bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exosome Component 4 Promotes Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion via the Wnt Pathway
Authors: Xiong Chang , Sun Zhongfeng , Yu Jinjin , Lin Yaying
Published: December 2021

Background

Of gynecologic malignancies, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death, mainly due to the lack of sensitive tumor markers, which means it almost always presents at an advanced stage. Exosome Component 4 (EXOSC4) is involved in RNA degradation, but its role in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is unclear.

Methods

The expression levels of EXOSC4 in EOC and normal ovarian tissue specimens were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with EOC were evaluated after patients were classified into high and low EXOSC4 expression groups, and the Cox regression model was established to identify independent predictors of patient prognosis. The effects of EXOSC4 on proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion were examined in the SKOV-3 and HO8910 cell lines by lentivirus-mediated shRNA knockdown. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle changes. The mRNA levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, and c-myc were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expression levels of β-catenin, cyclin D1, CDK4, c-myc, vimentin, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin were assessed by western blot. Wnt/β-catenin activation was measured by TCF/LEF reporter assay.

Results

EXOSC4 was significantly elevated in EOC tissues and cell lines. High EXOSC4 expression was correlated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and pathological grade, and identified as an independent predictor of shorter OS and PFS. EXOSC4 knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion in EOC cell lines. Cells were arrested at G0/G1 phase after EXOSC4 knockdown. The mRNA levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, and c-myc were decreased. β-catenin, cyclin D1, CDK4, c-myc, vimentin, and N-cadherin protein expression levels were reduced, while those of E-cadherin was increased. Wnt/β-catenin activity was suppressed after the EXOSC4 knockdown.

Conclusions

EXOSC4 is involved in EOC. Knockdown of EXOSC4 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of EOC by suppressing the Wnt pathway. EXOSC4 is expected to be a novel biomarker and molecular target in EOC.
tDCS Task-Oriented Approach Improves Function in Individuals With Fibromyalgia Pain. A Pilot Study
Authors: Morin Marika , St-Gelais Raphaël , Ketounou Kossi Épiphane , d'Assomption Régis M.-L. , Ezzaidi Hassan , Fernandes Karen B. P. , da Silva Rubens A. , Ngomo Suzy
Published: December 2021

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex pain syndrome accompanied by physical disability and loss of daily life activities. Evidences suggest that modulation of the primary motor cortex (M1) by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improves functional physical capacity in chronic pain conditions. However, the gain on physical function in people living with FM receiving tDCS is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether the tDCS task-oriented approach improves function and reduces pain in a single cohort of 10 FM. A total of 10 women with FM (60.4 ± 15.37 years old) were enrolled in an intervention including anodal tDCS delivered on M1 (2 mA from a constant stimulator for 20 min); simultaneously they performed a functional task. The anode was placed on the contralateral hemisphere of the dominant hand. Outcome assessments were done before the stimulation, immediately after stimulation and 30 min after the end of tDCS. The same protocol was applied in subsequent sessions. A total of five consecutive days of tDCS were completed. The main outcomes were the number of repetitions achieved and time in active practice to evaluate functional physical task performance such as intensity of the pain (visual analog scale) and level of fatigue (Borg scale). After 5 days of tDCS, the number of repetitions achieved significantly increased by 49% (p = 0.012). No change was observed in active practice time. No increase in pain was observed despite the mobility of the painful parts of the body. These results are encouraging since an increase in pain due to the mobilization of painful body parts could have been observed at the end of the 5th day of the experiment. These results support the use of tDCS in task-based rehabilitation.
Pathological Mechanisms and Preventive Strategies of Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Egashira Nobuaki
Published: December 2021

Oxaliplatin, which is widely used in treating cancers such as colorectal cancer, frequently causes peripheral neuropathy. It not only significantly reduces the patient's quality of life due to physical distress but may also result in a change or discontinuation of cancer treatment. Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is classified as acute or chronic depending on the onset time of side effects; however, the prevention and treatment of OIPN has not been established. As these peripheral neuropathies are side effects that occur due to treatment, the administration of effective prophylaxis can effectively prevent their onset. Although transient relief of symptoms such as pain and numbness enable the continuation of cancer treatment, it may result in the worsening of peripheral neuropathy. Thus, understanding the pathological mechanisms of OIPN and finding better preventative measures are important. This review focuses on animal models to address these issues, clarifies the pathological mechanisms of OIPN, and summarizes various approaches to solving OIPN, including targets for preventing OIPN.
COVID-19: A New Horizon in Congenital Heart Diseases
Authors: Aghaei Moghadam Ehsan , Mohammadzadeh Shabnam , Sattarzadeh Badkoubeh Roya , Ghamari Azin , Rabbani Ali , Mohebbi Ali , Zeinaloo Aliakbar , Ashrafi Mahmoudreza , Kamran Niyoosha , Masoominasab Paniz , Mahmoudi Zahra , Zamani Mehryan Asma , Mirzaaghayan Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2021

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated that both children and adult patients with a history of congenital heart disease (CHD) are at high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This study investigates the status of COVID-19 infection among children undergoing surgical repair within the past 2 years.

Methods: All alive patients operated on in a tertiary referral center between March 2018 and March 2020 were recruited in the present study. Detailed demographics, past medical and surgical history, and physical examination were reviewed for each patient. During the COVID-19 pandemic, data regarding the patient's status were collected by telephone survey from April 15 to April 30, 2020.

Results: A total number of 210 patients are analyzed in this study. Participants' median age was 21.59 months [interquartile range (IQR) = 12–54.67], and 125 (59.5%) were female. The median interval between surgery and COVID-19 assessment was 305 days (IQR = 215–400). In addition, 67 (32%) patients used angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)/angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (spironolactone and/or captopril). Sixteen patients (7.6%) were symptomatic and had positive chest CT results and/or RT-PCR compared to the previously reported prevalence of COVID-19 among the pediatric population (2.4% of children with <18 years of age); the prevalence of COVID-19 among the patients operated on due to CHD in the present study was significantly higher (p = 0.00012). Two patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU); one patient was discharged 2 weeks later with acceptable status, and one patient died 2 days after ICU admission due to cardiac and respiratory arrest and myocarditis. The complexity of the underlying cardiac disorders was not different between patients with low risk (p = 0.522), suspicious patients (p = 0.920), and patients positive for COVID-19 (p = 0.234). The ARB/ACE inhibitor consumption was not associated with the COVID-19 infection [p = 0.527, crude odds ratio (OR) = 1.407, 95% CI = 0.489–4.052].

Conclusion: Children with a history of previous CHD surgery are more susceptible to infections, especially those infections with pulmonary involvements, as the lung involvement could cause worsening of the patient's condition by aggravating pulmonary hypertension. The results of the current study indicate that these patients are more prone to COVID-19 infection compared to the healthy children population.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Routinely Available Biomarkers to Predict Bacteremia in Children With Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Secondary Analysis of the GPIP/ACTIV Pneumonia Study in France, 2009–2018
Authors: Dudognon Danaé , Levy Corinne , Chalumeau Martin , Biscardi Sandra , Dommergues Marie-Aliette , Dubos François , Levieux Karine , Aurel Marie , Minodier Philippe , Zenkhri Ferielle , Mezgueldi Ellia , Craiu Irina , Morin Laurence , Béchet Stéphane , Varon Emmanuelle , Cohen Robert , Cohen Jérémie F. ,   The Pneumonia Study Group
Published: December 2021

Objective(s): Blood cultures (BC), when performed in children seen in the emergency department with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), are most of the time sterile. We described the diagnostic accuracy of white blood cells (WBC), absolute neutrophils count (ANC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) to predict blood culture (BC) result in childhood CAP.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of a prospective study carried out in eight pediatric emergency departments (France, 2009–2018), including children (≤15 years) with CAP. Analyses involved univariate comparisons and ROC curves.

Results: We included 13,752 children with CAP. BC was positive in 137 (3.6%) of the 3,829 children (mean age 3.7 years) in whom it was performed, mostly with Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 107). In children with bacteremia, ANC, CRP and PCT levels were higher (median 12,256 vs. 9,251/mm3, 223 vs. 72 mg/L and 8.6 vs. 1.0 ng/mL, respectively; p ≤ 0.002), but WBC levels were not. The area under the ROC curve of PCT (0.73 [95%CI 0.64–0.82]) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) than that of WBC (0.51 [0.43–0.60]) and of ANC (0.55 [0.46–0.64]), but not than that of CRP (0.66 [0.56–0.76]; p = 0.21). CRP and PCT thresholds that provided a sensitivity of at least 90% were 30 mg/L and 0.25 ng/mL, respectively, for a specificity of 25.4 and 23.4%, respectively. CRP and PCT thresholds that provided a specificity of at least 90% were 300 mg/L and 20 ng/mL, respectively, for a sensitivity of 31.3 and 28.9%, respectively.

Conclusions: PCT and CRP are the best routinely available predictive biomarkers of bacteremia in childhood CAP.
Case Report: Massive Intestinal Pneumatosis and Pneumoretroperitoneum Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in a 2-Year-Old Child
Authors: Contini Giorgia , Bertocchini Arianna , Carta Roberto , Merli Pietro , Inserra Alessandro , Bagolan Pietro , Morini Francesco
Published: December 2021

A 2-year-old boy with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) developed intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), associated with massive intestinal pneumatosis (IP), pneumoretroperitoneum (PRP), and pneumomediastinum. His fair clinical conditions allowed conservative management, with progressive normalization of imaging findings. The patient did not require surgery and is alive and in good clinical conditions at follow-up. In children with GVHD-related IP but good clinical conditions and no signs of peritonitis, IP is not a mandatory indication for surgery, despite its potentially striking imaging features. Conservative management, with intestinal rest, decompression, and antibiotics, often allows regression of the clinical picture.
Inhibition of the Nav1.7 Channel in the Trigeminal Ganglion Relieves Pulpitis Inflammatory Pain
Authors: Kwon Minjee , Jung Il Young , Cha Myeounghoon , Lee Bae Hwan
Published: December 2021

Pulpitis causes significant changes in the peripheral nervous system, which induce hyperalgesia. However, the relationship between neuronal activity and Nav1.7 expression following pulpal noxious pain has not yet been investigated in the trigeminal ganglion (TG). The aim of our study was to verify whether experimentally induced pulpitis activates the expression of Nav1.7 peripherally and the neuronal activities of the TGs can be affected by Nav1.7 channel inhibition. Acute pulpitis was induced through allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) application to the rat maxillary molar tooth pulp. Three days after AITC application, abnormal pain behaviors were recorded, and the rats were euthanized to allow for immunohistochemical, optical imaging, and western blot analyses of the Nav1.7 expression in the TG. A significant increase in AITC-induced pain-like behaviors and histological evidence of pulpitis were observed. In addition, histological and western blot data showed that Nav1.7 expressions in the TGs were significantly higher in the AITC group than in the naive and saline group rats. Optical imaging showed that the AITC group showed higher neuronal activity after electrical stimulation of the TGs. Additionally, treatment of ProTxII, selective Nav1.7 blocker, on to the TGs in the AITC group effectively suppressed the hyperpolarized activity after electrical stimulation. These findings indicate that the inhibition of the Nav1.7 channel could modulate nociceptive signal processing in the TG following pulp inflammation.
Polarization-Singular Approach to Imaging Mueller-Matrix Polarimetry in the Differential Diagnosis of Histological Sections of Biopsy of Tumors of the Uterus and Prostate
Authors: Dubolazov A. , Ushenko V. , Trifonyuk L. , Stashkevich A. , Soltys I. , Ushenko Y. , Tomka Y. , Ushenko A. , Gantyuk V. , Gorodensky P.
Published: December 2021

The possibilities of the diagnostic use of the singular approach of the distributions of the number of characteristic values of the MMI is effective for differentiating the polarization properties of histological biopsy sections of benign and malignant tumours of the uterus and prostate. Within the framework of evidence-based medicine, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the azimuthal-invariant express (∼15 min) method of Mueller-matrix mapping of polarization-singular states in the differential diagnosis of uterine myoma and adenocarcinoma, as well as adenocarcinoma of the prostate with varying degrees of differentiation have been determined.
Approach Direction Prior to Landing Explains Patterns of Colour Learning in Bees
Authors: Langridge Keri V. , Wilke Claudia , Riabinina Olena , Vorobyev Misha , Hempel de Ibarra Natalie
Published: December 2021

Gaze direction is closely coupled with body movement in insects and other animals. If movement patterns interfere with the acquisition of visual information, insects can actively adjust them to seek relevant cues. Alternatively, where multiple visual cues are available, an insect’s movements may influence how it perceives a scene. We show that the way a foraging bumblebee approaches a floral pattern could determine what it learns about the pattern. When trained to vertical bicoloured patterns, bumblebees consistently approached from below centre in order to land in the centre of the target where the reward was located. In subsequent tests, the bees preferred the colour of the lower half of the pattern that they predominantly faced during the approach and landing sequence. A predicted change of learning outcomes occurred when the contrast line was moved up or down off-centre: learned preferences again reflected relative frontal exposure to each colour during the approach, independent of the overall ratio of colours. This mechanism may underpin learning strategies in both simple and complex visual discriminations, highlighting that morphology and action patterns determines how animals solve sensory learning tasks. The deterministic effect of movement on visual learning may have substantially influenced the evolution of floral signals, particularly where plants depend on fine-scaled movements of pollinators on flowers.
Integrated Physiological, Biomechanical, and Subjective Responses for the Selection of Assistive Level in Pedelec Cycling
Authors: Yang Sheng-Chieh , Lee Yun-Ju
Published: December 2021

In recent decade, pedelec has become one of the most popular transportation modes due to its effectiveness in reducing physical effort. The effects of using pedelec as an alternative mode of exercise were explored in previous studies. However, the effects of pedelec parameters were not quantified for the self-selected gear ratio, random riding speed, and varied road slopes, which restricted its application. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of gear ratio and assistive torque and to determine the optimum riding condition regarding physiological, biomechanical, and subjective responses of the rider. The riding tests consisted of simulated slope (1.0 vs. 2.5% grade), gear ratio (light vs. heavy), and assistive levels (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2), and the tests were conducted in a randomized order. A total of 19 non-athletes completed the riding tests to evaluate physiological [metabolic equivalent of task (MET), heart rate, and gross efficiency (GE)], biomechanical [muscle activity (expressed as reference voluntary contraction, RVC) and power output], and subjective responses [rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and sense of comfort (SC)]. The test conditions induced moderate to vigorous intensities (3.7–7.4 METs, 58.5–80.3% of maximal heart rate, 11.1–29.5% of RVC rectus femoris activity, and 9.4–14.2 RPEs). The effects of gear ratio and assistive level on the physiological responses were significant. Riding with the heavy gear ratio showed advantages in METs and GE. For the optimum assistive level selection, low GE and limited improvement in subjective responses suggested the impact of low-power output conditions. Overall, for the health pedelec commuters, riding with 0.75 W/kg power output with 50 rpm cadence is recommended to obtain the moderate intensity (4.7 METs) and the advantages in GE and subjective feelings. Moreover, the findings can be applied to exercise intensity control and save battery energy effectively in varying riding conditions.
Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Integration of Early Response of Populus tomentosa to Reduced Nitrogen Availability
Authors: Chen Min , Yin Yiyi , Zhang Lichun , Yang Xiaoqian , Fu Tiantian , Huo Xiaowei , Wang Yanwei
Published: December 2021

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most crucial elements for plant growth and development. However, little is known about the metabolic regulation of trees under conditions of N deficiency. In this investigation, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine global changes in metabolites and regulatory pathways in Populus tomentosa. Thirty metabolites were found to be changed significantly under conditions of low-N stress. N deficiency resulted in increased levels of carbohydrates and decreases in amino acids and some alcohols, as well as some secondary metabolites. Furthermore, an RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis was performed to characterize the transcriptomic profiles, and 1,662 differentially expressed genes were identified in P. tomentosa. Intriguingly, four pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism were enriched. Genes involved in the gibberellic acid and indole-3-acetic acid pathways were found to be responsive to low-N stress, and the contents of hormones were then validated by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Coordinated metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis revealed a pattern of co-expression of five pairs of metabolites and unigenes. Overall, our investigation showed that metabolism directly related to N deficiency was depressed, while some components of energy metabolism were increased. These observations provided insights into the metabolic and molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions of N and carbon in poplar.
Novel QTL and Meta-QTL Mapping for Major Quality Traits in Soybean
Authors: Chen Heng , Pan Xiangwen , Wang Feifei , Liu Changkai , Wang Xue , Li Yansheng , Zhang Qiuying
Published: December 2021

Isoflavone, protein, and oil are the most important quality traits in soybean. Since these phenotypes are typically quantitative traits, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping has been an efficient way to clarify their complex and unclear genetic background. However, the low-density genetic map and the absence of QTL integration limited the accurate and efficient QTL mapping in previous researches. This paper adopted a recombinant inbred lines (RIL) population derived from ‘Zhongdou27’and ‘Hefeng25’ and a high-density linkage map based on whole-genome resequencing to map novel QTL and used meta-analysis methods to integrate the stable and consentaneous QTL. The candidate genes were obtained from gene functional annotation and expression analysis based on the public database. A total of 41 QTL with a high logarithm of odd (LOD) scores were identified through composite interval mapping (CIM), including 38 novel QTL and 2 Stable QTL. A total of 660 candidate genes were predicted according to the results of the gene annotation and public transcriptome data. A total of 212 meta-QTL containing 122 stable and consentaneous QTL were mapped based on 1,034 QTL collected from previous studies. For the first time, 70 meta-QTL associated with isoflavones were mapped in this study. Meanwhile, 69 and 73 meta-QTL, respectively, related to oil and protein were obtained as well. The results promote the understanding of the biosynthesis and regulation of isoflavones, protein, and oil at molecular levels, and facilitate the construction of molecular modular for great quality traits in soybean.
The Multipartite Mitochondrial Genome of Marama (Tylosema esculentum)
Authors: Li Jin , Cullis Christopher
Published: December 2021

Tylosema esculentum (marama bean), a wild legume from tropical Africa, has long been considered as a potential crop for local farmers due to its rich nutritional value. Genomics research of marama is indispensable for the domestication and varietal improvement of the bean. The chloroplast genome of marama has been sequenced and assembled previously using a hybrid approach based on both Illumina and PacBio data. In this study, a similar method was used to assemble the mitochondrial genome of marama. The mitochondrial genome of the experimental individual has been confirmed to have two large circles OK638188 and OK638189, which do not recombine according to the data. However, they may be able to restructure into five smaller circles through recombination on the 4 pairs of long repeats (>1 kb). The total length of marama mitogenome is 399,572 bp. A 9,798 bp DNA fragment has been found that is homologous to the chloroplast genome of marama, accounting for 2.5% of the mitogenome. In the Fabaceae family, the mitogenome of Millettia pinnata is highly similar to marama, including for both the genes present and the total size. Some genes including cox2, rpl10, rps1, and sdh4 have been lost during the evolution of angiosperms and are absent in the mitogenomes of some legumes. However, these remain intact and functional in marama. Another set of genes, rpl2, rps2, rps7, rps11, rps13, and rps19 are either absent, or present as pseudogenes, in the mitogenome of marama.
Song Transmission as a Formal Cultural Practice
Authors: Stadler Elmer Stefanie
Published: December 2021

From a biological point of view, the singing of songs is based on the human vocal learning capacity. It is universally widespread in all cultures. The transmission of songs is an elementary cultural practice, by which members of the older generations introduce both musico-linguistic rules and affect-regulative means to the younger ones. Traditionally, informal singing in familiar settings primarily subserves affect-regulation goals, whereas formal song transmission is embedded in various normative claims and interests, such as preserving cultural heritage and representing collective and national identity. Songs are vocal acts and abstract models that are densely structured and conform to cultural rules. Songs mirror each generations’ wishes, desires, values, hopes, humor, and stories and rest on unfathomable traditions of our cultural and human history. Framed in the emerging scientific field of didactics, I argue that research on formal song transmission needs to make explicit the norms and rules that govern the relationships between song, teacher, and pupils. I investigate these three didactic components, first, by conceptualizing song as rule-governed in terms of a grammar, with songs for children representing the most elementary musico-linguistic genre. The Children’s Song Grammar presented here is based on syllables as elements and on syntactic rules concerning timing, tonality, and poetic language. It makes it possible to examine and evaluate songs in terms of correctness and well-formedness. Second, the pupils’ learning of a target song is exemplified by an acoustical micro-genetic study that shows how vocalization is gradually adapted to the song model. Third, I address the teachers’ role in song transmission with normative accounts and provide exemplary insights into how we study song teaching empirically. With each new song, a teacher teaches the musico-linguistic rules that constitute the respective genre and conveys related cultural feelings. Formal teaching includes self-evaluation and judgments with respect to educational duties and aesthetic norms. This study of the three-fold didactic process shows song transmission as experiencing shared rule-following that induces feelings of well-formedness. I argue that making the inherent normativity of this process more explicit – here systematically at a descriptive and conceptual level – enhances the scientificity of this research domain.
The Effectiveness of Technology-Based Interventions for Reducing Loneliness in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Jin Wenjing , Liu Yihong , Yuan Shulin , Bai Ruhai , Li Xuebin , Bai Zhenggang
Published: December 2021

Objective: To systematically analyze the effectiveness of technology-based interventions for reducing loneliness in older adults.

Methods: We searched relevant electronic databases from inception to April 2021, which included Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, SpringerLink, EMBASE, CNKI, and Wanfang. The following criteria were used: (i) study design—randomized controlled trial (RCT) designs, (ii) people—older adults (aged ≥ 60 years), (iii) intervention—technology-based interventions in which a core component involved the use of technology to reduce loneliness in older adults; and (iv) outcome—reduction of loneliness level in terms of rating scale scores. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. A third reviewer resolved any conflicts. The Cochrane Collaboration's bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias for the included studies, and Review Manager 5.4 software was used for the meta-analysis. A random effects model was adopted to measure estimates of loneliness reduction, and standard mean differences (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each intervention-control contrast, and the I2 statistic was applied to examine heterogeneity.

Results: A total of 391 participants from six RCTs were included in the review. Of these, three studies were rated as low-quality, and the remaining three were rated as moderate-quality studies. The meta-analysis showed that the evidence regarding the effects on loneliness of technology-based interventions compared with control groups was uncertain, and suggested that technology-based interventions resulted in little to no difference in loneliness reduction compared to control groups (SMD = −0.08, 95% CI −0.33 to 0.17, p = 0.53). Two types of technology-based interventions were identified: smartphone-based video calls and computer-based training with Internet usage. The subgroup analysis found low-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of both intervention types (SMD = −0.01, 95% CI −0.25 to 0.24, p = 0.95, and SMD = −0.38, 95% CI −0.19, 0.64, p = 0.47, respectively).

Conclusions: We found no current evidence to support that technology-based interventions were effective compared to different control conditions in reducing loneliness in older adults. This suggests that more research is needed to investigate the effects of technology-based interventions on loneliness in older adults.
Cognitive and Affective-Motivational Factors as Predictors of Students’ Home Learning During the School Lockdown
Authors: Lockl Kathrin , Attig Manja , Nusser Lena , Wolter Ilka
Published: December 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, students were facing great challenges. Learning was shifted from the classroom to the home of the students. This implied that students had to complete their tasks in a more autonomous way than during regular lessons. As students’ ability to handle such challenges might depend on certain cognitive and motivational prerequisites as well as individual learning conditions, the present study investigates students’ cognitive competencies as well as affective-motivational factors as possible predictors of coping with this new learning situation at home. The study uses data of Starting Cohort 2 of the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS). Data of two measurement points are analyzed: Predictors were assessed at the earlier time point, when students (N=1,452; Mage=12years, 8months; 53.4% female) mostly attended seventh grade of a secondary school. They completed competence tests in reading as well as mathematics and rated affective-motivational aspects in terms of willingness to exert effort, learning enjoyment, and intrinsic motivation. One and a half years later − during the COVID-19 pandemic and the first period of school closures − the second measurement point took place. Students’ parents rated the situation of learning at home with respect to students’ coping with the new situation and parents’ difficulties to motivate them. Regression analyses controlling for school track, students’ gender, and parents’ educational level and parental stress revealed that students’ reading competencies and their willingness to exert effort were significant predictors of their coping with the new learning situation at home. Moreover, parents reported that boys were more difficult to motivate to learn during this time as compared to girls. Other predictors (e.g., learning enjoyment) turned out to be non-significant when entered simultaneously in the regression analyses. The results point to the importance of children’s prerequisites for autonomous learning situations without structuring elements by teachers within the school context.
Development of a Social Communication Questionnaire (QSC-ID) for People With Intellectual Disability in a Deaf Sample: A Pilot and Feasibility Study
Authors: Weber Chantal , Weber Christoph , Fellinger Johannes , Holzinger Daniel
Published: December 2021

Background: Social communication (SC) includes the use and interpretation of verbal and non-verbal messages within a social context and thus requires more than knowledge of language. Social communication skills are essential for connecting and engaging with others, and SC deficits are often associated with emotional and behavioral problems. There is a lack of feasible instruments for assessing SC skills in individuals with intellectual disability (ID).

Methods: A questionnaire on social communication in adults with ID (QSC-ID) comprising 20 Likert-scaled items was developed and completed on behalf of participants (n = 52) from three Austrian therapeutic living communities for people with ID and deafness by their living- and working-facility key caregivers. The sample of adults with hearing loss was considered ideal for the development of a measure of SC that is not restricted to a specific communication mode or overly related with language skills.

Results: The preliminary results showed high construct validity. Correlations were high between SC and language, social skills, and severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), moderate between SC and adaptive skills, and non-verbal intelligence and, as expected, low between SC and motor skills. Interrater reliability was found to be good or at least acceptable for all items. Total raw scores were well-distributed over the whole range—Cut-offs based on the 10th and 20th percentile are suggested to identify atypical and borderline SC skills. Caregiver feedback and completeness of data suggest that the questionnaire is highly feasible.

Conclusion: Questionnaire on social communication in adults with ID is an easy-to-use caregiver-reported questionnaire for use with individuals with mild to severe forms of ID. Initial testing of validity looks promising. Further validation in populations with typical hearing is required. Due to substantial correlations between SC and structural language skills the calculation of specific SC cut-offs for different levels of linguistic skills should be considered when sufficient data is available.
How Is the History of Early Traumatic Exposure Associated With the Psychopathological Outcomes of COVID-19 Related Lockdown and Subsequent Re-opening in People With Eating Disorders?
Authors: Cascino Giammarco , Marciello Francesca , Abbate-Daga Giovanni , Balestrieri Matteo , Bertelli Sara , Carpiniello Bernardo , Corrivetti Giulio , Favaro Angela , Renna Caterina , Ricca Valdo , Salvo Pierandrea , Segura-Garcia Cristina , Todisco Patrizia , Volpe Umberto , Zeppegno Patrizia , Monteleone Palmiero , Monteleone Alessio Maria
Published: December 2021

The negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on people with Eating Disorders (EDs) has been documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a history of traumatic experiences during childhood or adolescence was associated with a higher degree of psychopathological worsening during COVID-19 related lockdown and in the following re-opening period in this group of people. People with EDs undergoing a specialist ED treatment in different Italian services before the spreading of COVID-19 pandemic (n = 312) filled in an online survey to retrospectively evaluate ED specific and general psychopathology changes after COVID-19 quarantine. Based on the presence of self-reported traumatic experiences, the participants were split into three groups: patients with EDs and no traumatic experiences, patients with EDs and childhood traumatic experiences, patients with EDs and adolescent traumatic experiences. Both people with or without early traumatic experiences reported retrospectively a worsening of general and ED-specific psychopathology during the COVID 19-induced lockdown and in the following re-opening period. Compared to ED participants without early traumatic experiences, those with a self-reported history of early traumatic experiences reported heightened anxious and post-traumatic stress symptoms, ineffectiveness, body dissatisfaction, and purging behaviors. These differences were seen before COVID-19 related restrictions as well as during the lockdown period and after the easing of COVID-19 related restrictions. In line with the “maltreated ecophenotype” theory, these results may suggest a clinical vulnerability of maltreated people with EDs leading to a greater severity in both general and ED-specific symptomatology experienced during the exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Explaining Chinese Reactions to COVID-19 During the Outbreak: A Systematic Illustration
Authors: Yuan Meng
Published: December 2021

Objective: This research attempts to explore systematically factors that influence public reactions during COVID-19 pandemic, including different measures of risk perceptions, public trust in different levels of governments, and attention to news.

Methods: This research uses a national stratified random sample of Chinese population and multiple linear regressions to explore the potential predictors of public reactions to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Results: This research found that the effects of attentions to news, provincial experience, trust in government, demographics, and political cultures on risk perceptions depend on measures of risk perceptions, risk judgments vs. cognitive vs. affective risk perceptions. Moreover, the effect of culture on trust in government is consistent across different levels of government, trust in local, provincial, and central governments; living in the epicenter of COVID-19 in China decreases trust in local/provincial government but not trust in central government; public attention to news can bring both positive (trust in government) and negative (negative affect) outcomes. Finally, it confirmed positive associations among risk perception, subjective knowledge, and attention to news.

Conclusion: The findings suggest challenges for risk communication.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Risky Behaviors and Health Changes in African-American Smokers Who Are Eligible for LDCT Screening
Authors: Tseng Tung-Sung , Li Mirandy , Kao Yu-Hsiang , Chen Lei-Shih , Lin Hui-Yi
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted much of day-to-day life in the US and around the world. Smokers have a higher risk of adverse outcomes due to COVID-19. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on risky behaviors and health changes in lower income African-American smokers eligible for Low dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening, who may be more adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 22 African-American daily smokers who were eligible for LDCT screening participated in this study. The mean age of participants was 61.2 years old (SD = 4.7), 77.3% of the smokers were female, all participants had an income below $20,000, and 63.6% were on Medicaid. Descriptive statistics were used to provide summary information on demographics, COVID-19, and health status. Results showed that participants increased cigarette smoking, spent more time on screens, increased sugary drink consumption, consumed more vegetables and fruits, and engaged in more gardening activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, participants also decreased physical activity time and slept less during the pandemic. In general, more than one-third of participants gained more body weight and reported increased stress and anxiety. Our results suggest that African-American smokers who qualify for LDCT screening should be encouraged to consider strategies not only for smoking cessation, but also risky behavior control and management.
Value-Added Products From Soil, Brown Coal, and Composted City Solid Waste
Authors: Eswaran S. V.
Published: December 2021

This review article highlights alternative innovative uses of soil, brown coal, and composted solid city waste. The latter leads to environmental pollution, which can be addressed by using these materials to generate value-added products. Humic substances present there can be isolated in large amounts and used in diverse fields like sustainable agriculture, horticulture, biomedicine, and materials science. These have been shown to be non-toxic and safe for humans and serve as growth promotants for plants and to cure stomach ailments. The recent discovery of their antiviral/anti-HIV-AIDS activity is described here in some detail. The use of humic substances for making dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and for preparing a catalyst for reduction and for oxidation processes is also highlighted. Such innovative uses of humic substances can lead to environmental cleaning and positively impact climate change.
A Simple Predictive Index of the Abdominal Shape for Postoperative Complications After Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Tao Wei , Cheng Yu-Xi , Liu Xiao-Yu , Zhang Bin , Yuan Chao , Peng Dong , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of abdominal shape on the short-term surgical outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective study that included 425 patients undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy plus D2 lymph node dissection (LADG) from January 2013 to January 2021. The abdominal parameters, including the shortest distance of the pancreas from the anterior abdominal skin (PAAD), the lower sternum angle (LSA), the thickness of the subcutaneous fat at the navel level (SFT), the anteroposterior diameters (APD) and the left-right diameters (LRD) at the navel level, the distance from the xiphoid process to the navel (XND) and the distance from the xiphoid process to the pubis (XBD), were calculated by preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) imaging. The parameters and short-term surgical outcomes were analyzed.

Results: In males, the number of retrieved lymph nodes was significantly higher in patients with a lower APD group (p = 0.031). The operation time was significantly shorter in the lower body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.007), lower LSA (p = 0.035), lower PAAD (p = 0.000), lower SFT (p = 0.004), lower APD (p = 0.000) and lower LRD (p = 0.014) groups. The estimated blood loss was significantly less in the lower BMI (p = 0.035), lower LSA (p = 0.001), lower PAAD (p = 0.012), lower SFT (p = 0.003), lower APD (p = 0.000) and lower LRD (p = 0.005) groups. The complications were fewer in the lower LSA (p = 0.012), lower APD (p = 0.043) and lower LRD (p = 0.023) groups. In females, the postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the lower PAAD (p = 0.027) and lower SFT (p = 0.004) groups, and the lower SFT group had fewer complications (p = 0.020). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, higher PAAD (p = 0.037, odds ratio = 1.030, 95% CI = 1.002–1.059) was an independent factor for predicting postoperative complications in males.

Conclusion: Various abdominal shapes can affect the difficulty of LADG. Higher PAAD is a simple independent index for predicting postoperative complications in males.
Case Report: Spontaneous Appendicitis With Suspected Involvement of Klebsiella variicola in Two Pet Rabbits
Authors: Jekl Vladimir , Piskovska Anna , Drnkova Ivana , Skoric Misa , Hauptman Karel , Chloupek Jan
Published: December 2021

Although laboratory rabbits are commonly used as models of appendicitis in man, spontaneous appendicitis was only described ante-mortem in one pet rabbit with an acute abdomen. The aim of this article is to describe two spontaneous cases of appendicitis in pet rabbits, to describe therapeutic appendectomy, and to discuss the microbial flora of the inflamed appendix. A 5-month-old intact female and a 16-month-old, neutered male were presented to the veterinary clinic with restlessness, anorexia, and reduced faecal output. The main clinical findings were restlessness, severe discomfort on abdominal palpation, a mid-abdominal palpable tubulous mass and an elevated rectal temperature. Blood analyses showed lymphocytosis, monocytosis, and hyperglycaemia. Radiography was inconclusive. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a presence of a tubular structure with wall thicknesses of 4.2 and 3.7 mm in the two rabbits, respectively. The tubular structure had a rounded, closed end, and a multilayered wall, suggestive of appendicitis. Due to metabolic acidosis and poor prognosis, the first rabbit was euthanized. In the 16-month-old rabbit, appendectomy was performed. Recovery was uneventful, and 4 h after surgery, the rabbit started to become normally active. Postoperative care consisted of fluid therapy, multimodal analgesia, supportive care and prokinetics. Follow-up examinations at 10 days, 1 month, and at 11 months after the surgery did not show any abnormal clinical or laboratory findings. Histopathological examination of appendices from both rabbits showed gangrenous appendicitis. Aerobic cultivation showed the presence of pure culture of Klebsiella variicola sensitive to enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, tetracycline, cefuroxime, trimethoprim sulphonamide, neomycin, and gentamicin. Restlessness associated with anorexia, abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass, hyperglycaemia, lymphocytosis, and elevated rectal temperature may be indicative of inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal ultrasound is recommended in rabbits with showing these clinical signs because radiography can be inconclusive. Appendicitis is a life-threatening condition, which should be included into the list of differential diagnoses; for the rabbit, an acute abdomen and gastrointestinal stasis syndrome and must be treated immediately. K. variicola may be associated with appendicitis in rabbits as a causative agent or in association with appendix intraluminal dysmicrobia.
Comparative Analysis of Fecal Bacterial Microbiota of Six Bird Species
Authors: Gao Li , Liu Li , Du Chao , Hou Qiangchuan
Published: December 2021

The gut microbiota contributes to host health by maintaining homeostasis and improving digestive efficiency. Therefore, identifying gut microbes will shed light on the annual life cycle of animals and in particular those that are threatened or endangered. Nonetheless, the gut microbial composition of the majority of bird species is still unknown. Here, for the first time, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to characterize and compare the community composition and diversity of gut microbiotas from six species of birds raised at the Wildlife Conservation Center in Baotou, China: relict gull (Larus relictus;n= 3), muscovy duck (Cairina moschata;n= 3), ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea;n= 3), demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo;n= 4), whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus;n= 3), and black swan (Cygnus atratus;n= 5). A total of 26,616 operational taxonomic units from 21 samples were classified into 32 phyla and 507 genera. Chao1, Shannon diversity, observed species, and Simpson index analysis revealed differences in the community richness and diversity between the different species. Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterial phylum in whooper swan and relict gull, whereas Firmicutes was the dominant bacterial phylum in the other species. At the genus level, 11 dominant genera were detected (Lactobacillus, Psychrobacter, Enterococcus, Carnobacterium, Weissella, Burkholderia, Escherichia/Shigella, Leuconostoc, Buttiauxella, Desemzia, andStaphylococcus). Principal component and cluster analyses revealed that, while the microbial community composition of different individuals of the same species clustered together, the gut microbial composition varied between the bird species. Furthermore, the most abundant bacterial species differed between bird species. Because many avian gut microbes are derived from the diet, the eating habits and natural living environment of birds may be important contributing factors to the observed differences. Short-term changes to the diet and living environment have little effect on the composition of the avian gut microbiota. This study provides a theoretical basis for bird protection, including disease prevention and control.