bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sulphide donors affect the expression of mucin and sulphide detoxification genes in the mucosal organs of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Alipio Hanna Ross D. , Albaladejo-Riad Nora , Lazado Carlo C.
Published: December 2022

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a gas that affects mucosal functions in mammals. However, its detrimental effects are less understood in fish despite being known to cause mass mortality. Here we used explant models to demonstrate the transcriptional responses of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) mucosa to the sulphide donor sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS). The study focused on two groups of genes: those encoding for sulphide detoxification and those for mucins. Moreover, we performed pharmacological studies by exposing the organ explants to mucus-interfering compounds and consequently exposed them to a sulphide donor. Exposure to NaHS significantly affected the expression of sulphide:quinone oxidoreductase (sqor1, sqor2) and mucin-encoding genes (muc5ac, muc5b). The general profile indicated that NaHS upregulated the expression of sulphide detoxification genes while a significant downregulation was observed with mucins. These expression profiles were seen in both organ explant models. Pharmacological stimulation and inhibition of mucus production used acetylcholine (ACh) and niflumic acid (NFA), respectively. This led to a significant regulation of the two groups of marker genes in the gills and olfactory rosette explants. Treatment of the mucosal organ explants with the mucus-interfering compounds showed that low dose NFA triggered more substantial changes while a dose-dependent response could not be established with ACh. Pharmacological interference demonstrated that mucins played a crucial role in mucosal protection against H2S toxicity. These results offer insights into how a sulphide donor interfered with mucosal responses of Atlantic salmon and are expected to contribute to our understanding of the least explored H2S-fish interactions—particularly at the mucosa.
Combinatorial transient gene expression strategies to enhance terpenoid production in plants
Authors: Park Soyoung , Mani Vimalraj , Kim Jin A. , Lee Soo In , Lee Kijong
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The monoterpenoid linalool and sesquiterpenoid costunolide are ubiquitous plant components that have been economically exploited for their respective essential oils and pharmaceutical benefits. In general, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are produced by the plastid 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) and cytosolic mevalonate (MVA) pathways, respectively. Herein, we investigated the individual and combinatorial potential of MEP and MVA pathway genes in increasing linalool and costunolide production in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Methods

First, six genes from the MEP (1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase, geranyl pyrophosphate synthase, and linalool synthase) and MVA (acetoacetyl-CoA-thiolase, hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, germacrene A synthase, germacrene A oxidase, and costunolide synthase) pathways were separately cloned into the modular cloning (MoClo) golden gateway cassette. Second, the cassettes were transformed individually or in combination into the leaves of N. benthamiana by agroinfiltration.

Results and discussion

Five days post infiltration (DPI), all selected genes were transiently 5- to 94-fold overexpressed. Quantification using gas chromatography-Q-orbitrap-mass spectrometry (GC-Q-Orbitrap-MS) determined that the individual and combinatorial expression of MEP genes increased linalool production up to 50–90ng.mg-1 fresh leaf weight. Likewise, MVA genes increased costunolide production up to 70–90ng.mg-1 fresh leaf weight. Our findings highlight that the transient expression of MEP and MVA pathway genes (individually or in combination) enhances linalool and costunolide production in plants.
Adapting to the projected epidemics of Fusarium head blight of wheat in Korea under climate change scenarios
Authors: Jung Jin-Yong , Kim Jin-Hee , Baek Minju , Cho Chuloh , Cho Jaepil , Kim Junhwan , Pavan Willingthon , Kim Kwang-Hyung
Published: December 2022

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat, mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, is an emerging threat to wheat production in Korea under a changing climate. The disease occurrence and accumulation of associated trichothecene mycotoxins in wheat kernels strongly coincide with warm and wet environments during flowering. Recently, the International Panel for Climate Change released the 6th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) climate change scenarios with shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). In this study, we adopted GIBSIM, an existing mechanistic model developed in Brazil to estimate the risk infection index of wheat FHB, to simulate the potential FHB epidemics in Korea using the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios of CMIP6. The GIBSIM model simulates FHB infection risk from airborne inoculum density and infection frequency using temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity during the flowering period. First, wheat heading dates, during which GIBSIM runs, were predicted over suitable areas of winter wheat cultivation using a crop development rate model for wheat phenology and downscaled SSP scenarios. Second, an integrated model combining all results of wheat suitability, heading dates, and FHB infection risks from the SSP scenarios showed a gradual increase in FHB epidemics towards 2100, with different temporal and spatial patterns of varying magnitudes depending on the scenarios. These results indicate that proactive management strategies need to be seriously considered in the near future to minimize the potential impacts of the FHB epidemic under climate change in Korea. Therefore, available wheat cultivars with early or late heading dates were used in the model simulations as a realistic adaptation measure. As a result, wheat cultivars with early heading dates showed significant decreases in FHB epidemics in future periods, emphasizing the importance of effective adaptation measures against the projected increase in FHB epidemics in Korea under climate change.
Differences and allometric relationships among assimilative branch traits of four shrubs in Central Asia
Authors: Meng Huan-Huan , Yin Ben-Feng , Li Yong-Gang , Zhou Xiao-Bing , Zhang Yuan-Ming , Tao Ye , Zhou Duo-Qi
Published: December 2022

Shrubs play a major role in maintaining ecosystem stability in the arid deserts of Central Asia. During the long-term adaptation to extreme arid environments, shrubs have developed special assimilative branches that replace leaves for photosynthesis. In this study, four dominant shrubs with assimilative branches, namely Haloxylon ammodendron, Haloxylon persicum, Calligonum mongolicum, and Ephedra przewalskii, were selected as the research objects, and the dry mass, total length, node number, and basal diameter of their assimilative branches and the average length of the first three nodes were carefully measured, and the allometric relationships among five traits of four species were systematically compared. The results indicated that: (1) Four desert shrubs have different assimilative branches traits. Compared with H. persicum and H. ammodendron, C. mongolicum and E. przewalskii have longer internodes and fewer nodes. The dry mass of H. ammodendron and the basal diameter of H. persicum were the smallest; (2) Significant allometric scaling relationships were found between dry mass, total length, basal diameter, and each trait of assimilative branches, all of which were significantly less than 1; (3) The scaling exponents of the allometric relationship between four traits and the dry mass of assimilative branches of H. persicum were greater or significantly greater than those of H. ammodendron. The scaling exponents of the relationships between the basal diameter, dry mass, and total length of E. przewalskii were higher than those of the other three shrubs. Therefore, although different species have adapted to drought and high temperatures by convergence, there was great variability in morphological characteristics of assimilative branches, as well as in the scaling exponents of relationships among traits. The results of this study will provide valuable insights into the ecological functions of assimilative branches and survival strategies of these shrubs to cope with aridity and drought in desert environments.
Genetic variation and marker−trait association affect the genomic selection prediction accuracy of soybean protein and oil content
Authors: Sun Bo , Guo Rui , Liu Zhi , Shi Xiaolei , Yang Qing , Shi Jiayao , Zhang Mengchen , Yang Chunyan , Zhao Shugang , Zhang Jie , He Jianhan , Zhang Jiaoping , Su Jianhui , Song Qijian , Yan Long
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Genomic selection (GS) is a potential breeding approach for soybean improvement.

Methods

In this study, GS was performed on soybean protein and oil content using the Ridge Regression Best Linear Unbiased Predictor (RR-BLUP) based on 1,007 soybean accessions. The SoySNP50K SNP dataset of the accessions was obtained from the USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD lab, and the protein and oil content of the accessions were obtained from GRIN.

Results

Our results showed that the prediction accuracy of oil content was higher than that of protein content. When the training population size was 100, the prediction accuracies for protein content and oil content were 0.60 and 0.79, respectively. The prediction accuracy increased with the size of the training population. Training populations with similar phenotype or with close genetic relationships to the prediction population exhibited better prediction accuracy. A greatest prediction accuracy for both protein and oil content was observed when approximately 3,000 markers with -log10(P) greater than 1 were included.

Discussion

This information will help improve GS efficiency and facilitate the application of GS.
Genome-wide identification and comprehensive analysis reveal potential roles of long non-coding RNAs in fruit development of southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)
Authors: Li Shuigen , Zhang Jiaying , Zhang Liqing , Fang Xianping , Luo Jun , An Haishan , Zhang Xueying
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Blueberries have a high antioxidant content and are produced as healthy food worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a type of regulatory RNAs that play a variety of roles in plants. Nonetheless, information on lncRNAs and their functions during blueberry fruit development is scarce in public databases.

Methods

In the present study, we performed genome-wide identification of lncRNAs in a southern highbush blueberry using strand-specific RNA sequencing (ssRNA-Seq). Differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs) and their potential target genes were analyzed at four stages of fruit development. Cis-regulatory DE-lncRNAs were predicted using co-localization analysis.

Results

These findings included a total of 25,036 lncRNAs from 17,801 loci. Blueberry lncRNAs had shorter transcript lengths, smaller open reading frame (ORF) sizes, fewer exons, and fewer isoforms than protein-coding RNAs, as well as lower expression levels and higher stage-specificity during fruit development. A total of 105 DE-lncRNAs were identified among the comparison group of PAD vs. CUP, 443 DE-lncRNAs were detected when comparing CUP with PINK fruits, and 285 DE-lncRNAs were revealed when comparing PINK and BLUE fruits. According to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotation, target genes of DE-lncRNAs were primarily enriched in the “Autophagy-other”, “DNA replication”, “Endocytosis”, ‘photosynthesis’ and ‘chlorophyll metabolism’ pathways, suggesting that lncRNAs may pay potential roles in fruit expansion and ripening. Moreover, several lncRNAs have been proposed as cis-regulators of the key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. MSTRG.107242.6, and its putative target gene, BTB/POZ and TAZ domain-containing protein, might play critical roles in anthocyanin accumulation in blueberries.

Discussion

These findings highlight the regulatory function of lncRNAs and aid in elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying blueberry fruit growth.
Identification and expression pattern analysis of the OsSnRK2 gene family in rice
Authors: Yu Tongyuan , Cen Qiwen , Kang Lihua , Mou Wangshu , Zhang Xiaoqin , Fang Yunxia , Zhang Xian , Tian Quanxiang , Xue Dawei
Published: December 2022

Sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) is a class of plant-specific serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinase that plays an important role in rice stress tolerance, growth and development. However, systematic bioinformatics and expression pattern analysis have not been reported. In the current study, ten OsSnRK2 genes were identified in the rice genome and located on 7 chromosomes, which can be classified into three subfamilies (I, II, and III). Many cis-regulatory elements were identified in the promoter region of OsSnRK2 genes, including hormone response elements, defense and stress responsive elements, indicating that the OsSnRK2 family may play a crucial role in response to hormonal and abiotic stress. Quantitative tissue analysis showed that OsSnRK2 genes expressed in all tissues of rice, but the expression abundance varied from different tissues and showed varietal variability. In addition, expression pattern of OsSnRK2 were analyzed under abiotic stress (salt, drought, salt and drought) and showed obvious difference in diverse abiotic stress. In general, these results provide useful information for understanding the OsSnRK2 gene family and analyzing its functions in rice in response to ABA, salt and drought stress, especially salt-drought combined stress.
Prediction of heading date, culm length, and biomass from canopy-height-related parameters derived from time-series UAV observations of rice
Authors: Taniguchi Shoji , Sakamoto Toshihiro , Imase Ryoji , Nonoue Yasunori , Tsunematsu Hiroshi , Goto Akitoshi , Matsushita Kei , Ohmori Sinnosuke , Maeda Hideo , Takeuchi Yoshinobu , Ishii Takuro , Yonemaru Jun-ichi , Ogawa Daisuke
Published: December 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are powerful tools for monitoring crops for high-throughput phenotyping. Time-series aerial photography of fields can record the whole process of crop growth. Canopy height (CH), which is vertical plant growth, has been used as an indicator for the evaluation of lodging tolerance and the prediction of biomass and yield. However, there have been few attempts to use UAV-derived time-series CH data for field testing of crop lines. Here we provide a novel framework for trait prediction using CH data in rice. We generated UAV-based digital surface models of crops to extract CH data of 30 Japanese rice cultivars in 2019, 2020, and 2021. CH-related parameters were calculated in a non-linear time-series model as an S-shaped plant growth curve. The maximum saturation CH value was the most important predictor for culm length. The time point at the maximum CH contributed to the prediction of days to heading, and was able to predict stem and leaf weight and aboveground weight, possibly reflecting the association of biomass with duration of vegetative growth. These results indicate that the CH-related parameters acquired by UAV can be useful as predictors of traits typically measured by hand.
The role of L1-L2 dissimilarity in L2 segment learning – Implications from the acquisition of English post-alveolar fricatives by Mandarin and Mandarin/Wu speakers
Authors: Chen Wenjun , van de Weijer Jeroen
Published: December 2022

This study examines how the concept of L1-L2 dissimilarity should be addressed from a two-way perspective in L2 segment learning, and how it relates to the learning outcomes. We achieved this by investigating the productions of the post-alveolar fricatives /ʃ, ʒ/ by Mandarin and Mandarin/Wu speakers, which were subsequently assessed by native English listeners. In the first experiment, we analyzed the spectral moments of /ʃ, ʒ/ produced by Mandarin monolingual and Mandarin/Wu bilingual speakers to find out how the two groups of speakers pronounced the target segments. In the second experiment, native English listeners were tasked with rating the accentedness of the Mandarin- and Mandarin/Wu-accented /ʃ, ʒ/. Results showed native English listeners scored Mandarin/Wu-accented /ʃ/ as having no accent and Mandarin-accented /ʒ/ as having a heavy accent, indicating that English natives perceived the ‘native vs. nonnative’ segment dissimilarity differently from Chinese learners of English, and that the L1-L2 dissimilarity perceived from both sides may work together in defining the L2 segment learning outcomes.
How do information strategy and information technology governance influence firm performance?
Authors: Wang Fanlin , Lv Jianing , Zhao Xiaoyang
Published: December 2022

Organizations today engage in turbulent competition to seize opportunities and cope with challenges by making strategy planning, increasing information technology (IT) investment, and other means. Based on survey data through questionnaires, this paper constructs models to explore the synergistic effects of information strategy (IS) and IT governance (ITG) on firm performance. The results show that, first, ITG and IS as explanatory variables have a significant influence on firm performance. Second, ITG has a positive effect on the relationship between IS and firm performance. This study extends existing research on IS and ITG by exploring the synergistic effects of IS and ITG on firm performance. The conclusion provides management insight and practical guidance for enterprises by actively implementing IS to improve firm performance to transform from the inherent pattern of traditional governance to the new technology governance.
Short version of the Scale for Interpersonal Behavior: Slovak translation and psychometric analysis
Authors: Vráblová Viktória , Halamová Júlia
Published: December 2022

Assertiveness is a social communication skill and is related to the effectiveness of expressing oneself while respecting others. A lack of assertiveness is associated with various mental illnesses; hence the importance of being able to measure it reliably. The aim of the study was to translate the short version of the Scale for Interpersonal Behavior (s-SIB) into Slovak and subsequently test its factor structure and other psychometric properties. Our convenience sample consisted of 590 respondents from Slovakia, 22.71% of whom were men and 77.29% women. The data analysis consisted of a descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, factor structure analysis, Mokken analysis, and percentile norms. The scale showed good psychometric properties. Unlike the 4-factor solution for distress and performance in the original work, our findings showed that the general factor loadings were very good and that the bifactor model had the best fit in both cases (distress and performance). Mokken analysis indicated that the total scores for distress and perfromance and their constituent subscales can be used as proposed. In conclusion, the Slovak version of the s-SIB can be used as to measure the total score for assertiveness as well as the separate factors – Positive Assertion, Negative Assertion, Expression of and Dealing with Personal Limitations, and Initiating Assertiveness.
Primum non nocere; It’s time to consider altitude training as the medical intervention it actually is!
Authors: Van Cutsem Jeroen , Pattyn Nathalie
Published: December 2022

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of recovery, and is known to be severely affected by hypoxia. The present position paper focuses on sleep as a strong moderator of the altitude training-response. Indeed, the response to altitude training is highly variable, it is not a fixed and classifiable trait, rather it is a state that is determined by multiple factors (e.g., iron status, altitude dose, pre-intervention hemoglobin mass, training load, and recovery). We present an overview of evidence showing that sleep, and more specifically the prolonged negative impact of altitude on the nocturnal breathing pattern, affecting mainly deep sleep and thus the core of physiological recovery during sleep, could play an important role in intra- and interindividual variability in the altitude training-associated responses in professional and recreational athletes. We conclude our paper with a set of suggested recommendations to customize the application of altitude training to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of each athlete (i.e., primum non nocere). Several factors have been identified (e.g., sex, polymorphisms in the TASK2/KCNK5, NOTCH4 and CAT genes and pre-term birth) to predict individual vulnerabilities to hypoxia-related sleep-disordered breathing. Currently, polysomnography should be the first choice to evaluate an individual’s predisposition to a decrease in deep sleep related to hypoxia. Further interventions, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, might alleviate the effects of nocturnal hypoxia in those athletes that show most vulnerable.
The effect of color coding and layout coding on users’ visual search on mobile map navigation icons
Authors: Zhang Mengzhe , Gong Yong , Deng Rong , Zhang Sanyuan
Published: December 2022

Color and spatial layout are important factors that affect users’ icon cognition and play a huge role in the visual search process of icons. Guided by the user’s interactive needs, this paper aims to improve the visual search efficiency of mobile map navigation icons. The mixed design within and between subjects is adopted through the combination of theoretical and experimental research, and the subjective questionnaire method is used to explore the research. This paper explores the visual search problem of mobile map navigation icons based on color coding and layout coding. The experimental results mainly include reaction time, accuracy rate, user experience, and statistical and variance analysis. The results show that the layout of the mobile map navigation icons significantly impacts the user’s visual search. The navigation icons that use color for layout coding have the highest visual search efficiency and better user experience. Among the icons, the layout with regular color distribution and a larger area of the same color has the highest visual search efficiency for users and the best user experience; the visual search efficiency of navigation icons using color for layout coding is significantly higher than that of mobile map navigation icons.

Relevance to industry: The user scale of mobile information maps is huge and the usage rate is high, but the large number of navigation icons increases the burden of user information identification and acquisition. As a result, the efficiency of user information acquisition is low, and the user experience is reduced. A clear, easy-to-search navigation icon design can enhance the user experience of the entire product. The results of this research provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the design optimization and improvement of mobile map navigation icons.
Framing the education for gifted Lebanese and gifted refugees in Lebanon
Authors: Antoun Maya
Published: December 2022

The paper provides a comprehensive conceptual model or framework for the identification and programming of gifted education in Lebanon. The model is evidence-based on the critical review of the literature on gifted education over the past two decades. The model discussed topics related to teacher conceptions, identification, preparation, and practices for the gifted in Lebanon. The development of a culturally appropriate conceptual model of gifted education is locally focused on Lebanese teachers’ needs to identify and serve gifted Lebanese and gifted refugee learners. This framework provides a means for educational leaders in Lebanon to consider policy reforms that will benefit not only gifted learners but also gifted refugee learners in different educational settings.
The impact of E-education and innovation on unemployment reduction among graduates: A way forward for higher educational institutes
Authors: Mian Lu , Hussin Ridzuan , Slaninová Mgr. Gabriela , Shahzadi Yusra
Published: December 2022

Recently, the use of digital skills as a tool to alleviate unemployment concerns of university graduates has gained considerable attention among governments in developing economies. The present study examines the impact of the E-education program (a digital initiative to train university graduates to get self-employed) on the unemployment reduction of young graduates of higher educational institutes (HEIs). We also explore the mediating influence of innovation in the association between E-education and unemployment reduction. The target population of the study was students who have successfully completed the E-education program. The convenient sampling technique was used for data collection from 416 respondents through a structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using different statistical techniques, such as descriptive statistics (reliability analysis, normality analysis, and correlation) and structural equation modeling for measurement of the structural model. The study findings assert that the E-education program has significant effects on the unemployment reduction of graduates. Furthermore, innovation also significantly mediates the association between E-education and reduce unemployment among students. It implies that the HEIs should also roll out E-education programs, which would eventually help reduce unemployment and promote the growth of the E-education industry in the country. Finally, policy prescriptions are discussed on the role of an E-education-driven innovation to curtail unemployment in developing countries.
The impact of disclosing emotions on ratings of interpersonal closeness, warmth, competence, and leadership ability
Authors: Ludwig Vera U. , Berry Blaire , Cai Jerry Y. , Chen Nai Ming , Crone Damien L. , Platt Michael L.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Increasingly, business leaders and other professionals are called upon to be vulnerable and authentic in the workplace, which often includes disclosing emotions to others. While sharing emotions is known to enhance closeness, several questions remain underexplored. Specifically, disclosing personal facts about oneself and disclosing emotions have often been studied together, making it difficult to determine the effects of disclosing emotions per se. Moreover, not enough is known about factors that may influence effects of disclosing emotions, including recipients’ attitudes toward emotion-sharing, the sharer’s gender, and whether one considers the disclosure to be similar to one’s own experiences. We examined the impact of disclosing positive and negative emotion on ratings of closeness, warmth, competence, and leadership ability.

Methods

119 participants (95 female) in the United States were shown headshots of individuals who were introduced in the first person in written format. For half of the pictures, an autobiographical fact about the individual’s past was disclosed. For the other half, an autobiographical fact and an associated emotion were disclosed.

Results

We found that sharing both positive and negative emotions increased feelings of closeness above and beyond the effects of autobiographical sharing alone. Sharing positive emotions also increased ratings of warmth, competence, and leadership ability. Male and female sharers benefited equally from disclosing emotions and effects were largely robust to recipients’ attitudes toward emotional expression. Having something in common with the disclosed fact or emotion further increased all ratings.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that disclosing emotions may improve interpersonal interactions, with potential management applications in business.
What drives farmers to use conservation agriculture? Application of mediated protection motivation theory
Authors: Bazrafkan Khadijeh , Valizadeh Naser , Khannejad Setareh , Kianmehr Nazanin , Bijani Masoud , Hayati Dariush
Published: December 2022

Conservation agriculture is an approach for managing agricultural ecosystems, improving productivity, increasing benefits and food security, and preserving resources and the environment. The core purpose of this study was to analyze the constructs affecting the intention to use conservation agriculture measures. For this purpose, protection motivation theory was applied as the theoretical framework. Validation of the model was done using a cross-sectional survey among Iranian farmers, and SMART PLS software was used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that the direct effects of the five constructs of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response cost, response efficacy, and self-efficacy were significant on the intention to use conservation agriculture measures. In addition, the variables of perceived severity, response cost, and perceived self-efficacy had significant effects on the fear of not using conservation agriculture measures. The results of the bootstrapping analysis indicated that the fear of not using conservation agriculture measures significantly mediated the effects of perceived severity, response cost, and self-efficacy on the intention to use conservation agriculture. The results of the present research help to develop protection motivation theory by defining new relationships between its variables and achieving a deeper understanding of these relationships. The results also can pave the way for social and psychological interventions in the field of adopting the principles of conservation agriculture in agricultural societies. Finally, the results of this research can be used as a decision-making tool and help for users and planners of behavioral changes to better identify the focus points and necessary strategies.
Efficacy and feasibility of a 12-week Tai Chi training for the prophylaxis of episodic migraine in Hong Kong Chinese women: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xie Yao Jie , Tian Longben , Hui Stanley Sai-Chuen , Qin Jing , Gao Yang , Zhang Dexing , Ma Tongyu , Suen Lorna Kwai Ping , Wang Harry Haoxiang , Liu Zhao-Min , Hao Chun , Yang Lin , Loke Alice Yuen
Published: December 2022

Background

Tai Chi has been broadly applied as alternative treatment for many neurological and psychological disorders. Whereas no study using Tai Chi as prophylactic treatment for migraine. The purpose of this study was to preliminarily examine the efficacy and feasibility of a 12-week Tai Chi training on migraine attack prevention in a sample of Chinese women.

Methods

A two-arm randomized controlled trial was designed. Women aged 18 to 65 years and diagnosed with episodic migraine were randomized to either Tai Chi group (TC group) or the waiting list control group. A modified 33-short form Yang-style Tai Chi training with 1 h per day, 5 days per week for 12 weeks was implemented in the TC group, with a 12-week follow up period. The control group received a “delayed” Tai Chi training at the end of the trial. The primary outcome was the differences in attack frequency between 4 weeks before baseline and at the 9–12 weeks after randomization. The intensity and duration of headache were also measured. The feasibility was evaluated by the maintenance of Tai Chi practice and satisfactory level of the participants toward training.

Results

Eighty-two women were randomized, finally 40 in TC group and 33 in control group were involved in the analysis. On average, women in TC group had 3.0 times (95% CI: −4.0 to −2.0, P < 0.01) and 3.6 days (95% CI: −4.7 to −2.5, P < 0.01) reduction of migraine attack per month. Compared with the control group, the differences were statistically significant (−3.7 attacks/month, 95% CI: −5.4 to −1.9; and −3.0 migraine days/month, 95% CI: −4.5 to −1.5; both P < 0.001). The intensity and duration of headache had 0.6 (95% CI: −1.2 to −0.0, P < 0.05) units and 1.2 (IQR: −5.0 to 1.1, P < 0.05) hours reduction in TC group, respectively. Most of the participants (69.2%−97.4%) were satisfied with the training. At the end of 24 weeks, on average, the participants maintained 1.5 times of practice per week and 20 min for each practice.

Conclusion

The 12-week Tai Chi training significantly decreased the frequency of migraine attack. It was acceptable and practicable among female migraineurs.

Clinical trial registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03015753.
Associations between plasma metal mixture exposure and risk of hypertension: A cross-sectional study among adults in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Zheng Sijia , Nie Zhiqiang , Lv Ziquan , Wang Tian , Wei Weizhou , Fang Daokui , Zou Xuan , Fu Yulin , Cao Tingting , Liang Zhaoyi , Lu Qi , Huang Hui , Wen Ying , Huang Suli
Published: December 2022

Background

Metal exposure affects human health. Current studies mainly focus on the individual health effect of metal exposure on hypertension (HTN), and the results remain controversial. Moreover, the studies assessing overall effect of metal mixtures on hypertension risk are limited.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted by recruiting 1,546 Chinese adults who attended routine medical check-ups at the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen. The plasma levels of 13 metals were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariate logistic regression model, restricted cubic spline (RCS) model and the Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) model were applied to explore the single and combined effect of metals on the risk of HTN.

Results

A total of 642 (41.5%) participants were diagnosed with HTN. In the logistic regression model, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were 0.71 (0.52, 0.97) for cobalt, 1.40 (1.04, 1.89) for calcium, 0.66 (0.48, 0.90), and 0.60 (0.43, 0.83) for aluminum in the second and third quartile, respectively. The RCS analysis showed a V-shaped or an inverse V-shaped dose-response relationship between metals (aluminum or calcium, respectively) and the risk of HTN (P for non-linearity was 0.017 or 0.009, respectively). However, no combined effect was found between metal mixture and the risk of hypertension.

Conclusions

Plasma levels of cobalt, aluminum and calcium were found to be associated with the risk of HTN. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and their potential mechanisms with prospective studies and experimental study designs.
Prevalence and prognostic significance of malnutrition risk in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: A hospital-based cohort study
Authors: Ma Jiao-Jie , Guo Yi-Jia , Li Zhuo , Chen Yang , He Hong , Li Wei-Min
Published: December 2022

Background

The prevalence and prognostic significance of malnutrition risk remain unclear in Chinese patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the malnutrition risk in Chinese patients and explore the relationship between malnutrition risk and follow-up outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a hospital-based cohort study from January 2020 to December 2020. Malnutrition risks were evaluated using nutritional scales, including the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), the controlling nutritional status score (CONUT), the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at a one-year follow-up. Malnutrition risk was calculated, and the relationship between malnutrition and follow-up outcomes was analyzed. We assessed the performance of malnutrition risks to predict clinical outcomes in prognostic models.

Results

A total of 1,075 patients were included. According to NRS-2002, CONUT, GNRI, and PNI, 818 (76.09%), 954 (88.74%), 682 (63.44%), and 364 (33.86%) patients were at risk of malnutrition, respectively. Before 1-year follow-up, a total of 99 patients (9.2%) had died. After adjustment for risk factors, the association between severe malnutrition in CONUT (HR = 4.78, 95% CI: 1.14–20.11, P = 0.033), GNRI (HR = 3.53, 95% CI: 1.70–7.34, P = 0.001), or PNI (HR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.76–4.88, P < 0.001) and death before 1-year follow-up remained significant. The addition of the nutritional scales to prognostic models improved death prediction, as validated by the integrated discrimination index (all P-values of <0.05).

Conclusion

Malnutrition in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death in the long-term follow-up. Our findings provided evidence for the use of admission nutrition screening in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Co-exposures to physical and psychosocial work factors increase the occurrence of workplace injuries among French care workers
Authors: Colin Régis , Wild Pascal , Paris Christophe , Boini Stéphanie
Published: December 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of co-exposures to physical and psychosocial factors (PSF) regarding the incidence of workplace injuries (WI) among care workers. Additional objective was to identify the work factors associated with the co-exposure combinations leading to the highest rates of WI.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 4,418 care workers participating to the French Working Conditions Survey both in 2013 and 2016. WI were assessed during the 4-year follow-up by matching the databases of the National Health Insurance Funds' compensation system. We assessed exposure for physical factors and PSF using factorial analyses and hierarchical clustering. We implemented a Poisson regression model with the WI incidence as the outcome and the clusters as independent variables of interest. Logistic regression model allowed identifying the work factors that predicted co-exposure combinations with a WI rate > 40%.

Results

WI were highly related to both physical and psychosocial exposures. With low exposure to one or the other, there was no increased risk of WI. Physical factors and PSF potentiated each other and their co-exposure significantly increased the risk of WI, with model predicted rates per 1,000 persons-year for those most exposed to physical risk of 14.6 [4.5–24.8] with low PSF and 38.0 [29.8–46.3] with high PSF. Work factors that predicted co-exposure combinations with a rate > 40 WI% were: working as nursing assistant or hospital services officer, lack of predictability and flexibility of schedules, overtime, controlled schedules, work-family imbalance and insufficient preventive measures.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the need to take into account psychosocial factors in addition of only considering physical factors when analyzing WI occurrence, as usually done. Prevention actions must be taken to reduce both physical and psychosocial exposure. These results provide keys points for the prevention of WI among care workers.
Globally optimal trial design and risk sharing arrangements are key to avoiding opportunity costs of delay and enabling equitable, feasible and effective global vaccine research and implementation in current or future pandemics
Authors: Eckermann Simon
Published: December 2022

Global vaccination in the face of pandemics such as COVID-19 and new variants is a race against time. Avoiding the opportunity costs of delay and the associated health, social, and downstream economic impacts is a challenge and an imperative. Failures to address the global challenges posed by COVID-19 have become increasingly evident as waves of vaccine-evading mutations have emerged, facilitated by unequal vaccination coverage and diminishing immunity against new variants worldwide. To address these challenges, societal decision-makers (governments) and industry manufacturer interests must be better aligned for rapid, globally optimal trial design, ideally with research coverage, implementation, and accessibility of effective vaccines across joint research, implementation, and distribution cycles to address pandemic evolution in real time. Value of information (VoI) methods for optimal global trial design and risk-sharing arrangements align the research, distribution, and implementation interests and efforts globally to meet head-on the imperative of avoiding opportunity costs of delay and enabling consistent global solutions with maximizing local and global net benefits. They uniquely enable feasible early adoption of the most promising strategies in real time while the best globally translatable evidence is collected and interests are aligned for global distribution and implementation. Furthermore, these methods are generally shown to be imperative for feasible, fast, and optimal solutions across joint research, reimbursement, and regulatory processes for current and future pandemics and other global existential threats. Establishing pathways for globally optimal trial designs, risk-sharing agreements, and efficient translation to practice is urgent on many fronts.
Spatial epidemiology of acute respiratory infections in children under 5 years and associated risk factors in India: District-level analysis of health, household, and environmental datasets
Authors: Balasubramani Karuppusamy , Prasad Kumar Arun , Kodali Naveen Kumar , Abdul Rasheed Nishadh Kalladath , Chellappan Savitha , Sarma Devojit Kumar , Kumar Manoj , Dixit Rashi , James Meenu Mariya , Behera Sujit Kumar , Shekhar Sulochana , Balabaskaran Nina Praveen
Published: December 2022

Background

In India, acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a leading cause of mortality in children under 5 years. Mapping the hotspots of ARIs and the associated risk factors can help understand their association at the district level across India.

Methods

Data on ARIs in children under 5 years and household variables (unclean fuel, improved sanitation, mean maternal BMI, mean household size, mean number of children, median months of breastfeeding the children, percentage of poor households, diarrhea in children, low birth weight, tobacco use, and immunization status of children) were obtained from the National Family Health Survey-4. Surface and ground-monitored PM2.5 and PM10 datasets were collected from the Global Estimates and National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme. Population density and illiteracy data were extracted from the Census of India. The geographic information system was used for mapping, and ARI hotspots were identified using the Getis-Ord Gi* spatial statistic. The quasi-Poisson regression model was used to estimate the association between ARI and household, children, maternal, environmental, and demographic factors.

Results

Acute respiratory infections hotspots were predominantly seen in the north Indian states/UTs of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh, and also in the border districts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. There is a substantial overlap among PM2.5, PM10, population density, tobacco smoking, and unclean fuel use with hotspots of ARI. The quasi-Poisson regression analysis showed that PM2.5, illiteracy levels, diarrhea in children, and maternal body mass index were associated with ARI.

Conclusion

To decrease ARI in children, urgent interventions are required to reduce the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 (major environmental pollutants) in the hotspot districts. Furthermore, improving sanitation, literacy levels, using clean cooking fuel, and curbing indoor smoking may minimize the risk of ARI in children.
Association between body image dissatisfaction and body anthropometric indices among Chinese children and adolescents at different developmental stages
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Cao Ruiyao , Peng Xingwang , Zhang Li , Zhang Zizhe , Fu Lianguo
Published: December 2022

Objective

Children at different developmental stages show different physical development and psychological cognitive characteristics and may pay different attention to body parts. The purpose of this study was to analyze the associations between body image dissatisfaction (BID) and body anthropometric indices (BAIs) among Chinese children and adolescents at different developmental stages.

Methods

A total of 609 Chinese primary and secondary school students aged 8–15 years (329 boys and 280 girls) were selected using stratified cluster sampling. The students' body height, sitting height (SH), weight, chest circumference (CC), hip circumference (HC), waist circumference (WC), scapular skinfold thickness (SST), triceps skinfold thickness (TST), and abdominal skinfold thickness (AST) were measured. Boys' testicular volumes and first spermatorrhea and girls' breast measures and menarche were assessed using the Tanner stage standard. A body shape questionnaire (BSQ) was used to survey the subject's BID.

Results

In boys with testicular volume < 4 ml, the hip-to-height ratio (HHR) was positively correlated with BSQ score (β = 8.17, P < 0.01). In boys with testicular volume ≥4 ml and nonfirst spermatorrhea, the HHR and SST were positively correlated with BSQ score (β = 2.51, P = 0.04; β = 4.98, P < 0.01). In boys with first spermatorrhea, weight was positively correlated with BSQ score (β = 10.30, P < 0.01). In girls with breast development < Tanner stage II, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was positively correlated with BSQ score (β = 5.12, P < 0.01); In girls with breast development ≥ Tanner stage II and nonmenarche, chest-to-sitting height ratio (CSHR) was positively correlated with BSQ score (β = 10.82, P < 0.01), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was negatively correlated with BSQ score (β = −3.61, P = 0.04). In girls with menarche, WHtR and sitting height-to-height ratio (SHHR) were positively correlated with BSQ score (β = 6.09, P < 0.01; β = 2.05, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

The associations between body image dissatisfaction and anthropometric indices among Chinese children and adolescents at different developmental stages are different.