry profound implications for health psychology, emphasizing the necessity of modifying attitudes to reduce suicide stigma. It was observed that stereotypical perceptions fuel negative emotions, which in turn provoke various behavioral intentions.

Conclusions

The study enhances our understanding of the influential role emotional reactions can have in shaping attitudes. It points towards the potential that addressing emotions holds in the stigma process, enabling people to shift their attitudes about stigmatized individuals, thus establishing intervention opportunities for stigma reduction in health psychology.
The burden of traumatic brain injury on caregivers: exploring the predictive factors in a multi-centric study
Authors: Ilaghi Mehran , Gharib Farhad , Pirani Ahmad , Vahabie Abdol-Hossein , Grafman Jordan , Shariat Seyed Vahid , Shariati Behnam , Jahanbakhshi Amin , Mirfazeli Fatemeh Sadat
Published: March 2024

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. With survivors often exhibiting degrees of function loss, a significant burden is exerted on their caregivers. The purpose of this study was to explore the predictive factors of caregiver burden among caregivers of patients with TBI.

Methods

Sixty-eight family members of individuals with a TBI who had been admitted to three hospitals were assessed in terms of caregiver burden using the Zarit Burden Interview. The association of caregiver burden with patients’ baseline cognitive function according to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, as well as caregivers’ sociodemographic characteristics, were evaluated using multiple regression analysis.

Results

Based on the multiple regression model, the MoCA score of the patients (std β=-0.442, p < 0.001), duration of caregiving (std β = 0.228, p = 0.044), and higher education of the caregivers (std β = 0.229, p = 0.038) were significant predictors of caregiver burden.

Conclusion

Overall, our findings highlight the importance of taking caregivers’ psychosocial needs into account. Long-term caregivers of TBI patients with cognitive impairment should be viewed as vulnerable individuals who could benefit from psychosocial intervention programs, to improve their well-being and enabling them to enrich their care of the TBI patient.
Comparability of reading tasks in high-stakes English proficiency tests and university courses in Korea
Authors: Yeom Soohye , Llosa Lorena
Published: March 2024

With the increased popularity of English-medium instruction (EMI) in higher education, many East Asian universities are using international English proficiency tests to make admissions and placement decisions. Since these tests were not originally designed for the EMI contexts, validity evidence is needed to support the use of these tests in this new context. To interpret performance on a test as representative of performance in a target language use (TLU) domain, this study investigated (1) the characteristics of English reading tasks in Korean EMI undergraduate and graduate courses, (2) the extent to which they are comparable to the characteristics of reading tasks on TOEFL iBT and IELTS, and (3) the extent to which students perceive EMI reading tasks and the test reading tasks to be comparable. Fifty-four undergraduate and graduate students in EMI content courses at a Korean university completed an online questionnaire. Analyses revealed that EMI reading tasks share several characteristics with USA/UK university reading tasks. Although EMI reading tasks had some key characteristics in common with TOEFL and IELTS reading tasks, the test tasks were much more limited in range. Finally, the extent to which students perceived EMI reading tasks and TOEFL/IELTS reading tasks comparable varied across academic areas.
Reduction of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE injected activity for digital PET/MR in comparison with analogue PET/CT
Authors: Cox Christina P. W. , Brabander Tessa , Vegt Erik , de Lussanet de la Sablonière Quido G. , Graven Laura H. , Verburg Frederik A. , Segbers Marcel
Published: March 2024

Background

New digital detectors and block-sequential regularized expectation maximization (BSREM) reconstruction algorithm improve positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) image quality. The impact on image quality may differ from analogue PET/computed tomography (CT) protocol. The aim of this study is to determine the potential reduction of injected [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE activity for digital PET/MR with BSREM reconstruction while maintaining at least equal image quality compared to the current analogue PET/CT protocol.

Methods

NEMA IQ phantom data and 25 patients scheduled for a diagnostic PET/MR were included. According to our current protocol, 1.5 MBq [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE per kilogram (kg) was injected. After 60 min, scans were acquired with 3 (≤ 70 kg) or 4 (> 70 kg) minutes per bedposition. PET/MR scans were reconstructed using BSREM and factors β 150, 300, 450 and 600. List mode data with reduced counts were reconstructed to simulate scans with 17%, 33%, 50% and 67% activity reduction. Image quality was measured quantitatively for PET/CT and PET/MR phantom and patient data. Experienced nuclear medicine physicians performed visual image quality scoring and lesion counting in the PET/MR patient data.

Results

Phantom analysis resulted in a possible injected activity reduction of 50% with factor β = 600. Quantitative analysis of patient images revealed a possible injected activity reduction of 67% with factor β = 600. Both with equal or improved image quality as compared to PET/CT. However, based on visual scoring a maximum activity reduction of 33% with factor β = 450 was acceptable, which was further limited by lesion detectability analysis to an injected activity reduction of 17% with factor β = 450.

Conclusion

A digital [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/MR together with BSREM using factor β = 450 result in 17% injected activity reduction with quantitative values at least similar to analogue PET/CT, without compromising on PET/MR visual image quality and lesion detectability.
Sequential deep learning image enhancement models improve diagnostic confidence, lesion detectability, and image reconstruction time in PET
Authors: Dedja Meghi , Mehranian Abolfazl , Bradley Kevin M. , Walker Matthew D. , Fielding Patrick A. , Wollenweber Scott D. , Johnsen Robert , McGowan Daniel R.
Published: March 2024

Background

Investigate the potential benefits of sequential deployment of two deep learning (DL) algorithms namely DL-Enhancement (DLE) and DL-based time-of-flight (ToF) (DLT). DLE aims to enhance the rapidly reconstructed ordered-subset-expectation-maximisation algorithm (OSEM) images towards block-sequential-regularised-expectation-maximisation (BSREM) images, whereas DLT aims to improve the quality of BSREM images reconstructed without ToF. As the algorithms differ in their purpose, sequential application may allow benefits from each to be combined. 20 FDG PET-CT scans were performed on a Discovery 710 (D710) and 20 on Discovery MI (DMI; both GE HealthCare). PET data was reconstructed using five combinations of algorithms:1. ToF-BSREM, 2. ToF-OSEM + DLE, 3. OSEM + DLE + DLT, 4. ToF-OSEM + DLE + DLT, 5. ToF-BSREM + DLT. To assess image noise, 30 mm-diameter spherical VOIs were drawn in both lung and liver to measure standard deviation of voxels within the volume. In a blind clinical reading, two experienced readers rated the images on a five-point Likert scale based on lesion detectability, diagnostic confidence, and image quality.

Results

Applying DLE + DLT reduced noise whilst improving lesion detectability, diagnostic confidence, and image reconstruction time. ToF-OSEM + DLE + DLT reconstructions demonstrated an increase in lesion SUVmax of 28 ± 14% (average ± standard deviation) and 11 ± 5% for data acquired on the D710 and DMI, respectively. The same reconstruction scored highest in clinical readings for both lesion detectability and diagnostic confidence for D710.

Conclusions

The combination of DLE and DLT increased diagnostic confidence and lesion detectability compared to ToF-BSREM images. As DLE + DLT used input OSEM images, and because DL inferencing was fast, there was a significant decrease in overall reconstruction time. This could have applications to total body PET.