bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health literacy assessment and analysis of influencing factors in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus in Southwest China
Authors: Tang Fangmei , Gu Li , Guo Xiujing , Fu Wenjing , He Benyi , Song Yuqing , Li Dehua
Published: January 2025

Objective

The main objectives of our study are evaluating the health literacy level among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Southwest China and explore the influencing factors, using a multidimensional health literacy assessment scale (Chinese version of the HLS-14). Given that the HLS-14 has not been used in GDM previously, its reliability and validity testing was included as a secondary objective.

Method

It was a cross-sectional survey with 565 GDM pregnancies. The Maternal and child health information access questionnaire, Chinese version of the HLS-14, Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) was used to collect health information access behaviors, health literacy, social support and self-efficacy levels, respectively. SPSS 21.0 was used for descriptive statistical, multiple stepwise linear regression analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Amos 26.0 was used for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results

The Chinese version of HLS-14 has good reliability and validity in GDM pregnancies. The Cronbach’s α are 0.849, 0.866, 0.859, and 0.883, respectively. The exploratory factor analysis extracted three common factors with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 68.405%. The confirmatory factor analysis model fit was good (χ2/df = 2.595, RMSEA = 0.055, IFI = 0.970, TLI = 0.963, CFI = 0.970). The HL level in pregnancies with GDM was moderate with a mean score of 3.26 ± 0.41, of which 24.10% had limited HL, 41.87% had moderate HL, and 34.03% had adequate HL. Regression analysis showed that the women with higher family support (β = 0.298, p < 0.001), recording pregnancy management diary (β = 0.199, p < 0.001), higher the family income (β = 0.140, p < 0.001), lower pre-pregnancy BMI (β = −0.116, p = 0.004), longer time spent searching for health information (β = 0.111, p = 0.006), and searching for health information through a medical health information website (β = 0.093, p = 0.019) had higher HL levels. These variables explained 23.1% of the variance in HL.

Conclusion

The Chinese version of the HLS-14 has good applicability in the GDM pregnancies. The HL level of them is moderate, needs to be improved. Healthcare professionals should focus on the GDM population with low family income and high pre-pregnancy BMI, fully mobilize their social support system, provide reliable access to information, encourage all GDM pregnancies to use pregnancy management diaries to record their self-management behaviors, and ensure the effectiveness of health education.
Key risk factors of generalized anxiety disorder in adolescents: machine learning study
Authors: Moon Yonghwan , Woo Hyekyung
Published: January 2025

Adolescents worldwide are increasingly affected by mental health disorders, with anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), being particularly prevalent. Despite its significant impact, GAD in adolescents often remains underdiagnosed due to vague symptoms and delayed medical attention, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and prevention strategies. This study utilized data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) from 2020 to 2023 to analyze factors influencing GAD in adolescents. Using machine learning techniques such as Lasso Regression, SelectKBest, and XGBoost, we identified key variables, including health behaviors such as sleep, smoking, and fast-food intake, as significant factors associated with GAD. Predictive models using Random Forest and Artificial Neural Networks demonstrated that the XGBoost feature selection method effectively identified key factors and showed strong performance. These findings emphasize the need for educational programs focusing on sleep management, smoking prevention, and balanced nutrition to reduce the risk of GAD in adolescents, providing crucial insights for early diagnosis and intervention efforts.
Research on the impact of artificial intelligence technology on urban public health resilience
Authors: Chen Erdong , Zhang Huaxin
Published: January 2025

Urban public health resilience has become a critical focus in the transition to high-quality development, especially in addressing increasing public health challenges. This study explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in enhancing urban public health resilience across 284 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2021. Using a comprehensive index based on resistance, recovery, and innovation dimensions, the study quantifies AI technology levels through patent applications and authorizations, further disaggregating these into invention, utility model, and design patents. A two-way fixed effects regression model and spatial econometric models are employed to analyze the direct and spillover effects of AI on urban public health systems. The results demonstrate that AI technology significantly enhances resilience by improving resource allocation and response efficiency, with stronger impacts observed in eastern and central regions compared to western regions, where economic and technological capacities are weaker. Spatial analysis reveals significant positive spillover effects, particularly from patent authorizations, which enhance public health resilience in neighboring cities through cross-regional collaboration and resource sharing. Despite these advancements, regional disparities in economic development and technological infrastructure limit AI’s broader impact, underscoring the need for targeted policies, enhanced funding, and interdisciplinary training to bridge the digital divide. The findings highlight AI’s transformative potential in fostering urban public health resilience and call for sustained investment and collaboration to maximize its benefits.
The burden of hepatitis E virus infection among Ghanaian pregnant women
Authors: Bagulo Husein , Majekodunmi Ayodele O. , Welburn Susan C. , Bimi Langbong
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection poses a significant burden on pregnant women, with associated negative outcomes. Although well-described in many developed countries, the epidemiology of the disease and its impact on maternal and fetal health in Ghana is not fully understood.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the antenatal clinics of 10 district hospitals in five regions of Ghana. The study involved 1,000 pregnant women attending antenatal care. Serological and virological assays were employed to determine HEV seroprevalence and prevalence. Logistic regression analysis was carried out in univariate and multivariate models to assess risk factors associated with HEV infection.

Results

HEV-Immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence of 8.3% was recorded among the pregnant women with 1% HEV-antigen prevalence. However, none were positive for HEV-IgM and HEV RNA. 19.8% of the pregnant women reported poor pregnancy outcomes in previous pregnancies. Age, educational attainment, and region were significant predictors of HEV IgG seropositivity in the univariate regression model, while age and region were the only significant predictors in a multivariate model. Also, the drinking water source and the toilet type accurately predicted HEV IgG seroprevalence in both univariate and multivariate models.

Discussion

Pregnancy care must be significantly improved to reduce maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality.
Applying a sustainability perspective in the literature on physical therapy in relation to pharmaceuticals: a scoping review
Authors: Svensson Patric , Jacobsson Magdalena , Palstam Annie , Lange Elvira
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Physical therapy encompasses a broad range of treatment options, often utilized in clinical settings where pharmaceutical interventions are standard. The potential for physical therapy to contribute to sustainable healthcare by reducing environmental impact, while maintaining the quality of care, remains underexplored. This study aimed to map existing research comparing physical therapy to pharmaceuticals, with a specific focus on whether these studies address aspects of sustainable development.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted, systematically searching the PubMed, Cinahl, and Pedro databases using keywords related to physical therapy, pharmaceuticals, and comparative studies. Two assessors independently reviewed and selected relevant studies, followed by data extraction and summarization of results.

Results

A total of 27 studies were included, varying in design, population, and healthcare context. The most commonly addressed conditions were osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain, with analgesics being the most frequently studied pharmaceutical interventions. While several studies touched upon economic and social dimensions of sustainable development, none examined environmental sustainability. This highlights a critical gap in current research.

Discussion

Future studies are needed to assess how physical therapy, when compared to pharmaceutical treatments, can contribute to sustainable healthcare by offering a low-carbon, resource-efficient alternative without compromising social sustainability through adverse effects. This knowledge could be instrumental in guiding healthcare systems toward more sustainable practices.

Systematic review registration

A study protocol was registered in Open Science Framework 2023-03-31 (Available from: https://osf.io/we58g).
Countering AI-powered disinformation through national regulation: learning from the case of Ukraine
Authors: Marushchak Anatolii , Petrov Stanislav , Khoperiya Anayit
Published: January 2025

Advances in the use of AI have led to the emergence of a greater variety of forms disinformation can take and channels for its proliferation. In this context, the future of legal mechanisms to address AI-powered disinformation remains to be determined. Additional complexity for legislators working in the field arises from the need to harmonize national legal frameworks of democratic states with the need for regulation of potentially dangerous digital content. In this paper, we review and analyze some of the recent discussions concerning the use of legal regulation in addressing AI-powered disinformation and present the national case of Ukraine as an example of developments in the field. We develop the discussion through an analysis of the existing counter-disinformation ecosystems, the EU and US legislation, and the emerging regulations of AI systems. We show how the Ukrainian Law on Counter Disinformation, developed as an emergency response to internationally recognized Russian military aggression and hybrid warfare tactics, underscores the crucial need to align even emergency measures with international law and principles of free speech. Exemplifying the Ukrainian case, we argue that the effective actions necessary for countering AI-powered disinformation are prevention, detection, and implementation of a set of response actions. The latter are identified and listed in this review. The paper argues that there is still a need for scaling legal mechanisms that might enhance top-level challenges in countering AI-powered disinformation.
A systematic review of Machine Learning and Deep Learning approaches in Mexico: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Uc Castillo José Luis , Marín Celestino Ana Elizabeth , Martínez Cruz Diego Armando , Tuxpan Vargas José , Ramos Leal José Alfredo , Morán Ramírez Janete
Published: January 2025

This systematic review provides a state-of-art of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models such as Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) development and its applications in Mexico in diverse fields. These models are recognized as powerful tools in many fields due to their capability to carry out several tasks such as forecasting, image classification, recognition, natural language processing, machine translation, etc. This review article aimed to provide comprehensive information on the Machine Learning and Deep Learning algorithms applied in Mexico. A total of 120 original research papers were included and details such as trends in publication, spatial location, institutions, publishing issues, subject areas, algorithms applied, and performance metrics were discussed. Furthermore, future directions and opportunities are presented. A total of 15 subject areas were identified, where Social Sciences and Medicine were the main application areas. It observed that Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) models were preferred, probably due to their capability to learn and model non-linear and complex relationships in addition to other popular models such as Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVM). It identified that the selection and application of the algorithms rely on the study objective and the data patterns. Regarding the performance metrics applied, accuracy and recall were the most employed. This paper could assist the readers in understanding the several Machine Learning and Deep Learning techniques used and their subject area of application in the Artificial Intelligence field in the country. Moreover, the study could provide significant knowledge in the development and implementation of a national AI strategy, according to country needs.
Application progress of artificial intelligence in tumor diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Sun Fan , Zhang Li , Tong Zhongsheng
Published: January 2025

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced transformative opportunities in oncology, enhancing the precision and efficiency of tumor diagnosis and treatment. This review examines recent advancements in AI applications across tumor imaging diagnostics, pathological analysis, and treatment optimization, with a particular focus on breast cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer. By synthesizing findings from peer-reviewed studies published over the past decade, this paper analyzes the role of AI in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, streamlining therapeutic decision-making, and personalizing treatment strategies. Additionally, this paper addresses challenges related to AI integration into clinical workflows and regulatory compliance. As AI continues to evolve, its applications in oncology promise further improvements in patient outcomes, though additional research is needed to address its limitations and ensure ethical and effective deployment.
Future directions: what LIES ahead for smart biochemical wearables in health monitoring?
Authors: Kharb S.
Published: January 2025

Next-generation non-invasive biochemical wearables hold promise in transforming healthcare by providing real-time, continuous monitoring of biochemical markers. Non-invasive methods include smart tattoos, microneedle patches, wearable biosensors, flexible bioelectronics, implantable sensors, smart textiles, and smart contact lenses. A comprehensive picture of an individual’s health can be detected via critical markers such as glucose, lactate, cortisol, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from sweat, saliva, tears, breath and interstitial fluid (ISF)-based, non-invasive and minimally invasive biosensors using these advanced technologies. Personalized insights for enhancing their functionality are possible by integrating them with AI and big data analytics for early disease detection and proactive health management. This study explores the potential of futuristic biochemical wearables, their current status, underlying technologies, potential associated applications and challenges, and their positioning as transformative solutions in personalized healthcare for redefining the future of healthcare monitoring.
Temperature- and ontogeny-dependent metabolism in invasive early juvenile round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
Authors: Herron Hunter A. , Zarini Sina , Thompson William Andrew , Turko Andy J. , Balshine Sigal
Published: January 2025

The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is the fastest spreading invasive fish in the Laurentian Great Lakes, and concurrent invasions are occurring globally. To inform management and mitigation strategies, metabolic rate of adult round goby has been rigorously quantified, but metabolism of the juvenile life stages represents an important knowledge gap. Here, we measured routine and maximum metabolic rates (RMR and MMR) of early juvenile round goby (mass 0.007–0.07 g, mean 0.02 g; total length 6.6–19.4 mm, mean 13.7 mm), ~100× smaller than any round goby measured previously. To understand how metabolism may be affected by a warming climate, we reared round goby at several ecologically relevant temperatures (15°C, 19°C, and 23°C) and a projected surface temperature under climate change scenarios (27°C). We tested early juveniles at two separate and distinct ages (6–7 weeks and 12–14 weeks post-hatch). Growth was highest at 23°C compared to 15°C and 27°C, but this pattern only emerged after 12–14 weeks of development. Routine metabolic rates increased over 2-fold between fish reared at 15°C vs. 27°C (Q10 = 1.98), but we found no clear difference in our estimation of the “scope for activity” (i.e., maximum—routine metabolic rate) across temperatures, suggesting a wide thermal performance curve. We also found that the bioenergetics models previously developed for adults do not effectively translate to juveniles; the current models underestimated observed RMR values by ~20–60% depending on temperature. Overall, data from this study can be used to improve bioenergetic modeling in the round goby by considering these earlier life stages and fill an important gap of knowledge in our understanding of an ecologically invasive species.
A role for qualitative methods in researching Twitter data on a popular science article's communication
Authors: Noakes Travis , Uys Corrie Susanna , Harpur Patricia Ann , van Zyl Izak
Published: January 2025

Big Data communication researchers have highlighted the need for qualitative analysis of online science conversations to better understand their meaning. However, a scholarly gap exists in exploring how qualitative methods can be applied to small data regarding micro-bloggers' communications about science articles. While social media attention assists with article dissemination, qualitative research into the associated microblogging practices remains limited. To address these gaps, this study explores how qualitative analysis can enhance science communication studies on microblogging articles. Calls for such qualitative approaches are supported by a practical example: an interdisciplinary team applied mixed methods to better understand the promotion of an unorthodox but popular science article on Twitter over a 2-year period. While Big Data studies typically identify patterns in microbloggers' activities from large data sets, this study demonstrates the value of integrating qualitative analysis to deepen understanding of these interactions. In this study, a small data set was analyzed using NVivo™ by a pragmatist and MAXQDA™ by a statistician. The pragmatist's multimodal content analysis found that health professionals shared links to the article, with its popularity tied to its role as a communication event within a longstanding debate in the health sciences. Dissident professionals used this article to support an emergent paradigm. The analysis also uncovered practices, such as language localization, where a title was translated from English to Spanish to reach broader audiences. A semantic network analysis confirmed that terms used by the article's tweeters strongly aligned with its content, and the discussion was notably pro-social. Meta-inferences were then drawn by integrating the findings from the two methods. These flagged the significance of contextualizing the sharing of a health science article in relation to tweeters' professional identities and their stances on health-related issues. In addition, meta-critiques highlighted challenges in preparing accurate tweet data and analyzing them using qualitative data analysis software. These findings highlight the valuable contributions that qualitative research can make to research involving microblogging data in science communication. Future research could critique this approach or further explore the microblogging of key articles within important scientific debates.
Instagram's impact on dental consumers: analyzing toothpaste hashtags
Authors: Al-Khalifa Khalifa S. , AlSheikh Rasha , Alakloby Basmah O. , Alharbi Hind M. , Alghamdi Razan F. , Ali Saqib , Al Dehailan Laila
Published: January 2025

Background

Toothbrushing is the basic step in maintaining oral hygiene and managing caries. The type of toothpaste used, combined with effective toothbrushing techniques, significantly influences oral health outcomes. Information shared on social media platforms can create awareness, generate interest, and influence perceptions regarding toothpaste brands and their benefits. This raised the necessity to comprehensively understand the influence of social media, particularly Instagram, on consumer decision-making processes and behavior related to toothpaste selection.

Aim

to explore toothpaste-related content on Instagram by addressing this gap and highlighting the characteristics of the top-performing toothpaste posts. Method: data were acquired for the “Top 12 posts” for each selected hashtag listed by the Instagram search algorithm. The contents of each post, including the number of likes, number of followers, content type, poster role, post content, post theme, post type, and account type were collected. Moreover, whether the poster was a dentist, patient, or dental interest group was identified. Data was then analyzed using SPSS with a statistical significance level set at p = .05.

Results

The study analyzed a total of 1,054,985 posts revealing varying levels of engagement and content characteristics. Notably, the #Toothpaste hashtag garnered the highest number of posts, while #ToothpasteNatural had the lowest. Posts were predominantly promotional (61.1%) compared to educational (38.9%), with marketing being the primary theme. Educational content attracted significantly more engagement, with more likes/views and comments than promotional content. Additionally, the role of the poster influenced content type, with patients and dentists associated more with educational content, while dental interest groups and companies favored promotional material. However, there was no significant difference in the accuracy of claims between educational and promotional content.

Conclusion

Instagram shapes consumer behavior in toothpaste selection, with promotional content dominating despite higher engagement with educational posts. Limited fact-based content highlights the need for stricter regulations and increased contributions from dental professionals to improve oral health education.
Exploring the use, perceptions, and challenges of mini-implants in orthodontic practice: a survey study
Authors: Panaite Tinela , Balcos Carina , Savin Carmen , Olteanu Nicolae Daniel , Karvelas Nikolaos , Romanec Cristian , Vieriu Raluca-Maria , Chehab Alice , Zetu Irina
Published: January 2025

The present study aims to explore and evaluate current practices among orthodontic specialists regarding the use of mini-implants, focusing on factors influencing usage decisions, experience in placement, perceptions of outcomes, and future perspectives of these devices in orthodontic practice. It seeks to explore the association between specialists' experience levels and their perceptions of mini implants, as well as the challenges encountered in their use. It is hypothesized that orthodontic specialists' perceptions and practices regarding the usage of mini implants are influenced by various factors, including their experience, training engagement, treatment outcomes, and preferences.

Material and methods

The study was conducted using an online, cross-sectional survey developed on the Survio platform to assess orthodontic specialists' perceptions of the clinical effectiveness and advantages of mini-implants in orthodontic treatments. The survey, consisting of 24 closed-ended questions in binary and multiple-choice formats, covered demographics, theoretical knowledge, clinical experience, and educational resources related to mini-implant use. Orthodontic specialists from Romania were invited to participate through the AREO association, and the survey was open for 12 weeks. Data collected from the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression in SPSS software (Version 28), with a statistical significance threshold set at p < 0.05.

Results

through a comprehensive analysis of survey data, the study investigates factors influencing specialists' perceptions, challenges encountered in practice, training engagement, material preferences, treatment outcomes, and indications for mini-implant usage. Notable correlations and discrepancies between documented literature and orthodontists' responses in Romania regarding mini-implant indications are explored, shedding light on the diversity of applications in orthodontic procedures highlighting the significance of education, training, and technical support in enhancing mini-implant utilization. Strategies to address barriers and promote informed decision-making among orthodontists are discussed.

Conclusions

the study reveals diverse preferences and utilization patterns regarding mini-implants across different orthodontic procedures, reflecting the versatility and adaptability of these devices in addressing various clinical needs. By comparing documented literature with real-world practices, the study identifies both correlations and discrepancies, providing valuable insights into the practical application of mini-implants in orthodontic treatments.
Nanoparticles in thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals
Authors: Chen Chung-Hao , Dierking Ingo
Published: January 2025

Over the last few decades many applications of liquid crystals have been developed, including the widely employed technology of low-power, flat-panel liquid crystal displays (LCDs), but also sensors, photonic devices and other non-display applications employed in medicine and drug delivery. In recent years, the research trends have shifted in other directions. Nanotechnology and nanoscience have garnered significant attention in liquid crystal research since various nanomaterials or nanoparticles (NPs) can be added directly to the liquid crystalline mesogenic phases. The main idea is to modify the physical properties of liquid crystals or to increase their functionality through the addition of nanomaterials, but also to exploit the self-assembly and spontaneous ordering of LCs into structures or patterns that can be templated by dispersed particles. The neat liquid crystals and the doped nanoparticles/nanomaterials exhibit different behaviours when mixed together. The nanoparticles can influence the alignment and orientation of liquid crystals, and their interaction with the liquid crystals causes the changes in the optical, electrical, and mechanical characteristics of the composite. At the same time the liquid crystal can affect the ordering, structuring and properties of the nanomaterials, for example by transfer of helical order. In this review, we discuss the effects of nanoparticles dispersed in liquid crystals. Several categories of nanomaterials such as metallic, carbon allotropes, nanorod and nanowires will be introduced, together with particles of additional functionality, like ferroelectricity, semiconductors and quantum dots. The combination of liquid crystals and nanoparticles leads to a wide range of applications and novel technologies.
Task-related errors as a catalyst for empathy towards embodied pedagogical agents
Authors: Rehren Oliver , Jansen Sebastian , Seemann Martina , Ohler Peter
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The increasing integration of digital tools in education highlights the potential of embodied pedagogical agents. This study investigates how task-related errors and language cues from a robot influence human perception, specifically examining their impact on anthropomorphism and subsequent empathy, and whether these perceptions affect persuasion.

Methods

Thirty-nine participants interacted with a NAO robot during a quiz. Employing a 3 × 2 mixed design, we manipulated the robot’s error rate (above average, human-like, below average) between subjects and language style (humble, dominant) within subjects. We measured perceived anthropomorphism, empathy, sympathy, and persuasion. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling to assess the relationships between manipulated variables and outcomes.

Results

Our findings indicate that human-like error rates significantly increased perceived anthropomorphism in the robot, which in turn led to higher levels of empathy and sympathy towards it. However, perceived anthropomorphism did not directly influence persuasion. Furthermore, the manipulated language styles did not show a significant direct effect on perceived anthropomorphism, empathy, sympathy, or persuasion in the main experiment, despite pretest results indicating differences in perceived personality based on language cues.

Discussion

These results have important implications for the design of embodied pedagogical agents. While strategic implementation of human-like error rates can foster empathy and enhance the perception of humanness, this alone may not directly translate to greater persuasiveness. The study highlights the complex interplay between perceived competence, likability, and empathy in human-robot interaction, particularly within educational contexts. Future research should explore these dynamics further, utilizing larger samples, diverse robot designs, and immersive environments to better understand the nuances of how errors and communication styles shape learner engagement with pedagogical agents.
Embodied time travel in VR: from witnessing climate change to action for prevention
Authors: Pi Yuke , Pan Xueni , Slater Mel , Świdrak Justyna
Published: January 2025

This study explores the impact of embodied experiences in Virtual Reality (VR) on individuals’ attitudes and behavior towards climate change. A total of 41 participants were divided into two groups: an embodied group that interacted with a virtual environment through full-body avatars, and a non-embodied group that observed the scenarios from an invisible observer’s point of view. The VR experience simulated the progressive consequences of climate change across three generations within a family, aiming to make the abstract and relatively distant concept of climate change a tangible and personal issue. The final scene presented an optimistic scenario of a future where humans had successfully combated climate change through collective action. The evidence suggests that there is an effect of the scenario on the carbon footprint response, even 6 weeks after the VR exposure, irrespective of condition. Additionally, increases were found in participants’ perceived influence on climate action and engagement in pro-environmental behaviors, with the embodied group showing a more pronounced response in the short term. These findings suggest that immersive VR experiences that incorporate virtual embodiment can be an effective tool in enhancing awareness and motivating pro-environmental behavior by providing a powerful and personal perspective on the impacts of climate change.
Relationship between muscle power, muscle volume and limb length in healthy male and female adolescents
Authors: Bchini Souhail , Hammami Nadhir , Moussaoui Dhouha , Selmi Taoufik , Mhimdi Najla , Bouassida Anissa , Ben Abderrahman Abderraouf , Laher Ismail , Del Coso Juan , Zouhal Hassane
Published: January 2025

Objective

Muscle power is essential for the activities of daily living. Muscle power production depends on numerous factors such as muscle size and length, muscle architecture and fiber type and varies with age during growth. The association between muscle power output during a jump and lower limb muscle volume and length in adolescents is largely unknown. This study determined the relationships between muscle power developed during a countermovement jump with lower limb muscle volume and length in adolescents aged between 16 and 19 years.

Methods

Forty healthy adolescent males (n = 20) and females (n = 20) aged 16 to 19 years underwent a counter-movement jump (CMJ) test. Muscle power (MP) during the jump was calculated using the Gomez-Bruton equation. Lower limb muscle volume (MV) and length were calculated in both sexes using anthropometric methods. Pearson correlation was used to assess the associations between variables. Independent-sample t-tests were used to compare anthropometric and muscle performance data between males and females. Cohen's d was used to determine the size of the differences.

Results

There were differences in all anthropometric variables between males and females (p < 0.001). CMJ height (d = 4.45; p = 0.001) and MP (d = 4.74; p = 0.001) were greater in males than in females (p < 0.001). These differences persisted when jump performance was normalized to the MV (d = 1.05; p = 0.01) and length (d = 4.07; p = 0.001). There were correlations between MV and MP for males and females, with a significant correlation between limb length and MP for males (r = 0.55; p = 0.002).

Conclusions

This study indicates that MV and length are associated with MP production during a CMJ in adolescents aged between 16 and 19 years, suggesting that these factors may be important determining factors for vertical jumping performance during adolescence. The sex-differences in jump performance variables persisted after normalization by MV and length, suggesting that MV and length did not entirely explain the sex difference in muscle power output during a CMJ.
Uncovering the hidden mechanics of upper body rotations in tennis serves using wearable sensors on Dutch professional players
Authors: van Trigt B. , Faneker E. , Leenen A. J. R. , Hoekstra A. E. , Hoozemans M. J. M.
Published: January 2025

Background

It is assumed that the tennis serve is performed according to the kinetic chain principle in which a proximal-to-distal sequence in peak angular velocities of subsequent body segments can be observed to reach high end point ball velocities. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the magnitude and (intersegmental) timing of peak angular velocities of body segments in professional tennis players are different between first and second serves and if they are associated with serve performance.

Methods

Eight (two female and six male) professional tennis players performed each 48 tennis serves on a tennis court. Serve performances: Ball speed and accuracy were measured with a PlaySight system. Kinematics were assessed with a custom made high-end inertial measurement units (IMUs) system, sampled at 1,000 Hz. Magnitudes of, as well as the intersegmental timing between, three dimensional peak angular velocities of the pelvis, trunk, and dominant upper arm were analysed in relation to ball speed and accuracy with generalized estimating equations.

Results

Peak angular velocities of the pelvis, trunk and upper arm were significantly higher in the first compared to the second serve. The intersegmental timing did not show significant differences. Also, the intersegmental timing was not associated with the ball speed. Ball speed was significantly positively associated with peak angular velocities of the trunk and upper arm on both the first and second serve. Accuracy was positively associated with the peak trunk angular velocity and intersegmental timing between the pelvis and trunk in the first serve. Accuracy was negatively associated with peak trunk angular velocity in the second serve.

Conclusion

The arm movement is important to produce high ball speed during a tennis serve. Additionally, the trunk, proximal to the upper arm in the kinetic chain, showed associations with ball speed. In contrast to the upper arm also with accuracy. Interestingly, professional players do not strictly follow a proximal-to-distal sequence. Intersegmental timing appears to be less important in the tennis serve compared to the segmental angular velocities, which were higher in the first compared to the second serve. Future research should investigate the uncovered role of the trunk in relation to tennis serve performance.
The impact of large-scale sports events on national identity: a structural equation model based on the residents' perspective
Authors: Wang Jing , He Zhiyi , Lu Yijuan
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Large-scale sports events have a profound impact on the enhancement of residents' national identity. The study takes the Hangzhou Asian Games as an opportunity to investigate the influence of such events on national identity and the underlying factors.

Methods

The study takes the impact of residents' involvement in the Asian Games on their national identity as the research object, constructs a theoretical model with subjective well-being and city image as the mediator variables, randomly selects 1,096 residents by questionnaire survey, and analyzes their interrelationships as well as deeper influencing factors by using structural equation modeling and bootstrap.

Results

The results show that the involvement of Hangzhou residents in the Asian Games has a significant positive impact on national identity, subjective well-being and city image (Estimate = 0.237/0.287/0.3). Furthermore, subjective well-being and city image have a significant positive impact on national identity (Estimate = 0.321/0.141), and city image has a significant positive effect on subjective well-being (Estimate = 0.264).

Discussion

It can be concluded that the degree of involvement in major sports events has a direct positive effect on national identity, and subjective well-being and city image play a partially mediating role in this effect. The results of the study provide a resident's perspective for assessing the impact of large-scale sports events, and provide elements that can be used as a reference for governments, city planners and event organizers to assess large-scale sports events.
Investing in an Olympic agenda: from Rio to Tokyo and beyond
Authors: Russo Eduardo , Figueira Ariane Roder , Mataruna-Dos-Santos Leonardo Jose
Published: January 2025

Context

This study was inspired by the considerable risks and diminishing enthusiasm among societies to invest in Olympic agendas, which traditionally involve billions of dollars, various opportunities, and complexities for host countries.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the risks and benefits of long-term equity investments for companies and governments engaged in the Olympic movement.

Method

Qualitative methodologies were employed for this research, utilizing a multi-case approach that included 38 comprehensive interviews with companies and entities impacted by the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Results

Consequently, a theoretical framework titled “Risks and Opportunities Related to Olympic Investments” is presented to elucidate the dynamics of investment flows, competitive pressures in specific sectors, and future threats and trends for the Olympic movement.

Findings

The research revealed that the gigantism of past editions exerted significant pressure on organizers and companies to adopt new management practices and enhance investment planning, striving for minimal environmental impact and long-term economic sustainability. These insights aid scholars, practitioners, and policymakers in making informed decisions about resource allocation in Olympic contexts, and highlight the necessity for updated strategic frameworks to ensure the viability and positive impact of future Olympic Games.
Case Report: Winkelmann hip rotationplasty as a last-resort solution
Authors: Evrard Robin , Miri Othmane , Lacroix Valérie , Docquier Pierre-Louis , Schubert Thomas
Published: January 2025

Background

Rotationplasty, an invasive surgery, serves as an alternative to amputation in pediatric orthopedic oncology. It is currently applied in broader cases (e.g., infection, trauma, or malignant tumors). Winkelmann Type BII rotationplasty is a rare procedure with limited literature. Furthermore, no description of rotationplasties where the femur is attached to the sacroiliac joint has been published to date.

Methods

Between September 2022 and March 2023, three patients underwent Type BII rotationplasty. We used the Clavien-Dindo classification to describe postoperative complications and the musculoskeletal tumor society score (MSTS) for functional result assessments.

Results

One patient suffered from multiple complications during the first 6 months postoperatively, one presented a single complication, and one had no complications after 4 and 3 months postoperatively, respectively. Two patients could walk pain-free with the help of crutches. One patient developed a crack on the femur, which did not require surgical revision. They all achieved satisfactory joint amplitudes of at least 50° in passive hip flexion. Unfortunately, one of the patients suffered from lung metastases.

Conclusions

Winkelmann's Type BII rotationplasty is a reliable alternative to hindquarter amputation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that complete resection of the iliac wing and femur fixation through the sacroiliac joint is feasible.
Case Report: Left ventricular assist device implantation combined with cryoballoon ablation for ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Li Jianming , Tan Changming , Chen Mingxian , Hu Lin , Tang Hanze , Liao Liyi , Li Xuping
Published: January 2025

We report a case of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy who experienced recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) and multiple defibrillations following CRT-D implantation. Due to worsening cardiac function, the patient required surgical implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a bridge to heart transplantation. During the procedure, we used the Ensite three-dimensional mapping system to perform activation and substrate mapping of the VT targets, followed by endocardial and epicardial cryoballoon ablation of clinical VT. Subsequently, during LVAD implantation, dual cryoballoon ablation was applied around the surgical incision site to prevent VT associated with the surgical wound and the implanted device. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient had no recurrence of the original clinical VT and no new ventricular arrhythmias were observed.
Quantifying research hotspots and trends in brucella spondylitis: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Gu Zhangui , Yang Zongqiang , Fei Le , Wei Daihao , Ma Long , Liu Qiang , Shi Jiandang
Published: January 2025

Background

Human brucellosis is the most common bacterial zoonosis worldwide, with brucella spondylitis (BS) being one of its most severe forms, potentially leading to spinal deformity or paralysis. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status and research trends in the BS field using bibliometric methods.

Methods

Publications on BS from January 1, 1980, to March 24, 2024, were retrieved from the Web of Science database. We used Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, CiteSpace, and Microsoft Office Excel Professional Plus 2016 to analyze publication frequency, geographic distribution, institutional affiliations, international collaborations, authorship, journal sources, keyword usage, trends, and cited references.

Results

Between January 1, 1980, and March 24, 2024, 197 publications on BS were analyzed. Turkey emerged as the leading contributor, with 62 publications, accounting for 31.47%. Weibin Sheng was the most prolific author, contributing 7 papers (3.55%). Xinjiang Medical University was the leading institution with 13 documents (6.60%). Medicine and Rheumatology International each published 6 papers (3.05%). CiteSpace analysis highlighted “spinal brucellosis,” “spondylitis,” “complications,” “diagnosis,” and “involvement” as the core research areas in BS. Keyword clustering analysis identified 11 primary clusters representing the main research directions. Analysis of abstracts and keyword trends revealed that post-2020, emerging research frontiers include “instrumentation,” “management,” and “debridement.”

Conclusion

There has been significant progress in BS research, with a steady increase in publications. Current research focuses on diagnosis and complications, while future studies may explore management and instrumentation. Increased collaboration among countries and researchers is recommended.
Percutaneous ballon compression, a better choice for primary trigeminal neuralgia compared to microvascular decompression?
Authors: Shi Yuwei , Liu Wenhu , Peng Shaopeng , Liu Jianxiong
Published: January 2025

Objective

Demonstrate the superiority of percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) in the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) compared to trigeminal microvascular decompression (MVD).

Methods

Clinical data, including immediate, short-term, and long-term pain relief, complications, duration of the operation, and postoperative hospital stay, were retrospectively analyzed for 114 patients diagnosed with PTN who were treated with either PBC or MVD between January 2018 and December 2021.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences observed in the pain relief rates between the two surgical methods at 24 h postoperatively (MVD: 91.07%, PBC: 96.55%), at 6 months postoperatively (MVD: 87.5%, PBC: 94.8%), at 1 year postoperatively (MVD: 83.90%, PBC: 94.80%), and at 2 years postoperatively (MVD: 78.60%, PBC: 72.40%). However, the incidence of meningitis following MVD was significantly higher than that following PBC (P < 0.005). Additionally, both the duration of the operation and the length of the postoperative hospital stay in the MVD group were longer than those in the PBC group (P < 0.005).

Conclusion

PBC demonstrates efficacy comparable to MVD while offering a simpler procedure, improved safety, and a shorter postoperative hospital stay. Therefore, it may serve as a viable alternative to MVD and could become the preferred surgical approach for treating PTN in the future.
Specific and sensitive detection of bovine coronavirus using CRISPR-Cas13a combined with RT-RAA technology
Authors: Liang Zili , Luo Ruxing , He Qifu , Tang Cheng , Zhang Zhidong , Li Yanmin , Guo Zijing
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is an important pathogen of enteric and respiratory disease in cattle, resulting in huge economic losses to the beef and dairy industries worldwide. A specific and sensitive detection assay for BCoV is critical to the early-stage disease prevention and control.

Methods

We established a specific, sensitive, and stable assay for BCoV nucleic acid detection based on CRISPR/Cas13a combined with reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) technology. The specific primers for RT-RAA and CRISPR RNA (crRNA) were designed in the conserved region of the BCoV nucleocapsid (N) gene.

Results

The detection limit of the RT-RAA CRISPR/Cas13a assays for BCoV detection was 1.72 copies/μl, and there were no cross-reactions with the other 10 common bovine enteric and respiratory disease-associated pathogens. The coefficient of variations (CVs) of within and between batches were less than 4.98 and 4.58%, respectively. The RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a assays work well in clinical samples of cattle and yak, the BCoV positive rate of 84 clinical samples detected by RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a assays was 58.3% (49/84), it was notably higher than that of RT-qPCR (2.4%, 2/84; p < 0.001). The 49 positive samples detected by RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a assays were further confirmed as BCoV by Sanger sequencing.

Discussion

A specific, sensitive, and stable assay based on RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a assays for BCoV was developed, providing new technical support for the clinical detection and epidemiological monitoring of BCoV.