bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of Gemogenovatucel-T (Vigil) immunotherapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Zhang Li , Zhao Yuli , Wang Sen , Feng Li
Published: October 2022

In recent years, many clinical trials have shown the safety and efficacy of Gemogenovatucel-T (Vigil) in the treatment of advanced OC patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the safety and efficacy of Gemogenovatucel-T (Vigil) in the first-line maintenance of advanced ovarian carcinoma based on the randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Gemogenovatucel-T (Vigil) immunotherapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science up to December 31, 2021. The following study characteristics were investigated: baseline study characteristics, overall survival, recurrence free survival, recurrence free survival median time, and complication. A total of 36 articles were obtained, and seven suitable RCTs with a total sample size of 322 patients were eventually included in this meta-analysis. Overall survival (OS): from time of randomization: HR=0.48 (95% CI: 0.32 to 0.72), Z=3.55, P<0.001; from time of tissue procurement: HR=0.51 (95% CI: 0.33 to 0.78), Z=3.07, P=0.002. Recurrence free survival (RFS): from time of randomization: HR=0.43 (95% CI: 0.30 to 0.62), Z=4.61, P<0.001; from time of tissue procurement: HR=0.45 (95% CI: 0.31 to 0.65), Z=4.26, P<0.001. RFS median time: from time of randomization: HR=1.57 (95% CI: 1.16 to 2.11), Z=2.95, P=0.003; from time of tissue procurement: HR=2.16 (95% CI: 1.12 to 4.17), Z=2.29, P=0.022. This study found that Gemogenovatucel-T (Vigil) immunotherapy provided significant OS and RFS benefits, particularly in advanced OC patients with BRCA wild type. At the same time, treatment with the Gemogenovatucel-T (Vigil) is safer than other treatment modalities and does not have any toxic effects.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier (CRD42022300367).
3D deep learning versus the current methods for predicting tumor invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma based on high-resolution computed tomography images
Authors: Lv Yilv , Wei Ying , Xu Kuan , Zhang Xiaobin , Hua Rong , Huang Jia , Li Min , Tang Cui , Yang Long , Liu Bingchun , Yuan Yonggang , Li Siwen , Gao Yaozong , Zhang Xianjie , Wu Yifan , Han Yuchen , Shang Zhanxian , Yu Hong , Zhan Yiqiang , Shi Feng , Ye Bo
Published: October 2022

Background

Different pathological subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma lead to different treatment decisions and prognoses, and it is clinically important to distinguish invasive lung adenocarcinoma from preinvasive adenocarcinoma (adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma). This study aims to investigate the performance of the deep learning approach based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images in the classification of tumor invasiveness and compare it with the performances of currently available approaches.

Methods

In this study, we used a deep learning approach based on 3D conventional networks to automatically predict the invasiveness of pulmonary nodules. A total of 901 early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment at Shanghai Chest Hospital between November 2015 and March 2017 were retrospectively included and randomly assigned to a training set (n=814) or testing set 1 (n=87). We subsequently included 116 patients who underwent surgical treatment and intraoperative frozen section between April 2019 and January 2020 to form testing set 2. We compared the performance of our deep learning approach in predicting tumor invasiveness with that of intraoperative frozen section analysis and human experts (radiologists and surgeons).

Results

The deep learning approach yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.946 for distinguishing preinvasive adenocarcinoma from invasive lung adenocarcinoma in the testing set 1, which is significantly higher than the AUCs of human experts (P<0.05). In testing set 2, the deep learning approach distinguished invasive adenocarcinoma from preinvasive adenocarcinoma with an AUC of 0.862, which is higher than that of frozen section analysis (0.755, P=0.043), senior thoracic surgeons (0.720, P=0.006), radiologists (0.766, P>0.05) and junior thoracic surgeons (0.768, P>0.05).

Conclusions

We developed a deep learning model that achieved comparable performance to intraoperative frozen section analysis in determining tumor invasiveness. The proposed method may contribute to clinical decisions related to the extent of surgical resection.
Staple line lockstitch reinforcement decreases clinically relevant pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomy: Results of a propensity score matched retrospective analysis
Authors: Tian Feng , Luo Ming-jie , Sun Meng-qing , Lu Jun , Huang Bo-wen , Guo Jun-chao
Published: October 2022

Background

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains the primary complication of distal pancreatectomies. We aimed to review whether staple line reinforcement with continuous lockstitches would lead to decreased grade B and C pancreatic fistula in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients scheduled to undergo distal pancreatectomy at a large tertiary hospital. A comparison was conducted between lockstitch reinforcement and non-reinforcement for remnant closure during distal pancreatectomies from August 2016 to February 2021. Propensity score matching was applied to balance the two groups with covariates including abdominal and back pain, diabetes mellitus, and estimated blood loss. The primary outcome was POPF rate.

Results

A total of 153 patients were enrolled in the study (89 lockstitch reinforcements, 64 non-reinforcements), of whom 128 patients (64 per group) were analyzed after propensity score matching (1:1). The total POPF rate was 21.9%. POPF was identified in 12.5% (8/64) of the patients who underwent resection with lockstitch reinforcement and 31.2% (20/64) of the patients without reinforcement (odds ratio 0.314, 95% confidence interval 0.130-0.760, P=0.010). No deaths occurred in either group. Neither the major complication rate nor the length of hospital stay after surgery differed between the groups.

Conclusions

Compared with the use of stapler alone, staple line lockstitch reinforcement for remnant closure during distal pancreatectomy could reduce the POPF rate. Further multicenter randomized clinical trials are required to confirm these results.
Synergistic effects of sodium butyrate and cisplatin against cervical carcinoma in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Chu Huijun , Sun Xiaoyuan , Wang Jia , Lei Ke , Shan Zhengyi , Zhao Chenyang , Ning Ying , Gong Ruining , Ren He , Cui Zhumei
Published: October 2022

Backgrounds

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has been considered as the pivotal option for treating cervical cancer. However, some patients may present a poor prognosis due to resistance to chemotherapy. As a metabolite of natural products, sodium butyrate (NaB) could inhibit the proliferation of several malignant cells, but little is known about its combination with cisplatin in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Materials and methods

Flow cytometry, CCK-8 assay, and Transwell assay were utilized to analyze the cellular apoptosis, viability, cellular migration and invasion upon treating with NaB and/or cisplatin. The allograft mice model was established, followed by evaluating the tumor volume and necrotic area in mice treated with NaB and/or cisplatin. Western blot was performed for detecting protein expression involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the expression of MMPs. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted with the tumor sections. The transcription, expression, and cellular translocation of β-catenin were determined using luciferase reporter gene assay, Real-Time PCR, Western blot, and confocal laser scanning microscope, respectively.

Results

NaB combined with cisplatin inhibited cell viability by promoting apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. In vivo experiments indicated that NaB combined with cisplatin could inhibit tumor growth and induce cancer cell necrosis. Single application of NaB activated the Wnt signaling pathway and induced partial EMT. NaB alone up-regulated MMP2, MMP7 and MMP9 expression, and promoted the migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells. The combination of cisplatin and NaB inhibited cellular migration and invasion by abrogating the nuclear transition of β-catenin, reverse EMT and down-regulate MMP2, MMP7 and MMP9. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that NaB combined with cisplatin up-regulated the expression of E-cadherin and reverse the EMT phenotype in the mice model.

Conclusions

NaB serves as a sensitizer for cisplatin, which may be a promising treatment regimen for cervical cancer when combined both. NaB alone should be utilized with caution for treating cervical cancer as it may promote the invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells.
A window into pain: American Indian cancer survivors’ drawings
Authors: Hodge Felicia S. , Line Itty Tracy , Arbing Rachel H.A. , Samuel-Nakamura Christine
Published: October 2022

In order to explore the cultural constructs of pain, a series of focus groups were held among adult American Indian (AI) cancer survivors and their caregivers in the Southwest USA. Thirteen focus groups held at four sites (reservation, urban setting, hospital and clinic) elicited information on the barriers to cancer pain management. In response to facilitator questions about cancer pain and existing measurement scales, participants drew pictures to better explain their pain type (i.e., “pounding”), intensity (i.e., “spider web-like”), and other more abstract aspects of their pain episodes. Noting this novel outlet, subsequent groups were prompted for illustrations of pain. A total of 17 drawings were collected from focus group participants. We discuss seven of the drawings that best opened a window into the lived experience of pain, reflected through the eyes of cancer survivors. This study provides evidence that self-expression through color, imagery and written personal accounts provides more accurate depictions of pain for Southwest AI cancer survivors than pain scales alone. It is hypothesized that cultural modes of communication (i.e., storytelling) and intergenerational influences of artwork led to the depiction of pain in drawings. Suggestions for further exploration of the use of the pain drawings for pain assessment in healthcare settings are included.
Paeoniae Radix Rubra can enhance fatty acid β-oxidation and alleviate gut microbiota disorder in α-naphthyl isothiocyanate induced cholestatic model rats
Authors: Xu Jing-Jing , Xu Feng , Wang Wei , Wang Peng-Pu , Xian Jing , Han Xing , Shang Ming-Ying , Liu Guang-Xue , Wang Xuan , Cai Shao-Qing
Published: October 2022

Cholestasis is the most destructive pathological manifestation of liver disease and available treatments are very limited. Paeoniae Radix Rubra (PRR) is an important traditional Chinese drug used to treat cholestasis. This study combined targeted metabonomics, PCR array analysis, and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis to further clarify the mechanisms of PRR in the treatment of cholestasis. PRR conspicuously reversed the elevation of fatty acids (FFA 14:0 and other 14 fatty acids) and the decrease of organic acids (pyruvic acid and citric acid) in a cholestatic model induced by α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT). Eight elevated amino acids (L-proline, etc.) and five elevated secondary bile acids (taurohyodeoxycholic acid, etc.) in model rats were also reduced by PRR. Pathway analysis revealed that PRR significantly alleviated eight pathways (β-alanine metabolism). Furthermore, we found that PRR significantly reversed the decrease of Cpt1a, Hadha, Ppara, and Slc25a20 (four genes relevant to fatty acid β-oxidation) mRNAs caused by ANIT, and PRR conspicuously decreased nine acylcarnitines (the forms of fatty acids into mitochondria for β-oxidation) that increased in model rats. These results indicate that PRR could enhance fatty acid β-oxidation, which may be the way for PRR to reduce the levels of 15 fatty acids in the serum of model rats. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that PRR alleviated gut microbiota disorders in model rats, including upregulating four genera (Coprococcus, Lactobacillus, etc.) and downregulating four genera (Bacteroides, Escherichia, etc.). As the relative abundance of these eight genera was significantly correlated with the levels of the five secondary bile acids (deoxycholic acid, taurolithocholic acid, etc.) reduced by PRR, and Bacteroides and Escherichia were reported to promote the production of secondary bile acid, we inferred that the downregulation of PRR on five secondary bile acids in model rats was inseparable from gut microbiota. Thus, the gut microbiota also might be a potential pharmacological target for the anticholestatic activity of PRR. In conclusion, we consider that the mechanisms of PRR in treating cholestasis include enhancing fatty acid β-oxidation and alleviating gut microbiota disorders.
Action mechanism of hypoglycemic principle 9-(R)-HODE isolated from cortex lycii based on a metabolomics approach
Authors: Liu Yueqiu , Hu Xinyi , Zheng Wen , Zhang Lu , Gui Luolan , Liang Ge , Zhang Yong , Hu Liqiang , Li Xin , Zhong Yi , Su Tao , Liu Xin , Cheng Jingqiu , Gong Meng
Published: October 2022

The 9-(R)-HODE is an active compound isolated from cortex lycii that showed significant hypoglycemic effects in our previous in vitro study. In this study, 9-(R)-HODE’s in vivo hypoglycemic activity and effect on alleviating diabetic complications, together with its molecular mechanism, was investigated using a metabolomics approach. The monitored regulation on dynamic fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, body weight, biochemical parameters and histopathological analysis confirmed the hypoglycemic activity and attenuation effect, i.e., renal lesions, of 9-(R)-HODE. Subsequent metabolomic studies indicated that 9-(R)-HODE induced metabolomic alterations primarily by affecting the levels of amino acids, organic acids, alcohols and amines related to amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism and energy metabolism. By mediating the related metabolism or single molecules related to insulin resistance, e.g., kynurenine, myo-inositol and the branched chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine, 9-(R)-HODE achieved its therapeutic effect. Moreover, the mediation of kynurenine displayed a systematic effect on the liver, kidney, muscle, plasma and faeces. Lipidomic studies revealed that 9-(R)-HODE could reverse the lipid metabolism disorder in diabetic mice mainly by regulating phosphatidylinositols, lysophosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerols, lysophosphatidylglycerols and triglycerides in both tissues and plasma. Treatment with 9-(R)-HODE significantly modified the structure and composition of the gut microbiota. The SCFA-producing bacteria, including Rikenellaceae and Lactobacillaceae at the family level and Ruminiclostridium 6, Ruminococcaceae UCG 014, Mucispirillum, Lactobacillus, Alistipes and Roseburia at the genus level, were increased by 9-(R)-HODE treatment. These results were consistent with the increased SCFA levels in both the colon content and plasma of diabetic mice treated with 9-(R)-HODE. The tissue DESI‒MSI analysis strongly confirmed the validity of the metabolomics approach in illustrating the hypoglycemic and diabetic complications-alleviation effect of 9-(R)-HODE. The significant upregulation of liver glycogen in diabetic mice by 9-(R)-HODE treatment validated the interpretation of the metabolic pathways related to glycogen synthesis in the integrated pathway network. Altogether, 9-(R)-HODE has the potential to be further developed as a promising candidate for the treatment of diabetes.
Large wavelength bandwidth Mach-Zehnder modulator based on optical intensity equalization structure
Authors: Hu Heming , Liu Shiping , Ma Xiaoyue , Dong Runyu , Chen Hua , Fang Qing
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we propose a large wavelength bandwidth Mach-Zehnder modulator based on light intensity equalization structure. The modulator is designed into a symmetric structure to increase the optical operating bandwidth. Besides, two auxiliary MZIs are connected to the respective phase shifters of the main modulator to balance the optical intensity in them. Compared with a conventional Mach-Zehnder modulator, this design has a larger optical operating bandwidth over 56.1 nm. Besides, the maximum extinction ratio of this modulator is 26.2dB, which is 12 dB higher than that of a conventional one. The dynamic extinction ratios at speed of 40Gbps are 4.10 dB in the wavelength of 1530nm and 4.02 dB in the wavelength of 1560 nm respectively. The 3 dB electro-optical bandwidth of this modulator under different voltages are almost consistent with the performance of the conventional one. All of these prove that this structural design can effectively increases the performance of Mach-Zehnder modulators.
Quantum K-nearest neighbors classification algorithm based on Mahalanobis distance
Authors: Gao Li-Zhen , Lu Chun-Yue , Guo Gong-De , Zhang Xin , Lin Song
Published: October 2022

Mahalanobis distance is a distance measure that takes into account the relationship between features. In this paper, we proposed a quantum KNN classification algorithm based on the Mahalanobis distance, which combines the classical KNN algorithm with quantum computing to solve supervised classification problem in machine learning. Firstly, a quantum sub-algorithm for searching the minimum of disordered data set is utilized to find out K nearest neighbors of the testing sample. Finally, its category can be obtained by counting the categories of K nearest neighbors. Moreover, it is shown that the proposed quantum algorithm has the effect of squared acceleration compared with the classical counterpart.
Influence of hypomagnetic field on the heartbeat in zebrafish embryos
Authors: Krylov Viacheslav , Machikhin Alexander , Sizov Daniil , Guryleva Anastasia , Sizova Anastasia , Zhdanova Svetlana , Tchougounov Vladimir , Burlakov Alexander
Published: October 2022

The magnetic environment may influence the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It was reported that low-frequency and static magnetic fields affect hemodynamics, heart rate, and heart rate variability in animals and humans. Moreover, recent data suggest that magnetic fields affect the circadian rhythms of physiological processes. The influence of the magnetic environment on heart functionating during early development has been studied insufficiently. We utilized transparent zebrafish embryos to evaluate the effect of the hypomagnetic field on the characteristics of cardiac function using a noninvasive optical approach based on photoplethysmographic microscopic imaging. The embryos were exposed to the geomagnetic and hypomagnetic fields from the second to the 116th hour post fertilization under a 16 h light/8 h dark cycle or constant illumination. The exposure of embryos to the hypomagnetic field in both lighting modes led to increased embryo mortality, the appearance of abnormal phenotypes, and a significant increase in the embryo’s heartbeat rate. The difference between maximal and minimal heartbeat intervals, maximal to minimal heartbeat intervals ratio, and the coefficient of variation of heartbeat rate were increased in the embryos exposed to the hypomagnetic field under constant illumination from 96 to 116 h post fertilization. The dynamics of heartbeat rate changes followed a circadian pattern in all studied groups except zebrafish exposed to the hypomagnetic field under constant illumination. The results demonstrate the importance of natural magnetic background for the early development of zebrafish. The possible mechanisms of observed effects are discussed.
Evaluating the adhesive potential of the newly isolated bacterial strains in research exploitation of plant microbial interaction
Authors: Shaffique Shifa , Imran Muhammad , Wani Shabir Hussain , Khan Muhamad Aqil , Kang Sang-Mo , Adhikari Arjun , Lee In-Jung
Published: October 2022

Bacterial adhesion potential constitutes the transition of bacteria from the planktonic to the static phase by promoting biofilm formation, which plays a significant role in plant-microbial interaction in the agriculture industry. In present study, the adhesion potential of five soil-borne bacterial strains belonging to different genera was studied. All bacterial strains were capable of forming colonies and biofilms of different levels of firmness on polystyrene. Significant variation was observed in hydrophobicity and motility assays. Among the five bacterial strains (SH-6, SH-8, SH-9, SH-10, and SH-19), SH-19 had a strong hydrophobic force, while SH-10 showed the most hydrophilic property. SH-6 showed great variability in motility; SH-8 had a swimming diffusion diameter of 70 mm, which was three times higher than that of SH-19. In the motility assay, SH-9 and SH-10 showed diffusion diameters of approximately 22 mm and 55 mm, respectively. Furthermore, among the five strains, four are predominately electron donors and one is electron acceptors. Overall, positive correlation was observed among Lewis acid base properties, hydrophobicity, and biofilm forming ability. However, no correlation of motility with bacterial adhesion could be found in present experimental work. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the adhesion potential and biofilm ability within extra polymeric substances. Research on the role of adhesion in biofilm formation of bacteria isolated from plants is potentially conducive for developing strategies such as plant–microbial interaction to mitigate the abiotic stress.
Characterization of GmMATE13 in its contribution of citrate efflux and aluminum resistance in soybeans
Authors: Wang Zhengbiao , Liu Yuanqi , Cui Wenmo , Gong Li , He Ying , Zhang Qingxiu , Meng Xiangxiang , Yang Zhenming , You Jiangfeng
Published: October 2022

Citrate exudation mediated by a citrate transporter of the MATE protein family is critical for resisting aluminum (Al) toxicity in soybeans. However, the expression patterns of citrate transporter genes differ under Al stress. Thus, exploring the responsive pattern of GmMATEs in response to Al stress is of great importance to understand the Al resistance mechanism in soybeans. In the present study, the phylogenetic analysis, transcriptionally expressed pattern, and function of GmMATE13 were investigated. The results show that soybean GmMATE13 is highly homologous to known citrate transporter proteins from other plants. Under Al exposure, the transcript abundance of GmMATE13 was increased during a 24 h Al treatment period. The expression of GmMATE13 is specifically induced by Al exposure, but not by the status of Fe, Cu, Cd, or La. Moreover, it was also highly increased when soybean seedlings were grown on acidic soil with a high Al content. Subcellular localization showed that GmMATE13 was localized on the plasma membrane when it was transiently expressed in Arabidopsis protoplasts. Investigation of tissue localization of GmMATE13 expression by investigating GUS activity staining under control of the GmMATE13 promoter showed that it was mainly expressed in the central cylinder in the root tips of the soybean under Al-free conditions, yet extended to cortical and epidermis cells under Al stress. Finally, overexpressing GmMATE13 in soybean hairy roots enhanced Al resistance by increasing citrate efflux. Collectively, we conclude that GmMATE13 is a promising candidate to improve the resistance of soybean to Al toxicity in acidic soil.
Deep learning-based phenotyping for genome wide association studies of sudden death syndrome in soybean
Authors: Rairdin Ashlyn , Fotouhi Fateme , Zhang Jiaoping , Mueller Daren S. , Ganapathysubramanian Baskar , Singh Asheesh K. , Dutta Somak , Sarkar Soumik , Singh Arti
Published: October 2022

Using a reliable and accurate method to phenotype disease incidence and severity is essential to unravel the complex genetic architecture of disease resistance in plants, and to develop disease resistant cultivars. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involve phenotyping large numbers of accessions, and have been used for a myriad of traits. In field studies, genetic accessions are phenotyped across multiple environments and replications, which takes a significant amount of labor and resources. Deep Learning (DL) techniques can be effective for analyzing image-based tasks; thus DL methods are becoming more routine for phenotyping traits to save time and effort. This research aims to conduct GWAS on sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean [Glycine max L. (Merr.)] using disease severity from both visual field ratings and DL-based (using images) severity ratings collected from 473 accessions. Images were processed through a DL framework that identified soybean leaflets with SDS symptoms, and then quantified the disease severity on those leaflets into a few classes with mean Average Precision of 0.34 on unseen test data. Both visual field ratings and image-based ratings identified significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with disease resistance. These significant SNP markers are either in the proximity of previously reported candidate genes for SDS or near potentially novel candidate genes. Four previously reported SDS QTL were identified that contained a significant SNPs, from this study, from both a visual field rating and an image-based rating. The results of this study provide an exciting avenue of using DL to capture complex phenotypic traits from images to get comparable or more insightful results compared to subjective visual field phenotyping of traits for disease symptoms.
Effects of dyadic patterns and proficiency pairing on Chinese EFL learners’ second language learning in collaborative writing
Authors: Li Ningning , Liu Yingliang
Published: October 2022

Research on Collaborative Writing (CW) has proliferated over recent decades, but the role that pair dynamics plays in second language (L2) learning remains unclear. This study compared the effect of dyadic interactions and proficiency pairing in CW on L2 learning. Sixty-two Chinese EFL learners participated in this study, forming three types of proficiency pairing, including 12 high-high pairs, 12 high-low pairs, and seven low-low pairs. All dialogs were audio-recorded and analyzed for dyadic patterns, as well as frequency, types, and solutions of Language-Related Episodes (LREs). The findings indicated that lexis-focused LREs took the largest proportion of LREs, followed by discourse-focused LREs and grammar-focused LREs in all groups. However, compared with proficiency pairing, the efficacy of dyadic interactions has a greater impact on L2 learning. Learners displaying collaborative patterns significantly produced more LREs and correctly solved the majority of the conflicts than those in non-collaborative interactions, while neither the total number nor solutions of LREs reached significance in different proficiency pairing groups. Pedagogical implications on implementing CW in L2 writing classrooms are discussed.
Early childhood teachers’ professional learning about ICT implementation in kindergarten curriculum: A qualitative exploratory study in China
Authors: Yang Tian , Hong Xiumin
Published: October 2022

Many teachers have begun to adopt information and communication technologies (ICT) in early childhood education (ECE) settings to support children’s learning. However, research shows that ECE teachers’ ICT implementation practice is not always appropriate, and their limited professional learning opportunities is one reason for this. Researchers worldwide have called for more understanding of professional learning that supports ECE teachers’ use of ICT in the kindergarten curriculum. In China, although ECE teachers’ ICT competencies and skills are required in national documents, little has been reported about how they are supported in learning about implementing ICT in the current curriculum. Drawing on the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model, this study investigates how a small group of ECE teachers in China have experienced professional learning regarding ICT-related curriculum. By conducting individual interviews and analyzing public and teachers’ personal documents, this study finds that teacher participants had received diverse types of professional learning opportunities related to ICT implementation. These opportunities were provided by different organizations; however, one shared feature was a focus on the technical level of how to use ICT devices. This study also discusses the teaching-research culture underpinning participants’ professional learning. This article provides significant implications for advancing current professional learning programs.
Recontextualizing the subject of phenomenological psychopathology: Establishing a new paradigm case
Authors: Messas Guilherme , Fernandez Anthony Vincent
Published: October 2022

Recently, there have been calls to develop a more contextual approach to phenomenological psychopathology—an approach that attends to the socio-cultural as well as personal and biographical factors that shape experiences of mental illness. In this Perspective article, we argue that to develop this contextual approach, phenomenological psychopathology should adopt a new paradigm case. For decades, schizophrenia has served as the paradigmatic example of a condition that can be better understood through phenomenological investigation. And recent calls for a contextual approach continue to use schizophrenia as their primary example. We argue, in contrast, that substance misuse provides a better paradigm case around which to develop a contextually sensitive phenomenological psychopathology. After providing a brief vignette and analysis of a case of substance misuse, we explain why this kind of condition requires considerable sensitivity and attention to context, better motivating the incorporation and development of new contextually sensitive approaches.
Inflammatory myopathy following coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination: A systematic review
Authors: Ding Yukang , Ge Yongpeng
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Reports of unexpected side effects have accompanied the vaccination of larger proportions of the population against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including a few cases of inflammatory myopathy (IM). In a bid to improve understanding of the clinical course of vaccine complications, a systematic review of reported cases of IM following COVID-19 vaccination has been conducted.

Methods

The PRISMA guideline 2020 was followed. Two independent investigators systematically searched PubMed and Embase to identify relevant studies published up to July 2022, using the following keywords: COVID-19 Vaccine, inflammatory myositis. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used for the risk of bias.

Results

A total of 24 articles presenting clinical features of 37 patients with IM following COVID-19 vaccine were identified. Female patients composed 59.5% of cases and 82.4% had been vaccinated with BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1. Onset of symptoms occurred within 2 weeks of the first or second vaccine dose in 29 (85.3%) patients and included muscular weakness in 54.1% and skin rash in 71.4% of patients. Myositis specific autoantibodies (MSAs) and myositis associated autoantibodies (MAAs) were reported in 28 patients. Specific clinical subtypes of myositis, reported in 27 patients, included 22 (81.5%) cases of dermatomyositis (DM) and 3 (11.1%) cases of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Following treatment, 32 (86.5%) patients showed improvement on follow-up.

Conclusion

COVID-19 vaccine may induce various clinical myositis subtypes and related antibodies. Muscular weakness was the most common presenting symptom. Clinicians should be aware of this unexpected adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination and arrange for appropriate management.

Systematic review registration

INPLASY https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-9-0084/ [INPLASY202290084].
Visceral adipose tissue and risk of COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Lu , Sun Xingang , Han Deheng , Zhong Jiawei , Zhang Han , Zheng Liangrong
Published: October 2022

Background

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly evolved as a global pandemic. Observational studies found that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) increased the likelihood of worse clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Whereas, whether VAT is causally associated with the susceptibility, hospitalization, or severity of COVID-19 remains unconfirmed. We aimed to investigate the causal associations between VAT and susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity of COVID-19.

Methods

We applied a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to infer causal associations between VAT and COVID-19 outcomes. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms significantly associated with VAT were derived from a large-scale genome-wide association study. The random-effects inverse-variance weighted method was used as the main MR approach, complemented by three other MR methods. Additional sensitivity analyses were also performed.

Results

Genetically predicted higher VAT mass was causally associated with higher risks of COVID-19 susceptibility [odds ratios (ORs) = 1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09–1.17; P = 4.37 × 10−12], hospitalization (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.38–1.65; P = 4.14 × 10−20), and severity (OR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.38–1.82; P = 7.34 × 10−11).

Conclusion

This study provided genetic evidence that higher VAT mass was causally associated with higher risks of susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity of COVID-19. VAT can be a useful tool for risk assessment in the general population and COVID-19 patients, as well as an important prevention target.
Perceptions of the use of mobile phones to access reproductive health care services in Tamale, Ghana
Authors: Agbenyo John Stephen , Nzengya Daniel M. , Mwangi Suleiman Kairu
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Africa has one of the world's highest populations of young people. In addition, Africa has one of the highest proportions of young people facing the worst health challenges. Although previous scholars have reported that young people were using mobile phones to fill in the gaps in accessing reproductive health services, among other health services, there was little comprehensive research on the perception of young people in Tamale, Ghana, on the use of mobile phones to access reproductive health services. This study analyzed the perceptions on mobile phone use to access reproductive health services among young people in Tamale, Ghana.

Methods

The research used a quantitative method design from a target population of 72,706 young people from selected peri-urban, low-income, middle income and high-income residential areas in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. The sample size used was 397 young people. Participants were selected using a stratified multistage sampling strategy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.

Results

A total of 86% of the respondents agree that the use of mobile phones helps to overcome cultural challenges that young people in Tamale encounter in accessing reproductive health care. Also, 84.6% of the respondents agree that the use of mobile phones helps them to overcome inadequate access to reproductive health information and services. The use of mobile phones helps to overcome the negative attitude of health providers toward young people in need of reproductive health services was agreed by most of the respondents [strongly agree (35.4%) and agree (49.4%)].

Conclusion

This study informed highly positive perceptions and attitudes toward the use of mobile phones to access Reproductive Health Services in Tamale, Ghana. There is, therefore the need for the health sector to reform its mode of prescriptions of medication, consultation, and service delivery to leverage on the advantages that mHealth presents.
Samaki Salama – Promoting healthy child growth and sustainable fisheries in coastal Kenya: A study protocol
Authors: Blackmore Ivy , Wamukota Andrew , Kamau-Mbuthia Elizabeth , Humphries Austin , Lesorogol Carolyn , Cohn Rachel , Sarange Catherine , Mbogholi Francis , Obata Clay , Cheupe Christopher , Cheupe Joaquim , Sherburne Lisa , Chapnick Melissa , Cartmill Mary Kate , Iannotti Lora L.
Published: October 2022

Background

One in five young children globally suffer the consequences of stunted growth and development and millions experience deficiencies in zinc, iron, iodine, vitamins A and B12, nutrients found bioavailable in fish foods. Small-scale fisheries have the potential to generate income and augment fish consumption while being environmentally sustainable if appropriately managed. However, those engaged in small-scale fisheries are often marginalized, poor, and malnourished. The Samaki Salama project seeks to better understand and address these challenges through a three-arm, longitudinal matched cluster study which evaluates the impact of an integrated nutrition social marketing and modified fishing trap intervention.

Methods

There will be 400 small-scale fisher households enrolled from Kilifi County, Kenya and residing in communities matched on location (rural), livelihoods, and child nutritional status. The sample will include mothers and other caregivers, children 6–60 months, and fishers in the family. Applying a cluster design, the matched communities will be divided into three groups: (1) control (n = 200); (2) multi-component nutrition social marketing intervention to fishers, mothers, and health workers (n = 100); and (3) multi-component nutrition social marketing intervention plus modified fishing traps and training (n = 100). Primary outcomes include child growth, fish food intakes, and fisheries yield of mature fish. Secondary outcomes are diet diversity, child diarrheal morbidity, and fisheries revenue. A process evaluation will be used to monitor and ensure fidelity of intervention delivery.

Discussion

This study builds on a growing body of literature illustrating the effectiveness of nutrition focused social marketing campaigns to promote active engagement of participants, high compliance to the intervention, and sustained behavior change. The second intervention element of modified fishing traps that allow immature fish to escape enables participants to act on the messaging they receive and promotes sustainable fishing through increased harvest efficiency and reduced catch of immature fish. The integrated approach of the Samaki Salama intervention provides an example of how to leverage multiple disciplines to address key challenges to human and environmental health and illustrates a pathway for scaling study innovations to other small-scale fisheries systems.

Trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05254444).
Self-reported vaccination-related behavior patterns among healthcare workers and the association with self-directed learning frequency: A nationwide cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ma Yuan , Han Xuan , Li Wei , Yang Yuan , Xu Yunshao , Liu Di , Yang Weizhong , Feng Luzhao , Ma Libing
Published: October 2022

Background

Healthcare workers play an essential role in improving the public's vaccination uptake, but the full picture of such workers' engagement in vaccination-related behaviors has not been appropriately identified. According to the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change, self-directed learning may be a promising intervention for fostering engagement in vaccination-related behaviors, but the association between self-directed learning and such behaviors remains unclear. This study aimed to determine Chinese healthcare workers' level of engagement in behaviors for combatting vaccine-preventable diseases and assess the association between frequency of performing vaccine-focused SDL and engagement in vaccination-related behaviors.

Materials and methods

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 27 to February 21, 2022, using the survey platform “wjx.” Respondents were restricted to healthcare workers aged 18–65 years. A Sankey diagram and bar plots were constructed to determine patterns of engagement in a vaccination-related-behavior chain. Unconditional binary logistic regression models were fitted to determine the association between frequency of performing vaccine-focused self-directed learning and engagement in vaccination-related behaviors.

Results

Of the 2,248 survey respondents, data for 2,065 were analyzed. Participants who had received influenza or pneumococcal vaccination, routinely recommended vaccination to patients, tracked patients' vaccination status, and recommended efficiently accounted for 43.2%, 50.8%, 40.3%, and 36.4% of the total participants, respectively. When only considering those who routinely made such recommendations, the proportion of those who performed tracking and efficient recommendation was 28.8% and 26.2%, respectively. When compared to performing self-directed learning “never to less than once/six months,” performing self-directed learning “more than once/week” was positively associated with being vaccinated (OR, 95% CI: 2.30, 1.74–3.03), routinely recommending vaccination (OR, 95% CI: 4.46, 3.30–6.04), and tracking the status of patients so recommended (OR, 95% CI: 6.18, 4.35–8.76).

Conclusions

Chinese healthcare workers' pattern of engagement in vaccination-related behaviors must be improved. Higher frequencies of engagement in self-directed learning are associated with more active engagement in vaccination-related behaviors, meaning raising such frequencies could be a promising intervention for fostering behavior changes in this regard and ultimately increasing vaccination coverage.
Arctic sea ice coverage from 43 years of satellite passive-microwave observations
Authors: Parkinson Claire L.
Published: October 2022

Satellite passive-microwave instrumentation has allowed the monitoring of Arctic sea ice over the past 43 years, and this monitoring has revealed and quantified major changes occurring in Arctic sea ice coverage. The 43-year 1979–2021 record shows considerable interannual variability but also a long-term downward trend in Arctic sea ice that is clear from many vantage points: A linear-least-square trend of −54,300 ± 2,700 km2/year for yearly average sea ice extents; statistically significant negative trends for each of the 12 calendar months; negative trends for each of nine regions into which the Arctic sea ice cover is divided; the fact that for all 12 calendar months the highest monthly average sea ice extent came in the first 8 years of the record and the lowest monthly average sea ice extent came in the last 10 years of the record; and a prominent shortening of the sea ice season throughout much of the marginal ice zone, with the length of the sea ice season in some locations decreasing by over 100 days and some locations previously experiencing months-long sea ice seasons now typically no longer having a sea ice season at all. The overall, Arctic-wide trend value of the yearly average sea ice extents since 1979 has consistently had a negative magnitude exceeding two standard deviations of the trend line slope since 1990 and has remained in the narrow range of −53,000 km2/yr to −55,500 km2/yr since 2011.
Proteomics as a tool to improve novel insights into skin diseases: what we know and where we should be going
Authors: Zheng Sheng-yuan , Hu Xi-min , Huang Kun , Li Zi-han , Chen Qing-ning , Yang Rong-hua , Xiong Kun
Published: October 2022

Background

Biochemical processes involved in complex skin diseases (skin cancers, psoriasis, and wound) can be identified by combining proteomics analysis and bioinformatics tools, which gain a next-level insight into their pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic targets.

Methods

Articles were identified through a search of PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE references dated to May 2022, to perform system data mining, and a search of the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection was utilized to conduct a visual bibliometric analysis.

Results

An increased trend line revealed that the number of publications related to proteomics utilized in skin diseases has sharply increased recent years, reaching a peak in 2021. The hottest fields focused on are skin cancer (melanoma), inflammation skin disorder (psoriasis), and skin wounds. After deduplication and title, abstract, and full-text screening, a total of 486 of the 7,822 outcomes met the inclusion/exclusion criteria for detailed data mining in the field of skin disease tooling with proteomics, with regard to skin cancer. According to the data, cell death, metabolism, skeleton, immune, and inflammation enrichment pathways are likely the major part and hotspots of proteomic analysis found in skin diseases. Also, the focuses of proteomics in skin disease are from superficial presumption to depth mechanism exploration within more comprehensive validation, from basic study to a combination or guideline for clinical applications. Furthermore, we chose skin cancer as a typical example, compared with other skin disorders. In addition to finding key pathogenic proteins and differences between diseases, proteomic analysis is also used for therapeutic evaluation or can further obtain in-depth mechanisms in the field of skin diseases.

Conclusion

Proteomics has been regarded as an irreplaceable technology in the study of pathophysiological mechanism and/or therapeutic targets of skin diseases, which could provide candidate key proteins for the insight into the biological information after gene transcription. However, depth pathogenesis and potential clinical applications need further studies with stronger evidence within a wider range of skin diseases.
Association between cervical length and massive intraoperative bleeding in patients with suspected placenta accreta spectrum combined with placenta previa: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Huang Fusen , Wang Jingjie , Xu Yi , Xiong Qiuju , Wang Wenjian , Zhuo Jia , Xia Qiuling , Yang Xiaojuan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Abnormal placentation is a spectrum disorder that includes creta, increta, and percreta; the term placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders is used as a broad term to describe all of these conditions. PAS can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage. The predictive value of cervical length (CL) in patients with PAS remains controversial. Thus, this study investigated the relationship between CL and the probability of major bleeding in patients with PAS and placenta previa.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a comprehensive tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China, between January 2018 and December 2020. The target independent and dependent variables were CL and intraoperative massive bleeding, respectively. The covariates included demographic, clinical, and ultrasound characteristics. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between CL and massive bleeding.

Results

In total, 317 participants were enrolled, in whom the prevalence of massive bleeding was 41.9% (133/317). The threshold of CL associated with massive bleeding (≥1,000 ml) was 33 mm based on a receiver operating characteristic curve. In the fully adjusted model for each additional unit of CL, the risk of massive bleeding decreased by 7% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88–0.98]. The risk of major bleeding was reduced by 44% in patients with a CL greater than 33 mm (95% CI, 0.33–0.97) compared with patients with a CL less than 33 mm.

Conclusions

CL was negatively associated with massive intraoperative bleeding in patients with PAS combined with placenta previa. When the CL was greater than 33 mm, the risk of bleeding decreased by 44%. Thus, CL can be used as a standalone parameter to identify the risk of massive intraoperative bleeding in patients with suspected PAS.