bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA repair-related genes are the key for stony coral ancestors to survive under elevated levels of UVR
Authors: Wu Tianzhen , Lei Yanli , Jian Zhimin
Published: May 2023

DNA damage response (DDR) is a complicated network to defend against physical or chemical changes in DNA in all animals. Elevated levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) caused DNA damage, which was a reason for the mass extinction that occurred at the Devonian/Carboniferous (D/C) boundary approximately 359 million years ago (Ma). However, the molecular adaptation of the stony coral ancestors that strangely survived the D/C boundary mass extinction is not well understood. In the present study, the molecular clock analysis using fourfold degenerate sites of 1,463 homologous genes of different stony coral species (a representative group of marine organisms with calcareous skeletons) suggested that their common ancestors originated 384.24 Ma, i.e., slightly earlier than the D/C transition. We identified 21 rapidly evolving genes (REGs) and 49 positive selection genes (PSGs) that were significantly enriched in diverse pathways, including the mitotic cell cycle process, intracellular protein transport, and DNA synthesis involved in DNA repair. Interestingly, four REGs and 21 PSGs were significantly enriched in DDR pathways, including the mitotic cell cycle process, DNA synthesis involved in DNA repair, and cellular response to DNA damage stimulus pathways. We hypothesize that enriched DDR genes are likely involved in the enhanced ability of ancient stony corals to detect and repair DNA damage. For example, the DNA polymerase epsilon catalytic subunit (POLE) gene, which encodes the DNA polymerase epsilon catalytic subunit A, mediates interaction with the other three catalytic subunits through its nonenzymatic carboxy-terminal domain. POLE may potentially enhance the binding ability to other subunits to strengthen its function because eight positive selection sites were distributed in the C-terminal of POLE and on the surface of the simulated 3D protein model. Therefore, our results demonstrated for the first time that the precise transfer of DNA information may help stony coral ancestors survive in elevated levels of ultraviolet radiation, suggesting that DDR levels may be critical to the environmental adaptation of calcareous skeletal organisms during climate change.
Analysis of the diversity of tick-borne viruses at the border areas in Liaoning Province, China
Authors: Bai Yu , Li Yang , Liu Wenli , Li Jing , Tian Fengjuan , Liu Lei , Han Xiaohu , Tong Yigang
Published: May 2023

Ticks play a significant role in transmitting arboviruses, which pose a risk to human and animal health. The region of Liaoning Province, China, with abundant plant resources with multiple tick populations, has reported several tick-borne diseases. However, there remains a scarcity of research on the composition and evolution of the tick virome. In this study, we conducted the metagenomic analysis of 561 ticks in the border area of Liaoning Province in China and identified viruses related to known diseases in humans and animals, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and nairobi sheep disease virus (NSDV). Moreover, the groups of tick viruses were also closely related to the families of Flaviviridae, Parvoviridae, Phenuiviridae, and Rhabdoviridae. Notably, the Dabieshan tick virus (DBTV) of the family Phenuiviridae was prevalent in these ticks, with the minimum infection rate (MIR) of 9.09%, higher than previously reported in numerous provinces in China. In addition, sequences of tick-borne viruses of the family Rhabdoviridae have first been reported from the border area of Liaoning Province, China, after being described from Hubei Province, China. This research furthered the insight into pathogens carried by ticks in the northeastern border areas of China, offering epidemiological information for possible forthcoming outbreaks of infectious diseases. Meanwhile, we provided an essential reference for assessing the risk of tick bite infection in humans and animals, as well as for exploring into the evolution of the virus and the mechanisms of species transmission.
Dosage effects of organic manure on bacterial community assemblage and phosphorus transformation profiles in greenhouse soil
Authors: Zhang Liangliang , Niu Junfang , Lu Xuewei , Zhao Ziyue , Li Kaixuan , Wang Fenghua , Zhang Chaochun , Sun Ruibo
Published: May 2023

Manure is a potential substitute for chemical phosphate fertilizer, especially in intensive agriculture, such as greenhouse farming, but the associations between soil phosphorus (P) availability and the soil microbial community under manure application instead of chemical phosphate fertilizers are still rarely addressed. In this study, a field experiment in greenhouse farming with manure application instead of chemical phosphate fertilizers was established, including five treatments: a control with conventional fertilization and chemical phosphate fertilizer substitution treatments using manure as the sole P resource at 25% (0.25 Po), 50% (0.50 Po), 75% (0.75 Po), and 100% (1.00 Po) of the control. Except for 1.00 Po, all the treatments applied with manure harbored similar levels of available P (AP) as the control. Most of the bacterial taxa involved in P transformation were enriched in manure treatments. Treatments of 0.25 Po and 0.50 Po significantly enhanced bacterial inorganic P (Pi) dissolution capacity, while 0.25 Po decreased bacterial organic P (Po) mineralization capacity. In contrast, the 0.75 Po and 1.00 Po treatments significantly decreased the bacterial Pi dissolution capacity and increased the Po mineralization capacity. Further analysis revealed that the changes in the bacterial community were significantly correlated with soil pH, total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), and AP. These results revealed the dosage effect of the impact of manure on soil P availability and microbial P transformation capacity and emphasized that an appropriate dosage of organic manure is important in practical production.
Late-life depressive symptoms and white matter structural integrity within older Black adults
Authors: Fleischman Debra A. , Arfanakis Konstantinos , Leurgans Sue E. , Zhang Shengwei , Lamar Melissa , Han S. Duke , Poole Victoria N. , Kim Namhee , Bennett David A. , Barnes Lisa L.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Older Black adults experience a high burden of depressive symptoms and cerebrovascular disease but the specific neurobiological substrates underlying the association between late-life depressive symptoms and brain integrity are understudied, particularly in within-group designs.

Methods

Using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and diffusion-tensor imaging, within-Black variation in the association between late-life depressive symptoms and white matter structural integrity was examined in 297 older Black participants without dementia that were enrolled across three epidemiological studies of aging and dementia. Linear regression models were used to test associations with DTI metrics (fractional anisotropy, trace of the diffusion tensor) as the outcomes and depressive symptoms as the predictor, while adjusting for age, sex, education, scanner, serotonin-reuptake inhibitor use, total volume of white-matter hyperintensities normalized by intracranial volume, and presence of white-matter hyperintensities at the voxel level.

Results

Higher level of self-reported late-life depressive symptoms was associated with greater diffusion-tensor trace (reduced white matter integrity) in connections between commissural pathways and contralateral prefrontal regions (superior and middle frontal/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), association pathways connecting dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with insular, striatal and thalamic regions, and association pathways connecting the parietal, temporal and occipital lobes and the thalamus.

Discussion

This study demonstrated a discernable pattern of compromised white matter structural integrity underlying late-life depressive symptoms within older Black adults.
Biogenic metallic nanoparticles: biomedical, analytical, food preservation, and applications in other consumable products
Authors: Kumar Ashwini , Shah Sunny R. , Jayeoye Titilope J. , Kumar Akash , Parihar Akshay , Prajapati Bhupendra , Singh Sudarshan , Kapoor Devesh U.
Published: May 2023

Biogenic metallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) are nanostructure materials synthesized through biological processes that have gained significant attention due to their small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio. BMNPs have several advantages over chemically synthesized ones due to their eco-friendly synthesis regimen, sustainability, biocompatibility, and diverse multifarious biomedical applications. Moreover, the superior cytocompatibility and stability due to the capping layer over metallic nanoparticles (MNPs), reduces the like hood of toxicity and side effects, making them a safer alternative to traditional drug delivery methods. Among several promising applications of BMNPs, their antibacterial activity, analytical sensing of heavy metals, and their roles in food preservations have been widely explored. In addition, to drug delivery and imaging, BMNPs have also been investigated for therapeutic activity such as antimicrobial efficacy against the skin and soft tissue nosocomial pathogens and targeting cancer cells in cancer therapy. The present review bestows several characterization techniques involved with MNPs and compressive aspects of the biogenic synthesis of MNPs using agricultural and biological materials, which reduces the cost of synthesis and minimizes the use of hazardous chemicals. The review also focuses on the multifold applications of BMNPs including biomedical, analytical, preservation of food, and in other consumable goods with toxicological aspects.
An information theoretic score for learning hierarchical concepts
Authors: Madani Omid
Published: May 2023

How do humans learn the regularities of their complex noisy world in a robust manner? There is ample evidence that much of this learning and development occurs in an unsupervised fashionviainteractions with the environment. Both the structure of the world as well as the brain appear hierarchical in a number of ways, and structured hierarchical representations offer potential benefits for efficient learning and organization of knowledge, such as concepts (patterns) sharing parts (subpatterns), and for providing a foundation for symbolic computation and language. A major question arises: what drives the processes behind acquiring such hierarchical spatiotemporal concepts? We posit that the goal of advancing one's predictions is a major driver for learning such hierarchies and introduce an information-theoretic score that shows promise in guiding the processes, and, in particular, motivating the learner to build larger concepts. We have been exploring the challenges of building an integrated learning and developing system within the framework ofprediction games, wherein concepts serve as (1) predictors, (2) targets of prediction, and (3) building blocks for future higher-level concepts. Our current implementation works on raw text: it begins at a low level, such as characters, which are the hardwired or primitive concepts, and grows its vocabulary of networked hierarchical concepts over time. Concepts are strings or n-grams in our current realization, but we hope to relax this limitation, e.g., to a larger subclass of finite automata. After an overview of the current system, we focus on the score, named CORE. CORE is based on comparing the prediction performance of the system with a simple baseline system that is limited to predicting with the primitives. CORE incorporates a tradeoff between how strongly a concept is predicted (or how well it fits its context, i.e., nearby predicted concepts) vs. how well it matches the (ground) “reality,” i.e., the lowest level observations (the characters in the input episode). CORE is applicable to generative models such as probabilistic finite state machines (beyond strings). We highlight a few properties of CORE with examples. The learning is scalable and open-ended. For instance, thousands of concepts are learned after hundreds of thousands of episodes. We give examples of what is learned, and we also empirically compare with transformer neural networks and n-gram language models to situate the current implementation with respect to state-of-the-art and to further illustrate the similarities and differences with existing techniques. We touch on a variety of challenges and promising future directions in advancing the approach, in particular, the challenge of learning concepts with a more sophisticated structure.
Measurement of prospective memory in Spanish speakers
Authors: Cadavid Laura , Camuy Alicia , Velez Valerie , Raskin Sarah
Published: May 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to provide preliminary evidence on the psychometric properties of a measure of prospective memory in Spanish speakers, the Memory for Intentions Test (MIST) Spanish translation.

Methods

In addition, this study investigated whether acculturation influenced performance on the MIST. Finally, we measured other cognitive factors that might be impacting the relationship between culture and prospective memory performance. These factors were working memory, autobiographical memory, and episodic future thought.

Results

Overall, the psychometric properties of the Spanish MIST appear to be similar to the English language MIST, but our sample size was too small to allow for the creation of a normative database. The MIST recognition item was significantly related to years of education and years of speaking either Spanish or English.

Discussion

This suggests a need to investigate ways to improve the test to eliminate these effects. In addition, acculturation was related to the measure of episodic future thought.
Phase-amplitude coupling-based adaptive filters for neural signal decoding
Authors: Li Jiajun , Qi Yu , Pan Gang
Published: May 2023

Bandpass filters play a core role in ECoG signal processing. Commonly used frequency bands such as alpha, beta, and gamma bands can reflect the normal rhythm of the brain. However, the universally predefined bands might not be optimal for a specific task. Especially the gamma band usually covers a wide frequency span (i.e., 30–200 Hz) which can be too coarse to capture features that appear in narrow bands. An ideal option is to find the optimal frequency bands for specific tasks in real-time and dynamically. To tackle this problem, we propose an adaptive band filter that selects the useful frequency band in a data-driven way. Specifically, we leverage the phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) of the coupled working mechanism of synchronizing neuron and pyramidal neurons in neuronal oscillations, in which the phase of slower oscillations modulates the amplitude of faster ones, to help locate the fine frequency bands from the gamma range, in a task-specific and individual-specific way. Thus, the information can be more precisely extracted from ECoG signals to improve neural decoding performance. Based on this, an end-to-end decoder (PACNet) is proposed to construct a neural decoding application with adaptive filter banks in a uniform framework. Experiments show that PACNet can improve neural decoding performance universally with different tasks.
Organotopic organization of the porcine mid-cervical vagus nerve
Authors: Thompson Nicole , Ravagli Enrico , Mastitskaya Svetlana , Iacoviello Francesco , Stathopoulou Thaleia-Rengina , Perkins Justin , Shearing Paul R. , Aristovich Kirill , Holder David
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Despite detailed characterization of fascicular organization of somatic nerves, the functional anatomy of fascicles evident in human and large mammal cervical vagus nerve is unknown. The vagus nerve is a prime target for intervention in the field of electroceuticals due to its extensive distribution to the heart, larynx, lungs, and abdominal viscera. However, current practice of the approved vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) technique is to stimulate the entire nerve. This produces indiscriminate stimulation of non-targeted effectors and undesired side effects. Selective neuromodulation is now a possibility with a spatially-selective vagal nerve cuff. However, this requires the knowledge of the fascicular organization at the level of cuff placement to inform selectivity of only the desired target organ or function.

Methods and results

We imaged function over milliseconds with fast neural electrical impedance tomography and selective stimulation, and found consistent spatially separated regions within the nerve correlating with the three fascicular groups of interest, suggesting organotopy. This was independently verified with structural imaging by tracing anatomical connections from the end organ with microCT and the development of an anatomical map of the vagus nerve. This confirmed organotopic organization.

Discussion

Here we show, for the first time, localized fascicles in the porcine cervical vagus nerve which map to cardiac, pulmonary and recurrent laryngeal function (N = 4). These findings pave the way for improved outcomes in VNS as unwanted side effects could be reduced by targeted selective stimulation of identified organ-specific fiber-containing fascicles and the extension of this technique clinically beyond the currently approved disorders to treat heart failure, chronic inflammatory disorders, and more.
Non-invasive in vivo imaging of porcine islet xenografts in a preclinical model with [68Ga]Ga-exendin-4
Authors: Lindheimer Felix , Lindner Magdalena Julia , Oos Rosel , Honarpisheh Mohsen , Zhang Yichen , Lei Yutian , Wolf-van Buerck Lelia , Gildehaus Franz Josef , Lindner Simon , Bartenstein Peter , Kemter Elisabeth , Wolf Eckhard , Seissler Jochen , Ziegler Sibylle
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Islet xenotransplantation may be a therapeutic option in type 1 diabetes. Recent advances in generating genetically modified source pigs offer advantages as immune suppressants can potentially be eliminated after the transplantation. Therapy monitoring would greatly benefit from noninvasive methods for assessing the viability of transplanted islets. Peptide-based positron emission tomography (PET) targeting the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) expression on beta cells may offer a procedure that can directly be translated from an experimental setting to the clinic. The aim of this study was to establish the labeling of the GLP1R ligand [68Ga]Ga-exendin-4, to demonstrate the feasibility of imaging porcine islet xenografts in vivo and to compare signal quality for three different transplantation sites in a mouse model.

Materials and methods

Mice with engrafted neonatal porcine islet cell clusters (NPICCs) under the kidney capsule, into the inguinal fold, or the lower hindlimb muscle were studied. After reaching normoglycemia, the mice were injected with [68Ga]Ga-exendin-4 for PET data acquisition. Subsequent autoradiography (AR) was used for comparing ex vivo data with in vivo uptake.

Results

NPICCs in the lower right hindlimb muscle could be detected in vivo and in AR. Due to the high background in the kidney and urinary bladder, islets could not be detected in the PET data at transplantation sites close to these organs, while AR showed a clear signal for the islets in the inguinal fold.

Discussion

PET with [68Ga]Ga-exendin-4 detects islets transplanted in the hindlimb muscle tissue of mice, offering the potential of longitudinal monitoring of viable porcine islets. Other sites are not suitable for in vivo imaging owing to high activity accumulation of Exendin-4 in kidney and bladder.
The whole treatment process and thinking of a patient with NUT carcinoma of the parotid gland: a case report
Authors: Fu Shujuan , Wang Zhiying , Li Cunya , Li Yun , Zhang Ke , Zhong Zhixian , Zhong Yi
Published: May 2023

Background

Primary nuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor originating from the salivary glands that usually occurs in midline structures, such as the head and neck, and has been identified in young patients. Progression of NUT carcinoma is rapid, and there is a high degree of malignant invasion. The median survival time of NUT carcinoma patients is 6 to 9 months, and 80% of the patients die within 1 year after diagnosis.

Case description

This case report summarizes the treatment of a 36-year-old male patient with NUT carcinoma of the right parotid gland. The overall survival of the patient was 2 years. We also discuss the applications and outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor and targeted therapy combination regimens in the treatment of NUT carcinoma.

Conclusion

We suggest that targeted therapy combined with immunotherapy which has long-term clinical benefits and targeted therapy which has high clinical response rate(immunotherapy + dual-targeting three-drug regimens) is an ideal choice for the treatment of patients with rare and/or refractory tumors and will not compromise patient safety.

Clinical trial registration

identifier ChiCTR1900026300.
Evaluation of thromboembolic event, basic coagulation parameters, and associated factors in patients with colorectal cancer: a multicenter study
Authors: Admasu Fitalew Tadele , Dejenie Tadesse Asmamaw , Ayehu Gashaw Walle , Zewde Edget Abebe , Dessie Gashaw , Adugna Dagnew Getnet , Enyew Engidaw Fentahun , Geto Zeleke , Abebe Endeshaw Chekol
Published: May 2023

Background

Patients with colorectal cancer are at an increased risk of hemostatic disturbances, and recent studies have shown that coagulation disorders could be the first sign of malignancy. Although coagulopathy is a significant cause of cancer-related death and disability, it is usually underestimated, and there has been no recent scientific evidence regarding the exact burden and its specific determinants. Moreover, the public health importance of the risk of coagulopathy among patients with colorectal polyps has not been addressed.

Materials and methods

An institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 500 study participants (250 colorectal cancer patients, 150 colorectal polyp patients, and 100 controls) from January to December 2022. Venous blood was collected for basic coagulation and platelet analysis. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn–Bonferroni pairwise comparisons) were used to compare study parameters among the groups. The test results were expressed as medians and interquartile ranges. Binary logistic regressions were fitted, and statistical significance was declared at a p-value of less than 0.05, with 95% CI.

Results

The prevalence of coagulopathy among colorectal cancer patients was 198 (79.2%; 95% CI: 73.86, 83.64), while the prevalence was 76 (50.7%; 95% CI: 45.66, 54.34) among colorectal polyp patients. From the final model, age between 61 and 70 (AOR = 3.13: 95% CI: 1.03, 6.94), age > 70 years (AOR = 2.73: 95% CI: 1.08, 4.71), hypertension (AOR = 6.8: 95% CI: 1.07, 14.1), larger tumor size (AOR = 3.31: 95% CI: 1.11, 6.74), metastatic cancer (AOR = 5.8: 95% CI: 1.1, 14.7), and BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (AOR = 3.8: 95% CI: 2.3, 4.8) were positively associated with coagulopathy.

Conclusion

This study showed that coagulopathy is a major public health concern among patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, existing oncology care efforts should be strengthened to prevent coagulopathy among patients with colorectal cancer. Moreover, patients with colorectal polyps should receive more attention.
Efficacy and safety of mirabegron in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome after radical prostatectomy: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Li Wang , Lin Yanduo , Xie Hong , Fu Qiang , Chen Rong , Hu Xiaoyong , Huang Jianwen , Wang Jihong , Yang Ranxing
Published: May 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of mirabegron in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Patients and methods

A total of 108 post-operative RP patients were randomly assigned to either the mirabegron (study) or the placebo (control) group. The Overactive Bladder Syndrome Self-Assessment Scale (OABSS) was selected as the primary endpoint, and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QOL) score were selected as secondary endpoints. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26, and the treatment effects were compared between the two groups using independent samples t-test.

Results

In total, 55 patients were included in the study group and 53 patients in the control group. The mean age was(70.08 ± 7.54)years. There was no statistical difference in the baseline data between the two groups. OABSS scores decreased significantly in the study group compared to the control group during drug treatment (6.67 ± 1.06 vs. 9.14 ± 1.83, p < 0.01) and were better than the control group during the follow-up at week 8 and week 12. In addition, the decrease in IPSS scores (11.29 ± 3.89 and 15.34 ± 3.54, p<0.01) and the increase in QOL scores (2.40 ± 0.81 vs. 3.20 ± 1.00) were statistically significant in the study group. And the patients in the study group had better improvement in voiding symptoms and quality of life than the control group during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Daily administration of 50 mg mirabegron after RP surgery significantly improved the symptoms of OAB after surgery with fewer side effects. Additional randomized controlled trials should be conducted in the future to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of mirabegron.
Interrelated development of autism spectrum disorder symptoms and eating problems in childhood: a population-based cohort
Authors: Harris Holly A. , Derks Ivonne P. M. , Prinzie Peter , Louwerse Anneke , Hillegers Manon H. J. , Jansen Pauline W.
Published: May 2023

Eating problems, such as food selectivity or picky eating, are thought to be an epiphenomenon of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Yet eating problems are also common in the general pediatric population and overlap with ASD symptoms. However, the temporal association between ASD symptoms and eating problems is poorly understood. This study examines the bidirectional association between ASD symptoms and eating problems across child development, and investigates whether these associations differ by child sex. Participants (N = 4,930) were from the population-based Generation R Study. Parents reported their child's ASD symptoms and eating problems using the Child Behavior Checklist at 5 assessments from toddlerhood to adolescence (1.5 to 14 years, 50% girls). A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model was used to examine the lagged associations between ASD symptoms and eating problems at the within-person level, controlling for stable, trait-like differences at the between-person level. At the between-person level, there was a strong correlation between ASD symptoms and eating problems (β = .48, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.57). Controlling for these between-person effects, there was limited evidence for consistent, predictive effects of ASD symptoms and eating problems at the within-person level. Associations did not differ by child sex. Findings suggest that ASD symptoms and eating problems may represent a cluster of traits that are highly stable from early childhood to adolescence, which have a minimal reciprocal effect at the individual-level. Future research could focus on these trait-like qualities to inform the development of supportive, family-focused interventions.
Predictors of a high incidence of opportunistic infections among HIV-infected children receiving antiretroviral therapy at Amhara regional state comprehensive specialized hospitals, Ethiopia: A multicenter institution-based retrospective follow-up study
Authors: Mekonnen Gebrehiwot Berie , Birhane Binyam Minuye , Engdaw Melaku Tadege , Kindie Wotetenesh , Ayele Amare Demsie , Wondim Amare
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Globally, opportunistic infections are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected children, contributing to more than 90% of HIV-related deaths. In 2014, Ethiopia launched and began to implement a “test and treat” strategy aiming to reduce the burden of opportunistic infections. Despite this intervention, opportunistic infections continue to be a serious public health issue, with limited evidence available on their overall incidence among HIV-infected children in the study area.

Objective

The study aimed to assess the incidence of opportunistic infections and to identify predictors of their occurrence among HIV-infected children receiving antiretroviral therapy at Amhara Regional State Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals in 2022.

Methods

A multicenter, institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 472 HIV-infected children receiving antiretroviral therapy at Amhara Regional State Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals from May 17 to June 15, 2022. Children receiving antiretroviral therapy were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using national antiretroviral intake and follow-up forms via the KoBo Toolbox. STATA 16 was used for data analyses, and the Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate probabilities of opportunistic infection-free survival. Both bi-variable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were employed to identify significant predictors. A P-value <0.05 was taken to indicate statistical significance.

Results

Medical records from a total of 452 children (representing a completeness rate of 95.8%) were included and analyzed in the study. The overall incidence of opportunistic infections among children receiving ART was 8.64 per 100 person-years of observation. The predictors of elevated incidence of opportunistic infections were: a CD4 cell count below a specified threshold [AHR: 2.34 (95% CI: 1.45, 3.76)]; co-morbidity of anemia [AHR: 1.68 (95% CI: 1.06, 2.67)]; ever having exhibited only fair or poor adherence to ART drugs [AHR: 2.31 (95% CI: 1.47, 3.63)]; never having taken tuberculosis-preventive therapy [AHR: 1.95 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.99)]; and not having initiated antiretroviral therapy within 7 days of HIV diagnosis [AHR: 1.82 (95% CI: 1.12, 2.96)].

Conclusion

In this study, the incidence of opportunistic infections was high. Early initiation antiretroviral therapy has direct effect on boosting the immunity, suppressing viral replications and increases the CD4 count, so that the occurrence of opportunistic infection will reduce the incidence of OIs.
A novel risk model of three SUMOylation genes based on RNA expression for potential prognosis and treatment sensitivity prediction in kidney cancer
Authors: Li Song-Chao , Yan Li-Jie , Wei Xu-Liang , Jia Zhan-Kui , Yang Jin-Jian , Ning Xiang-Hui
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Kidney cancer is one of the most common and lethal urological malignancies. Discovering a biomarker that can predict prognosis and potential drug treatment sensitivity is necessary for managing patients with kidney cancer. SUMOylation is a type of posttranslational modification that could impact many tumor-related pathways through the mediation of SUMOylation substrates. In addition, enzymes that participate in the process of SUMOylation can also influence tumorigenesis and development.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical and molecular data which were obtanied from three databases, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), and ArrayExpress.

Results: Through analysis of differentially expressed RNA based on the total TCGA-KIRC cohort, it was found that 29 SUMOylation genes were abnormally expressed, of which 17 genes were upregulated and 12 genes were downregulated in kidney cancer tissues. A SUMOylation risk model was built based on the discovery TCGA cohort and then validated successfully in the validation TCGA cohort, total TCGA cohort, CPTAC cohort, and E-TMAB-1980 cohort. Furthermore, the SUMOylation risk score was analyzed as an independent risk factor in all five cohorts, and a nomogram was constructed. Tumor tissues in different SUMOylation risk groups showed different immune statuses and varying sensitivity to the targeted drug treatment.

Discussion: In conclusion, we examined the RNA expression status of SUMOylation genes in kidney cancer tissues and developed and validated a prognostic model for predicting kidney cancer outcomes using three databases and five cohorts. Furthermore, the SUMOylation model can serve as a biomarker for selecting appropriate therapeutic drugs for kidney cancer patients based on their RNA expression.
A systematic review on sex differences in adverse drug reactions related to psychotropic, cardiovascular, and analgesic medications
Authors: Shan Yuting , Cheung Lee , Zhou Yuqi , Huang Yingbo , Huang R. Stephanie
Published: May 2023

Background and objective: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the main safety concerns of clinically used medications. Accumulating evidence has shown that ADRs can affect men and women differently, which suggests sex as a biological predictor in the risk of ADRs. This review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge on sex differences in ADRs with the focus on the commonly used psychotropic, cardiovascular, and analgesic medications, and to aid clinical decision making and future mechanistic investigations on this topic.

Methods: PubMed search was performed with combinations of the following terms: over 1,800 drugs of interests, sex difference (and its related terms), and side effects (and its related terms), which yielded over 400 unique articles. Articles related to psychotropic, cardiovascular, and analgesic medications were included in the subsequent full-text review. Characteristics and the main findings (male-biased, female-biased, or not sex biased ADRs) of each included article were collected, and the results were summarized by drug class and/or individual drug.

Results: Twenty-six articles studying sex differences in ADRs of six psychotropic medications, ten cardiovascular medications, and one analgesic medication were included in this review. The main findings of these articles suggested that more than half of the ADRs being evaluated showed sex difference pattern in occurrence rate. For instance, lithium was found to cause more thyroid dysfunction in women, and amisulpride induced prolactin increase was more pronounced in women than in men. Some serious ADRs were also found to exert sex difference pattern, such as clozapine induced neutropenia was more prevalent in women whereas simvastatin/atorvastatin-related abnormal liver functions were more pronounced in men.
Lower limbs inter-joint coordination and variability during typical Tai Chi movement in older female adults
Authors: Zhao Jianmin , Han Wei , Tang Huiru
Published: May 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the lower limb inter-joint coordination and variability during Tai Chi movements compared with normal walking in older adults.

Methods: A total of 30 female Tai Chi practitioners (70.9 ± 5.2 years) were recruited in this study. Herein, each participant performed three trials of the normal walking and Tai Chi movements. The lower limb kinematics data were collected with Vicon 3D motion capture system. The continuous relative phase (CRP) includes both spatial and temporal information of two adjacent joints, which was calculated to assess the inter-joint coordination of lower limbs. Coordination amplitude and coordination variability were assessed with mean absolute relative phase (MARP) and deviation phase (DP). MANOVOA was used to analyze inter-joint coordination parameters between different movements.

Results: The CRP values of hip-knee and knee-ankle segments in the sagittal plane of the Tai Chi movements changed frequently. The MARP values of the hip-knee (p < 0.001) and knee-ankle segments (p = 0.032) as well as the DP values of the hip-knee segment (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in Tai Chi than in normal walking.

Conclusion: More consistent and stable inter-joint coordination patterns of Tai Chi movements found in this study may be one of the critical factors that Tai Chi could be a suitable coordinated exercise for older adults.
Psychosocial wellbeing and risky health behaviors among Syrian adolescent refugees in South Beirut: a study using the HEEADSSS interviewing framework
Authors: Rizk Youssef , Hoteit Reem , Khater Beatrice , Naous Jihane
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Adolescent refugees are at risk of mental health disorders and underdiagnosed risky behaviors. Limited research exists in the Middle East and North Africa. This study aims to assess psychosocial wellbeing and risk-taking behaviors among adolescent refugees displaced to South Beirut following a standardized framework.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using face-to-face confidential HEEADSSS (Home, Education/Employment, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Safety and Suicide/Depression) interviews was conducted among 52 Syrian adolescent refugees, between the ages of 14 and 21, in a health center in South Beirut.

Results

The mean age of the interviewees was 17.04 ± 1.77 years, with a male predominance 34 (65.4%). Five (9.6%) were married, 38 (73.1%) were not attending school 27 (52.9%) lived in a place with a crowding index ≥3.5 and 21 (40.4%) were working. Risky health concerns or behaviors detected included no activities or exercise 38 (73.1%), eating one to two meals per day 39 (75%) and smoking 22 (42.3%). Eleven (21.2%) have been ever offered drugs and 22 (42.3%) believed they should carry a weapon for protection. Twenty one out of 32 (65.7%) had major depressive disorders and 33 (63.5%) screened positive for behavioral problems. Exposure to home verbal or physical violence, male gender, smoking, and employment were associated with high scoring in behavioral problems. Smoking and ever been touched in an unwanted way were found to be associated with depression.

Conclusion and practical implications

Implementing the HEEADSSS interviewing assessment within medical encounters with refugee adolescents is one efficient way to detect risky health behaviors and mental health problems. Interventions need to be implemented as early as possible in the refugees’ journey to help them cope and gain resilience. Training health care providers to conduct the questionnaire and delivering brief counseling when required is recommended. Establishing a network of referrals to provide multidisciplinary care to adolescents can be helpful. Obtaining a fund to distribute safety helmets for adolescent motorbike drivers can be a way to reduce injuries. More research among adolescent refugees in multiple settings, including teenagers in the host country, is needed to serve this population better.
Health-related social media use and COVID-19 anxiety in adolescence: health anxiety as covariate and moderator
Authors: Lokajova Adela , Smahel David , Kvardova Nikol
Published: May 2023

Background

Adolescents can benefit from engagement with health-related content on social media (e.g., viewing, commenting, or sharing content related to diseases, prevention, or healthy lifestyle). Nevertheless, such content may be distressing or exaggerated and present a challenge to mental well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumination about such content may lead to COVID-19 anxiety. Yet, the individual factors that would explain the association between health-related social media use (SMU) and COVID-19 anxiety are understudied.

Objective

In the current study, we aimed to fill the gap by investigating the association between health-related social media use (SMU) and COVID-19 anxiety in light of several individual factors: health anxiety, eHealth literacy, and mild and severe experience with COVID-19 infection. We (1) studied the relationship between individual factors and health-related SMU, (2) tested health anxiety as a moderator in the association between health-related SMU and COVID-19 anxiety, and (3) explored a direct effect of experience with COVID-19 on COVID-19 anxiety.

Methods

Using structural equation modeling, we analyzed cross-sectional data from a representative sample of 2,500 Czech adolescents aged 11–16, 50% girls. Sociodemographic measures, health-related SMU, COVIDCOVID-19 anxiety, health anxiety, eHealth literacy, and mild and severe experience with COVID-19 infection were assessed with an anonymous online survey. The data were collected in June 2021.

Results

We conducted a path analysis to test the main relationships and an additional simple-slopes analysis to explore the moderating effect of health anxiety. Higher health anxiety and eHealth literacy were associated with increased health-related SMU. The effect of experience with COVID-19 infection on both COVID-19 anxiety and health-related SMU was negligible. Health-related SMU and COVID-19 anxiety were positively associated, however, only for adolescents high in health anxiety. For other adolescents, the two variables were unrelated.

Conclusion

Our findings show that adolescents with higher health anxiety and eHealth literacy engage in health-related SMU more intensively. Furthermore, for adolescents high in health anxiety, the frequency of health-related SMU is associated with the risk of COVID-19 anxiety. This is likely due to differences in media use. Adolescents with high health anxiety may use social media for content that is more likely to lead to COVID-19 anxiety compared to other adolescents. We recommend focusing on the identification of such content, which may lead to more precise recommendations regarding health-related SMU compared to cut-back on the frequency of overall SMU.
Men's perception of current and ideal body composition and the influence of media internalization on body judgements
Authors: Groves Vicki , Ridley Bethany J. , Cornelissen Piers L. , Maalin Nadia , Mohamed Sophie , Kramer Robin S. S. , McCarty Kristofor , Tovée Martin J. , Cornelissen Katri K.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

To determine men's body ideals and the factors that influence these choices, this study used a matrix of computer generated (CG) male bodies (based on an analysis of 3D scanned real bodies) which independently varied in fat and muscle content.

Methods

Two hundred and fifty-eight male participants completed a range of psychometric measures to index body concerns and body ideal internalization and then chose the CG body that best reflected their own current body, as well as the body that reflected their personal ideal. A subset of participants was then retested to check that these judgements were stable over time.

Results

While judgements of the ideal body seem to be influenced by a shared appearance ideal, the degree to which this ideal was internalized showed significant variability between participants. The effect of this internalization was reflected in the difference between the estimated current body and the ideal.

Discussion

Higher internalization led to a preference for higher muscle and lower fat content. This preference was most marked for fat content, although reducing adiposity also made the underlying musculature more salient. Additionally, the ideal body composition was modulated by the composition the participant believed his current body had (i.e., it seemed that a participant's ideal body was anchored by what they believed to be their current body and what change was possible from this starting point).
Self-rating via video communication in children with disability – a feasibility study
Authors: Ivarsson Magnus , Andersson Anna Karin , Almqvist Lena
Published: May 2023

Background

Different barriers may hinder children with developmental disabilities (DD) from having a voice in research and clinical interventions concerning fundamentally subjective phenomena, such as participation. It is not well-investigated if video communication tools have the potential to reduce these barriers.

Aim

This study investigated the feasibility of administering a self-rating instrument measuring participation, Picture My Participation (PmP), via a video communication tool (Zoom), to children with DD.

Materials and methods

PmP was administered to 17 children with DD (mean age 13 years). The pictorial representations of activities and response options in PmP were displayed in a shared PowerPoint presentation, enabling nonverbal responses with the annotate function in Zoom. Child and interviewer perceptions of the interview were measured through questionnaires developed for the purpose.

Results

All the children completed the interview. Most PmP questions were answered, and no adverse events were registered. Technical issues could generally be solved. No special training or expensive equipment was needed for the interviews.

Conclusion

Interviewer-guided self-ratings of participation and related constructs through video communication may be a feasible procedure to use with children with DD from age 11.

Significance

Offering video communication may increase children’s chances to contribute subjective experiences in research and clinical practice.
Adjective position in the code-switched speech of Spanish and Papiamento heritage speakers in the Netherlands: Individual differences and methodological considerations
Authors: van Osch Brechje , Parafita Couto M. Carmen , Boers Ivo , Sterken Bo
Published: May 2023

Introduction

This study examines adjective-noun order in code-switched constructions by heritage speakers of Spanish and Papiamento in the Netherlands. Given that Dutch differs from Spanish and Papiamento regarding the default position of the adjective, word order in the nominal domain creates a so-called “conflict site” in code-switching. Most accounts of word order patterns in code-switching focus on structural constraints, such as the matrix language or the strength of the EPP feature in Agr. Thus far, studies comparing the two models have not found compelling evidence for either of them.

Methods

The present study takes a more comprehensive approach and considers several linguistic (matrix language, adjective language, and type of insertion) as well as extra-linguistic variables (e.g., age, age of onset, and patterns of exposure and use). Moreover, we compare heritage speakers of two different heritage languages that are linguistically similar (both Spanish and Papiamento exhibit postnominal adjectives), and share the same dominant societal language, but are likely to differ from each other in terms of certain sociolinguistic properties. 21 Spanish and 15 Papiamento heritage speakers (aged 7–54) in the Netherlands carried out a Director-Matcher task, aimed at eliciting nominal constructions containing switches.

Results

The results show that either the ML or the language of the adjective, or both, are important predictors for word order, although the data cannot disentangle these two factors. Moreover, the type of insertion was found to play a role: word order patterns for noun insertions differed from other types of insertions. In addition, the two groups did not behave similarly: Papiamento speakers were more categorical in their preference for noun-adjective order when inserting Dutch nouns into their heritage language than the Spanish speakers were. Finally, there was a great deal of individual variation, which seemed to be related mostly to the age of the participants: children and teen participants behaved differently from adults.

Discussion

These findings demonstrate that both linguistic and extra-linguistic play a role in determining how heritage speakers deal with conflict sites in the nominal domain. Particularly, the findings suggest that, at least for some communities and in some code-switching modes, children may need more time, or more input, too converge on adult-like code-switching norms.