bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perception of verticality in the post-COVID-19 condition correlates to infection severity
Authors: Fonseca Bruno Henrique de Souza , de Andrade Pedro Henrique Sousa , Henrique Maria Eduarda Salum Aveiro , Baggio Jussara Almeida de Oliveira , Bazan Rodrigo , de Souza Luciane Aparecida Pascucci Sande , Luvizutto Gustavo José
Published: August 2023

Background

SARS-CoV-2 infection affects multiple systems, including musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory systems. Changes associated with physical inactivity due to prolonged hospitalization can affect the functional capacity of individuals with long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or post-COVID-19 condition and may cause changes in some postural control functions, such as verticality.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the perception of verticality in individuals with long COVID.

Design

Cross-sectional study

Methods

This study included 60 participants with post-COVID-19 condition divided into 2 groups: hospitalized group (n = 24), those hospitalized owing to SARS-CoV-2 infection; and non-hospitalized group (n = 36), those infected with SARS-CoV-2 but not hospitalized. All participants were examined using a post-COVID-19 functional status (PCFS) , sit-to-stand test, grip strength assessment, painful and tactile sensory assessments, visual acuity assessment, and vestibular assessment. Verticality perception was evaluated using the subjective visual vertical (SVV) and subjective haptic vertical (SHV) tests. In both tests, the absolute values (positive values only) and true values (positive and negative values) were considered. To verify potential confounders that could influence the verticality of the results, logistic regression models were used for categorical variables and multiple linear regressions were used for continuous variables. For analysis between groups, the independent samples test (Mann–Whitney U test) was used.

Results

There were no confounders between clinical variables and verticality in either group. There was a significant increase in absolute SVV (mean deviation [MD]: 2.83; P < .0001) and true SVV (MD: −4.18; P = .005) in the hospitalized group compared to the non-hospitalized group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the true SHV (MD: −3.6; P = .026) in the hospitalized group compared to that in the non-hospitalized group.

Conclusion

Less accurate visual and haptic verticality perception task performance was observed in hospitalized patients with post-COVID-19 condition.
Psychological Burden and Willingness to Pay Among Korean Rosacea Patients and Their Association With Rosacea Phenotype and Severity: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Woo Yu Ri , Kim Suyeun , Cho Sang Hyun , Kim Hei Sung
Published: August 2023

Background

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can adversely affect the patient’s quality of life (QOL). However, few studies have examined the association between the psychological burden and willingness to pay (WTP) with rosacea features and severity.

Objectives

The study aimed to determine the overall psychological burden and WTP among Korean rosacea patients and identify factors that may contribute, such as patient demographics, clinical features, and rosacea severity.

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study recruited Koreans with rosacea. All were asked to complete a questionnaire on their demographics, rosacea-related symptoms, self-rated severity, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and WTP. The clinical features were assessed by a board-certified dermatologist. The investigator’s global assessment and global flushing severity score (GFSS) were used to determine the clinical severity of rosacea. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify factors contributing to the psychological burden and WTP.

Results

Out of 201 rosacea patients, 147 (73.1%) were female, and 54 (26.9%) males, with a median age of 50.1 years. Their median DLQI score was 8 (interquartile range [IQR]): 4.0-13.0). The median WTP per month for the control of rosacea was $100, with relative WTP (WTP/household income per month x 100) being 3.3%. According to the multiple regression model, phymatous change (β = .153, p = .030), DLQI score (β = .152, P = .045), and GFSS (β = .154, P = .041) contributed most to the WTP.

Conclusion

Rosacea patients experience substantial psychological and economic burdens. More vigorous treatment should be performed for those with phyma and severe flushing whose QOL is most severely affected.
Shortcuts to trust: Relying on cues to judge online news from unfamiliar sources on digital platforms
Authors: Ross Arguedas Amy A , Badrinathan Sumitra , Mont’Alverne Camila , Toff Benjamin , Fletcher Richard , Nielsen Rasmus Kleis
Published: August 2023

Scholarship has increasingly sought solutions for reversing broad declines in levels of trust in news in many countries. Some have advocated for news organizations to adopt strategies around transparency or audience engagement, but there is limited evidence about whether such strategies are effective, especially in the context of news consumption on digital platforms where audiences may be particularly likely to encounter news from sources previously unknown to them. In this paper, we use a bottom-up approach to understand how people evaluate the trustworthiness of online news. We inductively analyze interviews and focus groups with 232 people in four countries (Brazil, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States) to understand how they judge the trustworthiness of news when unfamiliar with the source. Drawing on prior credibility research, we identify three general categories of cues that are central to heuristic evaluations of news trustworthiness online when brands are unfamiliar: content, social, and platform cues. These cues varied minimally across countries, although larger differences were observed by platform. We discuss implications of these findings for scholarship and trust-building efforts.
‘But, what’s wrong with ruins?’ Traversing inevitable loss in industrial heritage
Authors: Arboleda Pablo , Rosa Brian
Published: August 2023

An architect and a cultural geographer meet to visit a vast industrial complex in southern Spain that was gradually abandoned between 1962 and 2012. Despite being formally designated as protected heritage, the practical absence of material intervention, historical interpretation or control of access turns the act of walking through these ruins into a highly immersive, sensorial and reflective experience. Drawing from fieldnotes and photo-documentation, this contribution broadens the generative potential of preserving-by-not-preserving, a novel heritage approach recently tackled in cultural geography literature.
Attitudes Toward Injection Practices Among People Who Inject Drugs Utilizing Medical Services: Opportunities for Harm Reduction Counseling in Health Care Settings
Authors: Applewhite Dinah , Regan Susan , Donelan Karen , Macias-Konstantopoulos Wendy L. , Kehoe Laura G. , Williamson Dawn , Wakeman Sarah E.
Published: August 2023

Hospitals are an important setting to provide harm reduction services to people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aimed to characterize PWID’s injection practices, the perceived risk and benefits of those practices, and the immediate IDU risk environment among individuals seeking medical care. Surveys were administered to 120 PWID seeking medical services at an urban hospital. Poisson regression was used to examine the effect of perceived risk or importance of injection practices on the rate of engaging in those practices. The mean participant reported “often” reusing syringes and “occasionally” cleaning their hands or skin prior to injection. 78% of participants reported that syringes were extremely risky to share, which was associated with lower likelihood of sharing them (ARR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.36-0.95). 38% of participants reported it was extremely important to use a new syringe for each injection, and these participants were more likely to report never reusing syringes >5 times (ARR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.11-2.35). Other factors that may influence injection practices—including fear of arrest, withdrawal, lack of access to supplies, and injecting outdoors—were common among participants. In conclusion, practices that place PWID at risk of injury and infection are common, and risk-benefit perception is associated with some, but not all, injection practices. Injecting in challenging environments and conditions is common. Therefore, harm reduction counseling in medical settings must be accompanied by other strategies to reduce risk, including facilitating access to supplies. Ultimately, structural interventions, such as affordable housing, are needed to address the risk environment.
IgM to phosphatidylcholine in multiple sclerosis patients: from the diagnosis to the treatment
Authors: Sánchez-Vera Isabel , Escudero Esther , Muñoz Úrsula , Sádaba María C.
Published: August 2023

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. It affects young people, and a considerable percentage of patients need the help of a wheelchair in 15 years of evolution. Currently, there is not a specific technique for the diagnosis of MS. The detection of oligoclonal IgG bands (OIgGBs) is the most sensitive assay for it, but it is not standardizable, only reference laboratories develop it, and uses cerebrospinal fluid. To obtain this sample, a lumbar puncture is necessary, an invasive proceeding with important side effects. It is important to develop and implement standard assays to obtain a rapid diagnosis because the earlier the treatment, the better the evolution of the disease. There are numerous modifying disease therapies, which delay the progression of the disease, but they have important side effects, and a considerable percentage of patients give up the treatment. In addition, around 40% of MS patients do not respond to the therapy and the disease progresses. Numerous researches have been focused on the characterization of predictive biomarkers of response to treatment, in order to help physicians to decide when to change to a second-line treatment, and then the best therapeutic option. Here, we review the new biomarkers for the diagnosis and response to treatment in MS. We draw attention in a new assay, the detection of serum IgM to phosphatidylcholine, that showed a similar sensitivity as OIgGBs and predicts the response to disease modifying treatments.
A rare case of an aortic arch stent causing central vein stenosis
Authors: Yeo Delphina , Tan Qi Xuan , Ch’ng Jack Kian
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Central vein stenosis is commonly encountered in end stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis. Most are manageable with repeated procedures and venoplasty, however in some cases, venoplasty may not be successful.

Method

We discuss a rare case of persistent upper limb swelling due to severe central vein stenosis from compression of an aortic arch stent.

Result

Despite attempt at prolonged balloon inflation during venoplasty of the central vein, the stenosis still persisted. The arteriovenous fistula was then ligated and other forms of vascular access for hemodialysis were sought after.

Conclusion

Central venograms may be useful in end stage renal failure patients as part of pre-operative arteriovenous fistula creation so as to anticipate the possibility of central vein stenosis and its associated complications.
The effects of brief emotional acceptance instructions on emotional distress and compulsive urges of various obsessive-compulsive symptoms dimensions
Authors: See Cassandra C. H. , Tan Vanessa S. Y. , Tan Jia Min , Sündermann Oliver
Published: August 2023

Background and Objectives: Emotion regulation (ER) deficits are increasingly implicated in obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS). The ER difficulty of ‘non-acceptance of emotions’ has been most consistently found to correlate with OCS – albeit not uniformly with all OCS dimensions. This study examined the causal relationships between the acceptance of emotions and four OCS dimensions: contamination, responsibility of harm, unacceptable thoughts and symmetry. Methods: Participants in this online study rated their baseline emotional distress and compulsive urges to OC scenarios corresponding to each OCS dimension. After completing questionnaires on ER, OCS, anxiety and depressive symptoms, participants were randomly assigned to two conditions and instructed to observe and accept their emotions (acceptance condition; n = 180) or observe their emotions (control condition; n = 185) as they re-read the scenarios. Participants then rated their post-manipulation emotional distress and compulsive urges to each scenario. Results: The instructions to accept emotions resulted in lower compulsive urges to the responsibility of harm scenario, for participants with lower baseline compulsive urges. There were no other group differences on post-manipulation measures. Conclusions: The current findings suggest that even brief instructions to accept one’s emotions reduced compulsive urges, pointing to the potential clinical utility of enhancing the acceptance of emotions.
Postoperative Outcomes Among Dialysis Patients Undergoing Hip Fracture Repair
Authors: Benjamin M Conover , Dane K Wukich , Senthil Sambandam
Published: August 2023

Background

Geriatric hip fractures are strongly correlated with increased morbidity. Even so, postoperative outcomes following surgical repair of hip fractures for patients with end stage renal disease lack extensive investigation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses unique risks for surgical procedures as it has been associated with several complications. Little information is available regarding the outcomes of patients whose renal function decline necessitates dialysis usage. The purpose of this study was to compare post-surgical outcomes based on dialysis usage among CKD patients requiring hip fracture repair.

Materials and Methods

We used the PearlDiver database to identify hip fracture repair patients diagnosed with stages 3, 4, and 5 CKD. We matched the populations according to patient characteristics and comorbidities. We then compared patient complication rates among dialyzed and non-dialyzed CKD patients following hip fracture repair at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year following the procedure.

Results

Dialyzed patients were more likely to experience myocardial infarction within 30 days ( P = .02) and 90 days ( P = .002). Dialyzed patients suffered cardiac arrest at higher rates within the same time intervals ( P = .02; P = .002). Furthermore, dialysis patients developed sepsis ( P = .005) and pneumonia ( P = .005) at higher rates within 30 days of operation. Dialysis patients did not have increased risk of blood transfusion within 30 days of the operation ( P = .07).

Discussion

We found significant increases in myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, pneumonia, and sepsis risk among dialyzed CKD patients. Blood transfusion risk failed to reach statistical significance. Our findings are consistent with previous research regarding CKD pathophysiology and associated perioperative outcomes.

Conclusion

Given the drastic decline of renal function among patients on dialysis, our findings may be attributable to decreased glomerular filtration rate in CKD as well as dialysis itself. Regardless, multidisciplinary collaboration should be employed when performing hip fracture repair on a patient who is actively undergoing hemodialysis.
Leading Generation Z’s Financial Literacy Through Financial Education: Contemporary Bibliometric and Content Analysis in China
Authors: Hong Shan Liu , Cheah Kenny S. L. , Leong Serrene
Published: August 2023

There is a growing awareness of the importance of financial education and literacy in personal economic success, yet not many Generation Z are proficient in this area. The lack of understanding can lead to consequences such as not recognizing the need for greater retirement savings, making poor spending decisions, or when overpaying off high-interest debt. In addition, many of the studies on financial education and literacy among Generation Z remain untapped in the context of China. As a result, the researcher emphasizes the evidence by mining data from the Web of Science database and analyzing the data using bibliometrics and content analysis. Contemporary research on financial education and literacy in the web of science has discovered that it is trending strongly across fields like environmental science, healthcare, energy, and economics, according to bibliometric data. Further investigation has uncovered the important writers, journal sources, and universities in China that are creating such knowledge. Subsequently, the content analysis on the focused area has yielded results related to recent findings from key authors, and how their studies describe the socio-demographic and psychological behavior of Generation Zs. As an implication, China’s academic research reveals that Generation Zs’ subjective and objective financial education may be absorbed into their financial self-beliefs, which affects how they handle their finances. Thus, financial education is instrumental to help them set clear financial goals and plan for the future.
Athletic Insiders or Nowhere Men?: NBC’s Primetime Television Coverage of Male Figure Skaters at the 2018 Olympic Games
Authors: Smith Lauren Reichart , MacArthur Paul J.
Published: August 2023

Previous studies of NBC’s primetime Olympic commentary have revealed differences in how the network describes male figure skaters as compared to the composite of other male Olympians. To determine if NBC presented male Olympic figure skaters differently than the composite of other male Olympians during its 2018 primetime Winter Olympic broadcast, all 63.5 hours of NBC’s primetime broadcast television coverage of the PyeongChang Games were examined using a taxonomy that categorized NBC’s commentary about Olympic athletes into macro categories of success/failure, and personality/physicality. This study revealed 10 significantly-different mediated dialogue trends between male figure skaters and the aggregate of other male Winter Olympians. Male figure skaters were more likely to receive success comments related to strength, composure, and commitment, and failure comments related to a lack of concentration, strength, and composure. They were also more likely to receive comments related to being outgoing/extroverted. Other male Olympians were more likely to receive success comments related to intelligence and were more likely to receive comments about their size/body parts and comments in the “other/neutral” category. The findings are analyzed in the context of the PyeongChang broadcast and longitudinal research.
Nexus Between Employee Engagement and Job Performance: A Study of MSMEs in Ghana During COVID-19: The Moderating Roles of Job Demand and Job Resources
Authors: Nkansah Daniel , Gyimah Raymond , Sarpong Daniel Agyemfour-Agyemang , Annan James Kwasi
Published: August 2023

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the globe have been the major victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has plunged the business world into a crisis. However, employee engagement (EE) has been labeled as an essential nutrient that organizations need in order to survive in these turbulent times. This study was to investigate the effect of EE on employee performance during the COVID-19 pandemic and how job demands and job resources moderate this relationship. A sample size of 395 respondents were selected from a variety of MSMEs via a convenience sampling method. The study used a survey questionnaire approach as the main method for collecting primary data. The result of the correlation analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between EE and employee performance. It was revealed that job demands and job resources moderated the relationship between EE and employee performance. Finally, the result showed that job demands had an insignificant effect on EE, but job resources had a significant effect on EE. Thus, it can be concluded that, in the face of COVID-19, EE is a significant predictor of EP in the MSME sector.
Apolipoprotein E isoform does not influence trans-synaptic spread of tau pathology in a mouse model
Authors: Davies Caitlin , Tulloch Jane , Yip Ellie , Currie Lydia , Colom-Cadena Marti , Wegmann Susanne , Hyman Bradley T , Wilkins Lewis , Hooley Monique , Tzioras Makis , Spires-Jones Tara L
Published: August 2023

A key hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau in neurofibrillary tangles. This occurs alongside neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Pathological tau propagates through the AD brain in a defined manner, which correlates with neuron and synapse loss and cognitive decline. One proposed mechanism of tau spread is through synaptically connected brain structures. Apolipoprotein E4 ( APOE4) genotype is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset AD and is associated with increased tau burden. Whether the apolipoprotein E ( APOE) genotype influences neurodegeneration via tau spread is currently unknown. Here, we demonstrate that virally expressed human tau (with the P301L mutation) injected into mouse entorhinal cortex at 5–6 months or 15–16 months of age spreads trans-synaptically to the hippocampus by 14 weeks post-injection. Injections of tau in mice expressing human APOE2, APOE3 or APOE4, as well as APOE knock-outs, showed that tau can spread trans-synaptically in all genotypes and that APOE genotype and age do not affect the spread of tau. These data suggest that APOE genotype is not directly linked to synaptic spread of tau in our model, but other mechanisms involving non-cell autonomous manners of tau spread are still possible.
Being a Woman Livestock Keeper in Rural India
Authors: Dhaske Govind , Singh-Dhaske Anamika , Shah Nirali , Gore Navnath
Published: August 2023

The mounting global evidence suggests that women’s participation and active engagement in livestock keeping and livestock product markets trigger financial gains and enhanced household food security alongside several tangible and intangible outcomes. However, to overcome systemic and structural gendered barriers, there is a pertinent need for systematic efforts to increase women’s access, participation and benefit sharing in livestock keeping. Being a woman livestock keeper with legitimate recognition of contribution and benefit-sharing remains a culture-specific phenomenon that has a bearing on the overall impact of gender-equitable livestock development interventions. A focused phenomenological inquiry was conducted to explore and document the lived experiences of women livestock keepers in rural India. The pathways to becoming a woman livestock keeper run through several hurdles yet well-planned inputs, supportive institutional arrangements and culturally suitable gender-sensitive handholding play enabling roles for women livestock keepers to realize their equitable roles and position themselves in the growing livestock product markets. Furthermore, this study suggests that it is critical to put interventional emphasis on converging multimodal efforts to equip women to effectively bargain and engage in the marketing and benefit-sharing process.
Towards a Praxis of Manifesting Spatial Imaginaries
Authors: Dantzler Prentiss A. , Peron Marie-Aminata
Published: August 2023

In this essay, we suggest an alternative lens to uneven development as an embodied process to frame extant work within critical gentrification studies. In doing so, we resist a theoretical and methodological distinction divorced from the politics of remaking the material and immaterial conditions of the body before, within, and beyond space. In the pursuit of theoretical distinctions and temporal and spatial renderings from the varieties of everyday racial capitalism, we urge scholars to embed an imaginary towards our collective urban future within their theoretical conceptualizations. To do this means to not only suggest what is but what could be. While brief, we hope that this encourages others to engage in scholarly endeavors not only to understand the causes and effects of gentrification and displacement, but to advocate for a politics of spatial imaginaries.
The Anti-Inflammatory Reliever (AIR) Algorithm Study: a protocol for a single-group study of an AIR stepwise approach to the treatment of adult asthma
Authors: Bruce Pepa , Hatter Lee , Houghton Claire , Kearns Ciléin , Holliday Mark , Anderson Augustus J. , Eathorne Allie , Martindale John , Semprini Alex , Weatherall Mark , Pavord Ian , Harrison Tim , Papi Alberto , Horne Rob , Beasley Richard
Published: August 2023

Background

The stepwise approach to long-term asthma management, which traditionally incorporates short-acting β2-agonist reliever therapy, has been a core feature of asthma guidelines for over 30 years. There have been no studies, however, directly investigating the use of an entire guideline-recommended track. Recently, inhaled corticosteroid–formoterol has been recommended as the preferred reliever therapy in adult asthma, in accordance with a stepwise “Anti-Inflammatory Reliever” (AIR) treatment track.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the AIR stepwise approach recommended by the New Zealand adolescent and adult asthma guidelines, in combination with a novel algorithm for transitioning between treatment steps.

Methods

This 52-week, open-label, single-group study will recruit 100 adults aged 18 to 75 years with mild, moderate and moderate–severe asthma (ACTRN12620001010987). Participants will be allocated to budesonide–formoterol 200/6 µg, one actuation as needed (Step 1), one actuation twice daily and as needed (Step 2), or two actuations twice daily and one as needed (Step 3). Treatment steps will be adjusted throughout the study, in response to reliever use and asthma attacks, according to a stepwise AIR algorithm. Following a 26-week period of investigator-led transitions, participants will adjust their own treatment step. The primary outcome is participant satisfaction as measured by the Global Satisfaction score of the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication. Secondary outcomes will assess efficacy and safety, and describe patterns of medication use and participant flow through the treatment steps.

Conclusion

This is the first trial to assess the AIR treatment track and algorithm. The results will provide knowledge to guide the clinical use of this approach.
Nationwide lung function monitoring from infancy in newborn-screened children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Sandvik Rikke M. , Schmidt Marika N. , Voldby Christian M. , Buchvald Frederik F. , Olesen Hanne V. , Olsen Jørgen , Kragh Maja V. , Rubak Sune L.M. , Pressler Tacjana , Robinson Paul D. , Gustafsson Per M. , Skov Marianne , Nielsen Kim G.
Published: August 2023

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease starts in infancy and can be assessed for structural lung abnormalities using computed tomography or magnetic resonance scans, or for lung function impairment using multiple breath washout (MBW). However, in infancy these two methods are not well correlated. Trajectories of CF lung disease assessed by MBW in infants and toddlers remain poorly described, which is why we aimed to 1) describe the trajectory of lung function, 2) explore risk factors for progression and 3) explore the real-life effect of lumacaftor/ivacaftor.

Methods

This was a nationwide observational cohort study (2018–2021) using data collected as part of the routine clinical surveillance programme (including MBW and monthly endo-laryngeal suction sampling for bacterial pathogens) in children born after implementation of newborn screening for CF (May 2016). Lumacaftor/ivacaftor commenced from age 2 years in children homozygous for F508del. Ventilation distribution efficiency (VDE), recently described to have advantages over lung clearance index (LCI), was reported as the primary MBW outcome after z-score calculations based on published reference data. Mixed effect linear regression models were the main statistical analyses performed in this study.

Results

59 children, aged 2–45 months, contributed with 211 MBW occasions (median (interquartile range (IQR)) 3 (2–5) MBW occasions per child) with a median (IQR) follow-up time of 10.8 (5.2–22.3) months. An overall mean annual deterioration rate of −0.50 (95% CI −0.78– −0.22) z-VDE was observed, starting from an estimated mean z-VDE of −1.68 (95% CI −2.15– −1.22) at age 0.0 years (intercept).Pseudomonas aeruginosa“ever” (n=14, MBWs 50) had a significantly worse z-VDE trajectoryversus P. aeruginosa“never” (mean difference 0.53 (95% CI 0.16–0.89) per year; p=0.0047) and lumacaftor/ivacaftor treatment (n=22, MBWs 46) significantly improved the trajectory of z-VDE (mean difference 1.72 (95% CI 0.79–2.66) per year; p=0.0004), leading to a stable mean z-VDE trajectory after start of treatment.

Conclusions

Infants and toddlers with CF demonstrated progressive deterioration in z-VDE over the first years of life.P. aeruginosaisolation “ever” was associated with an accelerated deterioration in lung function, while lumacaftor/ivacaftor therapy significantly improved and stabilised the trajectory.
Identifying causal genes for migraine by integrating the proteome and transcriptome
Authors: Li Shuang-jie , Shi Jing-jing , Mao Cheng-yuan , Zhang Chan , Xu Ya-fang , Fan Yu , Hu Zheng-wei , Yu Wen-kai , Hao Xiao-yan , Li Meng-jie , Li Jia-di , Ma Dong-rui , Guo Meng-nan , Zuo Chun-yan , Liang Yuan-yuan , Xu Yu-ming , Wu Jun , Sun Shi-lei , Wang Yong-gang , Shi Chang-he
Published: August 2023

Background

While previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple risk variants for migraine, there is a lack of evidence about how these variants contribute to the development of migraine. We employed an integrative pipeline to efficiently transform genetic associations to identify causal genes for migraine.

Methods

We conducted a proteome-wide association study (PWAS) by combining data from the migraine GWAS data with proteomic data from the human brain and plasma to identify proteins that may play a role in the risk of developing migraine. We also combined data from GWAS of migraine with a novel joint-tissue imputation (JTI) prediction model of 17 migraine-related human tissues to conduct transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) together with the fine mapping method FOCUS to identify disease-associated genes.

Results

We identified 13 genes in the human brain and plasma proteome that modulate migraine risk by regulating protein abundance. In addition, 62 associated genes not reported in previous migraine TWAS studies were identified by our analysis of migraine using TWAS and fine mapping. Five genes including ICA1L, TREX1, STAT6, UFL1, and B3GNT8 showed significant associations with migraine at both the proteome and transcriptome, these genes are mainly expressed in ependymal cells, neurons, and glial cells, and are potential target genes for prevention of neuronal signaling and inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of migraine.

Conclusions

Our proteomic and transcriptome findings have identified disease-associated genes that may give new insights into the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for migraine.
Effect of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) on early implantation using the three-dimensional spheroid model with human endometrial cell line, Ishikawa
Authors: Koo Myoungjoo , Kang Inyoung , Jun Jin Hyun , Lee Jaewang
Published: August 2023

Background

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) can be characterized as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDCs). It has been widely used as a brominated flame retardant in industrial products. EDCs have effects on female reproduction leading to issues, such as infertility, hormone imbalance, and endometriosis. In Korea, the problems of infertility and decreasing birth rate are of significant concern. Exposure to EDCs might have a harmful effect on female fertility by mediating a decrease endometrial receptivity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of TBBPA on infertility, particularly on early implantation events in the uterine endometrium. Human endometrial adenocarcinoma and trophoblastic cell lines were used in this study. The cytotoxicity of TBBPA on Ishikawa cells and Jeg-3 cells was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The mRNA expression was analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein levels were measured by western blotting. The attachment rate was analyzed using an attachment assay, and the outgrowth area was measured using an outgrowth assay.

Results

The mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and leukemia inhibitory factor was significantly increased upon treatment of Ishikawa cells by TBBPA. Moreover, the outgrowth area in the TBBPA group was significantly decreased compared to that in the control. In contrast, TBBPA had a minor effect on protein levels and attachment rates.

Conclusions

In this study, TBBPA induced an inflammatory milieu in mRNA expression. An increase in inflammation-related cytokines in the endometrium can disrupt embryo implantation. TBBPA disrupted the outgrowth of spheroids in the endometrium; however, the protein levels and attachment rate were comparable to those in the control group. The effect of TBBPA on implantation events should be elucidated further.
Keratin 19 binds and regulates cytoplasmic HNRNPK mRNA targets in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Fallatah Arwa , Anastasakis Dimitrios G. , Manzourolajdad Amirhossein , Sharma Pooja , Wang Xiantao , Jacob Alexis , Alsharif Sarah , Elgerbi Ahmed , Coulombe Pierre A. , Hafner Markus , Chung Byung Min
Published: August 2023

Background

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK) regulates pre-mRNA processing and long non-coding RNA localization in the nucleus. It was previously shown that shuttling of HNRNPK to the cytoplasm promotes cell proliferation and cancer metastasis. However, the mechanism of HNRNPK cytoplasmic localization, its cytoplasmic RNA ligands, and impact on post-transcriptional gene regulation remain uncharacterized.

Results

Here we show that the intermediate filament protein Keratin 19 (K19) directly interacts with HNRNPK and sequesters it in the cytoplasm. Correspondingly, in K19 knockout breast cancer cells, HNRNPK does not localize in the cytoplasm, resulting in reduced cell proliferation. We comprehensively mapped HNRNPK binding sites on mRNAs and showed that, in the cytoplasm, K19-mediated HNRNPK-retention increases the abundance of target mRNAs bound to the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) at the expected cytidine-rich (C-rich) sequence elements. Furthermore, these mRNAs protected by HNRNPK in the cytoplasm are typically involved in cancer progression and include the p53 signaling pathway that is dysregulated upon HNRNPK knockdown (HNRNPK KD) or K19 knockout (KRT19 KO).

Conclusions

This study identifies how a cytoskeletal protein can directly regulate gene expression by controlling the subcellular localization of RNA-binding proteins to support pathways involved in cancer progression.
Knowledge and experience of paramedics concerning patients with hearing and visual disability
Authors: Alharthy Nesrin , Almotairy Raghad , Aldulhum Rahaf , Alghamdi Albatool , Aquil Reem , Alkharaan Ghada , Alsuwais Sara , Alshibani Abdullah
Published: August 2023

Background

A 2017 nationwide disability survey conducted by the General Authority of Statistics in Saudi Arabia, a sample representing the whole population living in Saudi Arabia, reported that approximately 5% and 2% of the Saudi population suffers from visual or hearing impairments, respectively. Patients with these disabilities find it difficult to convey their medical history and chief complaints to paramedics, causing communication breakdowns that can lead to misinterpretation of patient history, leave medical problems unaddressed, and reduce patient engagement and autonomy. We aimed to assess paramedics’ knowledge, attitude, and level of confidence when managing patients with visual or hearing problems.

Methods

Descriptive cross-sectional design was used to report the knowledge and experience of paramedics towards patients with hearing/vision disabilities in Saudi Arabia. A validated questionnaire was distributed to our study sample of paramedics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 01, July 2020 and 31, December 2020. Ethical approval was obtained from King Abdullah International Medical Research Center.

Results

Ninety-seven participants completed the survey. Male paramedics accounted for 77% of the study participants; 24% were Saudi Red Crescent employees, and 57% were 20–25 years old. Most participants encountered 1–5 cases of patients with hearing disability (55%) as well as patients with visual disability (48%) during their career. Taking medical history was a challenge indicated by 42% of the participants, and 30% reported difficulties in explaining procedures. Of the participants, 44% were confident in handling patients with hearing or visual impairment. There was a strong association between participants who indicated higher confidence levels and those who had obtained specific training for patients with hearing or visual impairments.

Conclusion

Assisting patients with hearing or visual impairments is challenging, especially during an emergency. We recommend programs that provide specific training in handling hearing or visually impaired patients to close the communication gap in emergent medical situations handled by paramedics or other emergency medicine doctors and nurses.
Effect of fracture risk in inhaled corticosteroids in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Peng Shisheng , Tan Cong , Du Lirong , Niu Yanan , Liu Xiansheng , Wang Ruiying
Published: August 2023

Background

The fracture risk of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with inhaled corticosteroids is controversial. And some large-scale randomized controlled trials have not solved this problem. The purpose of our systematic review and meta-analysis including 44 RCTs is to reveal the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on the fracture risk of COPD patients.

Methods

Two reviewers independently retrieved randomized controlled trials of inhaled corticosteroids or combinations of inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of COPD from PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The primary outcome was a fracture event. This study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022366778).

Results

Forty-four RCTs were performed in 87,594 patients. Inhaled therapy containing ICSs (RR, 1.19; 95%CI, 1.04–1.37; P = 0.010), especially ICS/LABA (RR, 1.30; 95%CI, 1.10–1.53; P = 0.002) and triple therapy (RR, 1.49; 95%CI, 1.03–2.17; P = 0.04) were significantly associated with the increased risk of fracture in COPD patients when compared with inhaled therapy without ICSs. Subgroup analyses showed that treatment duration ≥ 12 months (RR, 1.19; 95%CI, 1.04–1.38; P = 0.01), budesonide therapy (RR, 1.64; 95%CI., 1.07–2.51; P = 0.02), fluticasone furoate therapy (RR, 1.37; 95%CI, 1.05–1.78; P = 0.02), mean age of study participants ≥ 65 (RR, 1.27; 95%CI, 1.01–1.61; P = 0.04), and GOLD stage III(RR, 1.18; 95%CI, 1.00–1.38; P = 0.04) were significantly associated with an increased risk of fracture. In addition, budesonide ≥ 320 ug bid via MDI (RR, 1.75; 95%CI, 1.07–2.87; P = 0.03) was significantly associated with the increased risk of fracture.

Conclusion

Inhalation therapy with ICSs, especially ICS/LABA or triple therapy, increased the risk of fracture in patients with COPD compared with inhaled therapy without ICS. Treatment duration, mean age of participants, GOLD stage, drug dosage form, and drug dose participated in this association. Moreover, different inhalation devices of the same drug also had differences in risk of fracture.
Comparison of external load measures per minute based on match seasonal periods and playing positions of a soccer Turkish super league team
Authors: Akyildiz Zeki , Yüksel Yılmaz , Birgonül Yaşar , Ceylan Halil İbrahim , Oliveira Rafael , Çene Erhan , Parim Coskun , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Nobari Hadi
Published: August 2023

Background

Turkish Super League teams need more information about the external load. Considering the specific country and the coaches’ philosophies, the purpose of this study was to compare the external match load of a Turkish Super League team considering the different playing positions and in-season periods.

Methodology

A longitudinal study design was employed by observing 29 official matches of the same team. A total of fifteen players, consisting of five defenders, five midfielders, and five forwards, were analyzed using the Sentio Sports Optical Tracking System. The following outcomes were extracted in each match: total distance (TD), walking [from 0 to 7.2 km/h], jogging [from 7.2 to 14.4 km/h], running [from 14.4 to 20 km/h], high speed running (HSR) [> 20 km/h], metabolic power (MP), maximum deceleration (Decmax) [Dec < -3 m/s2], total deceleration distance (Dectotal), maximum acceleration (Accmax) [Acc > 3 m/s2], and total acceleration distance (Acctotal). Statistical analysis consisted of ANOVA and Bonferroni correction post hoc tests.

Results

The main results showed that all variables were similar between periods of the season (p > 0.05) except for walking (p = 0.021 witha large effect size), which revealed lower values in the mid-season period. When analyzing periods of the season considering playing positions, there were several significant results for TD, walking, jogging, running, HSR, Dectotal and Acctotal (p < 0.05, with small to large effects). A tendency for higher values was noted in the mid and end-season. Considering the playing positions comparisons, midfielders showed higher values than defenders for TD, MP, Dectotal and Acctotal (p < 0.05 with large effect for all). Midfielders also showed higher values than forwards for TD, jogging, Dectotal and Acctotal (p < 0.05 with a large effect for all).

Conclusions

The present study emphasizes the significance of analyzing data based on minute, playing position, and season period. Findings reveal that defenders consistently displayed the lowest values in all external load measures during matches compared to other positions throughout the season. Furthermore, midfielders demonstrated a higher activity profile during the initial and middle stages of the season compared to other positions, with a slight tendency to decrease load towards the end of the season.
Efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on impulsivity and suicidality among clients with bipolar disorders: a randomized control trial
Authors: El-Sayed Mona Metwally , Elhay Eman Sameh Abd , Taha Samah Mohamed , Khedr Mahmoud Abdelwahab , Mansour Feby Saad Attalla , El-Ashry Ayman Mohamed
Published: August 2023

Background

Among people with bipolar disorders, there are high rates of impulsivity and suicide attempts. Efforts to reduce suicide are hindered by the lack of conclusive evidence on interventional programs for those at risk. Thus, this work evaluated the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on impulsivity and suicidality among bipolar clients.

Methods

In a randomized controlled trial, 30 eligible clients with bipolar disorders were given Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and 30 eligible clients for the control group were chosen randomly at a 1:1 ratio using Research Randomizer version 4.0. Clients completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, the Short Arabic Version of the Impulsivity Behavior Scale, and the Arabic Version of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation.

Results

It can be observed that there was a statistically significant decrement in the mean scores of psychological inflexibility among the study group between baseline value (T0), posttest measurement (T1), and post-two-month follow-up (T2), from 32.91 SD (6.03) to 23.06 SD (6.22) post and 26.83 SD (3.49) post-two months, with an effect size of 0.846 (P < 0.001), compared to the control group, which revealed an increase in the mean score. The overall impulsivity among the study group between T0, T1, and T2 was 61.27 SD (4.57) to 46.83 SD (4.47) post- and 43.0 SD (5.30) post-two months, with an effect size of 0.906 (P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, which revealed a relative increase in the mean impulsivity score at the post- and post-two-month intervals, the Arabic Versions of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation Scale mean score before the intervention was 16.33 SD (6.08), then the post was 7.23 SD (4.72), and the post-two-month mean was 10.13 SD (5.49) with an effect size of 0.878 (P < 0.001) among the study group. On the other hand, mean scores of “suicide ideation” among clients in the control group increased posttest and nearly returned to the same value after two months.

Conclusion

For bipolar clients suffering from suicidal thoughts and impulsive behaviors, acceptance and commitment therapy, an emerging third-wave behavior therapy, is an effective intervention.

Trial registration

The study was registered retrospectively with reference number NCT05693389 on 23/1/2023, available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05693389.
Resequencing of global Lotus corniculatus accessions reveals population distribution and genetic loci, associated with cyanogenic glycosides accumulation and growth traits
Authors: Chen Cheng , Zhang Kaixuan , Liu Fu , Wang Xia , Yao Yang , Niu Xiaolei , He Yuqi , Hong Jun , Liu Fang , Gao Qiu , Zhang Yi , Li Yurong , Wang Meijuan , Lin Jizhen , Fan Yu , Ren Kui , Shen Lunhao , Gao Bin , Ren Xue , Yang Weifei , Georgiev Milen I. , Zhang Xinquan , Zhou Meiliang
Published: August 2023

Background

Lotus corniculatus is a widely distributed perennial legume whose great adaptability to different environments and resistance to barrenness make it an excellent forage and ecological restoration plant. However, its molecular genetics and genomic relationships among populations are yet to be uncovered.

Result

Here we report on a genomic variation map from worldwide 272 L. corniculatus accessions by genome resequencing. Our analysis suggests that L. corniculatus accessions have high genetic diversity and could be further divided into three subgroups, with the genetic diversity centers were located in Transcaucasia. Several candidate genes and SNP site associated with CNglcs content and growth traits were identified by genome-wide associated study (GWAS). A non-synonymous in LjMTR was responsible for the decreased expression of CNglcs synthesis genes and LjZCD was verified to positively regulate CNglcs synthesis gene CYP79D3. The LjZCB and an SNP in LjZCA promoter were confirmed to be involved in plant growth.

Conclusion

This study provided a large number of genomic resources and described genetic relationship and population structure among different accessions. Moreover, we attempt to provide insights into the molecular studies and breeding of CNglcs and growth traits in L. corniculatus.