bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Kidney Injury in Elderly Patients With Coronavirus Infectious Disease: A Study of Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prognosis in Brazil
Authors: Yuasa Bruna Kaori , Magalhães Luis Eduardo , Oliveira Paula Gabriela Sousa de , Yokota Lais Gabriela , Cardoso Pedro Andriolo , Zamoner Welder , Balbi André Luis , Ponce Daniela
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Elderly patients with COVID-19 are at a higher risk of severity and death as not only several comorbidities but also aging itself has been considered a relevant risk factor. Acute kidney injury (AKI), one of the worst complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, is associated with worse outcomes. Studies on AKI with COVID-19 in Latin-American patients of older age remain scarce.

Objectives

To determine AKI incidence and the risk factors associated with its development, as well as to compare outcome of elderly patients with or without AKI associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Methods

This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with SARS-CoV2 infection admitted to a Public Tertiary Referral Hospital from 03/01/2020 to 12/31/2020, from admission to resolution (hospital discharge or death). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from patients during hospitalization. Daily kidney function assessment was performed by measuring serum creatinine and urine output. AKI was diagnosed according to KDIGO 2012 criteria.

Results

Of the 347 patients with COVID-19 admitted to our hospital during the study period, 52.16% were elderly, with a median age of 72 years (65- 80 years). In this age group, most patients were males (56.91%), hypertensive (73.48%), and required ICU care (55.25%). AKI overall incidence in the elderly was 56.9%, with higher frequency in ICU patients (p < 0.001). There was a predominance of KDIGO 3 (50.48%), and acute kidney replacement therapy (AKRT) was required by 47.57% of the patients. The risk factors associated with AKI development were higher baseline creatinine level (OR 10.54, CI 1.22 -90.61, p = 0.032) and need for mechanical ventilation (OR 9.26, CI 1.08-79.26, p = 0.042). Mortality was also more frequent among patients with AKI (46.41%vs24.7%, p < 0.0001), with death being associated with CPK level (OR 1.009, CI 1.001-1.017, p = 0.042), need for mechanical ventilation (OR 17.71, CI 1.13-277.62, p = 0.002) and KDIGO 3 (OR 2.017 CI 1.039 -3.917, p = 0.038).

Conclusion

AKI was frequent among the elderly hospitalized with COVID-19 and its risk factors were higher baseline creatinine and need for mechanical ventilation. AKI was independently associated with a higher risk of death.
Instrumented Assessment of Motor Performance Fatigability During the 6-Min Walk Test in Mildly Affected People With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Broscheid Kim-Charline , Behrens Martin , Bilgin-Egner Patrizia , Peters Anita , Dettmers Christian , Jöbges Michael , Schega Lutz
Published: May 2022

There are conflicting results regarding the changes in spatio-temporal gait parameters during the 6-min walk test (6MWT) as indicators of gait-related motor performance fatigability (PF) in people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). To further analyze if gait-related motor PF can be quantified using instrumented gait analysis during the 6MWT, we investigated: (i) whether gait parameters recorded during the first or second minute were more stable and thus the better baseline to assess motor PF and (ii) if the minimum toe clearance (MTC) together with “classical” spatio-temporal gait parameters can be used to quantify motor PF in pwMS. Nineteen mildly affected pwMS [12 women/7 men; 47.8 ± 9.0 years; the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): 2.7 ± 1.0] and 24 healthy controls (HC; 15 women/9 men; 48.8 ± 7.6 years) completed the 6MWT equipped with inertial measurement units. Data were analyzed using the attractor method to compare the stability of gait parameters and, besides “classical” spatio-temporal gait parameters, the MTC was calculated as a potential new marker for motor PF in pwMS as this was shown in healthy older adults. It was found that (i) gait parameters were more stable in the second than in the first minute and (ii) gait-related motor PF could not be detected based on spatio-temporal gait parameters, including the MTC. Descriptive analysis indicated a decrease in MTC variability, which is assumed to be indicative for motor PF, toward the end of the 6MWT in some pwMS. Future studies should investigate gait parameters for the assessment of motor PF in pwMS recorded during more intense and/or longer walking protocols, taking the level of disability into account. Furthermore, using gait parameters recorded in the first minute of the 6MWT as a baseline for the assessment of motor PF should be avoided.
Atypical Case of VV1 Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease Subtype: Case Report
Authors: Carrasco Adrianna E. , Appleby Brian S. , Cali Ignazio , Okhravi Hamid R.
Published: May 2022

Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare form of rapidly progressive, neurodegenerative disease that results from the misfolding and accumulation of an aberrant, disease-associated prion protein (PrPD). CJD affects 1–1.5 cases per million per year with the sporadic-type accounting for an estimated 85% of these cases. Sporadic CJD (sCJD) is further subdivided into five subtypes based on genetic polymorphisms; the rarest subtype, sCJDVV1, occurs at a rate of 1 case per one-hundredth million population per year. Clinical characteristics of the sCJDVV1 subtype have been reported to show, early age of onset (44 years), average disease duration of 21 months, absent PSWCs on electroencephalography (EEG), and MRI hyperintensities in the cerebral cortex with usual negative signal in the basal ganglia or thalamus. We present a case of the sCJDVV1 subtype with uncommon features. Contrary to current data on sCJDVV1, our patient presented with an unusual age at onset (61 years) and longer disease duration (32 months). The highly sensitive and specific real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay was negative. Presenting clinical symptoms included paranoid thoughts and agitation, rapidly progressive memory decline, prosopagnosia, and late development of myoclonus and mutism. Other findings showed positive antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), and absent PSWCs on EEG. High-dose steroid therapy treatment was administered based on positive anti-TPO findings, which failed to elicit any improvement and the patient continued to decline. To our knowledge, only four cases with the sCJDVV1 subtype, including our patient, have been reported to have a negative result on RT-QuIC. This may suggest varied sensitivity across sCJD subtypes. However, given the rarity of our patient's subtype, and the relatively novel RT-QuIC, current data are based on a small number of cases and larger cohorts of confirmed VV1 cases with RT-QuIC testing need to be reported.
PyRAT: An Open-Source Python Library for Animal Behavior Analysis
Authors: De Almeida Tulio Fernandes , Spinelli Bruno Guedes , Hypolito Lima Ramón , Gonzalez Maria Carolina , Rodrigues Abner Cardoso
Published: May 2022

Here we developed an open-source Python-based library called Python rodent Analysis and Tracking (PyRAT). Our library analyzes tracking data to classify distinct behaviors, estimate traveled distance, speed and area occupancy. To classify and cluster behaviors, we used two unsupervised algorithms: hierarchical agglomerative clustering and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE). Finally, we built algorithms that associate the detected behaviors with synchronized neural data and facilitate the visualization of this association in the pixel space. PyRAT is fully available on GitHub: https://github.com/pyratlib/pyrat.
Predictive Biomarkers for Antipsychotic Treatment Response in Early Phase of Schizophrenia: Multi-Omic Measures Linking Subcortical Covariant Network, Transcriptomic Signatures, and Peripheral Epigenetics
Authors: Zong Xiaofen , He Changchun , Huang Xinyue , Xiao Jinming , Li Lei , Li Meiling , Yao Tao , Hu Maolin , Liu Zhongchun , Duan Xujun , Zheng Junjie
Published: May 2022

Background

Volumetric alterations of subcortical structures as predictors of antipsychotic treatment response have been previously corroborated, but less is known about whether their morphological covariance relates to treatment outcome and is driven by gene expression and epigenetic modifications.

Methods

Subcortical volumetric covariance was analyzed by using baseline T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 38 healthy controls and 38 drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia patients. Patients were treated with 8-week risperidone monotherapy and divided into responder and non-responder groups according to the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG). We utilized partial least squares (PLS) regression to examine the spatial associations between gene expression of subcortical structures from a publicly available transcriptomic dataset and between-group variances of structural covariance. The peripheral DNA methylation (DNAm) status of a gene of interest (GOI), overlapping between genes detected in the PLS and 108 schizophrenia candidate gene loci previously reported, was examined in parallel with MRI scanning.

Results

In the psychotic symptom dimension, non-responders had a higher baseline structural covariance in the putamen–hippocampus–pallidum–accumbens pathway compared with responders. For disorganized symptoms, significant differences in baseline structural covariant connections were found in the putamen–hippocampus–pallidum–thalamus circuit between the two subgroups. The imaging variances related to psychotic symptom response were spatially related to the expression of genes enriched in neurobiological processes and dopaminergic pathways. The DNAm of GOI demonstrated significant associations with patients’ improvement of psychotic symptoms.

Conclusion

Baseline subcortical structural covariance and peripheral DNAm may relate to antipsychotic treatment response. Phenotypic variations in subcortical connectome related to psychotic symptom response may be transcriptomically and epigenetically underlaid. This study defines a roadmap for future studies investigating multimodal imaging epigenetic biomarkers for treatment response in schizophrenia.
A Machine Learning Approach in Autism Spectrum Disorders: From Sensory Processing to Behavior Problems
Authors: Alateyat Heba , Cruz Sara , Cernadas Eva , Tubío-Fungueiriño María , Sampaio Adriana , González-Villar Alberto , Carracedo Angel , Fernández-Delgado Manuel , Fernández-Prieto Montse
Published: May 2022

Atypical sensory processing described in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) frequently cascade into behavioral alterations: isolation, aggression, indifference, anxious/depressed states, or attention problems. Predictive machine learning models might refine the statistical explorations of the associations between them by finding out how these dimensions are related. This study investigates whether behavior problems can be predicted using sensory processing abilities. Participants were 72 children and adolescents (21 females) diagnosed with ASD, aged between 6 and 14 years (M = 7.83 years; SD = 2.80 years). Parents of the participants were invited to answer the Sensory Profile 2 (SP2) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) questionnaires. A collection of 26 supervised machine learning regression models of different families was developed to predict the CBCL outcomes using the SP2 scores. The most reliable predictions were for the following outcomes: total problems (using the items in the SP2 touch scale as inputs), anxiety/depression (using avoiding quadrant), social problems (registration), and externalizing scales, revealing interesting relations between CBCL outcomes and SP2 scales. The prediction reliability on the remaining outcomes was “moderate to good” except somatic complaints and rule-breaking, where it was “bad to moderate.” Linear and ridge regression achieved the best prediction for a single outcome and globally, respectively, and gradient boosting machine achieved the best prediction in three outcomes. Results highlight the utility of several machine learning models in studying the predictive value of sensory processing impairments (with an early onset) on specific behavior alterations, providing evidences of relationship between sensory processing impairments and behavior problems in ASD.
Prognostic Potential of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score in Predicting All-Cause Mortality and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Arero Godana , Arero Amanuel Godana , Mohammed Shimels Hussien , Vasheghani-Farahani Ali
Published: May 2022

Background

As defined by the Controlling Nutrition Status (CONUT) score, the prognostic significance of nutritional status has attracted attention in patients with cardiovascular disease. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the importance of CONUT score for prediction of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adult patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Observational studies conducted to evaluate the association of CONUT score with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with CAD were included. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane library, Google scholar, medRxiv pre-print as well as Science Direct search engine for studies published from the inception of each database until March 21, 2022. Studies reporting the utility of CONUT score in prediction of all-cause mortality and MACE among patients with CAD were eligible. Predictive potential of the CONUT score were summarized by pooling the multivariable adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% CI for the malnourished vs. normal nutritional status or per point CONUT score increase.

Results

Of 2,547 screened citation, nine observational studies involving 81,257 patients with CAD were analyzed. Malnutrition defined by the CONUT score was associated with significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality when compared with the normal nutritional state (aHR for mild, moderate, and severe malnutrition, respectively: (1.21 [95% CI: 1.15–1.27], I2 = 0%), (1.53 [95% CI: 1.26–1.84], I2 = 84%), and (2.24 [95% CI: 1.57–3.19], I2 = 77%). Similarly, moderate (aHR 1.71 [95% CI: 1.44–2.03], I2 = 0%) and severe (aHR 2.66 [95% CI: 1.82–3.89], I2 = 0%) malnutrition was associated with a significantly higher risk of MACE compared with the normal nutritional state. Additionally, per point increase in the CONUT score was correlated with 20 and 23% additional risk of all-cause mortality and MACE, respectively.

Conclusion

As defined by the CONUT score, malnutrition is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and MACE in CAD patients. Nutritional assessment with CONUT score could allow clinicians to identify patients with CAD at high risk for adverse clinical outcomes.
Rising Demand for Healthy Foods-Anthocyanin Biofortified Colored Wheat Is a New Research Trend
Authors: Garg Monika , Kaur Satveer , Sharma Anjali , Kumari Anita , Tiwari Vandita , Sharma Saloni , Kapoor Payal , Sheoran Bhawna , Goyal Ajay , Krishania Meena
Published: May 2022

Wheat is a vital and preferred energy source in many parts of the world. Its unique processing quality helps prepare many products such as bread, biscuit, pasta, and noodles. In the world of rapid economic growth, food security, in terms of nutritional profile, began to receive more significant interest. The development of biofortified colored wheat (black, purple, and blue) adds nutritional and functional health benefits to the energy-rich wheat. Colored wheat exists in three forms, purple, blue, and black, depending upon the types and position of the anthocyanins in wheat layers, regulated by the bHLH-MYC transcription factor. Colored wheat lines with high anthocyanin, iron, and zinc contents showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and possessed desirable product-making and commercial utilization features. The anthocyanin in colored wheat also has a broad spectrum of health implications, such as protection against metabolic syndromes like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The idea of developing anthocyanin-biofortified wheat shapes human beings' lifestyles as it is a staple food crop in many parts of the world. This review is a compilation of the currently available information on colored wheat in the critical aspects, including biochemistry, food processing, nutrition, genetics, breeding, and its effect on human health. Market generation and consumer awareness creation are vital challenges for its exploitation as a function food on a large scale.
FIP-fve Stimulates Cell Proliferation and Enhances IL-2 Release by Activating MAP2K3/p38α (MAPK14) Signaling Pathway in Jurkat E6-1 Cells
Authors: Gu Kefei , Wang Tan , Peng Liying , Zhao Yueliang
Published: May 2022

FIP-fve, a fungal fruiting body protein from Flammulina velutipes, has potential immunomodulatory properties. Here, we investigated the immunomodulation mechanism of FIP-fve in Jurkat E6-1 cells by conducting a cell viability assay and IL-2 release assay. Kinase inhibitors experiment and proteomics analysis were also involved in the mechanism study. It was found that FIP-fve stimulated cell proliferation and enhanced IL-2 secretion in a dose-dependent manner in Jurkat E6-1 cells. Unbiased high-throughput proteomics analysis showed that 4 T cell immune activation markers, including ZAP-70, CD69, CD82, and KIF23, were upregulated in response to FIP-fve treatment. Further pathway analysis indicated that MAP2K3/p38 pathway-related proteins, including MAP2K, p38, ELK, AATF, FOS, and JUN-B, were unregulated. In addition, losmapimod (p38 inhibitor) and gossypetin (MAP2K3 inhibitor) inhibited FIP-fve enhanced cell proliferation and IL-2 release in Jurkat E6-1 cells. Our results demonstrate that FIP-fve stimulates cell proliferation and enhances IL-2 secretion through MAP2K3/p38α activation.
From Tumor Cells to Endothelium and Gut Microbiome: A Complex Interaction Favoring the Metastasis Cascade
Authors: Abdel Sater Ali H. , Bouferraa Youssef , Amhaz Ghid , Haibe Yolla , Lakkiss Ahmed El , Shamseddine Ali
Published: May 2022

Metastasis is a complicated process through which tumor cells disseminate to distant organs and adapt to novel tumor microenvironments. This multi-step cascade relies on the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations within the tumor cells as well as the surrounding non-tumor stromal cells. Endothelial cells constitute a major player in promoting metastasis formation either by inducing the growth of tumor cells or by directing them towards dissemination in the blood or lymph. In fact, the direct and indirect interactions between tumor and endothelial cells were shown to activate several mechanisms allowing cancer cells’ invasion and extravasation. On the other side, gastrointestinal cancer development was shown to be associated with the disruption of the gut microbiome. While several proposed mechanisms have been investigated in this regard, gut and tumor-associated microbiota were shown to impact the gut endothelial barrier, increasing the dissemination of bacteria through the systemic circulation. This bacterial dislocation allows the formation of an inflammatory premetastatic niche in the distant organs promoting the metastatic cascade of primary tumors. In this review, we discuss the role of the endothelial cells in the metastatic cascade of tumors. We will focus on the role of the gut vascular barrier in the regulation metastasis. We will also discuss the interaction between this vascular barrier and the gut microbiota enhancing the process of metastasis. In addition, we will try to elucidate the different mechanisms through which this bacterial dislocation prepares the favorable metastatic niche at distant organs allowing the dissemination and successful deposition of tumor cells in the new microenvironments. Finally, and given the promising results of the studies combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with either microbiota alterations or anti-angiogenic therapy in many types of cancer, we will elaborate in this review the complex interaction between these 3 factors and their possible therapeutic combination to optimize response to treatment.
STAT6 Upregulates NRP1 Expression in Endothelial Cells and Promotes Angiogenesis
Authors: Gao Peng , Ren Guanghui , Liang Jiangjiu , Liu Ju
Published: May 2022

The role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) in tumor growth has been widely recognized. However, its effects on the regulation of angiogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we found that STAT6 promoted angiogenesis, possibly by increasing the expression of neuropilin-1 (NRP1) in endothelial cells (ECs). Both STAT6 inhibitor (AS1517499) and STAT6 siRNA reduced EC proliferation, migration, and tube-formation, accompanied by downregulation of NRP1, an angiogenesis regulator. Furthermore, IL-13 induced activation of STAT6 and then increased NRP1 expression in ECs. IL-13-induced EC migration and tube formation were inhibited by NRP1 siRNA. Luciferase assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that STAT6 could directly bind to human NRP1 promoter and increase the promoter activity. In tumor xenograft models, inhibition of STAT6 reduced xenograft growth, tumor angiogenesis, and NRP1 expression in vivo. Overall, these results clarified the novel mechanism by which STAT6 regulates angiogenesis, and suggested that STAT6 may be a potential target for anti-angiogenesis therapy.
Rare Primary Adrenal Tumor: A Case Report of Teratomas and Literatures Review
Authors: Wang Xiaomin , Li Xiaoguang , Cai Hongjia , Xiao Wei , Su Peng , Huang Xiang , Luo Xu , Zhang Neng , Fu Ni
Published: May 2022

Teratomas are very rare, originating from embryonal germ layers. The majority of them are mature, most common in the gonads, and with only 15% out of gonads. In particular, primary adrenal teratomas are extremely rare. The present study reported a case of a young female patient with right adrenal tumor who underwent intermittent pain in the right waist and abdomen and whose CT of adrenal gland showed an 88 mm × 79 mm × 69 mm mass. Besides, her adrenal gland-related hormones are not abnormal. Laparoscopic adrenal tumor resection was performed on her and the histopathological results confirmed that the mass was mature adrenal teratomas. As a newly diagnosed case, strict and regular follow-up is needed, and it is also necessary to detect her AFP and check her adrenal CT in the future. In addition, we have reviewed the literature from 1952 to the present, and a total of 49 cases of adrenal teratoma have been identified and analyzed.
The Use of Clinical Scores in the Management of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Children
Authors: Roşu Vasile Eduard , Spoială Elena-Lia , Roşu Tamara Solange , Ivanov Anca-Viorica , Mocanu Adriana , Munteanu Alecsandra , Lupu Vasile Valeriu , Miron Ingrith , Gavrilovici Cristina
Published: May 2022

While the majority of children with recently diagnosed ITP have a benign, self-limiting condition, most often with a spontaneously recovery, 40% of children with ITP progress toward persistent ITP and 10–20% goes toward chronicity. Several clinical scores have been developed with the aim to perform a better monitoring outcome or to differentiate transient vs. persistent ITP (e.g., Donato score). Our paper aims to describe and to compare the most important scores used in the management of ITP in children: bleeding severity scores and chronicity prediction scores. These scores include a combination of different already known risk factors: age, gender, presence of a previous infections or vaccination, bleeding grade, type of onset, platelet count at diagnosis. The real utility of these scores has been a matter of debate and no consensus has been reached so far as to their necessity to be implemented as compulsory tool in the care of children with ITP.
Morphological Development of the Hip in Normal Infants Under Six Months of Age by the Graf Ultrasound Method
Authors: Liu Bing , Hu Xiaoyun , Li Lianyong , Gao Shuxi
Published: May 2022

Objective

This large-sample observational study aims to analyze the morphological development of the hip joint in Chinese normal infants under 6 months of age by the Graf ultrasound method.

Methods

The clinical and ultrasound data of infants who underwent early screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in the authors' clinic from January 2011 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The standard Graf method was used to measure the hip joint α angle, β angle and femoral head coverage (FHC). The infants with Graf type I or IIa hips were included in this study. All infants were grouped by age. FHC, α and β angles were compared among different study groups.

Results

A total of 3,067 infants (6,134 hips) were included in the study. There were 1,164 males and 1,903 females with an average age of 77 days (1–180 days). The mean α angle was 62.4 ± 3.6° on the left and 63.2 ± 3.5° on the right (P < 0.001). The mean β angle was 55.6 ± 4.5° on the left and 54.8 ± 4.5° on the right (P < 0.001). The average FHC was 54.2 ± 4.6% and 54.8 ± 4.2%, accordingly (P < 0.001). The α angle and FHC of females was significantly smaller than that of males (P < 0.001). While the left β angle in females was slightly larger than males (P = 0.014), there were no significant differences in the right β angle between the two sexes (P = 0.150). During the first 3 postnatal months, the α angle and FHC increased while β angle decreased with age. However, the α and β angles and FHC were stable at a relatively constant level from the 4 to the 6th postnatal month.

Conclusions

The normal infant hip reveals progressive maturation during the first 3 months after birth, and then enters a plateau period during the 4 to 6th month. The development of hip joint in females and of the left side slightly lags behind that in males and of the right side, which is consistent with the observation that DDH is more common in females and on the left hips.
Aging and the Prevalence of Polypharmacy and Hyper-Polypharmacy Among Older Adults in South Korea: A National Retrospective Study During 2010–2019
Authors: Cho Ho Jin , Chae Jungmi , Yoon Sang-Heon , Kim Dong-Sook
Published: May 2022

Background: Polypharmacy has become a global health problem and is associated with adverse health outcomes in the elderly. This study evaluated the prevalence of polypharmacy and hyper-polypharmacy in elderly patients in South Korea during 2010–2019.

Methods: We analyzed the outpatient care of persons aged ≥65 years covered by National Health Insurance (NHI) using NHI claims data from 2010 to 2019. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of ≥5 medications, and hyper-polypharmacy was defined as the use of ≥10 medications, and we examined them over periods of ≥90 days and ≥180 days. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was calculated using Joinpoint statistical software.

Results: The prevalence of polypharmacy among ≥90 days of medication use elderly decreased from 42.5% in 2010 to 41.8% in 2019, and the prevalence of hyper-polypharmacy for ≥90 days increased from 10.4% to 14.4%. The prevalence of polypharmacy for ≥180 days increased from 37.8% in 2010 to 38.1% in 2019, and the prevalence of hyper-polypharmacy for ≥180 days increased from 6.4% to 9.4%. The prevalence of polypharmacy for ≥90 days and ≥180 days steadily increased among elderly patients, with AAPCs of 3.7 and 4.5, respectively.

Conclusion: The prevalence of polypharmacy for ≥90 days and ≥180 days remained stably high, with rates of about 42 and 38%, respectively, and hyper-polypharmacy increased over the past 10 years in South Korea. Therefore, strategies to address polypharmacy need to be implemented. Further research is also required to identify the clinical outcomes (including mortality risks) associated with polypharmacy.
Prospects for Fluorescence Molecular In Vivo Liquid Biopsy of Circulating Tumor Cells in Humans
Authors: Niedre Mark
Published: May 2022

Our team recently developed “Diffuse in vivo Flow Cytometry” (DiFC) for detection and enumeration rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in mice with highly-scattered fluorescent light. We have used DiFC to study dissemination of CTCs in a number of mouse models of metastasis with fluorescent protein expressing cells. Because DiFC uses diffuse light and interrogates large blood vessels in relatively deep tissue, in principle it could be translated to larger limbs, species, and even humans clinically. In this perspective, we discuss the technical challenges of human translation of DiFC in the context of the current state of the technology, as well as potential strategies for labeling of CTCs with targeted fluorescent molecular probes. We also discuss potential advantages and disadvantages of DiFC as a clinical tool. In principle, DiFC could represent a powerful complementary technique (to liquid biopsy blood draws) for accurate and sensitive measurement of changes in CTC numbers over time.
What is the Hidden Biological Mechanism Underlying the Possible SARS-CoV-2 Vertical Transmission? A Mini Review
Authors: Sessa Rosa , Anastasi Emanuela , Brandolino Gabriella , Brunelli Roberto , Di Pietro Marisa , Filardo Simone , Masciullo Luisa , Terrin Gianluca , Viscardi Maria Federica , Porpora Maria Grazia
Published: May 2022

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) represents an emerging infection that is spreading around the world. Among susceptible patients, pregnant women are more likely to develop serious complications and negative obstetric outcomes. Vertical transmission constitutes a debating issue which has not been completely understood. This review aims at describing the currently available evidence on SARS-CoV2 vertical transmission. We carried out a computerized literature search in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, selecting the most relevant studies on vertical transmission from the outbreak onset until February 2022. The analysis of the available literature identifies the presence of SARS-CoV2 genome in different biological specimens, confirming the hypothesis that a transplacental infection can occur. In spite of the high number of infected people around the world, mother-to-child infections have been infrequently reported but it can be observed under certain biologic conditions. A deep knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV2 vertical transmission is of paramount importance for planning an adequate management for the affected mothers and newborns.
Integrative Analysis of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network Reveals the Key lncRNAs Implicated Potentially in the Differentiation of Adipocyte in Goats
Authors: He Changsheng , Wang Yong , Zhu Jiangjiang , Li Yanyan , Chen Juan , Lin Yaqiu
Published: May 2022

Goats are popular in China because of their superior meat quality, delicate flesh, and unique flavor. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. However, the effects of lncRNAs on adipocyte differentiation in goat has not been fully elucidated yet. In this investigation, we performed RNA-Seq analysis of intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes from Jianzhou Daer goat before and after differentiation, including both intramuscular preadipocytes (IMPA) vs. intramuscular adipocytes (IMA) and subcutaneous preadipocytes (SPA) vs. subcutaneous adipocytes (SA). A total of 289.49 G clean reads and 12,519 lncRNAs were obtained from 20 samples. In total, 3,733 differentially expressed RNAs (182 lncRNAs and 3,551 mRNAs) were identified by pairwise comparison. There were 135 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) specific to intramuscular adipocytes, 39 DELs specific to subcutaneous adipocytes, and 8 DELs common to both adipocytes in these 182 DELs. Some well-known and novel pathways associated with preadipocyte differentiation were identified: fat acid metabolism, TGF-beta signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. By integrating miRNA-seq data from another study, we also identified hub miRNAs in both types of fat cells. Our analysis revealed the unique and common lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks of two kinds of adipocytes. Several lncRNAs that regulate potentially goat preadipocyte differentiation were identified, such as XR_001918 647.1, XR_001917728.1, XR_001297263.2 and LNC_004191. Furthermore, our findings from the present study may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying in goat meat quality and provide a theoretical basis for further goat molecular breeding.
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of TCP Family Genes in Pak-Choi [Brassica campestris (syn. Brassica rapa) ssp. chinensis var. communis]
Authors: Huang Feiyi , Shi Churan , Zhang Yuhang , Hou Xilin
Published: May 2022

The TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) gene family, a kind of plant specific transcription factor, is essential for stress response, cell growth, and cell proliferation. However, the characterization of TCP family is still not clear in Pak-choi [Brassica campestris (syn. Brassica rapa) ssp. chinensis var. communis]. In this study, genome-wide analysis of TCP gene family was performed and 26 TCP genes were identified in Pak-choi. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the 26 BcTCPs were divided into two classes: Class I and Class II. Class II was further classified into two subclasses, CIN and CYC/TB1. The qPCR results suggested that most BcTCPs respond to abiotic stresses. The expressions of BcTCP3, BcTCP12, BcTCP21, and BcTCP22 were significantly changed under ABA and cold treatment. BcTCP3 and BcTCP12 were also up-regulated under osmotic treatment. Subcellular localization showed that BcTCP3 and BcTCP21 were located in the nucleus. Our results will facilitate revealing the functions and regulatory mechanisms of BcTCPs.
Physiological and Transcriptomic Comparison of Two Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Cultivars With High/Low Cadmium Accumulation
Authors: Fu Yuanzhi , Zhatova Halyna , Li Yuqing , Liu Qiao , Trotsenko Volodymyr , Li Chengqi
Published: May 2022

The toxic heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is easily absorbed and accumulated in crops and affects human health through the food chains. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a globally important oil crop. In this study, two sunflower cultivars 62\3 (high Cd) and JB231AC (low Cd), were chosen to compare physiological and transcriptomic responses at different Cd concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 μM). The results showed that JB231AC had better Cd tolerance than 62\3. The contents of H2O2 and MDA (malondialdehyde) in 62\3 were lower than that in JB231AC under Cd stress, but the activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and POD (peroxidase) in JB231AC were higher than in 62\3, which indicated that JB231AC had a strong ability to remove reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced toxic substances. Many deferentially expressed ABC (ATP-binding cassette) and ZIP (Zn-regulated transporter, Iron-regulated transporter-like protein) genes indicated that the two gene families might play important roles in different levels of Cd accumulation in the two cultivars. One up-regulated NRAMP (Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein) gene was identified and had a higher expression level in 62\3. These results provide valuable information to further understand the mechanism of Cd accumulation and provide insights into breeding new low Cd sunflower cultivars.
Sulfur Dioxide: An Emerging Signaling Molecule in Plants
Authors: Li Zhong-Guang , Li Xiao-Er , Chen Hong-Yan
Published: May 2022

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) has long been viewed as toxic gas and air pollutant, but now is being verified as a signaling molecule in mammalian cells. SO2 can be endogenously produced and rapidly transformed into sulfur-containing compounds (e.g., hydrogen sulfide, cysteine, methionine, glutathione, glucosinolate, and phytochelatin) to maintain its homeostasis in plant cells. Exogenous application of SO2 in the form of gas or solution can trigger the expression of thousands of genes. The physiological functions of these genes are involved in the antioxidant defense, osmotic adjustment, and synthesis of stress proteins, secondary metabolites, and plant hormones, thus modulating numerous plant physiological processes. The modulated physiological processes by SO2 are implicated in seed germination, stomatal action, postharvest physiology, and plant response to environmental stresses. However, the review on the signaling role of SO2 in plants is little. In this review, the anabolism and catabolism of SO2 in plants were summarized. In addition, the signaling role of SO2 in seed germination, stomatal movement, fruit fresh-keeping, and plant response to environmental stresses (including drought, cold, heavy metal, and pathogen stresses) was discussed. Finally, the research direction of SO2 in plants is also proposed.
Digital Leadership and Employee Creativity: The Role of Employee Job Crafting and Person-Organization Fit
Authors: Zhu Jian , Zhang Bin , Xie Mingxing , Cao Qiuju
Published: May 2022

Industry 4.0 has changed the paradigm in the business practice and business model, and digital technology has brought radical transformations to enterprises. To support this transformation, digital leaders are required to help enterprises transform and lead them to a more promising future. Based on job demands-resources model and person-organization fit theory, this study examines the relationship between digital leadership and employee creativity. Based on a sample of 357 employees from various Chinese companies, this study used SPSS 22.0 and MPLUS 7.0 to examine the hypotheses. The findings indicate the following (a) digital leadership has a positive effect on employee creativity. (b) employee job crafting mediate the relationship between digital leadership and employee creativity. (c) person-organization fit positively moderates the relationship between digital leadership and employee job crafting. (d) person-organization fit positively moderates the indirect effect of digital leadership on employee creativity via employee job crafting. The findings reveal the effect mechanism of digital leaders on employee creativity and enrich the literature on antecedents of employee creativity. Practical implications and future research are also discussed.
The Influence of Psychological Capital and Social Capital on the Entrepreneurial Performance of the New Generation of Entrepreneurs
Authors: Wang Ruoqi , Zhou Haijun , Wang Lei
Published: May 2022

To enable that the new generation of entrepreneurs can effectively use their own qualities and abilities to improve the level of entrepreneurial performance, and to successfully pass through the entrepreneurial period of the enterprise and achieve longer-term development, the new generation of entrepreneurs is taken as the research object, and firstly, the definition and interaction of psychological capital and entrepreneurial performance are pointed out. Secondly, the questionnaires are designed with reference to the relevant maturity scales, and the reliability, validity analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis of the collected effective questionnaires are carried out through SPSS and AMOS software. Thirdly, on this basis, it verifies the influence of psychological capital of the new generation entrepreneurs on entrepreneurial performance and the moderating effect of entrepreneurial environment perception. The results show that there is a significant positive correlation between the dimensions of psychological capital and entrepreneurial performance. Gender, age, educational background, marital status, the establishment time of enterprises, and the number of employees all have a significant impact on the psychological capital of the new generation of entrepreneurs. Among them, the psychological capital of the new generation of entrepreneurs aged 31–35 is the best, followed by aged 26–30, 21–25, and the worst is 20 years old and below, which is logical. The correlation coefficient between psychological capital and entrepreneurial performance, social capital and entrepreneurial performance shows a significant positive correlation. The research on the relationship between psychological capital, social capital, and entrepreneurial performance of new generation entrepreneurs systematically explains why some enterprises created by the new generation of entrepreneurs can achieve rapid growth and deepen the research in related fields.
The Influence of System Dynamics Resource Sharing on Collaborative Manufacturing Efficiency—Based on the Multiagent System and System Dynamics Method
Authors: Zhu Xiaoxia , Guo Xu , Liu Hao , Li Shuang , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: May 2022

To improve the problems of inconvenient communication in the manufacturing industry, the ineffective use of resources, and the inability to efficiently complete manufacturing tasks, resource sharing has become an important model to promote the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry. We used multiagent modeling to construct a resource-sharing model and take Baosteel as the micro background and the manufacturing industry as the macro background. Under this model, we discovered the effect of resource sharing on the efficiency of intelligent manufacturing under network collaboration through system dynamics research. We built and simulated a dynamic model of system dynamics that couples the two backgrounds and have given policy suggestions according to the simulation result.
Construction and Validation of the Research Misconduct Scale for Social Science University Students
Authors: Ghayas Saba , Hassan Zaineb , Kayani Sumaira , Biasutti Michele
Published: May 2022

The current study aims to construct and validate a measure of research misconduct for social science university students. The research is comprised of three studies; Study I presents the scale construction in three phases. In Phase I, the initial pool of items was generated by reviewing the literature and considering the results of semi-structured interviews. Phase II involved a psychometric cleaning of items, after which 38 items were retained. In Phase III, those 38 items were proposed to 652 university students, and data were exposed to exploratory factor analysis, which extracted a one-factor structure with 15 items and 55.73% variance. Study II confirmed the factorial structure of the scale using an independent sample (N = 200) of university students. Confirmatory factor analysis of the scale demonstrates a good model fit to the data with the one-factor structure established through the exploratory factor analysis. The scale exhibits good internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.95. Study III involves validation of the scale, with evidence for convergent validity collected from a sample of university students (N = 200). The results reveal that the research misconduct scale has significant positive correlations with academic stress and procrastination and a significant negative correlation with academic achievement. The obtained convergent validity testifies that the scale can be considered a psychometrically sound instrument to measure research misconduct among social science university students.
Mediating Role of Intimate Partner Violence Between Emotional Dependence and Addictive Behaviours in Adolescents
Authors: Macía Patricia , Estevez Ana , Iruarrizaga Iciar , Olave Leticia , Chávez Mᵃ Dolores , Momeñe Janire
Published: May 2022

Objective

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been related to emotional dependence and addictive disorders. This study aims to provide a global approach to analyse the relationship between these variables and to determine the factors underlying permanence in violent relationships.

Methods

It is a non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational design study. Participants had to have at least one dating relationship for at least 1 month to complete the questionnaire, which included the following instruments: emotional dependence scale (DEN), scale of violence in dating relationships (VREP) and impulse control disorders scale (MULTICAGE CAD 4).

Results

The sample consisted of 1.533 adolescents, 53.9% were male (n = 826) and 46.1% female (n = 707), between 14 and 18 years. Emotional dependence correlated significantly with received violence (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). Compulsive spending is strongly associated with emotional dependence (r = 0.21, p < 0.001), whereas sex addiction is associated with received violence to a greater extent (r = 0.18, p < 0.001). Received violence mediates on emotional dependence and addictions.

Conclusion

IPV is a risk factor for the perpetuation of addictive behaviours. It is advisable to promote affective education for developing resilience and adequate coping.
Validation Study of the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-28) Among Dutch Youth
Authors: Jonkman Harrie , Rooijen Maaike van , Wiersma Marte , Goor Roel van
Published: May 2022

A validation study of a 28-item Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-28) among a Dutch sample was presented. A sample of 525 adolescents (16–20 years old) from the CYRM-28 in the Netherlands was analyzed. Descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), construct validity analysis, and reliability tests were carried out on data collected to identify and present factor structure, construct validity, and reliability. The CFA suggested a three-structure framework with individual, relational, and contextual subscales. Overall, the results were similar to the results found in other international validation studies measuring resilience among teenagers. Integral support of vulnerable youth needs to fit in with the lives and world of these adolescents in their transition to adulthood. Measuring resilience with the CYRM-28 can be used to assist this. Dutch individual and contextual subscales need further research.
The Relationship Between Climate Change Issue Engagement, Connection to Nature and Mental Wellbeing
Authors: Whelan Matt , Rahimi-Golkhandan Shahin , Brymer Eric
Published: May 2022

As the threat of climate change becomes increasingly prevalent for people in both the developed and developing world, the impact of climate change on mental wellbeing has become a crucial area of research. In addition to the direct, indirect, and psychosocial impacts of climate change on mental wellbeing, there is also a question of how climate change driven changes to the environment will influence the well-established positive relationship between connection to nature and mental wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between climate change issue engagement, connection to nature, and mental wellbeing in English speaking adults over 18 years of age. This study examined the average levels of connection to nature and mental wellbeing in people with different levels of climate change issue engagement, and evaluated whether a person's level of climate change issue engagement uniquely predicted mental wellbeing. The study corroborated positive relationships between wellbeing and various aspects of relatedness to nature in the overall sample. The strength of these relationships, however, depended on the level of climate change issue engagement. More specifically, the level of engagement is inversely linked to mental wellbeing, such that the lower the level of engagement, generally the higher is wellbeing.