bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Roads to Success: A Latent Class Analysis on Successful Ageing Among Hong Kong Near-Centenarians and Centenarians (NCC)
Authors: Shum Eric Ngai-Yin , Lau Bobo Hi-Po , Cheung Karen Siu-Lan , Chan Cecilia Lai-Wan , Siu Joey Chung-Yue , Luk James Ka-Hay , Kwan Joseph Shiu-Kwong , Chan Grace Man-Yee , Pat Lian Ying-Chun , Martin Peter
Published: October 2023

Notwithstanding the oldest-old cohort being the fastest-growing population in most ageing societies, characterizing successful ageing in adults of advanced age, such as nonagenarians and centenarians, remains challenging. This study investigated the successful ageing subphenotypes using the data from Hong Kong Centenarian Study 2. Between April 2021 and September 2022, 146 family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults aged 95 or above were interviewed by phone. Latent class analysis identified three classes— Overall Frail (46.6%) with poor mobility, cognitive and functional health, Nonambulant (37.0%) but good functional health, and Robust (16.4%) with overall good health—from 11 indicators based on caregivers’ reports. Although we found a low prevalence of fulfillment of all indicators of successful ageing, our findings will help care professionals appreciate the heterogeneity underlying partial successful ageing in this vulnerable cohort for segmented and targeted healthy longevity interventions.
Little Voices: Can a play-based dramatherapy group provide a safe container to help children explore the effects of domestic abuse?
Authors: Dix Ann
Published: October 2023

This article explores the effects of groupwork with primary school children who have experienced living with domestic abuse. I describe an 8-week dramatherapy programme called Little Voices, which centres around the character of Little-mouse and which uses stories, improvisations, puppets and play to explore his world and the mixture of emotions it engenders. The aim of the group is to help children realise they are not alone and give them a safe place to talk about their experiences. They relate to Little-mouse so they do not disclose personal information and are not retraumatised. Little Voices is underpinned by current attachment and trauma research. I ask if a dramatherapy group can create a safe place to address the trauma of domestic violence. Vignettes of sessions are reflected upon and contextualised within current research theories. Qualitative evaluations were completed by child, parent and teachers and indicate that the groupwork had a positive effect on the children’s ability to interact with parents and peers.
Cardiac surgery-Associated acute kidney injury - A narrative review
Authors: Rasmussen Sebastian Buhl , Boyko Yuliya , Ranucci Marco , de Somer Filip , Ravn Hanne Berg
Published: October 2023

Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (CSA-AKI) is a serious complication seen in approximately 20–30% of cardiac surgery patients. The underlying pathophysiology is complex, often involving both patient- and procedure related risk factors. In contrast to AKI occurring after other types of major surgery, the use of cardiopulmonary bypass comprises both additional advantages and challenges, including non-pulsatile flow, targeted blood flow and pressure as well as the ability to manipulate central venous pressure (congestion). With an increasing focus on the impact of CSA-AKI on both short and long-term mortality, early identification and management of high-risk patients for CSA-AKI has evolved. The present narrative review gives an up-to-date summary on definition, diagnosis, underlying pathophysiology, monitoring and implications of CSA-AKI, including potential preventive interventions. The review will provide the reader with an in-depth understanding of how to identify, support and provide a more personalized and tailored perioperative management to avoid development of CSA-AKI.
Indigenous Peoples understand human health relies on healthy waters
Authors: Chiblow Susan
Published: October 2023

Indigenous Peoples’ health is directly linked to the health of the waters. In Canada, First Nation communities are often the first to be affected by unhealthy waters regardless of Canada having a vast amount of fresh water. Indigenous Peoples view health as holistic encompassing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being that relies on healthy waters. They understand that health is directly linked to the health of the waters and have been stating so for several years. Water has become a human right but colonial water decision-making continues to allow for water pollution ignoring the Indigenous worldview that water is medicine. How can you have healthy people when the waters are contaminated. The Indigenous worldview and knowledge can provide solutions in water decision-making to ensure the waters continue to live their responsibility of providing health to humans and all life.
Age-related differences in clinical and laboratory characteristics of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: Pre-puberal-onset SLE is prone to delayed diagnosis
Authors: Li Shipeng , Xue Yuan , Kuang Weiying , Deng Jianghong , Zhang Junmei , Tan Xiaohua , Li Chao , Li Caifeng
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study aimed to analyze age-specific characteristics of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) at a health center in China.

Methods

The children with SLE were grouped based on age at disease-onset: pre-pubertal (≤7 years), peri-pubertal (8–13 years), and adolescence (14–18 years). The retrospective study included patients with cSLE diagnosed at the Beijing Children’s Hospital between 2013 and 2021.

Results

A total of 675 females and 178 males were eligible for inclusion in this study. Among them, 160 patients were diagnosed during pre-puberty, 635 during peri-puberty, and 58 during adolescence. The female-to-male ratio of pre-pubertal, peri-pubertal, and adolescent diagnosis was 3.5: 1, 3.6: 1, and 7.28:1, respectively. The median time from onset to diagnosis during the pre-puberal period was 3.0 (IQR 1.0–24.0 months), which was longer than that during the peri-puberal period (1.4; IQR 0.7–4) months and adolescence (1.0; IQR 0.4–2) months ( p = <.0001). The proportion of LN in patients diagnosed during the peri-puberal period (304, 46.6%) and during adolescence (27, 47.9%) was higher than that of patients diagnosed during the pre-puberal period (59, 36.9%) ( p = .044). 46 (28.8%), 233 (36.7%), and 32 (55.2%) of children diagnosed during the pre-pubertal period, peri-pubertal period, and adolescence, respectively, suffered from leukopenia.

Conclusion

The proportion of renal involvement and leukopenia in the pre-pubertal group was lower than that of the pubertal group and adolescent group. More importantly, the younger the age of the patient, the more likely the diagnosis to be delayed.
An old wound that sits around: The racial trauma experience of East Asian American women in the workplace
Authors: Wu XiYue , Shen Nina , Hippolyte Divya , Wu ShuTing
Published: October 2023

Limited research has been conducted to explore the racial trauma experience of East Asian American women, especially in the workplace. We sought to understand (a) how racial trauma has influenced this population's work and non-work life and (b) how they have coped with this traumatic stress in career development and mental health aspects. Twelve participants working in the United States participated in semi-structured interviews about the impact of workplace racial trauma on their mental health, work, relationships, and coping strategies. Five domains were developed using conventional content analysis: (a) racial trauma at work is expressed with microaggression, (b) racial trauma causes a loss of psychological safety, (c) racial trauma creates relationship dilemmas, (d) racial trauma creates challenges in participants’ career development paths, and (e) career and mental health coping strategies are used to manage racial traumatic stress. Implications for theoretical advances and counseling and organizational practice are also discussed.
Live and Let Die - Battle Stories of Gamified Sustainable Consumption App Creators
Authors: Guillen Georgina , Hamari Juho
Published: October 2023

Background

Although gamified sustainable consumption apps (SCAs) have been on the rise, only a few have survived longer than two years. While most existing research focuses on how gamification contributes to engagement and the formation of more sustainable consumption habits, there is little about how their survival is secured.

Intervention’s Purpose

Twenty-one SCA creators shared their considerations and experiences managing SCAs, providing valuable insights into the field of gamified sustainable consumption and practical insights for their stakeholders.

Methods

Ideal-type and narrative analyses of the interviews unraveled some relevant survival strategies and lessons learned.

Results

The creators' motivation and background play a role in the app's survival. Their experiences exposed several aspects affecting their gamification strategies and their relevance for the apps, highlighting traps to avoid and opportunities to improve their standing in an increasingly competitive market.

Discussion

Most creators shared stories of “learn as you go,” presenting how the flexibility to adjust the apps' business models rather than the creators’ professional background is a critical success factor. Since their apps represent their understanding of sustainability, SCA creators should find practical and emotional ways to engage their users while considering the objectives of their apps.

Conclusion

Awareness of the risks and pitfalls when creating an SCA may not be enough for successfully undertaking this enterprise. The creators should be capable of strategically plan for all the activities that creating and managing an SCA convey even before the app is conceptualized.
Norman Lives on Among Us, In Us, With Us, For Us
Authors: Poulos Christopher N.
Published: October 2023

In this essay, I pay tribute to Norman K. Denzin.
To Di World: Jamaican soccer, poiesis and post-colonial transformation
Authors: Walcott Geoffrey , Hickling Frederick W. , Charles Christopher A. D.
Published: October 2023

This article presents a case study of an innovative culturally based therapeutic approach using collective poiesis to improve the functioning of a youth sports team in Jamaica. In recent decades, Jamaica has endured high levels of violence and corruption, and has been ranked among the top four countries in the world in terms of murder rate per capita. We conjecture that a high prevalence of personality disorder linked to the legacy of slavery and colonialism often impedes Jamaicans from achieving success in diverse fields, including sports. Psychological interventions in the preparation of football teams are a novelty, and have been used mainly to enhance global team performance or individual player skill. The use of psychological interventions to address personality disorder psychopathology on the soccer pitch has not been reported. Psychohistoriographic cultural therapy (PCT) integrates psychological perspectives with a dialectic method of historical analysis and uses collective poiesis as a vehicle to translate insights through an embodied cognitive restructuring process. Two workshops were carried out with a high school football team using PCT techniques. The process of dialectic reasoning engaged their collective ideas and insights to establish a psychic centrality that was expressed in poetic form to illustrate the pathologies of the group in an emotionally safe and psychologically acceptable narrative. This poetic narrative of the group's psychic centrality counters the personality disorder psychopathology caused by the lingering intergenerational wounds of slavery, colonial oppression and collective trauma.
Applied Scenarios: Embedding Psychological Literacy in Assessment
Authors: Einav Shiri , Spence Alexa , Blackie Laura E. R. , Cassidy Sarah , Allen Harriet A.
Published: October 2023

Psychological literacy refers to the ability of a psychology student to use psychological knowledge, rather than merely learn it, in the context of personal, social, and organizational issues. Embedding psychological literacy in assessment is a critical step in helping students develop this capacity. This report presents an innovative applied scenarios assignment for a social and developmental psychology module, designed to challenge students to make theoretical and evidence-based explanations or suggestions in relation to novel real-world situations. Across the scenarios, students are required to respond and adapt to a range of tasks and purposes and effectively communicate their knowledge to diverse audiences. Student evaluation ( n = 142) of their experiences and perceived competencies developed from working on the scenarios compared to traditional essay assignments were analyzed. Findings suggest students valued the authentic nature of the assessment and the challenges it presents. They recognized the unique skills they developed, including application and communication skills, and felt that they gained better understanding of psychological content as a result. We hope this report will inspire readers to design similar assessment tasks that provide students with opportunities to practice, and thus develop, their psychological literacy.
Bag Lady: A Soulful and Scientific Reflection on Black Women’s Health
Authors: Moise Rhoda
Published: October 2023

At the intersection of sexism and racism, Black women experience undue burden of poor health. Established literature in both scientific and artistic arenas archive health disparities facing Black women such as mental health and suicidality. Using poetry, this piece serves as a channel to express the joys and pains of the human experience as well as inspire healing and synergy through honest examination of societal structures. This mixed media artistry (intended to be sung and spoken) weaves together lyrical and literary works, featuring by quotes from Erykah Badu’s Bag Lady; Dr. Maya Angelou’s many works; Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf; and Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry’s Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America. It ultimately articulates how to journey across the arc of triumph for well-being synergizing mind, body, and spirit.
ExacTrac X-Ray 6D Imaging During Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy of Spinal and Nonspinal Metastases
Authors: Hadj Henni Ahmed , Gensanne David , Bulot Guillaume , Roge Maximilien , Mallet Romain , Colard Elyse , Daras Marie , Hanzen Chantal , Thureau Sebastien
Published: October 2023

The objective was to investigate the possibility of using ExacTrac X-ray (ETX) for 6D image guidance in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) of bone metastasis and to propose a patient management protocol. The analyses were first obtained from measurements on a pelvic phantom and on 19 patients treated for bone metastasis. The phantom study consisted of applying known offsets and evaluating the ETX level of accuracy, where results were compared with kV-cone beam computed tomography (kV-CBCT). Two groups of patients, 10 spinal and 9 nonspinal SBRT cases, were analyzed to evaluate ETX imaging for different bone localisations. A comparison was made between kV-CBCT and ETX prior to the treatment fractions. During treatments, two other kV-CBCT/ETX image pairs were also acquired and a total of 224 shifts were compared. A second study, using the ETX monitoring module, analyzed the intrafraction motion of 8 other patients. In the phantom study, the root mean square (RMS) of the translational and rotational discrepancies between ETX and kV-CBCT were < 0.6 mm and < 0.4°, respectively. For both groups of patients, the RMS of the discrepancies observed between the two imaging systems were greater than the phantom experiment while still remaining < 1 mm and < 0.7°. In the nonspinal group, three patients (2 scapulas and 1 humerus) did not have consistent shift values with ETX due to a lack of anatomical information. When ETX monitoring was used during irradiation, the setup errors measured were on average less than 1 mm/1°. The results obtained validated the use of ETX for 6D image guidance during bone SBRT. Real-time tracking of the target position improves the accuracy of the irradiation. This strategy allowed for faster correction of out-of-tolerance positioning errors. The registration of bone lesions with poor anatomical information is a limitation of this 2D-kV imaging system.
It Is Time to Play: Acute Effects of Soccer and Sprint Exercise on Attentional Performance, Mood, and Enjoyment in Untrained Male Adolescents
Authors: Hammami Amri , Kasmi Sofien , Ben Saad Helmi , Bouhlel Ezdine , Krustrup Peter , Chamari Karim
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to compare the effects of an acute bout of small-sided soccer game (SSG) and sprint exercise on attention, mood, and enjoyment in untrained adolescent boys. Eighteen adolescent boys aged 13–15 years participated in a counterbalanced order intervention: 1—No-training control condition (CONTROL), 2—SSG (SOCCER), and 3—Repeated sprint (SPRINT) sessions. Before and after the sessions, all participants completed the revised d2-test of attention and a mood assessment (i.e., Brunel mood scale [BRUMS]). Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and perceived enjoyment (i.e., physical activity enjoyment scale) were evaluated after each session. A 3 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance with contrast-coded test was used to analyze the data. Attentional test performance increased from pre- to post-exercise intervention for both SOCCER and SPRINT (main effect of Phase, F = 40.81, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.48), compared with the CONTROL. BRUMS scores did not change for any of the interventions. RPE was significantly lower after SOCCER compared with SPRINT ( t = 3.05 [3.20–7.18], p < .001, ηp2 = 0.46). SOCCER was perceived to be significantly more enjoyable compared with SPRINT ( p = .03) and CONTROL ( p < .001). To conclude, an acute bout of exercise based on SOCCER or SPRINT exercise was beneficial for adolescent boys’ attention, with significantly better enjoyment reported after the SOCCER session, whereas we did not observe any mood effects.
When should factorial designs be used for late-phase randomised controlled trials?
Authors: White Ian R , Szubert Alexander J , Choodari-Oskooei Babak , Walker A Sarah , Parmar Mahesh KB
Published: October 2023

Background

A 2×2 factorial design evaluates two interventions (A versus control and B versus control) by randomising to control, A-only, B-only or both A and B together. Extended factorial designs are also possible (e.g. 3×3 or 2×2×2). Factorial designs often require fewer resources and participants than alternative randomised controlled trials, but they are not widely used. We identified several issues that investigators considering this design need to address, before they use it in a late-phase setting.

Methods

We surveyed journal articles published in 2000–2022 relating to designing factorial randomised controlled trials. We identified issues to consider based on these and our personal experiences.

Results

We identified clinical, practical, statistical and external issues that make factorial randomised controlled trials more desirable. Clinical issues are (1) interventions can be easily co-administered; (2) risk of safety issues from co-administration above individual risks of the separate interventions is low; (3) safety or efficacy data are wanted on the combination intervention; (4) potential for interaction (e.g. effect of A differing when B administered) is low; (5) it is important to compare interventions with other interventions balanced, rather than allowing randomised interventions to affect the choice of other interventions; (6) eligibility criteria for different interventions are similar. Practical issues are (7) recruitment is not harmed by testing many interventions; (8) each intervention and associated toxicities is unlikely to reduce either adherence to the other intervention or overall follow-up; (9) blinding is easy to implement or not required. Statistical issues are (10) a suitable scale of analysis can be identified; (11) adjustment for multiplicity is not required; (12) early stopping for efficacy or lack of benefit can be done effectively. External issues are (13) adequate funding is available and (14) the trial is not intended for licensing purposes. An overarching issue (15) is that factorial design should give a lower sample size requirement than alternative designs. Across designs with varying non-adherence, retention, intervention effects and interaction effects, 2×2 factorial designs require lower sample size than a three-arm alternative when one intervention effect is reduced by no more than 24%–48% in the presence of the other intervention compared with in the absence of the other intervention.

Conclusions

Factorial designs are not widely used and should be considered more often using our issues to consider. Low potential for at most small to modest interaction is key, for example, where the interventions have different mechanisms of action or target different aspects of the disease being studied.
Insulin Pump Alarms During Adverse Events: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Estock Jamie L. , Codario Ronald A. , Zupa Margaret F. , Keddem Shimrit , Rodriguez Keri L.
Published: October 2023

Objective:

Explore alarm signals cited in insulin pump-associated adverse events (AEs), describe the clinical consequences and other root cause informing remarks that cooccurred with the alarm signals, and identify opportunities for improvements to patient education, instructional materials, and alarm systems to prevent future AEs.

Research Design and Methods:

We explored the type, frequency, and associated clinical consequences of alarm signals cited in a pre-coded data set of 2294 insulin pump-associated AEs involving the MiniMed 670G, MiniMed 630G, and t:slim X2. We also explored the clinical consequences and other root cause informing remarks that cooccurred with the top 10 most frequently cited alarm signals.

Results:

Overall, 403 AEs narratives cited at least one alarm signal. Of the 40 unique alarm signals cited, 42.5% were “alarms,” 25.0% were “alerts,” and 32.5% were not referenced in the instructional materials packaged with the corresponding pump. The top 10 most frequently cited alarm signals included two obstruction of flow alarms, which accounted for 49.9% of all AEs citing at least one alarm, and two unreferenced alarms. The most frequent cooccurring root cause informing remark varied across the top 10 alarm signals and revealed valuable insight into why these alarms may have occurred.

Conclusions:

Our findings demonstrate the value of analyzing alarm signals cited in insulin pump-associated AEs and reveal multiple opportunities for providers to educate patients on how to respond to alarm signals and manage their pumps to avoid AEs, and for insulin pump manufacturers to update instructional materials and improve alarm systems to support appropriate patient response.
Non-Sexualized Images and Body-Neutral Messaging Foster Body Positivity Online
Authors: Brathwaite Kyla N. , DeAndrea David C. , Vendemia Megan A.
Published: October 2023

The body-positive movement is one of many decentralized, user-generated movements on social media that seek to engender positive societal change. In support of the body-positive movement, social media users employ a variety of messages and images to advocate for more inclusive beauty standards across different online platforms. We examine how the nature of body-positive messaging (mainstream body positivity vs body neutrality), the degree to which images are sexualized (sexualized vs non-sexualized), and the platform that hosts body-positive content (Instagram/Flickr/blog) influence how people evaluate body-positive content online. The results indicate that the more participants felt messaging was body-neutral, the more morally appropriate and less self-interested they found the posts. The extent to which participants felt messaging was morally appropriate also led them to embrace more inclusive beauty standards. Moreover, non-sexualized (vs sexualized) images were rated more morally appropriate and less self-interested. Implications for promoting body positivity and other prosocial movements online are discussed.
The Synergized Quality Improvement Program in Teacher Education: A Policy for Improving the Quality of China's Rural Teachers
Authors: Zhao (赵健) Jian
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study elucidates the rationale, implementation, values, and challenges of the Synergized Quality Improvement Program in Teacher Education (SQIPTE)—the first policy specifically dedicated to the development of teaching staff since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Design/Approach/Methods

After introducing the primary structure and rationale of the SQIPTE, this study reviews the existing data and research to explain why the program focuses on local normal colleges and determine how it could be implemented more effectively.

Findings

In establishing group-based assistance under the principle of “1 + M + N” (M ≥ N), the SQIPTE seeks to make normal colleges the primary force in the education of rural teachers and explores a collaborative operating mechanism to this end. Evidence suggests that this innovative program will provide new practical experience for the collaborative development and quality improvement of teachers.

Originality/Value

This study reviews the SQIPTE as a new Chinese intervention to improve the quality of rural teachers. There is strong evidence to suggest that this innovative program will inspire the construction of collaborative operating mechanisms incorporating multiple resources for teacher education systems across different areas.
Face Matching as a Function of Prior Identity Information in Professional Screeners
Authors: Korbelak Kristopher , Zish Kevin , Endres Daniel
Published: October 2023

Using a computer-based face matching task we objectively measured face matching performance (reaction time, sensitivity, accuracy) as a function of prior identity source type (Artificial Intelligence (AI), human, none), prior information accuracy (accurate, inaccurate) and task difficulty (high, low) in professional screeners. Participants were required to judge how similar they thought a pair of faces were, to decide whether the faces in each pair were the same person, and then to judge the difficulty of that decision. Professional screeners were more accurate, faster, and, more sensitive when normative task difficulty was low. Professional screeners were also more accurate, faster, and more sensitive when prior identity source information was accurate. There was no main effect of prior identity source type on performance (there was a trend-level effect). Face matching accuracy positively correlated with normative data from non-professional screeners. Professional screeners were more accurate 80.6% of the time, compared to non-professional screeners.
Residential Immobility and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Housing Quality
Authors: Evans Megan , Chapman Alexander
Published: October 2023

The research on residential mobility and residential displacement offers insight into racial and ethnic disparities in housing quality; however, scholars would benefit from contextualizing mobility and displacement within the overall housing picture. We expand the residential attainment framework by examining whether there are racial and ethnic differences in who makes residential moves and whether a higher immobility among Black and Hispanic households helps explain housing quality disparities. Using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation, we find that Black and Hispanic households are more likely to be immobile than White and Asian households. Among the immobile population, Black and Hispanic households have higher probabilities of living in lower quality housing than White households. However, we find when Black households make residential moves, they translate those moves into housing quality that is on par with White households. Hence, we suggest that residential immobility offers a key explanation for persistent trends in racial and ethnic housing quality disparities. Paired with a declining trend in residential mobility, our findings may signal a greater phenomenon of marginalized households becoming increasingly stuck in place.
Longitudinal tensile analysis of carbon fiber/epoxy composites under the coupling effect of high and low temperature cycle-humidity-bending load
Authors: Shi Jianjun , Wang Wenze , Liu Caorui , Wei Wangcheng , Jia Bin
Published: October 2023

The coupling effects of high and low temperature-humidity-applied load on the longitudinal tensile mechanical properties and the durability performance of epoxy resin-based carbon fiber reinforced composites (EP-CFRP) are studied in this paper. It considers two high and low alternating temperature ranges [−40°C∼40°C]/[−40°C∼25°C], two humidity conditions (soaking in water and anhydrous), and three load levels of unstressed state or 30% and 60% of the ultimate load. The results indicate that all these three factors have a significant impact on the durability of EP-CFRP. The tensile strength varies with the high and low temperature alternating cycle, showing a trend of first decreasing, then increasing, and then decreasing; however, the peak and valley values appear in the quite different alternating cycle. The coupling effects of these factors have less influence on the tensile modulus. The microcracks generated at the interface between the resin matrix and the fiber have been proved to be the main reason for the strength reduction at the later stage. The coupling effect of humidity and load promotes the expansion of cracks and exacerbates the damage to EP-CFRP. Based on the cumulative damage theory, the residual strength damage model of EP-CFRP under the three-factor coupling action of “high and low temperature cycling-humidity-load” is calibrated by nonlinear fitting method.
Mapping of QTLs and meta-QTLs for Heterodera avenae Woll. resistance in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Pundir Saksham , Singh Rakhi , Singh Vikas Kumar , Sharma Shiveta , Balyan Harindra Singh , Gupta Pushpendra Kumar , Sharma Shailendra
Published: October 2023

Background

In hexaploid wheat, quantitative trait loci (QTL) and meta-QTL (MQTL) analyses were conducted to identify genomic regions controlling resistance to cereal cyst nematode (CCN), Heterodera avenae. A mapping population comprising 149 RILs derived from the cross HUW 468 × C 306 was used for composite interval mapping (CIM) and inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM).

Results

Eight main effect QTLs on three chromosomes (1B, 2A and 3A) were identified using two repeat experiments. One of these QTLs was co-localized with a previously reported wheat gene Cre5 for resistance to CCN. Seven important digenic epistatic interactions (PVE = 5% or more) were also identified, each involving one main effect QTL and another novel E-QTL. Using QTLs earlier reported in literature, two meta-QTLs were also identified, which were also used for identification of 57 candidate genes (CGs). Out of these, 29 CGs have high expression in roots and encoded the following proteins having a role in resistance to plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs): (i) NB-ARC,P-loop containing NTP hydrolase, (ii) Protein Kinase, (iii) serine-threonine/tyrosine-PK, (iv) protein with leucine-rich repeat, (v) virus X resistance protein-like, (vi) zinc finger protein, (vii) RING/FYVE/PHD-type, (viii) glycosyl transferase, family 8 (GT8), (ix) rubisco protein with small subunit domain, (x) protein with SANT/Myb domain and (xi) a protein with a homeobox.

Conclusion

Identification and selection of resistance loci with additive and epistatic effect along with two MQTL and associated CGs, identified in the present study may prove useful for understanding the molecular basis of resistance against H. avenae in wheat and for marker-assisted selection (MAS) for breeding CCN resistant wheat cultivars.
Comparison of anesthetic effects of different doses of alfentanil combined with ciprofol in elderly patients undergoing ERCP: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hu Jun , Gu Xiuxia , Zhu Wenhao , Zhu Xiuli , Ji Fanceng , Luo Yanhua , Liu Ning
Published: October 2023

Background and objects

Patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are often old and poor in physical fitness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anesthetic effect of different doses of alfentanil combined with ciprofol in elderly patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Methods

In this clinical trial, 137 patients, who were candidates for ERCP were randomly divided into three groups. Group A were given 0.15 μg/kg/min of alfentanil in maintenance stage, Group B were given 0.25 μg/kg/min and Group C were given 0.35 μg/kg/min. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the patients at each time point including the entry into the operation room (T0), at the beginning of surgery(T1), 10 min after surgery(T2), 20 min after surgery(T3), 30 min after surgery(T4),endoscopy withdrawal (T5) were recorded. Adverse events(including respiratory depression, body movement and hypoxemia),the dosage of ciprofol, the time of operation time and awakening were recorded.

Results

Compared with Group A, MAP and HR in Group B and Group C was decreased during T1-T5 (P < 0.05). Compared with group B, MAP and HR in group C was decreased during T1-T5 (P < 0.05). Compared with Group A and Group C,the number of adverse reactions of Group B was decreased(P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in surgical time among the three groups(P > 0.05),but a statistically significant difference in recovery time (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The adverse events of alfentanil 0.25μg/kg/min combined with ciprofol were low, and the anesthetic effect was the best.
Impact of body mass index on perioperative mortality of acute stanford type A aortic dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Song Wenyu , Liu Jiani , Tu Guowei , Pan Lulu , Hong Yixiang , Qin Lieyang , Wei Lai , Chen Jinmiao
Published: October 2023

Background

Obesity may increase perioperative mortality of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). However, the available evidence was limited. This study aimed to systematically review published literatures about body mass index (BMI) and perioperative mortality of ATAAD.

Methods

Electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. All observational studies that investigated BMI and perioperative mortality of ATAAD were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Meta-regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of different clinical variables on BMI and perioperative mortality of ATAAD. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the sources of heterogeneity. Egger’s linear regression method and funnel plot were used to determine the publication bias.

Results

A total of 12 studies with 5,522 patients were eligible and included in this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis showed that perioperative mortality of ATAAD increased by 22% for each 1 kg/m2increase in BMI (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.10–1.35). Univariable meta-regression analysis indicated that age and female gender significantly modified the association between BMI and perioperative mortality of ATAAD in a positive manner (meta-regression on age: coefficient = 0.04,P = 0.04; meta-regression on female gender: coefficient = 0.02,P = 0.03). Neither significant heterogeneity nor publication bias were found among included studies.

Conclusions

BMI is closely associated with perioperative mortality of ATAAD. Optimal perioperative management needs to be further explored and individualized for obese patient with ATAAD, especially in elderly and female populations.

Trial registration

PROSPERO (CRD42022358619).

Graphical Abstract

BMI and perioperative mortality of ATAAD.
Iron overload may be critical for liver dysfunction in anorexia nervosa, and the role of haematocrit-adjusted albumin in assessing nutritional status: a case report
Authors: Yoshida Tomohiko , Namiki Toshiki , Yamaga Masaya , Onishi Shunichiro , Takemoto Minoru
Published: October 2023

Background

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is frequently associated with liver dysfunction, but the precise mechanism remains undefined. Since the nutritional marker albumin has a low correlation with changes in body weight in AN, and patients with AN often have dehydration as a complication, we also examined whether haematocrit (HCT)-adjusted serum albumin could be a better nutritional marker in AN.

Case presentation

We describe a 15-year-old girl with severe weight loss and liver damage whose liver enzymes normalized after 1.5 months of hospitalization and weight gain. We found a significant correlation between body weight (BW) and HCT-adjusted serum albumin (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rs) = 0.66,P = 5.28 × 10−3) and between BW and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (rs= -0.825,P = 8.45 × 10−5). After division by HCT, correlations between serum albumin and ALT (rs= -0.835,P = 5.24 × 10−5) and between the iron-storage protein ferritin and the liver enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (rs= 1.0,P = 0.017) were also statistically significant.

Conclusion

These results suggest that improvement of the nutritional status in AN could relieve liver dysfunction and facilitate iron transport. Since a decrease in the iron-transport protein transferrin presumably increases labile non-transferrin-bound iron, resulting in excess reactive oxygen species production, a defect in iron transport due to malnutrition could be one of the causes of liver injury in AN. In addition, HCT-adjusted albumin could be a better marker than its raw data to assess changes in nutritional status in AN.
Femoral neck fracture after femoral head necrosis: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Xia Wenjie , Zhang Aiqi , Qiu Binsong , Chen Yuan , Kong Mingxiang
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Pathological fractures of the femoral neck caused by necrosis of the femoral head are extremely rare. Here, we report a rare case of bilateral femoral head osteonecrosis extending to the femoral neck, with bilateral pathological fractures of the femoral neck occurring within a short period of time.

Case report

A 65-year-old male with a 25-year history of daily consumption of 750 ml of liquor, presented with right hip pain after labor for 1 month. He subsequently sustained a right femoral neck fracture without trauma and underwent a right total hip arthroplasty. Two months later, he suffered a non-traumatic left femoral neck fracture and underwent a left total hip arthroplasty. Histopathological examination revealed osteonecrosis of the femoral head and neck, along with the presence of osteoclasts and granulomatous inflammation. Bone mineral density testing also showed osteoporosis. The bilateral femoral neck fractures were ruled out to be caused by any other pathological factors.

Discussion

This is the first report of pathological fractures of the bilateral femoral neck caused by femoral head necrosis. During the literature review process, we found that this case conforms to the histological characteristics of rapidly destructive hip disease and analyzed the etiology of femoral head necrosis and the pathogenesis of femoral neck fractures.
Factors associated with emergency admission for people dying from cancer in Northern Ireland: an observational data linkage study
Authors: Mitchell H. , Cairnduff V. , O’Hare S. , Simpson L. , White R. , Gavin AT
Published: October 2023

Background

Many people living with cancer are admitted as an emergency, some just prior to diagnosis and others in their last year of life. Factors associated with accessing emergency care for people dying of cancer are complex and not well understood. This can make it difficult to have the resources and staffing in place to best care for individuals in their last year of life and their families.

Methods

This study uses routinely collected administrative data from people who died of cancer in N. Ireland (NI) during 2015 and explores how personal characteristics (e.g., gender, age) and disease related factors (e.g., tumour site, cancer stage at initial diagnosis) were associated with having an emergency admission to hospital in the last year and the last 28 days of their lives, using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Almost three in four people had at least one emergency admission in the last year of life, and over one in three had an emergency admission the last 28 days of life. Patterns were similar for both time outcomes with males, people with haematological, lung or brain cancers, younger persons, those diagnosed with late-stage cancer, and people diagnosed close to time of death, being significantly more likely to have an emergency admission. While there was no significant association between deprivation and emergency admission rates, those living in urban areas were more likely to have an emergency admission in their last month of life compared to rural dwellers. Late diagnosis was evident with 538 people (12.8% of all deaths from cancer) being diagnosed within one month of death and 1242 (29%) within 3 months of death.

Conclusion

The high level of emergency admissions points to gaps in routine end-of-life care, and the need for additional training for hospital staff including frontline emergency department (ED) staff who are often the ‘gatekeepers’ to emergency inpatient care for people living with cancer. The levels of late diagnosis indicate a need for increased population awareness of cancer symptoms and system change to promote earlier diagnosis.
Biological and therapeutic implications of RKIP in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST): an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis
Authors: Campanella Nathália Cristina , Gomes Izabela Natalia Faria , Alves Ana Laura Vieira , Leal Leticia Ferro , Evangelista Adriane Feijó , Rosa Marcela Nunes , Melendez Matias Eliseo , Silva Viviane Aline Oliveira , Dias Richard Lucas Konichi , Abrahão-Machado Lucas Faria , Santana Iara , Martinho Olga , Guimarães Denise Peixoto , Faça Vitor Marcel , Reis Rui Manuel
Published: October 2023

Background

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) represent a significant clinical challenge due to their metastatic potential and limited treatment options. Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), a suppressor of the MAPK signaling pathway, is downregulated in various cancers and acts as a metastasis suppressor. Our previous studies demonstrated low RKIP expression in GIST and its association with poor outcomes. This study aimed to expand on the previous findings and investigate the biological and therapeutic implications of RKIP loss on GIST.

Methods

To validate the RKIP prognostic significance, its expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 142 bona fide GIST cases. The functional role of RKIP was evaluated in vitro, using the GIST-T1 cell line, which was knocked out for RKIP. The biological and therapeutic implications of RKIP were evaluated by invasion, migration, apoptosis, and 2D / 3D viability assays. Additionally, the transcriptome and proteome of RKIP knockout cells were determined by NanoString and mass spectrometry, respectively.

Results

Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the absence of RKIP in 25.3% of GIST cases, correlating with a tendency toward poor prognosis. Functional assays demonstrated that RKIP knockout increased GIST cells’ invasion and migration potential by nearly 60%. Moreover, we found that RKIP knockout cells exhibited reduced responsiveness to Imatinib treatment and higher cellular viability in 2D and 3D in vitro models, as assessed by apoptosis-related protein expression. Through comprehensive genetic and proteomic profiling of RKIP knockout cells, we identified several putative RKIP-regulated proteins in GIST, such as COL3A1.

Conclusions

Using a multidimensional integrative analysis, we identified, for the first time in GIST, molecules and pathways modulated by RKIP that may potentially drive metastasis and, consequently, poor prognosis in this disease.
PLGA nanoparticles engineering extracellular vesicles from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates polyethylene particles induced periprosthetic osteolysis
Authors: Xie Jie , Hu Yihe , Su Weiping , Chen Sijie , Wang Jiahao , Liang Shuailong , Chen Mingyu , Wang Haoyi , Ma Tianliang
Published: October 2023

The wear particle-induced dissolution of bone around implants is a significant pathological factor in aseptic loosening, and controlling prosthetic aseptic loosening holds crucial social significance. While human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (HucMSCs-Exos, Exos) have been found to effectively promote osteogenesis and angiogenesis, their role in periprosthetic osteolysis remains unexplored. To enhance their in vivo application, we engineered HucMSCs-Exos-encapsulated poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (PLGA-Exos). In our study, we demonstrate that PLGA-Exos stimulate osteogenic differentiation while inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent osteoclast differentiation in vitro. In vivo imaging revealed that PLGA-Exos released exosomes slowly and maintained a therapeutic concentration. Our in vivo experiments demonstrated that PLGA-Exos effectively suppressed osteolysis induced by polyethylene particles. These findings suggest that PLGA-Exos hold potential as a therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of periprosthetic osteolysis. Furthermore, they provide novel insights for the clinical management of osteolysis.
Insight into extracellular vesicles in vascular diseases: intercellular communication role and clinical application potential
Authors: Liu Wenxiu , Jin Meiqi , Chen Qiuyan , Li Qiaoyu , Xing Xiaoyan , Luo Yun , Sun Xiaobo
Published: October 2023

Background

Cells have been increasingly known to release extracellular vesicles (EVs) to the extracellular environment under physiological and pathological conditions. A plethora of studies have revealed that EVs contain cell-derived biomolecules and are found in circulation, thereby implicating them in molecular trafficking between cells. Furthermore, EVs have an effect on physiological function and disease development and serve as disease biomarkers.

Main body

Given the close association  between EV circulation and vascular disease, this review aims to provide a brief introduction to EVs, with a specific focus on the EV cargoes participating in pathological mechanisms, diagnosis, engineering, and clinical potential, to highlight the emerging evidence suggesting promising targets in vascular diseases. Despite the expansion of research in this field, some noticeable limitations remain for clinical translational research.

Conclusion

This review makes a novel contribution to a summary of recent advances and a perspective on the future of EVs in vascular diseases.