bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome studies of congenital heart diseases: identifying current gaps and therapeutic frontiers
Authors: Odogwu Nkechi Martina , Hagen Clinton , Nelson Timothy J.
Published: December 2023

Congenital heart disease (CHD) are genetically complex and comprise a wide range of structural defects that often predispose to - early heart failure, a common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Transcriptome studies of CHD in human pediatric patients indicated a broad spectrum of diverse molecular signatures across various types of CHD. In order to advance research on congenital heart diseases (CHDs), we conducted a detailed review of transcriptome studies on this topic. Our analysis identified gaps in the literature, with a particular focus on the cardiac transcriptome signatures found in various biological specimens across different types of CHDs. In addition to translational studies involving human subjects, we also examined transcriptomic analyses of CHDs in a range of model systems, including iPSCs and animal models. We concluded that RNA-seq technology has revolutionized medical research and many of the discoveries from CHD transcriptome studies draw attention to biological pathways that concurrently open the door to a better understanding of cardiac development and related therapeutic avenue. While some crucial impediments to perfectly studying CHDs in this context remain obtaining pediatric cardiac tissue samples, phenotypic variation, and the lack of anatomical/spatial context with model systems. Combining model systems, RNA-seq technology, and integrating algorithms for analyzing transcriptomic data at both single-cell and high throughput spatial resolution is expected to continue uncovering unique biological pathways that are perturbed in CHDs, thus facilitating the development of novel therapy for congenital heart disease.
Genetic contribution of breast cancer genes in women of black African origin
Authors: Ndiaye Rokhaya , Diop Jean Pascal Demba , Dem Ahmadou , Dieye Alioune
Published: December 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is an increasing public health issue worldwide. BC incidence and mortality rates are rising in transitioning countries in Africa, with the most rapid increase occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Female BC represents 25.8% of all cancer diagnosis in SSA. Early age at onset, high grade and triple negative tumors are hallmarks of BC in this region, associated with germline pathogenic variants in susceptibility genes. While several genes have been associated with genetic predisposition (BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, TP53, PTEN, CDH1, STK11, ATM, CHEK2, NBN, BARD1, BRIP1, RAD50, RAD51C, RAD51D, … ), most studies have reported contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants. Genetic contribution of BRCA genes has been estimated at 27% in Caucasian women. Available data from population of African origin are scarce and have mainly focused on pathogenic variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2. Reports from main studies on large sample size highlighted that BRCA1 still the major gene associated with BC in SSA. In addition, BRCA2, PALB2, and P53, are also on the top major genes with high penetrance, associated with BC. Mutation spectrum of BC genes in black African women seems to be different from Caucasian with increasing number of founder mutations identified. We hypothesis that the genetic contribution of known BC genes may be different between women of black African origin compared to Caucasians. In this review we explore the genetic contribution of known breast cancer genes in women of African origin, and discuss perspectives for prevention and patients care strategies in the era of precision medicine.
Case Report: The leopard sign as a potential characteristic of chronic granulomatous disease-associated colitis, unrelated to colitis severity
Authors: Nishikawa Takuro , Tomoda Takahiro , Nakamura Aki , Nagahama Jun , Tanaka Akihito , Kanmura Shuji , Kirishima Mari , Tanimoto Akihide , Okano Tsubasa , Kamiya Takahiro , Okamoto Kentaro , Kirimura Susumu , Morio Tomohiro , Okamoto Yasuhiro , Kanegane Hirokazu
Published: December 2023

Background

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inborn immune disorder in which the phagocytic system cannot eradicate pathogens, and autoinflammation occurs. Approximately half of the patients have associated gastrointestinal symptoms. Although most cases with CGD-associated colitis present nonspecific histology, colonoscopy in some cases shows brownish dots over a yellowish oedematous mucosa, which is termed a “leopard sign”. However, the significance of these signs remains unclear.

Methods

We collected data from patients with CGD whose colonoscopic findings showed the leopard sign.

Results

Three patients with CGD and leopard signs were enrolled in this study. One patient underwent colonoscopy for frequent diarrhoea and weight gain failure, and another for anal fistula. The third patient was without gastrointestinal symptoms and underwent colonoscopy as a screening test before allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Endoscopic findings showed a mild leopard sign in the first case; however, non-contiguous and diffuse aphthae were observed throughout the colon. The other two cases were unremarkable except for the leopard sign. All the patients achieved remission with oral prednisolone or HCT. One patient underwent colonoscopy after HCT; results revealed improvements in endoscopy (including the leopard sign) and histological findings. However, another patient underwent colonoscopy after prednisolone treatment; this revealed no change in the leopard sign.

Conclusion

The leopard sign in the colon may be a characteristic endoscopic finding of CGD, even in patients who do not develop severe gastrointestinal symptoms; however, it does not reflect the severity of CGD-associated colitis.
Role of mitochondria in the regulation of ferroptosis and disease
Authors: Fu Cheng , Cao Nan , Zeng Sen , Zhu Wenhui , Fu Xinliang , Liu Wenjun , Fan Shuangqi
Published: December 2023

Ferroptosis is a distinctive form of iron-dependent cell death characterized by significant ultrastructural changes in mitochondria. Given the crucial involvement of mitochondria in various cellular processes such as reactive oxygen species production, energy metabolism, redox status, and iron metabolism, mounting evidence suggests a vital role of mitochondria in the regulation and execution of ferroptosis. Furthermore, there exists a strong correlation between ferroptosis and various diseases. In this review, we aim to summarize the mechanisms underlying the induction and defense of ferroptosis, emphasizing the influence of mitochondria on this intricate process. Additionally, we provide an overview of the role of ferroptosis in disease, particularly cancer, and elucidate the mechanisms by which drugs targeting mitochondria impact ferroptosis. By presenting a theoretical foundation and reference point, this review aims to contribute to both basic cell biology research and the investigation of clinically relevant diseases.
Microbiological insight into various underground gas storages in Vienna Basin focusing on methanogenic Archaea
Authors: Hanišáková Nikola , Vítězová Monika , Vítěz Tomáš , Kushkevych Ivan , Kotrlová Eva , Novák David , Lochman Jan , Zavada Roman
Published: December 2023

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in extending the potential of underground gas storage (UGS) facilities to hydrogen and carbon dioxide storage. However, this transition to hydrogen storage raises concerns regarding potential microbial reactions, which could convert hydrogen into methane. It is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of the microbial communities within any UGS facilities designated for hydrogen storage. In this study, underground water samples and water samples from surface technologies from 7 different UGS objects located in the Vienna Basin were studied using both molecular biology methods and cultivation methods. Results from 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the proportion of archaea in the groundwater samples ranged from 20 to 58%, with methanogens being the predominant. Some water samples collected from surface technologies contained up to 87% of methanogens. Various species of methanogens were isolated from individual wells, including Methanobacterium sp., Methanocalculus sp., Methanolobus sp. or Methanosarcina sp. We also examined water samples for the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria known to be involved in microbially induced corrosion and identified species of the genus Desulfovibrio in the samples. In the second part of our study, we contextualized our data by comparing it to available sequencing data from terrestrial subsurface environments worldwide. This allowed us to discern patterns and correlations between different types of underground samples based on environmental conditions. Our findings reveal presence of methanogens in all analyzed groups of underground samples, which suggests the possibility of unintended microbial hydrogen-to-methane conversion and the associated financial losses. Nevertheless, the prevalence of methanogens in our results also highlights the potential of the UGS environment, which can be effectively leveraged as a bioreactor for the conversion of hydrogen into methane, particularly in the context of Power-to-Methane technology.
Evidence that protein thiols are not primary targets of intracellular reactive oxygen species in growing Escherichia coli
Authors: Eben Stefanie S. , Imlay James A.
Published: December 2023

The oxidizability of cysteine residues is exploited in redox chemistry and as a source of stabilizing disulfide bonds, but it also raises the possibility that these side chains will be oxidized when they should not be. It has often been suggested that intracellular oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide or superoxide may result in the oxidation of the cysteine residues of cytoplasmic proteins. That view seemed to be supported by the discovery that one cellular response to hydrogen peroxide is the induction of glutaredoxin 1 and thioredoxin 2. In this study we used model compounds as well as alkaline phosphatase to test this idea. Our results indicate that molecular oxygen, superoxide, and hydrogen peroxide are very poor oxidants of N-acetylcysteine and of the protein thiols of alkaline phosphatase in vitro. Copper could accelerate thiol oxidation, but iron did not. When alkaline phosphatase was engineered to remain in the cytoplasm of live cells, unnaturally high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were required to oxidize it to its active, disulfide-dependent form, and toxic levels of superoxide had no effect. At the same time, far lower concentrations of these oxidants were sufficient to poison key metalloenzymes. The elimination of glutaredoxin 1 and thioredoxin 2 did not change these results, raising the question of why E. coli induces them during peroxide stress. In fact, when catalase/peroxidase mutants were chronically stressed with hydrogen peroxide, the absence of glutaredoxin 1 and thioredoxin 2 did not impair growth at all, even in a minimal medium over many generations. We conclude that physiological levels of reduced oxygen species are not potent oxidants of typical protein thiols. Glutaredoxin and thioredoxin must either have an alternative purpose or else play a role under culture conditions that differ from the ones we tested.
Bidirectional associations between hearing difficulty and cognitive function in Chinese adults: a longitudinal study
Authors: Li Xiaoyang , Hu Mingyue , Zhao Yinan , Peng Ruotong , Guo Yongzhen , Zhang Chi , Huang Jundan , Feng Hui , Sun Mei
Published: December 2023

Background

Middle-aged and older adults frequently experience hearing loss and a decline in cognitive function. Although an association between hearing difficulty and cognitive function has been demonstrated, its temporal sequence remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether there are bidirectional relationships between hearing difficulty and cognitive function and explored the mediating role of depressive symptoms in this relationship.

Method

We used the cross-lagged panel model and the random-intercept cross-lagged panel model to look for any possible two-way link between self-reported hearing difficulty and cognitive function. To investigate depressive symptoms’ role in this association, a mediation analysis was conducted. The sample was made up of 4,363 adults aged 45 and above from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS; 2011–2018; 44.83% were women; mean age was 56.16 years). One question was used to determine whether someone had a hearing impairment. The tests of cognitive function included episodic memory and intelligence. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, which consists of 10 items, was used to measure depressive symptoms.

Results

A bidirectional association between hearing and cognition was observed, with cognition predominating (Wald χ2 (1) = 7.241, p < 0.01). At the between-person level, after controlling for potential confounders, worse hearing in 2011 predicted worse cognitive function in 2013 (β = −0.039, p < 0.01) and vice versa (β = −0.041, p < 0.01) at the between-person level. Additionally, there was no corresponding cross-lagged effect of cognitive function on hearing difficulty; rather, the more hearing difficulty, the greater the cognitive decline at the within-person level. According to the cross-lagged mediation model, depressive symptoms partially mediates the impact of cognitive function on subsequent hearing difficulty (indirect effect: −0.003, bootstrap 95% confidence interval: −0.005, −0.001, p < 0.05), but not the other way around.

Conclusion

These results showed that within-person relationships between hearing impairment and cognitive function were unidirectional, while between-person relationships were reciprocal. Setting mental health first may be able to break the vicious cycle that relates hearing loss to cognitive decline. Comprehensive long-term care requires services that address depressive symptoms and cognitive decline to be integrated with the hearing management.
Fusion of dual modalities of non-invasive sensory feedback for object profiling with prosthetic hands
Authors: Zhang Jie , Chou Chih-Hong , Hao Manzhao , Li Yan , Yu Yashuo , Lan Ning
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Either non-invasive somatotopic or substitute sensory feedback is capable of conveying a single modality of sensory information from prosthetic hands to amputees. However, the neurocognitive ability of amputees to integrate multi-modality sensory information for functional discrimination is unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the fusion of non-invasive somatotopic tactile and substitute aperture feedbacks for profile perception of multiple physical features during grasping objects.

Methods

Two left transradial amputees with somatotopic evoked tactile sensation (ETS) of five fingers participated in the study. The tactile information of prosthetic hand was provided to amputees by the ETS feedback elicited on the stump projected finger map. Hand aperture information was conveyed to amputees with substitute electrotactile stimulation on the forearm or upper arm. Two types of sensory feedback were integrated to a commercial prosthetic hand. The efficacy of somatotopic ETS feedback on object length identification task was assessed with or without substitute aperture stimulation. The object size identification task was utilized to assess how ETS stimulation at the stump may affect aperture perception with stimulation on the ipsilateral upper arm or forearm. Finally, the task of identifying combined length and size was conducted to evaluate the ability of amputees to integrate the dual modalities of sensory feedback for perceiving profile features.

Results

The study revealed that amputee subjects can effectively integrate the ETS feedback with electrotactile substitutive feedback for object profile discrimination. Specifically, ETS was robust to provide object length information with electrotactile stimulation at either the forearm or upper arm. However, electrotactile stimulation at the upper arm for aperture perception was less susceptible to the interference of ETS stimulation than at the forearm.

Discussion

Amputee subjects are able to combine somatotopic ETS and aperture feedbacks for identifying multi-dimensional features in object profiling. The two sensory streams of information can be fused effectively without mutual interference for functional discrimination.
Short-term and long-term effectiveness of acupuncture and Tuina on knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Rui-li , Ma Pei-hong , Liu Bao-yan , Yu Chang-he , Zhang Hao-ran , Lv Qian , Yang Da-wei , Yang Yu-ping , Liu Hong-yan , Wang Fu-yu , Yin Chun-sheng , Su Shao-guang , Wang Hong-chi , Wang Xi-you , Yan Shi-yan
Published: December 2023

Background

The effectiveness of acupuncture and tuina in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is still controversial, which limits their clinical application in practice. This study aims to evaluate the short-term and long-term effectiveness of acupuncture and tuina on KOA.

Methods/design

This parallel-group, multicenter randomized clinical trial (RCT) will be conducted at the outpatient clinic of five traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in China. Three hundred and thirty participants with KOA will be randomly assigned to acupuncture, tuina, or home-based exercise group with a ratio of 1:1:1. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants achieving a minimal clinically important improvement defined as a ≥ 12% reduction on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain dimension on short term (week 8) and long term (week 26) compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes are knee joint conditions (pain, function, and stiffness), self-efficacy of arthritis, quality of life, and psychological conditions, which will be evaluated by the WOMAC score and the Patient Global Assessment (PGA), and in addition, the respondents index of OMERACT-OARSI, Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12), arthritis self-efficacy scale, and European five-dimensional health scale (EQ-5D). Adverse events will be collected by self-reported questionnaires predefined.

Clinical trial registration

https://www.chictr.org.cn
Improved motor imagery classification using adaptive spatial filters based on particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Xiong Xiong , Wang Ying , Song Tianyuan , Huang Jinguo , Kang Guixia
Published: December 2023

Background

As a typical self-paced brain–computer interface (BCI) system, the motor imagery (MI) BCI has been widely applied in fields such as robot control, stroke rehabilitation, and assistance for patients with stroke or spinal cord injury. Many studies have focused on the traditional spatial filters obtained through the common spatial pattern (CSP) method. However, the CSP method can only obtain fixed spatial filters for specific input signals. In addition, the CSP method only focuses on the variance difference of two types of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, so the decoding ability of EEG signals is limited.

Methods

To make up for these deficiencies, this study introduces a novel spatial filter-solving paradigm named adaptive spatial pattern (ASP), which aims to minimize the energy intra-class matrix and maximize the inter-class matrix of MI-EEG after spatial filtering. The filter bank adaptive and common spatial pattern (FBACSP), our proposed method for MI-EEG decoding, amalgamates ASP spatial filters with CSP features across multiple frequency bands. Through a dual-stage feature selection strategy, it employs the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm for spatial filter optimization, surpassing traditional CSP approaches in MI classification. To streamline feature sets and enhance recognition efficiency, it first prunes CSP features in each frequency band using mutual information, followed by merging these with ASP features.

Results

Comparative experiments are conducted on two public datasets (2a and 2b) from BCI competition IV, which show the outstanding average recognition accuracy of FBACSP. The classification accuracy of the proposed method has reached 74.61 and 81.19% on datasets 2a and 2b, respectively. Compared with the baseline algorithm, filter bank common spatial pattern (FBCSP), the proposed algorithm improves by 11.44 and 7.11% on two datasets, respectively (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

It is demonstrated that FBACSP has a strong ability to decode MI-EEG. In addition, the analysis based on mutual information, t-SNE, and Shapley values further proves that ASP features have excellent decoding ability for MI-EEG signals and explains the improvement of classification performance by the introduction of ASP features. These findings may provide useful information to optimize EEG-based BCI systems and further improve the performance of non-invasive BCI.
Serum vascular adhesion protein-1 is associated with twelve-year risk of incident cancer, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality: a community-based cohort study
Authors: Chen Szu-Chi , Fan Kang-Chih , Yen I-Weng , Yang Chung-Yi , Lin Chia-Hung , Hsu Chih-Yao , Lyu Ya-Pin , Juan Hsien-Chia , Lin Heng-Huei , Lin Mao-Shin , Shih Shyang-Rong , Li Hung-Yuan , Kuo Chun-Heng
Published: December 2023

Background

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), a dual-function glycoprotein, has been reported to play a crucial role in inflammation and tumor progression. We conducted a community-based cohort study to investigate whether serum VAP-1 could be a potential biomarker for predicting incident cancers and mortality.

Method

From 2006 to 2018, we enrolled 889 cancer-free subjects at baseline. Serum VAP-1 levels were measured using a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay. Cancer and vital status of the participants were obtained by linking records with the computerized cancer registry and death certificates in Taiwan.

Results

During a median follow-up of 11.94 years, 69 subjects developed incident cancers and 66 subjects died, including 29 subjects who died from malignancy. Subjects in the highest tertile of serum VAP-1 had a significantly higher risk of cancer incidence (p=0.0006), cancer mortality (p=0.0001), and all-cause mortality (p=0.0002) than subjects in the other tertiles. The adjusted hazard ratios per one standard deviation increase in serum VAP-1 concentrations were 1.28 for cancer incidence (95% CI=1.01–1.62), 1.60 for cancer mortality (95% CI=1.14–2.23), and 1.38 for all-cause mortality (95% CI=1.09–1.75). The predictive performance of serum VAP-1 was better than that of gender, smoking, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, and estimated glomerular filtration rate but lower than that of age for cancer incidence, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality, as evidenced by higher increments in concordance statistics and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Conclusion

Serum VAP-1 levels are associated with a 12-year risk of incident cancer, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality in a general population.
Critical review of the current and future prospects of VEGF-TKIs in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
Authors: Puttagunta Prashant , Pamulapati Saagar V. , Bates James E. , Gross Jennifer H. , Stokes William A. , Schmitt Nicole C. , Steuer Conor , Teng Yong , Saba Nabil F.
Published: December 2023

As the prognosis for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck remains unsatisfactory when compared to other malignancies, novel therapies targeting specific biomarkers are a critical emerging area of great promise. One particular class of drugs that has been developed to impede tumor angiogenesis is vascular endothelial growth factor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. As current data is primarily limited to preclinical and phase I/II trials, this review summarizes the current and future prospects of these agents in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In particular, the combination of these agents with immunotherapy is an exciting area that may be a promising option for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, evidenced in recent trials such as the combination immune checkpoint inhibitors with lenvatinib and cabozantinib. In addition, the use of such combination therapy preoperatively in locally advanced disease is another area of interest.
Dose-response technique combined with stable isotope tracing for drug metabolite profiling by using high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Lin I-Shou , Chuang Chia-Ying Anderin , Shih Chia-Lung
Published: December 2023

Background: Mass spectrometry metabolomics-based data-processing approaches have been developed for drug metabolite profiling. However, existing approaches cannot be used to comprehensively identify drug metabolites with high efficacy.

Methods: Herein, we propose a two-stage data-processing approach for effective and comprehensive drug metabolite identification. The approach combines dose-response experiments with stable isotope tracing (SIT). Rosiglitazone (ROS), commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, was employed as a model drug.

Results: In the first stage of data processing, 1,071 features exhibited a dose-response relationship among 22,597 features investigated. In the second stage, these 1,071 features were screened for isotope pairs, and 200 features with isotope pairs were identified. In time-course experiments, a large proportion of the identified features (69.5%: 137 out of 200 features) were confirmed to be possible ROS metabolites. We compared the validated features identified using our approach with those identified using a previously reported approach [the mass defect filter (MDF) combined with SIT] and discovered that most of the validated features (37 out of 42) identified using the MDF-SIT combination were also successfully identified using our approach. Of the 143 validated features identified by both approaches, 74 had a proposed structure of an ROS-structure-related metabolite; the other 34 features that contained a specific fragment of ROS metabolites were considered possible ROS metabolites. Interestingly, numerous ROS-structure-related metabolites were identified in this study, most of which were novel.

Conclusion: The results reveal that the proposed approach can effectively and comprehensively identify ROS metabolites.
Triceps surae muscle hypertrophy is greater after standing versus seated calf-raise training
Authors: Kinoshita Momoka , Maeo Sumiaki , Kobayashi Yuuto , Eihara Yuuri , Ono Munetaka , Sato Mauto , Sugiyama Takashi , Kanehisa Hiroaki , Isaka Tadao
Published: December 2023

Background: The triceps surae muscle plays important roles in fundamental human movements. However, this muscle is relatively unresponsive to resistance training (difficult to hypertrophy) but prone to atrophy with inactivity compared with other muscles. Thus, identifying an effective training modality for the triceps surae is warranted. This study compared triceps surae muscle hypertrophy after standing/knee-extended versus seated/knee-flexed plantarflexion (calf-raise) training, where the gastrocnemius is lengthened and shortened, respectively.

Methods: Fourteen untrained adults conducted calf-raise training with one leg in a standing/knee-extended position and the other leg in a seated/knee 90°-flexed position at 70% of one-repetition maximum. Each leg performed 10 repetitions/set, 5 sets/session, 2 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained to assess muscle volume of each and the whole triceps surae.

Results: Muscle volume significantly increased in all three muscles and the whole triceps surae for both legs (p ≤ 0.031), except for the gastrocnemius muscles of the seated condition leg (p = 0.147–0.508). The changes in muscle volume were significantly greater for the standing than seated condition leg in the lateral gastrocnemius (12.4% vs. 1.7%), medial gastrocnemius (9.2% vs. 0.6%), and whole triceps surae (5.6% vs. 2.1%) (p ≤ 0.011), but similar between legs in the soleus (2.1% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.410).

Conclusion: Standing calf-raise was by far more effective, therefore recommended, than seated calf-raise for inducing muscle hypertrophy of the gastrocnemius and consequently the whole triceps surae. This result and similar between-condition hypertrophy in the soleus collectively suggest that training at long muscle lengths promotes muscle hypertrophy.
Rootstock effects on leaf function and isotope composition in apple occurred on both scion grafted and ungrafted rootstocks under hydroponic conditions
Authors: Biasuz Erica Casagrande , Kalcsits Lee
Published: December 2023

Rootstocks are used in modern apple production to increase productivity, abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, and fruit quality. While dwarfing for apple rootstocks has been well characterized, the physiological mechanisms controlling dwarfing have not. Previous research has reported rootstock effects on scion water relations. Root architecture and variability in soil moisture across rooting depths can also contribute to these differences among rootstocks in the field. To exclude these effects on rootstock behavior, scions were grafted onto four different rootstocks with varying effects on scion vigor (B.9, M.9, G.41 and G.890). Non-grafted rootstocks were also grown to examine whether the effects of rootstock occurred independently from scion grafting. Plants were grown in a greenhouse under near steady-state hydroponic conditions. Carbon (δ13C), oxygen (δ18O) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope composition were evaluated and relationships with carbon assimilation, water relations, and shoot growth were tested. Rootstocks affected scion shoot growth, aligning with known levels of vigor for these four rootstocks, and were consistent between the two scion cultivars. Furthermore, changes in water relations influenced by rootstock genotype significantly affected leaf, stem, and root δ13C, δ18O, and δ15N. Lower δ13C and δ18O were inconsistently associated with rootstock genotypes with higher vigor in leaves, stems, and roots. G.41 had lower δ15N in roots, stems, and leaves in both grafted and ungrafted trees. The effects of rootstock on aboveground water relations were also similar for leaves of ungrafted rootstocks. This study provides further evidence that dwarfing for apple rootstocks is linked with physiological limitations to water delivery to the developing scion.
Case report: A dual case study of how clinical feedback can be a communication aide and influence therapeutic work
Authors: Helleseth Marianne Magnesdotter , McAleavey Andrew Athan , Moltu Christian
Published: December 2023

Background

While routine outcome monitoring and clinical feedback may improve outcomes after psychotherapy, results from efficiency studies have been mixed. Moreover, how clinical feedback is implemented influences how it works for patients and clinicians, and working mechanisms are hitherto not thoroughly explored. Researchers have argued that inviting and using feedback from patients is best conceived of as a clinical skill. In this paper, we use case study methodology to explore and describe feedback’s functions within three clinical skill themes: actualizing alliance work, concretizing change and stagnation and verbalizing the non-verbal.

Case presentation

Sonja is a young adult patient with a trauma background. She has a history of serious suicide attempts and distrust in relationships. She attended psychotherapy for eight months. Harald is a middle-aged man with a stable family. Traumatic events in his past has made him conceal own needs and developing depression. He attended psychotherapy for 19 months. Case material include the patient’s clinical feedback over a range of life areas, medical health notes and the therapist’s process notes.

Conclusion

Clinical feedback can be a positive supplement to the therapeutic work and process. The importance of making this as a joint tool between the client and the therapist is significant.
High level of psychological stress in COVID-19 recovered individuals: role of copeptin as a potential biomarker
Authors: Nonglait Phibakordor Lyngdoh , Madhu Sri Venkata , Raizada Nishant , Aggarwal Amitesh , Ahmed Rafat , Aslam Mohammad
Published: December 2023

Background

Study aimed to assess stress in COVID-19 recovered individuals using a validated questionnaire PSS-10 score and stress biomarkers – salivary cortisol and serum copeptin.

Methods

A total of 83 subjects of which 54 subjects (66.3%) who were hospitalized were recruited 8–20 weeks following recovery from COVID-19. Stress was assessed by PSS-10 stress-scale after a mean duration of 14.5 weeks after recovery. Sixty-eight subjects (81.9%) had new or persistent symptoms after recovery. Subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of PSS score; mild stress (PSS:0–13) and moderate to severe stress (PSS:>14) and levels of biomarkers (serum copeptin, DHEAS and salivary cortisol) were compared in the two groups.

Results

Forty-four subjects (53%) had moderate to severe stress and 39 subjects (47%) had mild stress. Subjects with post COVID symptoms had significantly higher stress levels as compared to subjects who were asymptomatic [15 vs. 9; p = 0.003]. Serum copeptin levels were significantly higher among subjects with moderate to severe stress as compared to those with mild stress [0.41 vs. 0.67 ng/mL; p = 0.031]. Subjects with moderate to severe stress had higher median salivary cortisol compared to subjects with mild stress [1.03 vs. 1.44 nmol/L; p = 0.448].

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated moderate to severe stress in over half and some level of stress in nearly all COVID recovered individuals even after 3 months. Serum copeptin was found to be a useful biomarker to objectively measure stress in these subjects.
The effect of compression on repetitive behaviors and task participation in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Grandits Jennifer B. , Kent Hanna W. , Sanborn Sarah M. , Pilcher June J.
Published: December 2023

Compression clothes are marketed to relieve anxiety and decrease hyperactivity in children with autism. However, few studies have examined the impact of compression for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, nine children with autism were observed during Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy sessions while wearing compression clothing. The participants were randomly assigned to wear compression clothing for either their first five sessions or their last five sessions. Videos of the therapy sessions were reviewed and each child’s “off task” behavior was identified in the following domains: motor, verbal, and visual. In addition, frequency of the child’s repetitive behaviors and external visual stimuli were recorded. The compression clothes failed to increase task participation or reduce the participants’ repetitive behavior suggesting that the clothing may not contribute to professional practice of ABA therapy.
Timing of imagery rescripting during schema therapy for borderline personality disorder: the LUCY trial
Authors: Koppeschaar Annemieke , Bachrach Nathan , Arntz Arnoud
Published: December 2023

Background

Early childhood adversity plays an important role in the etiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Current evidence suggests that trauma treatment for patients with BPD can be performed safely and that early trauma treatment has a positive effect on the course of PD. However, there is a scarcity of RCTs comparing the effects of the timing of trauma treatment during schema therapy (ST) for BPD on BPD severity. Therefore, the LUCY trial investigates the effects of the timing of trauma treatment by comparing early trauma treatment using imagery rescripting (ImRs) on the course of BPD during ST to trauma treatment in the middle of the treatment course.

Methods

In this multicenter RCT, two conditions are compared among 73 individuals with BPD. The participants receive combined individual and group ST in both conditions. However, in condition (A), participants directly start ImRs in the individual sessions in months 2–4, and in condition (B), participants receive ST-as-Usual (STAU), in which ImRs is not allowed during months 2–4. The treatment follows ST treatment protocols, consists of a fixed combination of individual sessions and group sessions with a maximum of nine patients, and has a maximum duration of 25 months. The primary outcome is change in BPD severity, which is assessed using the Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index-5 by independent raters blinded to the treatment. Secondary outcome measures include treatment retention, disconnection/rejection schemas, general functioning, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, general psychopathological complaints, quality of life, happiness, schemas, and schema modes. Multilevel analysis will be performed to analyze and compare changes in BPD severity between conditions and generalized linear mixed model analyses to test predictors and moderators.

Discussion

This study will increase the knowledge on whether trauma treatment early in therapy positively affects the course of BPD manifestations during ST. When the early application of ImRs leads to a faster decrease in BPD manifestations, the treatment of BPD patients might be shortened, leading to improved treatment outcomes and decreased healthcare expenses. Moreover, the planned sub-studies will expand our knowledge of how ST works and the factors that influence the outcome of treatment.
Towards a positive postnatal experience in Sub-Saharan African countries: the receipt of adequate services during the immediate postpartum period: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Habte Aklilu , Tamene Aiggan , Tesfaye Legesse
Published: December 2023

Background

Existing studies in the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region have focused mainly on the frequency of postnatal visits, with little emphasis on the adequacy of care provided during visits. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the magnitude of receiving an adequate number of World Health Organization-recommended contents of care during the immediate postpartum visit, and its predictors in SSA countries.

Methods

The appended women file of the most recent (2016–2021) standardized Demographic and Health Survey report of eighteen Sub-Saharan African countries with a weighted sample of 56,673 women was used for the study. The influence of each predictor on the uptake of adequate postnatal care has been examined using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression. Significant predictors were reported using the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

The pooled prevalence of adequate postnatal care service uptake was found to be 42.94% (95% CI: 34.14, 49.13). Living in the southern sub-region (aOR = 3.08 95% CI: 2.50, 3.80), institutional delivery (aOR = 3.15; 95% CI: 2.90, 3.43), early initiation of ANC (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.45, 2.09), quality of antenatal care (aOR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.42, 1.78), Caesarean delivery (aOR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.42, 1.78), autonomy in decision-making (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.39), high acceptance toward wife beating attitude (aOR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.94), and reading newspapers (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.56) were identified as predictors of receiving adequate postnatal services during the immediate postpartum period.

Conclusion

The findings revealed low coverage of adequate postnatal care service uptake in the region. The Federal Ministry of Health and healthcare managers in each country should coordinate their efforts to develop interventions that promote women’s empowerment to enhance their autonomy in decision-making and to reduce attitudes towards wife beating. Healthcare providers ought to strive to provide skilled delivery services and early initiation of antenatal care.
The underrepresentation of women in sport leadership in South Africa
Authors: Adom-Aboagye Nana Akua Achiaa , Burnett Cora
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The lack of representation of women in sport leadership, despite global movements and policies that have found some traction, is a persistent, unremitting challenge globally, and especially in South Africa. This study aimed to explore the intersections of gender and sports ideology and its impact on gender (in) equity in the South African context. The study draws on African feminist theories and perspectives as a conceptual framework.

Methods

Twenty-eight interviews with prominent administrators, gender activists in sport, and practitioners from the sport-for-development sector and thematic document analysis provided qualitative data for the generation of three main themes relating to: (i) norms and values; (ii) male resistance; and (iii) agency.

Results

The results of the study show minimal traction on changing patriarchally informed cultural beliefs towards women with men as gatekeepers and masculinity framed for leadership attributes in most sports.

Discussion

Within an African feminist viewpoint, gender justice is multilayered and the inclusion of women within a holistic environment of shared decision-making and equitable resource mobilisation and distribution cannot be achieved through advocacy alone but necessitate the mainstreaming of a gender agenda to meaningfully address transformative change of sport systems and practices.
Comparative Analysis of Starlight Occultation Data Processing
Authors: Sun Mingchen , Zhu Qinglin , Dong Xiang , Xu Bin , Wang Hong-Guang , Cheng Xuan
Published: December 2023

In order to improve the inversion accuracy of stellar occultation data and to provide a reference for the selection of inversion methods with higher accuracy in the future, this study compared and analyzed the inversion effects of two different methods on the same set of data, which are the effective cross-section method and the onion-peeling method, respectively. Firstly, the inversion principle of the effective cross-section method is introduced in detail. The regularisation parameters and screening conditions for the observation data in the inversion process were clarified based on the ozone observation characteristics. Second, the algorithm was applied to invert the GOMOS observational data from 1 December 2002. The atmospheric radiative transmittance obtained from the observations was filtered, and the inversion results were compared with those obtained using the onion-peeling method. Third, the errors in the height distribution obtained by both methods were calculated using the GOMOS secondary results from 1 December 2002 as the reference value. Finally, the inversion errors of other trace components were computed to further validate the accuracy of the two methods. The results demonstrate that the effective cross-sectional method is more accurate for the inversion of ozone, particularly in low-altitude regions affected by refraction. The method achieved a maximum error of 1.2%, with an apparent magnitude of 2, an effective temperature greater than 10,000 K, and a regularisation parameter of 1015. Furthermore, when applying the same method to the inversion of nitrogen trioxide and calculating the error, it was observed that the results of both methods were comparable at altitude of 30–60 km, with an error value ranging from 0 to 2%. However, at approximately 25 km, the inversion accuracy of the onion-peeling method surpassed that of the effective cross-sectional method. This research provides a theoretical foundation for further investigation of the stellar occultation inversion method and enhancing the accuracy of inversions.
Assessment of the Air Cleaning Performance and Humidity and Temperature Control by Five Evergreen Woody Plants
Authors: Bui Huong-Thi , Park Jihye , Lee Eunyoung , Cho Wonwoo , Kwon Hyuckhwan , Park Bong-Ju
Published: December 2023

Indoor air quality (IAQ) directly affects human health. The increase in PM and CO2 concentration indoors caused an increase in the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms. Plants could contribute to reducing particulate matter (PM) and CO2. This study identifies the most efficient evergreen plant species for improving indoor air quality by assessing the ability of five different indigenous Korean evergreen plant species to reduce PM and CO2 and regulate humidity and temperature under indoor environmental conditions in acrylic chambers. The clean air delivery rates (CADR) were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of plants in reducing PM and CO2. We assessed the performance of removing the five study plants on PM1 (~0.68–3.01 m3/h/leaf area), PM2.5 (~0.73–3.08 m3/h/leaf area), PM10 (~0.67–3.04 m3/h/leaf area), and CO2 (~0.48–1.04 m3/h/leaf area). The species Ilex pedunculosa, Pittosporum tobira, and Gardenia jasminoides were the most effective at reducing PM. The CADR of CO2 also differed among the five plant species and corresponded to their photosynthetic rate. Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki, which had the high photosynthetic rate, was most effective at reducing CO2. By contrast, PM reduction was correlated with plant leaf structure. Plants with a high leaf density can accumulate more PM. The plants were also able to control temperature and humidity. The average temperature of the control chamber was higher, and the humidity was lower than that of the plant chambers. In this study, the five evergreen species effectively reduced air pollutants and can be used to improve IAQ.
A Modified Basophil Activation Test for the Clinical Management of Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions to Paclitaxel: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: La Sorda Marilena , Fossati Marco , Graffeo Rosalia , Ferraironi Manuela , De Rosa Maria Cristina , Buzzonetti Alexia , Righino Benedetta , Zampetti Nicole , Fattorossi Andrea , Nucera Eleonora , Aruanno Arianna , Ferrandina Gabriella , Apostol Adriana Ionelia , Buonomo Alessandro , Scambia Giovanni , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Battaglia Alessandra
Published: December 2023

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions (iHSRs) to taxanes are observed in 6% and 4% of gynecologic and breast cancer patients, respectively. Drug desensitization is the only option, as no comparable alternative therapy is available. Surfactants in the taxane formulation have been implicated in the immunopathogenesis of iHSRs, although sporadic skin test (ST) positivity and iHSRs to nab-paclitaxel have suggested the involvement of the taxane moiety and/or IgE-mediated pathomechanisms. In vitro diagnostic tests might offer insights into mechanisms underlying iHSRs to taxanes. The aim of the present study was to address this unmet need by developing a novel basophil activation test (BAT). The study included patients (n = 31) undergoing paclitaxel/carboplatin therapy. Seventeen patients presented with iHSRs to paclitaxel (iHSR-Taxpos), and eleven were tolerant (iHSR-Taxneg). Fourteen patients presented with iHSRs to carboplatin (iHSR-Plpos), and fourteen were tolerant (iHSR-Plneg). The BAT median stimulation index (SI) values were 1.563 (range, 0.02–4.11; n = 11) and −0.28 (range −4.88–0.07, n = 11) in iHSR-Taxpos and iHSR-Taxneg, respectively. The BAT median SI values were 4.45 (range, 0.1–26.7; n = 14) and 0 (range, −0.51–1.65; n = 12) in iHSR-Plpos and iHSR-Plneg, respectively. SI levels were not associated with iHSR severity grading. Comparing BAT results in iHSR-Taxpos and iHSR-Taxneg showed the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve to be 0.9752 (p = 0.0002). The cutoff calculated by the maximized likelihood ratio identified 90.91% of iHSR-Taxpos patients and 90.91% of iHSR-Taxneg patients. Comparing BAT results for iHSR-Plpos and iHSR-Plneg showed the area under the ROC curve to be 0.9286 (p = 0.0002). The cutoff calculated by the maximized likelihood ratio identified 78.57% of iHSR-Plpos patients and 91.67% of iHSR-Plneg patients. Most iHSR-Taxpos patients for which ST was available (10/11) scored ST-negative and BAT-positive, whereas most iHSR-Plpos patients for which ST was available (14/14) scored both BAT- and ST-positive. This suggested the intervention of non-IgE-mediated mechanisms in iHSR-Taxpos patients. Consistent with this view, an in silico molecular docking analysis predicted the high affinity of paclitaxel to the degranulation-competent MRGPRX2 receptor. This hypothesis warrants further in vitro investigations. In conclusion, the present study provides preliminary proof-of-concept evidence that this novel BAT has potential utility in understanding mechanisms underlying iHSRs to taxanes.