bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gestational weight gain in women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity and anthropometry of infants at birth
Authors: Mogensen Christina Sonne , Zingenberg Helle , Svare Jens , Astrup Arne , Magkos Faidon , Geiker Nina Rica Wium
Published: March 2023

Objective

To examine the association of gestational weight gain (GWG) among women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity with infant weight and BMI z-score at birth.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial including data from 208 infants at birth born by mothers with pre-pregnancy BMI between 28 and 45 kg/m2 who completed the APPROACH study (randomized to a high-protein low-glycemic index diet or a moderate-protein moderate-glycemic index diet). This analysis pooled the two diet treatment groups together and data were analyzed using a linear mixed model.

Results

Limiting GWG by 1 kg was associated with lower birthweight (−16 g, P = 0.003), BMI z-score (−0.03SD, P = 0.019), weight z-score (−0.03SD, P = 0.004), and infant abdominal circumference (−0.06 cm, P = 0.039). Infants born by mothers whose GWG was ≤9 kg weighed less (122 g, 95% CI: 6–249, P = 0.040), had similar BMI z-score (0.2SD, 95% CI: −0.06 to 0.55, P = 0.120), and lower incidence of emergency cesarean deliveries (11.5% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.044) compared to infants born by mothers whose GWG was >9 kg. When women were classified into GWG quartiles, women in Q1 (GWG range: −7.0 to 3.2 kg) gave birth to smaller infants (3,420 g, P = 0.015) with lower BMI z-score (−0.5SD, P = 0.041) than women in Q2 (3.3–7.1 kg), Q3 (7.2–10.9 kg) and Q4 (11.1–30.2 kg).

Conclusions

Limiting GWG among women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity was associated with lower infant weight, BMI z-score, weight z-score, and abdominal circumference at birth. Moreover, GWG below the Institute of Medicine guideline of a maximum of 9 kg was associated with lower birthweight and fewer emergency cesarean deliveries.
The protective effects of baicalin for respiratory diseases: an update and future perspectives
Authors: Song Siyu , Ding Lu , Liu Guangwen , Chen Tian , Zhao Meiru , Li Xueyan , Li Min , Qi Hongyu , Chen Jinjin , Wang Ziyuan , Wang Ying , Ma Jing , Wang Qi , Li Xiangyan , Wang Zeyu
Published: March 2023

Background: Respiratory diseases are common and frequent diseases. Due to the high pathogenicity and side effects of respiratory diseases, the discovery of new strategies for drug treatment is a hot area of research. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) has been used as a medicinal herb in China for over 2000 years. Baicalin (BA) is a flavonoid active ingredient extracted from SBG that BA has been found to exert various pharmacological effects against respiratory diseases. However, there is no comprehensive review of the mechanism of the effects of BA in treating respiratory diseases. This review aims to summarize the current pharmacokinetics of BA, baicalin-loaded nano-delivery system, and its molecular mechanisms and therapeutical effects for treating respiratory diseases.

Method: This review reviewed databases such as PubMed, NCBI, and Web of Science from their inception to 13 December 2022, in which literature was related to “baicalin”, “Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi”, “COVID-19”, “acute lung injury”, “pulmonary arterial hypertension”, “asthma”, “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease”, “pulmonary fibrosis”, “lung cancer”, “pharmacokinetics”, “liposomes”, “nano-emulsions”, “micelles”, “phospholipid complexes”, “solid dispersions”, “inclusion complexes”, and other terms.

Result: The pharmacokinetics of BA involves mainly gastrointestinal hydrolysis, the enteroglycoside cycle, multiple metabolic pathways, and excretion in bile and urine. Due to the poor bioavailability and solubility of BA, liposomes, nano-emulsions, micelles, phospholipid complexes, solid dispersions, and inclusion complexes of BA have been developed to improve its bioavailability, lung targeting, and solubility. BA exerts potent effects mainly by mediating upstream oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and immune response pathways. It regulates are the NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, TGF-β/Smad, Nrf2/HO-1, and ERK/GSK3β pathways.

Conclusion: This review presents comprehensive information on BA about pharmacokinetics, baicalin-loaded nano-delivery system, and its therapeutic effects and potential pharmacological mechanisms in respiratory diseases. The available studies suggest that BA has excellent possible treatment of respiratory diseases and is worthy of further investigation and development.
N-methylsansalvamide elicits antitumor effects in colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating proliferation, apoptosis, and metastatic capacity
Authors: Park Juhee , Moon Sung-Kwon , Lee Chan
Published: March 2023

N-methylsansalvamide (MSSV), a cyclic pentadepsipeptide, was obtained from a strain of Fusarium solani f. radicicola. The current study investigated the anti-colorectal cancer effect of MSSV. MSSV exhibited the inhibition of the proliferation in HCT116 cells via induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest by downregulating CDK 2, CDK6, cyclin D, and cyclin E, and upregulating p21WAF1 and p27KIP1. Decreased phosphorylation of AKT was observed in MSSV-treated cells. Moreover, MSSV treatment induced caspase-mediated apoptosis through elevating the level of cleaved caspase 3, cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase 9, and pro-apoptotic Bax. MSSV revealed the declined MMP-9 level mediated by reduction in the binding activity of AP-1, Sp-1, and NF-κB motifs, which led to the migration and invasion of HCT116 cells. In vitro metabolism with rat liver S9 fractions was performed to examine the effect of MSSV metabolites. The metabolic process enhanced the inhibitory effect of MSSV on the HCT116 cell proliferation via decline of cyclin D1 expression and AKT phosphorylation. Finally, oral administration of MSSV inhibited the tumor growth of HCT116 xenograft mice. These results suggest that MSSV is a potential anti-tumor agent in colorectal cancer treatment.
The new stochastic solutions for three models of non-linear Schrödinger’s equations in optical fiber communications via Itô sense
Authors: Alkhidhr Hanan A.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we consider three models of non-linear Schrödinger’s equations (NLSEs) via It\^{o} sense. Specifically, we study these equations forced by multiplicative noise via the Brownian motion process. There are numerous approaches for converting non-linear partial differential equations (NPDEs) into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to extract wave solutions. The majority of these methods are a type of symmetry reduction known as non-classical symmetry. We apply the unified technique based on symmetry reduction to produce some new optical soliton solutions for the proposed equations. The obtained stochastic solutions depict the propagation of waves in optical fiber communications. The theoretical analysis and proposed results clarify that the presented technique is sturdy, appropriate, and efficacious. Some graphs of selected solutions are also depicted with the help of the MATLAB packet program. Indeed, the structure, bandwidth, amplitude, and phase shift are controlled by the influences of physical parameters in the presence of noise term via It\^{o} sense. Our results show that the proposed technique is better suited for solving many other complex models arising in real-life problems.
Time-resolved infrared difference spectroscopy in cells: Response of the basic region leucine zipper of aureochrome
Authors: Goett-Zink Lukas , Baum Eileen , Kottke Tilman
Published: March 2023

Aureochromes are light, oxygen, voltage (LOV) proteins and central blue-light receptors in algae acting as light-gated transcription factors. The C-terminal LOV domain mediates blue-light recognition and the basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) domain binds a specific DNA motif as effector. LOV domains from aureochromes have been successfully applied in optogenetic tools. The light-induced response of aureochromes has been studied by a variety of biophysical techniques, but the mechanism of signal progression from LOV to bZIP remains unclear. We studied the bZIP-LOV module of aureochrome1a from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum using time-resolved rapid-scan FTIR difference spectroscopy. Time-resolved difference spectra of bZIP-LOV in vitro revealed a time constant of 5 s for the formation of a light state dimer of the LOV domains and the concomitant loss of α-helical elements in the bZIP domain. To verify these observations in a near-native environment, in-cell infrared difference spectroscopy (ICIRD) was extended from a steady state to a time-resolved technique using LOV domains in bacterial cells. We established a time-resolved in-cell method with a resolution of 7.6 ms after the laser pulse. Using this technique, the response of bZIP-LOV was followed in living bacterial cells and the light-induced partial unfolding of bZIP was confirmed to take place in cells in a similar time range as in vitro. These results provide structural and kinetic insights into the signaling mechanism of aureochromes. The slow response points to an association of LOV to bZIP in the dark state prior to activation.
Advances in respiratory physiology in mouse models of experimental asthma
Authors: Carroll Olivia R. , Pillar Amber L. , Brown Alexandra C. , Feng Min , Chen Hui , Donovan Chantal
Published: March 2023

Recent advances in mouse models of experimental asthma coupled with vast improvements in systems that assess respiratory physiology have considerably increased the accuracy and human relevance of the outputs from these studies. In fact, these models have become important pre-clinical testing platforms with proven value and their capacity to be rapidly adapted to interrogate emerging clinical concepts, including the recent discovery of different asthma phenotypes and endotypes, has accelerated the discovery of disease-causing mechanisms and increased our understanding of asthma pathogenesis and the associated effects on lung physiology. In this review, we discuss key distinctions in respiratory physiology between asthma and severe asthma, including the magnitude of airway hyperresponsiveness and recently discovered disease drivers that underpin this phenomenon such as structural changes, airway remodeling, airway smooth muscle hypertrophy, altered airway smooth muscle calcium signaling, and inflammation. We also explore state-of-the-art mouse lung function measurement techniques that accurately recapitulate the human scenario as well as recent advances in precision cut lung slices and cell culture systems. Furthermore, we consider how these techniques have been applied to recently developed mouse models of asthma, severe asthma, and asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap, to examine the effects of clinically relevant exposures (including ovalbumin, house dust mite antigen in the absence or presence of cigarette smoke, cockroach allergen, pollen, and respiratory microbes) and to increase our understanding of lung physiology in these diseases and identify new therapeutic targets. Lastly, we focus on recent studies that examine the effects of diet on asthma outcomes, including high fat diet and asthma, low iron diet during pregnancy and predisposition to asthma development in offspring, and environmental exposures on asthma outcomes. We conclude our review with a discussion of new clinical concepts in asthma and severe asthma that warrant investigation and how we could utilize mouse models and advanced lung physiology measurement systems to identify factors and mechanisms with potential for therapeutic targeting.
Possible EU futures for CRISPR-edited plants: Little margin for optimism?
Authors: Escajedo San-Epifanio Leire , Filibi Igor , Lasa López Ainhoa , Puigdomènech Pere , Uncetabarrenechea Larrabe Javier
Published: March 2023

This article addresses the scenarios that may be encountered by the first application for pre-market approval of a CRISPR-edited plant in the EU. Two alternative scenarios are considered in the short and medium term. One of these possible EU futures depends on the final drafting and approval of EU legislation on certain New Genomic Techniques, which was started in 2021 and is due to be quite advanced before the next European Parliament elections in 2024. Since the proposed legislation excludes plants with foreign DNA, two different approval processes for CRISPR-edited plants will coexist if the legislation enters into force: one for plants whose genome has been altered, resulting in mutagenesis, cisgenesis and intragenesis; and the second for plants whose alterations result in transgenesis in general. In the event that this legislative process does not succeed, CRISPR-edited plants in the EU could face a regulatory scenario whose foundations were laid in the 1990s: the regulatory framework that applies to GM crops, food and feed. In this review, an ad hoc analytical framework has been built that considers in depth the two possible futures for CRISPR-edited plants in the EU. This framework emphasises the way in which the European Union and the Member States (MS), with their respective national interests, have historically shaped the regulatory framework for plant breeding in the EU. On the basis of the analyses carried out on the two possible futures for CRISPR-edited plants and of their potential with respect to plant breeding, the main conclusions are the following. Firstly, that the regulatory review that started in 2021 is not in itself “good enough” for plant breeding and CRISPR-edited plants. Secondly, that compared to its alternative, the regulatory review currently underway contains at least some promising improvements in the short term. Hence, thirdly, in addition to adopting the current regulation, the MS need to continue to work towards a substantial improvement in the legal status of plant breeding in the EU in the medium term.
From comfort zone to mortality: Sequence of physiological stress thresholds in Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings during progressive drought
Authors: Wang Xia , Fan Yanli , Zhang Congcong , Zhao Yihong , Du Guangyuan , Li Min , Si Bingcheng
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Parameterizing the process of trees from the comfort zone to mortality during progressive drought is important for, but is not well represented in, vegetation models, given the lack of appropriate indices to gauge the response of trees to droughts. The objective of this study was to determine reliable and readily available tree drought stressindices and the thresholds at which droughts activate important physiological responses.

Methods

We analyzed the changes in the transpiration (T), stomatal conductance, xylem conductance, and leaf health status due to a decrease in soil water availability (SWA), predawn xylem water potential (ψpd), and midday xylem water potential (ψmd) in Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings during progressive drought.

Results

The results showed that ψmd was a better indicator of drought stress than SWA and ψpd, because ψmd was more closely related to the physiological response (defoliation and xylem embolization) during severe drought and could be measured more conveniently. We derived the following five stress levels from the observed responses to decreasing ψmd: comfort zone (ψmd > -0.9 MPa), wherein transpiration and stomatal conductance are not limited by SWA; moderate drought stress (-0.9 to -1.75 MPa), wherein transpiration and stomatal conductance are limited by drought; high drought stress (-1.75 to -2.59 MPa), wherein transpiration decreases significantly (T< 10%) and stomata closes completely; severe drought stress (-2.59 to -4.02 MPa), wherein transpiration ceases (T< 0.1%) and leaf shedding orwilting is > 50%; and extreme drought stress (< -4.02 MPa), leading to tree mortality due to xylem hydraulic failure.

Discussion

To our knowledge, our scheme is the first to outline the quantitative thresholds for the downregulation of physiological processes in R. pseudoacacia during drought, therefore, can be used to synthesize valuable information for process-based vegetation models.
The suitability of outing frequency as a definition of hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal)
Authors: Nonaka Shunsuke , Sakai Motohiro
Published: March 2023

Recent research has employed outing frequency, referred to in this study as one’s frequency of going out of the home, as a condition to define and determine the severity of hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal). However, there is little definitive evidence on this topic. Furthermore, compared to the previous definition, it is unclear how the scope of hikikomori included in the proposed condition differs. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between hikikomori tendencies and the frequency and quality of outings to bridge this gap in research.

Methods

Data included 397 self-rated online samples, 72 self-rated offline samples, and 784 parent-rated samples. Quantitative and qualitative indicators of outings and subjective social functioning impairment were used in the analysis.

Results

The cut-off points supported the criteria for the number of days outside the home proposed in previous studies. The results revealed that the outing frequency condition excluded about 14.5–20.6% of those previously considered to have hikikomori. Logistic regression analysis showed that low outings with interpersonal interaction, low frequency of outings, and high subjective social functioning impairment consistently predicted hikikomori. However, outings without interpersonal interaction did not predict hikikomori.

Conclusion

These results indicate that outing frequency tends to be suitable as one of the conditions for hikikomori. However, they indicate that we should also focus on the quality of outings, that is, outings with or without interpersonal interaction, to evaluate hikikomori consistently with previous findings. Further research is needed to clarify the appropriate frequency of outings to define hikikomori and determine its severity.
Predictors of psychiatric hospitalization among outpatients with bipolar disorder in the real-world clinical setting
Authors: Tokumitsu Keita , Yasui-Furukori Norio , Adachi Naoto , Kubota Yukihisa , Watanabe Yoichiro , Miki Kazuhira , Azekawa Takaharu , Edagawa Koji , Katsumoto Eiichi , Hongo Seiji , Goto Eiichiro , Ueda Hitoshi , Kato Masaki , Nakagawa Atsuo , Kikuchi Toshiaki , Tsuboi Takashi , Watanabe Koichiro , Shimoda Kazutaka , Yoshimura Reiji
Published: March 2023

Background

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder that causes recurrent manic and depressive episodes, leading to decreased levels of social functioning and suicide. Patients who require hospitalization due to exacerbation of bipolar disorder have been reported to subsequently have poor psychosocial functioning, and so there is a need to prevent hospitalization. On the other hand, there is a lack of evidence regarding predictors of hospitalization in real-world clinical practice.

Methods

The multicenter treatment survey on bipolar disorder (MUSUBI) in Japanese psychiatric clinics was an observational study conducted to provide evidence regarding bipolar disorder in real-world clinical practice. Psychiatrists were asked, as part of a retrospective medical record survey, to fill out a questionnaire about patients with bipolar disorder who visited 176 member clinics of the Japanese Association of Neuro-Psychiatric Clinics. Our study extracted baseline patient characteristics from records dated between September and October 2016, including comorbidities, mental status, duration of treatment, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score, and pharmacological treatment details. The incidence and predictors of hospitalization among patients with bipolar disorder over a 1-year period extending from that baseline to September–October 2017 were examined.

Results

In total, 2,389 participants were included in our study, 3.06% of whom experienced psychiatric hospitalization over the course of 1 year from baseline. Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of psychiatric hospitalization was correlated with bipolar I disorder, lower baseline GAF scores, unemployment, substance abuse and manic state.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that 3.06% of outpatients with bipolar disorder were subjected to psychiatric hospitalization during a 1-year period that extended to September–October 2017. Our study suggested that bipolar I disorder, lower baseline GAF scores, unemployment, substance abuse and baseline mood state could be predictors of psychiatric hospitalization. These results may be useful for clinicians seeking to prevent psychiatric hospitalization for bipolar disorder.
Study protocol: Hypersexual and hyposexual behavior among adults diagnosed with alcohol- and substance use disorders—Associations between traumatic experiences and problematic sexual behavior
Authors: Jepsen Dennis , Luck Tobias , Bernard Marie , Moor Irene , Watzke Stefan
Published: March 2023

Background

Hypersexual and hyposexual behaviors are common concomitant of substance use disorders (SUD). On the one hand, the regular consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs can lead to hypersexual or hyposexual behavior due to its effects on the organism; on the other hand, the use of psychotropic substances is also used as a coping strategy concerning already existing sexual impairments. The aforementioned disorders show similarities in terms of their etiology, as traumatic experiences get special attention as potential risk factors for the development of addictions, hypersexual, and hyposexual behavior.

Objectives

The study aims to explore the association between SUD characteristics and hypersexual/hyposexual behavior, and a potential moderating effect of early traumatic life events by answering the following research questions: (1) Do people with SUD differ from a sample of people with other psychiatric disorders regarding hypersexual and hyposexual behavior? (2) What are the associations between the presence of sexual problems and different characteristics of the SUD (e.g., mono vs. polysubstance use, type of addictive substance, intensity of the disorder)? (3) What influence do traumatic experiences in childhood and adolescence have on the existence of sexual disorders among adults with a diagnosed SUD?

Method

The target group of this cross-sectional ex-post-facto study comprises adults diagnosed with an alcohol- and/or substance use disorder. Data will be collected with an online survey, which will be promoted via several support and networking services for people diagnosed with SUD. Two control groups will be surveyed, one consisting of people with other psychiatric disorders than SUD and traumatic experiences, and one healthy group. Relations between the dependent variables (hypersexual and hyposexual behavior) and independent variables (sociodemographic information, medical and psychiatric status, intensity of the prevalent SUD, traumatic experiences, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder) will be initially calculated via correlations and linear regression. Risk factors will be identified via multivariate regression.

Discussion

Gaining relevant knowledge promises new perspectives for prevention, diagnosis, case conception, and therapy of SUDs as well as problematic sexual behaviors. The results can provide more information about the importance of psychosexual impairments regarding the development and maintenance of SUDs.
Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor as diagnosis clue for Alzheimer's disease: A cross-sectional observational study in the elderly
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Chen Jiao , Yu Hui , Ye Jiayu , Wang Chunxia , Kong Lingli
Published: March 2023

Objective

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has not been validated as a diagnostic marker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). To provide a different perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of mature BDNF (mBDNF) and precursor BDNF (proBDNF) in AD and to investigate whether serum BDNF levels or the ratio of mBDNF levels to proBDNF levels (M/P) could be a valuable biomarker for determining the risk of AD in elderly individuals.

Method

A total of 126 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to either the AD group (n = 62) or the healthy control group (HC, n = 64) in this cross-sectional observationl study. Serum levels of mBDNF and proBDNF were measured using enzyme immunoassay kits. We analyzed the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores from the two groups and examined the associations between AD and BDNF metabolism.

Results

The serum concentration of proBDNF was significantly higher in ADs (4140.937 pg/ml) than in HCs (2606.943 pg/ml; p < 0.01). The MMSE significantly correlated with proBDNF (p < 0.01, r = −0.686) and M/P (p < 0.01, r = 0.595) in all subjects. To determine the risk for AD, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated, which was 0.896 (95% confidence interval 0.844–0.949) for proBDNF and 0.901 (95% 0.850–0.953) for proBDNF and M/P combined.

Conclusion

We observed a correlation between low serum proBDNF levels and higher MMSE scores in AD. The most effective diagnostic strategy was the combination of proBDNF and M/P, whereas mBDNF levels performed poorly when we evaluated the predictive model.
Non-state initiatives on enhancing counter-trafficking of Rohingya influx in Cox's Bazar of Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Edris , Molla Morshed Hossan , Islam Md. Kamrul , Rahman Md. Arifur , Barua Jishu
Published: March 2023

Human trafficking is the third most lucrative form of trafficking in the world (following drugs and counterfeit goods). Multiple outbreaks of unrest between October 2016 and August 2017 in the Rakhine State of Myanmar triggered ~745,000 influxes of Rohingyas crossing into Bangladesh through the border boundaries at Teknaf and Ukhiya sub-districts of Cox's Bazar. In this regard, the media confirmed that over a thousand Rohingya people, particularly women and girls, were victims of human trafficking. This research aims to explore the underlying causes of human trafficking (HT) during emergency responses and seeks to understand how the knowledge and capacity of the refugee, local administration, and law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh can be improved in promoting counter-trafficking (CT) and safe migration processes. In order to achieve the objectives, this study reviews acts, rules, policies, and action plans of the Government of Bangladesh on the HT, CT, and safe migration processes. Then, a case study has been applied to present the ongoing CT and safe migration programs of an NGO called Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), which received funding and technical support from the International Organization of Migration (IOM) for this purpose. This study also evaluates the effectiveness of the program through conducting key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with the beneficiary and non-beneficiary participants including refugees, law-enforcing agencies (LEAs), and NGOs in Teknaf and Ukhyia. Thus, this study identifies program-level strengths and weaknesses in relation to the CT and safe migration process and provides key directions on how they can be improved. It concludes that non-state actors have a significant role in preventing HT and promoting CT and safe migration for Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
Co-creation of a training for community health workers to enhance skills in serving LGBTQIA+ communities
Authors: Kitzie Vanessa , Smithwick Julie , Blanco Carmen , Green M. Greg , Covington-Kolb Sarah
Published: March 2023

This paper describes creating and implementing a 30-h LGBTQIA+ specialty training for community health workers (CHWs). The training was co-developed by CHW training facilitators (themselves CHWs), researchers with expertise in LGBTQIA+ populations and health information, and a cohort of 11 LGBTQIA+ CHWs who theater tested and piloted the course. The research and training team collected cohort feedback through focus groups and an evaluative survey. Findings stress the importance of a curriculum designed to elicit lived experiences and informed by a pedagogical framework centered on achieving LGBTQIA+ visibilities. This training is a vital tool for CHWs to foster cultural humility for LGBTQIA+ populations and identify opportunities to support their health promotion, especially considering their limited and sometimes absent access to affirming and preventative healthcare. Future directions include revising the training content based on cohort feedback and adapting it to other contexts, such as cultural humility training for medical and nursing professionals and staff.
Challenges and obstacles implementing evidence-based food fortification policy in a high-income country
Authors: Endevelt Ronit , Tulchinsky Theodore H. , Stahl Ziva , Mor Zohar , Davidovitch Nadav , Levine Hagai , Troen Aron M.
Published: March 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes food fortification as one of the most cost-effective and beneficial public health measures available. Mass fortification policies and regulations can reduce health disparities, including in high-income countries, by improving micronutrient intake among food-insecure or high-risk populations without changing their diet or behavior. While international health organizations have traditionally prioritized technical assistance and grants to medium and low-income countries, it is important to recognize that micronutrient deficiencies may also pose an important yet underappreciated public health problem in many high-income countries. Nevertheless, some high-income countries, including Israel, have been slow to adopt fortification, due to a variety of scientific, technological, regulatory, and political barriers. Overcoming these barriers requires an exchange of knowledge and expertise among the all stakeholders to achieve cooperation and broad public acceptance within countries. Similarly, sharing the experience of countries where the matter is in play may help inform efforts to advance fortification globally. Here we share a perspective on progress and barriers to achieve this goal in Israel, to inform efforts made to avoid the regrettable waste of unrealized human potential from prevalent yet preventable nutrient deficiency conditions, in Israel and beyond.
Association of common mental disorders and related multimorbidity with subsequent labor market marginalization among refugee and Swedish-born young adults
Authors: Chen Jiaying , Mittendorfer-Rutz Ellenor , Berg Lisa , Nørredam Marie , Sijbrandij Marit , Klimek Peter
Published: March 2023

Background

Common mental disorders (CMDs), multimorbidity, and refugee status are associated with poor labor market outcome. Little is known about how these factors interact in young adults.

Objective

We aimed to i) investigate whether the association of CMDs and multimorbidity with labor market marginalization (LMM) differs between refugee and Swedish-born young adults and ii) identify diagnostic groups with particularly high risk for LMM.

Methods

This longitudinal registry-based study included individuals aged 20–25 years followed from 2012 to 2016 in Sweden (41,516 refugees and 207,729 age and sex-matched Swedish-born individuals). LMM was defined as granted disability pension (DP) or > 180 days of unemployment (UE). A disease co-occurrence network was constructed for all diagnostic groups from 2009 to 2011 to derive a personalized multimorbidity score for LMM. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios of LMM in refugee and Swedish-born youth as a function of their multimorbidity score. The relative risk (RR, 95% CI) of LMM for refugees with CMDs compared to Swedish-born with CMDs was computed in each diagnostic group.

Results

In total, 5.5% of refugees and 7.2% of Swedish-born with CMDs were granted DP; 22.2 and 9.4%, respectively received UE benefit during follow-up. While both CMDs and multimorbidity independently elevated the risk of DP considerably in Swedish-born, CMDs but not multimorbidity elevated the risk of UE. Regarding UE in refugees, multimorbidity with the presence of CMDs showed stronger estimates. Multimorbidity interacted with refugee status toward UE (p < 0.0001) and with CMDs toward DP (p = 0.0049). Two diagnostic groups that demonstrated particularly high RR of UE were schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders (RR [95% CI]: 3.46 [1.77, 6.75]), and behavioral syndromes (RR [95% CI]: 3.41 [1.90, 6.10]).

Conclusion

To combat LMM, public health measures and intervention strategies need to be tailored to young adults based on their CMDs, multimorbidity, and refugee status.
Understanding influencing attributes of COVID-19 vaccine preference and willingness-to-pay among Chinese and American middle-aged and elderly adults: A discrete choice experiment and propensity score matching study
Authors: Li Xialei , Yang Liujun , Tian Guanghua , Feng Bojunhao , Jia Xiaocen , He Zonglin , Liu Taoran , Zhao Xianqi , Huang Mengjie , Yu Wenli , Yu Lian , Ming Wai-Kit
Published: March 2023

Background and objective

COVID-19 has imposed burdens on public health systems globally. Owing to the urgency of vaccination, this study aimed at comparing the differences in preference and willingness to pay of COVID-19 vaccine among Chinese and American middle-aged and elderly adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey containing demographic questions, rating their acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination with and without recommendations from friends, family members or employers (the social cues referred to in our study), and a discrete choice experiment understanding COVID-19 vaccine preference and willingness to pay was conducted to collect data. Propensity score matching was utilized to adjust confounding factors of baseline characteristics and the relative importance of respondents' preference for each attribute and its level was estimated using a conditional logit model. Then, willingness to pay was calculated.

Results

In total, 3,494 (2,311 and 1,183 from China and the United States, respectively) completed the questionnaire, among which 3,444 questionnaires were effective. After propensity score matching, 1,604 respondents with 802 from the US and 802 from China were included. Under the influence of the social cues, Chinese respondents' vaccine acceptance decreased from 71.70 to 70.70%, while American respondents' vaccine acceptance increased from 74.69 to 75.81%. The discrete choice experiment showed that American respondents regarded the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine as the most important attribute, whereas Chinese respondents attached the highest importance to the cost of vaccination. But overall, the COVID-19 vaccine with the higher efficacy, the milder adverse effect, the lower cost, and the longer duration will promote the preference of the public in both countries. Additionally, the public were willing to spend the most money for a reduction in COVID-19 vaccine adverse effect from moderate to very mild (37.476USD for the United States, 140.503USD for China), followed by paying for the 1% improvement in its efficacy and paying for the one-month extension of its duration.

Conclusion

Given the impact of social cues on vaccine acceptance, Chinese government should promote reasonable vaccine-related information to improve national vaccination acceptance. Meanwhile, considering the influence of COVID-19 attributes on public preference and willingness to pay, regulating the vaccine pricing, improving the efficacy of the vaccine, reducing its adverse effect, and prolonging the duration of the vaccine works will contribute to vaccine uptake.
Combined effects of EMP and RF field on emotional behavior in mice
Authors: Qin Tongzhou , Liu Liyuan , Wang Xing , Guo Ling , Lin Jiajin , Du Junze , Xue Yizhe , Lai Panpan , Jing Yuntao , Ding Guirong
Published: March 2023

Background

Recently, concerns about the combined effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) in daily living and occupational environment are rapidly growing.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the combined effects of 1-week exposure to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) at 650 kV/m for 1,000 pulses and 4.9 GHz radiofrequency (RF) at 50 W/m2 for 1 h/d in male mice. Open field test, tail suspension test and Y-maze were applied to evaluate anxiety, depression-like behaviors and spatial memory ability, respectively.

Results

It was found that compared with Sham group, combined exposure to EMP and RF induced anxiety-like behavior, increased the level of serum S100B and decreased the level of serum 5-HT. The results of quantitative proteomic and KEGG analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins in hippocampus were enriched in Glutamatergic and GABAergic synapse after combined exposure group, which were verified by western blot. In addition, an obvious histological alteration and autophagy-associated cell death were observed in amygdala instead of hippocampus after combined exposure to EMP and 4.9 GHz RF.

Conclusion

Combined exposure to EMP and 4.9 GHz RF could induce emotional behavior alteration, which might be associated with Glutamatergic and GABAergic synapse system of hippocampus and autophagy in amygdala.
Family factors to predict adolescents’ emotional health by decision tree model: A comparison between normally developed group and chronic-condition group
Authors: Huang Yi
Published: March 2023

The increasing trend of adolescents’ emotional symptoms has become a global public health problem. Especially, adolescents with chronic diseases or disabilities face more risks of emotional problems. Ample evidence showed family environment associates with adolescents’ emotional health. However, the categories of family-related factors that most strongly influence adolescents’ emotional health remained unclear. Additionally, it was not known that whether family environment influences emotional health differently between normally developed adolescents and those with chronic condition(s). Health Behaviours in School-aged Children (HBSC) database provides mass data about adolescents’ self-reported health and social environmental backgrounds, which offers opportunities to apply data-driven approaches to determine critical family environmental factors that influence adolescents’ health. Thus, based on the national HBSC data in the Czech Republic collected from 2017 to 2018, the current study adopted a data-driven method, classification-regression-decision-tree analysis, to investigate the impacts of family environmental factors, including demographic factors and psycho-social factors on adolescents’ emotional health. The results suggested that family psycho-social functions played a significant role in maintaining adolescents’ emotional health. Both normally developed adolescents and chronic-condition(s) adolescents benefited from communication with parents, family support, and parental monitoring. Besides, for adolescents with chronic condition(s), school-related parental support was also meaningful for decreasing emotional problems. In conclusion, the findings suggest the necessity of interventions to strengthen family-school communication and cooperation to improve chronic-disease adolescents’ mental health. The interventions aiming to improve parent-adolescent communication, parental monitoring, and family support are essential for all adolescents.
Sensory impairments and subjective well-being status in middle-aged and older Chinese population: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of a nationally representative survey
Authors: Zhou Yifan , Lu Yan , Liu Ye , Hou Yanan , Qian Xinyi , Abuduxukuer Kaiweisa , Xiang Minhong , Peng Qing , Luo Jianfeng
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To investigate the impacts of sensory impairments (SIs) including single vision impairment (SVI), single hearing impairment (SHI) and dual sensory impairment (DSI) on subjective wellbeing measurements including life expectancy (LE), life satisfaction (LS) and self-rated health (SRH) in middle-aged and older Chinese population.

Methods

We obtained data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS). In total, 9,293 Chinese middle-aged and older adults aging over 45 were included at baseline 2011 in this study, and 3,932 participants who accomplished all 4 interviews from 2011 to 2018 were adapted for longitudinal analyses. Sensory status and subjective wellbeing measurements were collected. Other covariates included socio-demographic characteristics, medical condition and lifestyle-related factors. The impacts of baseline sensory status on LE, LS and SRH were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A linear regression analysis with generalized estimating equations (GEE) was used to assess the association between time-varying sensory statuses with LE, LS and SRH over 8 years after being adjusted with multi-confounding factors.

Results

Participants with SIs had significantly lower level of LE, LS, and SRH, compared to those who were free of SI. All kinds of SIs were significantly associated with LE, LS, and SRH according to cross-sectional data. The correlations between SIs and LE or SRH over 8 years were also noticed. However, only SHI and DSI were found to be significantly associated with LS according to longitudinal data (all p values < 0.05).

Conclusion

Sensory impairments had explicitly detrimental effects on subjective wellbeing status over time among middle-aged and older Chinese population.
A community-based study of dental fluorosis in rural children (6–12 years) from an aspirational district in Karnataka, India
Authors: Prasad U. Venkateswara , Vastrad Phaniraj , N. Chandan , Barvaliya Manish J. , Kirte Rahul , R. Sabarinath , Ray Suman K. , B. Ravichandran , Chakma Tapas , Murhekar Manoj V. , Roy Subarna
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The present study was planned to estimate the prevalence of dental fluorosis in 6–12 years of children and its association with various drinking water sources, water, and urine fluoride levels among the subset of children under the umbrella of a larger study to address iodine deficiency disorders and iron deficiency anemia in 17 villages of Manvi and Devadurga talukas of Raichur district of Karnataka.

Methods

Analysis of subset of data and urine samples of children under the umbrella of a larger cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in 17 villages of Manvi and Devadurga taluks of Raichur district. House to house survey was carried out to collect data using a semi-structured questionnaire in ODK software. Demographic details, source of drinking water, clinical assessment of dental fluorosis, and height and weight measurements were performed by trained staff. Urine and water samples were collected for fluoride level estimation. The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis and its severity-wise prevalence were estimated. Association between dental fluorosis and age, gender, type of diet, source of drinking water, height for age, BMI for age, water fluoride level, and urine fluoride level were carried out using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 46.0%. Mild, moderate, and severe dental fluorosis was found in 37.9, 7.8, and 0.3% of children. With the increasing age of participants, the odds of dental fluorosis were found to increase by 2–4 folds. The odds of having dental fluorosis were significantly increased with increasing water fluoride levels of 3 to 5 ppm [AOR = 3.147 (1.585–6.248); P = 0.001] in comparison with water fluoride levels of < 1 ppm. The similar trend was found with urine fluoride level > 4 ppm [AOR = 3.607 (1.861–6.990); P < 0.001]. As compared to river water, other sources of drinking water were significantly associated with higher odds of dental fluorosis.

Conclusions

Prevalence of dental fluorosis was high in 6 to 12 years due to overexposure of fluoride from drinking water. High water and urine fluoride levels in children indicate the chronic exposure to fluoride and suggest that the population is at high risk of developing chronic fluorosis.
Impact of post stroke depression and anxiety on health-related quality of life in young Filipino adults
Authors: Ignacio Katrina Hannah D. , Medrano Jose Miguel M. , Salabi Sitti Khadija U. , Logronio Alvin J. , Factor Sedric John V. , Ignacio Sharon D. , Pascual Jose Leonard R. , Pineda-Franks Maria Carissa , Diestro Jose Danilo B.
Published: March 2023

Background

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important to assess in young adults who suffer from various physical and mental consequences after stroke. We aimed to evaluate the HRQoL of young adults after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and to determine the association of anxiety and depression with poor HRQoL in this special population.

Methods

We administered the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L) to assess the HRQoL in our study population. This tool describes health outcomes in five dimensions. Socio-demographic and clinical data including modified Rankin scale (mRS), Barthel Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores were available from our previous cross-sectional study on young adults with stroke. We performed bivariate analyses to assess the association of psychiatric comorbidities with categorical characteristics and determined risk factors for poor HRQoL using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

We evaluated HRQoL, psychiatric and functional outcomes in 114 young adult stroke patients. CVD infarct was more common than hemorrhage (58.8 vs. 41.2%). Patients with both anxiety and depression were found to have the lowest ratings on the HRQoL scales, with an EQ VAS of 60 vs. 90 (p = 0.01) and an EQ Index of 0.64 vs. 0.89 (p < 0.01) when compared to those without both conditions. Anxiety and depression were significantly correlated with poor quality of life on all dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L. Similarly, Barthel Index was a significant predictor for problems in HRQoL (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03–1.02 on the mobility dimension and OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.55 on the self-care dimension). Cerebral hemorrhage was an independent predictor for poorer self-care dimension scores (OR 4.99, 95% CI 1.42–17.56).

Conclusions

Our study showed that anxiety, depression and poor functional status are associated with poorer HRQoL in young adult Filipinos after stroke. Screening for psychiatric conditions and evaluating mobility are crucial in the management of this special population after stroke.
Community-supported agriculture as food democratic experimentalism: Insights from Germany
Authors: Degens Philipp , Lapschieß Lukas
Published: March 2023

This paper analyzes community-supported agriculture (CSA) as a particular form of democratic experimentalism in food systems. Specifically, we explore both primary and secondary CSA initiatives in Germany, based on participatory observation on meetings and workshops, and on qualitative interviews. Opposing the industrial food system and market-based food distribution, CSA activists envision transformative change toward a sustainable, regionalized, and more democratic food system. A key feature of CSA as a specific form of alternative food organizations is its underlying collaborative effort among farmers and households: consumers take over production risks, make investments in their CSA and share crops, whereby they decouple producers' income from harvest yield and market prices. Employing a perspective that is informed by John Dewey's notion of democratic publics and experimentalism, we show that both on the primary and secondary levels as well as in collaboration with other political, economic, or civic actors, CSA is a manifestation of civil society's ongoing and never-ending inquiry to find joint solutions for their shared problems. We explore CSAs as democratic forms, in terms of their diverse internal structures and practices within the primary initiatives and also the secondary network. Furthermore, we reflect on their overall potential to democratize food systems. On all levels, we find the modus of experimentalism as the essential form of democratic inquiry. We show how the varying kinds of democracy that are embodied by primary initiatives differ from one another, and what kind of boundaries exist. These boundaries, inter alia, limit CSA's potential to achieve food democracy on a societal level, if democracy means giving everyone the opportunity to have a say whenever they are affected.