bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ketogenic Diets and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lan Yan , Jin Chaonan , Kumar Pavitra , Yu Xia , Lenahan Cameron , Sheng Jifang
Published: May 2022

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet regarded as a potential intervention for cancers owing to its effects on tumor metabolism and behavior. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent type of liver cancer, and its management is worth investigating because of the high fatality rate. Additionally, as the liver is the glucose and lipid metabolism center where ketone bodies are produced, the application of KD to combat HCC is promising. Prior studies have reported that KD could reduce the energy supply and affect the proliferation and differentiation of cancer cells by lowering the blood glucose and insulin levels. Furthermore, KD can increase the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2) in hepatocytes and regulate lipid metabolism to inhibit the progression of HCC. In addition, β-hydroxybutyrate can induce histone hyperacetylation and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors to alleviate damage to hepatocytes. However, there are few relevant studies at present, and the specific effects and safety of KD on HCC warrant further research. Optimizing the composition of KD and combining it with other therapies to enhance its anti-cancer effects warrant further exploration.
SOCS3 Acts as an Onco-immunological Biomarker With Value in Assessing the Tumor Microenvironment, Pathological Staging, Histological Subtypes, Therapeutic Effect, and Prognoses of Several Types of Cancer
Authors: Dai Lirui , Tao Yiran , Shi Zimin , Liang Wulong , Hu Weihua , Xing Zhe , Zhou Shaolong , Guo Xuyang , Fu Xudong , Wang Xinjun
Published: May 2022

The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family contains eight members, including SOCS1–7 and CIS, and SOCS3 has been shown to inhibit cytokine signal transduction in various signaling pathways. Although several studies have currently shown the correlations between SOCS3 and several types of cancer, no pan-cancer analysis is available to date. We used various computational tools to explore the expression and pathogenic roles of SOCS3 in several types of cancer, assessing its potential role in the pathogenesis of cancer, in tumor immune infiltration, tumor progression, immune evasion, therapeutic response, and prognostic. The results showed that SOCS3 was downregulated in most The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer datasets but was highly expressed in brain tumors, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, and lymphoma. High SOCS3 expression in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and brain lower-grade glioma (LGG) were verified through immunohistochemical experiments. GEPIA and Kaplan–Meier Plotter were used, and this bioinformatics analysis showed that high SOCS3 expression was associated with a poor prognosis in the majority of cancers, including LGG and GBM. Our analysis also indicated that SOCS3 may be involved in tumor immune evasion via immune cell infiltration or T-cell exclusion across different types of cancer. In addition, SOCS3 methylation was negatively correlated with mRNA expression levels, worse prognoses, and dysfunctional T-cell phenotypes in various types of cancer. Next, different analytical methods were used to select genes related to SOCS3 gene alterations and carcinogenic characteristics, such as STAT3, SNAI1, NFKBIA, BCL10, TK1, PGS1, BIRC5, TMC8, and AFMID, and several biological functions were identified between them. We found that SOCS3 was involved in cancer development primarily through the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and cytokine receptor activity. Furthermore, SOCS3 expression levels were associated with immunotherapy or chemotherapy for numerous types of cancer. In conclusion, this study showed that SOCS3 is an immune-oncogenic molecule that may possess value as a biomarker for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of several types of cancer in the future.
Low CRIM1 Levels Predict Poor Prognosis in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Wen Wei , Jiang Baohong , Cao Xi , Xie Liming , Zhang Xiaoli , Li Yuehua , He Rongfang
Published: May 2022

Background

CRIM1 is involved in the development and preservation of the nervous system, capillary development, and vascular maintenance. Although CRIM1 was reported to involve in multiple cancers, its role in breast cancer is unclear.

Methods

We investigated CRIM1 expression levels using Oncomine, HPA, and immunohistochemistry analyses. BC-GenExMiner was employed to evaluate the relationship of CRIM1 expression with the clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer. Its association with breast cancer prognosis was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and PrognoScan. The correlation of the expression of CRIM1 with tumor immune infiltration was explored via TIMER. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was utilized to determine the cascades that are linked to CRIM1 in breast cancer. Finally, we explored CRIM1 and its co-expressed genes using R (3.6.3).

Results

Here, we find that CRIM1 expression was downregulated in various subtypes of breast cancer, and it was lowest in triple-negative breast cancers. ER and PR status were positively correlated with CRIM1 expression, while HER-2 expression was negatively correlated with CRIM1 expression. But in our immunohistochemical results in breast cancer specimens collected from our laboratory, HER-2 expression was positively correlated with CRIM1 expression. The expression of CRIM1 was correlated with menopause status, T stage, pathologic stage, histological type, and P53 status but not with age, N-stage, M-stage, Radiation therapy, and BRCA1/2 status. Survival analysis found that low CRIM1 expression was correlated with poorer DMFS, RFS and OS. Notably, CRIM1 expression was positively linked to the level of infiltration by CD8+ T-cells, endothelial cells, and neutrophils, and negatively linked to NK, B-cells, CD4+ T-cells, tumor purity, macrophage M1, and Tregs. Besides, DIXDC1 and PFDN6 were correlated to CRIM1 possibly.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated that low CRIM1 expression predict poor prognosis of breast cancer and CRIM1 might be used as a possible treatment target or prognostic marker in breast cancer. More researches are needed to better understand the prognostic value of CRIM1 in breast cancer.
Responsive Behaviors and Pain Management in Hospital Dementia Care: A Before and After Comparison of the “Serial Trial Intervention”
Authors: Lukas Albert , Bienas Melanie , Mayer Benjamin , Radbruch Lukas , Gnass Irmela
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Responsive behavior, often referred to as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), is among the most critical disorders in dementia whereby nursing personnel in hospitals are increasingly confronted with such symptoms. The purpose was to reduce the level of BPSD in an acute hospital environment through a stepwise procedure followed by the initiation of a needs-oriented treatment.

Methods

An open, prospective, interventional study with before-after comparisons was used to implement “Serial Trial Intervention” (STI) in three hospital wards (internal medicine, surgery, geriatric) after its adaption for hospital setting which was supplemented with a detailed pain assessment. Participants were 65 years and older. Potential causes of BPSD were clarified in a stepwise procedure and, if possible, eliminated. The primary outcome was the reduction in BPSD measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q-12) while secondary outcomes were through the use of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.

Results

No significant reduction in NPI-Q-12 could be found. However, significantly more mobilizations and changes of position were carried out. Higher antipsychotic use was seen in the after-groups presumably due to the higher rates of delirium and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the data showed no increase in analgesic use.

Conclusion

No significant reduction in NPI-Q-12 was observed in the before-after study. The use of antipsychotics even increased most probably due to a higher incidence of deliriousness in the after-group. However, STI seemed to improve attention to underlying causes of BPSD as well as pain. Proof that STI leads to NPI-Q-12 reduction in hospitals is still pending.
Periodontal Disease and Adverse Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Youzhen , Feng Wanbing , Li Jingyu , Cui Linlin , Chen Zi-Jiang
Published: May 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between maternal periodontal disease (PD) and three main adverse neonatal outcomes, namely, preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA).

Methods

The Ovid Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched up to 6 December 2020 for relevant observational studies on an association between PD and risk of PTB, LBW, and SGA. Eligibility criteria included observational studies which compared the prevalence of PTB and/or LBW and/or SGA between PD women and periodontal health controls. The exclusion criteria included incomplete data, animal research, and mixing up various pregnancy outcomes, such as “preterm low birth weight” and languages other than Chinese and English. Data were extracted and analyzed independently by two authors. The meta-analysis was performed using Stata Statistical Software, Release 12 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Odds ratio (OR), confidence intervals (CIs), and heterogeneity (I2) were computed.

Results

Fourteen case-control studies and 10 prospective cohort studies, involving 15,278 participants, were identified. Based on fixed effect meta-analysis, PTB showed a significant association with PD (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.39–1.77, P < 0.00001) and LBW also showed a significant association with PD (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.75–3.37, P < 0.00001) in a random effect meta-analysis. However, a random effect meta-analysis showed no relationship between PD and SGA (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 0.86–3.07, P = 0.136).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that pregnant women with PD have a significantly higher risk of PTB and LBW. However, large prospective, blinded cohort studies with standardized diagnostic criteria of PD and adequate control of confounding factors are still required to confirm the relationship between PD and adverse neonatal outcomes.
Inborn Errors of Immunity With Fetal or Perinatal Clinical Manifestations
Authors: Carneiro-Sampaio Magda , Jesus Adriana Almeida de , Bando Silvia Yumi , Moreira-Filho Carlos Alberto
Published: May 2022

In this article we revised the literature on Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) keeping our focus on those diseases presenting with intrauterine or perinatal clinical manifestations. We opted to describe our findings according to the IEI categories established by the International Union of Immunological Societies, predominantly addressing the immunological features of each condition or group of diseases. The main finding is that such precocious manifestations are largely concentrated in the group of primary immune regulatory disorders (PIRDs) and not in the group of classical immunodeficiencies. The IEI categories with higher number of immunological manifestations in utero or in perinatal period are: (i) diseases of immune dysregulation (HLH, IPEX and other Tregopathies, autosomal recessive ALPS with complete lack of FAS protein expression) and (ii) autoinflammatory diseases (NOMID/CINCA, DIRA and some interferonopathies, such as Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, AGS, and USP18 deficiency). Regarding the other IEI categories, some patients with Omenn syndrome (an atypical form of SCID), and a few X-linked CGD patients present with clinical manifestations at birth associated to immune dysregulation. The most frequent clinical features were hydrops fetalis, intrauterine growth retardation leading to fetal loss, stillbirths, and prematurity, as in HLH and IPEX. Additionally, pseudo-TORCH syndrome was observed in AGS and in USP18 deficiency. The main goal of our review was to contribute to increasing the medical awareness of IEI with intrauterine and perinatal onset, which has obvious implications for diagnosis, treatment, and genetic counseling.
Danhong Injection Price Trend and Its Utilization by Coronary Heart Disease Patients: Evidence From Hospital Records in China
Authors: Liu Liming , Xu Yue , Su Zihan , Man Xiaowei , Jiang Yan , Zhao Liying , Cheng Wei
Published: May 2022

Background: Danhong injection (DHI) accounts for the highest proportion of drug costs for inpatients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, if DHI price influences utilization remains unclear.

Objective: The objective was to compare changes in the use of DHI for CHD patients during three stages after two comprehensive reforms of public hospitals in Beijing. These findings will provide support for controlling the drug burden of CHD patients and regulating drug use behavior.

Research Design: CHD diagnosis and treatment data were extracted from the Hospital Information System (HIS) of 33 public hospitals. Patients were grouped according to different treatment methods and clinical classifications. Changes in the utilization of DHI, including the use rate (the percentage of CHD patients using DHI), number of prescribed units (average number of units of DHI prescribed per hospital stay), and cost of DHI per hospital stay (equal to the unit price multiplied by the number of prescribed units) between the three stages were statistically analyzed. Association rules were applied to identify changes in drug combinations.

Results: After the two reforms, the unit price of DHI dropped from $6.46 to $5.61. At the same time, the use rate increased from 20.77 to 24.00%, the number of prescribed units dropped from 29.76 to 29.21, and the cost of DHI per hospital stay dropped from $192.12 to $163.96. The changes in the use rate and number of prescribed units varied among patients with different clinical types and treatment methods, and the cost of CHI per hospital stay was consistent with the overall situation. The variety of drugs used in combination with DHI remained relatively stable.

Conclusion: The use rate of DHI for CHD patients increased, indicating increased applications of DHI in clinical practice. Due to the drop in price, the cost of using DHI decreased, and the financial burden of this drug was reduced.
In vitro Evaluation of Isoniazid Derivatives as Potential Agents Against Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Marquês Joaquim Trigo , Frazão De Faria Catarina , Reis Marina , Machado Diana , Santos Susana , Santos Maria da Soledade , Viveiros Miguel , Martins Filomena , De Almeida Rodrigo F. M.
Published: May 2022

The upsurge of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has toughened the challenge to put an end to this epidemic by 2030. In 2020 the number of deaths attributed to tuberculosis increased as compared to 2019 and newly identified multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases have been stably close to 3%. Such a context stimulated the search for new and more efficient antitubercular compounds, which culminated in the QSAR-oriented design and synthesis of a series of isoniazid derivatives active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. From these, some prospective isonicotinoyl hydrazones and isonicotinoyl hydrazides are studied in this work. To evaluate if the chemical derivatizations are generating compounds with a good performance concerning several in vitro assays, their cytotoxicity against human liver HepG2 cells was determined and their ability to bind human serum albumin was thoroughly investigated. For the two new derivatives presented in this study, we also determined their lipophilicity and activity against both the wild type and an isoniazid-resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis carrying the most prevalent mutation on the katG gene, S315T. All compounds were less cytotoxic than many drugs in clinical use with IC50 values after a 72 h challenge always higher than 25 µM. Additionally, all isoniazid derivatives studied exhibited stronger binding to human serum albumin than isoniazid itself, with dissociation constants in the order of 10−4–10−5 M as opposed to 10−3 M, respectively. This suggests that their transport and half-life in the blood stream are likely improved when compared to the parent compound. Furthermore, our results are a strong indication that the N′ = C bond of the hydrazone derivatives of INH tested is essential for their enhanced activity against the mutant strain of M. tuberculosis in comparison to both their reduced counterparts and INH.
Alterations of the Gut Microbiome and Fecal Metabolome in Colorectal Cancer: Implication of Intestinal Metabolism for Tumorigenesis
Authors: Du Xinhao , Li Qing , Tang Zhenzhen , Yan Li , Zhang Ling , Zheng Qiao , Zeng Xianghao , Chen Guimei , Yue Huawen , Li Jun , Zhao Ming , Han Yuan-Ping , Fu Xiangsheng
Published: May 2022

Objective: The gut microbiota and its metabolites are important for host physiological homeostasis, while dysbiosis is related to diseases including the development of cancers such as colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we characterized the relationship of an altered gut microbiome with the fecal metabolome in CRC patients in comparison with volunteers having a normal colorectal mucous membrane (NC).

Methods: The richness and composition of the microbiota in fecal samples of 30 CRC patients and 36 NC controls were analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the metabolome was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Spearman correlation analysis was to determine the correlation between the gut microbiome and fecal metabolome in CRC patients.

Results: There were significant alterations in the gut microbiome and fecal metabolome in CRC patients compared with NC controls. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Proteobacteria dominated the gut microbial communities at the phylum level in both groups. Compared with NC controls, CRC patients had a lower frequency of Blautia and Lachnospiracaea but a higher abundance of Bacteroides fragilis and Prevotella. Regarding the fecal metabolome, twenty-nine metabolites were identified as having significantly changed, showing increased levels of adrenic acid, decanoic acid, arachidonic acid, and tryptophan but a reduction in various monosaccharides in the fecal samples of CRC patients. Moreover, increased abundance of Bacteroides fragilis was strongly associated with decreased levels of monosaccharides, while Blautia was positively associated with the production of monosaccharides in the fecal samples.

Conclusion: These results highlight alterations of gut microbiota in association with certain metabolites in CRC progression, implying potential diagnostic and intervention potential for CRC.
Differences in Glycerolipid Response of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Starchless Mutant to High Light and Nitrogen Deprivation Stress Under Three Carbon Supply Regimes
Authors: Yang Miao , Xie Xi , Kong Fan-Tao , Xie Kun-Peng , Yu Si-Hui , Ma Jing-Yi , Xue Song , Gong Zheng
Published: May 2022

Carbon source serves as a crucial factor for microalgal lipid biosynthesis. The supplied exogenous inorganic or organic carbon affects lipid accumulation in microalgae under stress conditions. However, the impacts of different carbon availability on glycerolipid metabolism, triacylglycerol (TAG) metabolism in particular, still remain elusive in microalgae. Chlamydomonas starchless mutant BAFJ5 has emerged as a model system to study TAG metabolism, due to its property of hyper-accumulating TAG. In this study, the glycerolipidomic response of the starchless BAFJ5 to high light and nitrogen-deprived (HL-N) stress was deciphered in detail to distinguish glycerolipid metabolism under three carbon supply regimes. The results revealed that the autotrophically and mixotrophically grown BAFJ5 cells aerated with air containing 2% CO2 presented similar changes in growth, photosynthetic activity, biochemical components, and glycerolipid metabolism under HL-N conditions. But the mixotrophically grown BAFJ5 aerated with air containing 0.04% CO2 exhibited more superior accumulation in TAG, which was esterified with a significantly higher proportion of C18:1n9 and prominently the lower proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, these cells increased the relative levels of C18:2n6 in the membrane lipids, i.e., monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), in priority, and decreased that of C18:3n3 and C18:4n3 in the betaine lipid, N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine diacylglycerol (DGTS), subsequently, to adapt to the HL-N stress conditions, compared to the cells under the other two conditions. Thus, it was suggested that C. reinhardtii starchless mutant appeared to present distinct metabolism for TAG biosynthesis involving membrane lipid remodeling under distinct carbon supply regimes. This study provides insights into how the different carbon supply regimes affect lipid metabolism in Chlamydomonas starchless cells, which will benefit the optimized production of storage lipids in microalgae.
Combining Metabolomics and Transcriptomics to Reveal the Mechanism of Coloration in Purple and Cream Mutant of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.)
Authors: Zhang Rong , Li Ming , Tang Chaochen , Jiang Bingzhi , Yao Zhufang , Mo Xueying , Wang Zhangying
Published: May 2022

Purple sweet potato is considered as a healthy food because of its high anthocyanins. To understand the coloring mechanism and quality change between purple-fleshed sweet potato (cv. Xuzi201) and its cream fleshed mutant (M1001), a combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis was performed. The metabolome data showed that 4 anthocyanins, 19 flavones, 6 flavanones, and 4 flavonols dramatically decreased in M1001, while the contents of 3 isoflavones, 3 flavonols, 4 catechins, and 2 proanthocyanins increased. Transcriptomic analyses indicated that the expression of 49 structural genes in the flavonoid pathway and transcription factors (TFs) (e.g., bHLH2, R2R3-MYB, MYB1) inducting anthocyanin biosynthesis were downregulated, but the repressor MYB44 was upregulated. The IbMYB1-2 gene was detected as a mutation gene in M1001, which is responsible for anthocyanin accumulation in the storage roots. Thus, the deficiency of purple color in the mutant is due to the lack of anthocyanin accumulation which was regulated by IbMYB1. Moreover, the accumulation of starch and aromatic volatiles was significantly different between Xuzi201 and M1001. These results not only revealed the mechanism of color mutation but also uncovered certain health-promoting compounds in sweet potato.
Trends in Apomixis Research: The 10 Most Cited Research Articles Published in the Pregenomic and Genomic Eras
Authors: Palumbo Fabio , Draga Samela , Vannozzi Alessandro , Lucchin Margherita , Barcaccia Gianni
Published: May 2022

Apomixis, or asexual reproduction by seed, represents an easy shortcut for life cycle renewal based on maternal embryo production without ploidy reduction (meiosis) and ploidy restitution (syngamy). Although the first studies officially published on this topic in scientific journals date back to the early 1930s, the identification and introduction of genes involved in asexual reproduction in species of agronomic interest still represent a major challenge. Through a bibliometric analysis of the research programs implemented in apomixis over the last 40 years, the present study was aimed to discuss not only the main findings achieved but also the investigational methods and model species used. We split the critical survey of the most cited original articles into pregenomic and genomic eras to identify potential trends and depict scenarios that have emerged in the scientific community working on apomixis, as well as to determine any correlation between the exponential increase in acquired basic knowledge and the development of advanced analytical technologies. This review found a substantial stagnation in the use of the same model species, with few exceptions, for at least 40 years. In contrast, the development of new molecular techniques, genomic platforms, and repositories has directly affected the approaches used in research, which has been directed toward an increasingly focused study of the genetic and epigenetic determinants of apomixis.
Comparative Transcriptomics Analysis of the Symbiotic Germination of D. officinale (Orchidaceae) With Emphasis on Plant Cell Wall Modification and Cell Wall-Degrading Enzymes
Authors: Chen Juan , Tang Yanjing , Kohler Annegret , Lebreton Annie , Xing Yongmei , Zhou Dongyu , Li Yang , Martin Francis M. , Guo Shunxing
Published: May 2022

Orchid seed germination in nature is an extremely complex physiological and ecological process involving seed development and mutualistic interactions with a restricted range of compatible mycorrhizal fungi. The impact of the fungal species' partner on the orchids' transcriptomic and metabolic response is still unknown. In this study, we performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis between symbiotic and asymbiotic germination at three developmental stages based on two distinct fungi (Tulasnella sp. and Serendipita sp.) inoculated to the same host plant, Dendrobium officinale. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding important structural proteins of the host plant cell wall were identified, such as epidermis-specific secreted glycoprotein, proline-rich receptor-like protein, and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) extensin-like protein. These DEGs were significantly upregulated in the symbiotic germination stages and especially in the protocorm stage (stage 3) and seedling stage (stage 4). Differentially expressed carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in symbiotic fungal mycelium were observed, they represented 66 out of the 266 and 99 out of the 270 CAZymes annotated in Tulasnella sp. and Serendipita sp., respectively. These genes were speculated to be involved in the reduction of plant immune response, successful colonization by fungi, or recognition of mycorrhizal fungi during symbiotic germination of orchid seed. Our study provides important data to further explore the molecular mechanism of symbiotic germination and orchid mycorrhiza and contribute to a better understanding of orchid seed biology.
“Every Child Is Special…”: Perspectives on the Integration of Children Born of War and Their War-Affected Peers at a Local School in Northern Uganda
Authors: Ojok Boniface
Published: May 2022

This article examines the circumstances of 16 Children Born of War (CBOW) who participated in a classroom activity designed to understand their experiences of integration at a local school in post war northern Uganda. The children are part of a generation of returnees who were conceived as a result of sexual violence and forced marriages between the commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and young girls abducted from their communities. The research at the Alur Primary School (APS) articulates the children's views, and how this one school managed to integrate CBOW and war-affected children, treating each as special, to advance their learning and their education. Specifically, each of the 181 war-affected children involved in the class activity was given a chance to recall key moments of their time at APS. Their write-ups were analyzed into themes illustrating what happened when CBOW were integrated into the school, and how the school responded to their educational needs. The activity did not isolate CBOW from their non-CBOW peers, hence giving every child the opportunity to freely express their views regardless of their background. This article contributes to our understanding of how schools, as one of the most influential institutions that shape the development of children, can foreground the voices of CBOW as beneficiaries of education and actors in their own right.
Revisiting the Effects of Gender Diversity in Small Groups on Divergent Thinking: A Large-Scale Study Using Synchronous Electronic Brainstorming
Authors: Peter Laurine , Michinov Nicolas , Besançon Maud , Michinov Estelle , Juhel Jacques , Brown Genavee , Jamet Eric , Cherbonnier Anthony ,   ProFAN Consortium
Published: May 2022

Numerous studies have examined the effects of gender diversity in groups on creative performance, and no clear effect has been identified. Findings depend on situational cues making gender diversity more or less salient in groups. A large-scale study on two cohorts (N = 2,261) was conducted among business students to examine the impact of the gender diversity in small groups on divergent thinking in an idea-generation task performed by synchronous electronic brainstorming. Participants were automatically randomized in three- or four-member groups to generate ideas during 10 min on a gendered or neutral task. Then, five categories of groups where the proportion of men/women in groups varied from three/four men to three/four women were compared to examine creative performance on three divergent thinking measures (fluency, flexibility, and originality). A Multivariate Generalized Linear Mixed Model (mGLMM) showed greater fluency in all-women groups than in other groups (except mixed-gender groups composed of two men and two women), and more specifically “solo” groups composed of a single woman/man among a majority of men/women. For flexibility and originality, the superiority of all-women groups was found only in comparison to “solo” groups composed of a single woman. As gender differences are more salient in “solo” groups than in other groups faultlines may appear in groups, leading to a deleterious impact on creative performance.
Assessment of Preservice Music Teachers’ Multicultural Personality: Multicultural Music Education Perspective
Authors: Chen Shu , Wong Kwan Yie
Published: May 2022

This study examines preservice music teachers’ multicultural personality level and characteristics in the context of multicultural music education in China, focusing on the factors that influence the teachers’ multicultural personality traits. We surveyed 433 preservice music teachers who respondedviathe Multicultural Personality Questionnaire-Short Form survey instrument. The results indicated that the multicultural personality level of preservice music teachers was intermediate, mainly due to a deficiency in the Flexibility and Emotional Stability dimensions, which are necessary for dealing with cultural differences in the face of unknown multicultural conditions. In addition, we also found that the size of a teacher’s hometown and the years of studying and teaching are significant factors in shaping preservice music teachers’ multicultural personalities. Preservice music teachers whose hometowns are big cities have a higher multicultural personality level than those in rural areas. The more time a preservice music teacher spent studying and teaching, the higher the multicultural personality level. Gender, educational level, and experience playing musical instruments have no statistically significant effect on the multicultural personality of preservice music teachers.
Deep Cross-Cultural Reconstruction Process in the Context of Cultural Potential: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Zhang Fengyi , Xie Jinyu , Luo Ling
Published: May 2022

Cross-cultural adaptation significantly impacts the development of individuals in different cultural environments. Because of art scholars’ intense cultural intervention, their cross-cultural process—cultural reconstruction—significantly differs from that of other groups. However, there is insufficient research on their process. In this study, 29 contemporary Chinese artists living in Germany were interviewed. Grounded theory was used to propose a new ladder theory. We found that the cross-cultural reconstruction process includes two sub-processes and seven ladder-like stages containing the “driver–strategy–outcome” logic. Arguably, the ladder model provides a stronger explanation for the mechanism of art scholars’ cross-cultural reconstruction process.
Beneficial Effects of Motor Imagery and Self-Talk on Service Performance in Skilled Tennis Players
Authors: Robin Nicolas , Dominique Laurent , Guillet-Descas Emma , Hue Olivier
Published: May 2022

This research aim to investigate the effects of motor imagery (MI), focused on the trajectory of the ball and the target area, and self-talk (motivational function) before the actual strike on the performance of the service in skilled tennis players. Thirty-three participants (6 females and 27 males, Mage = 15.9 years), competing in regional to national competitions, were randomly divided into three groups: Control, MI, and MI + self-talk. They performed a pre-test (25 first service), 20 acquisition sessions (physical trial, physical trial + MI and physical trial + MI + self-talk), and a post-test similar to the pre-test, in match situations. The percentage of the first service, their speed, and the efficiency scores, evaluated by experts, were use as dependent variables and indicators of performance. While there was no difference in service speed ( p > 0.05), this study showed an improvement in the first service percentage and efficiency (all ps < 0.01) in the participants of the MI and MI + self-talk groups. Additionally, analyses revealed greater efficiency when MI was combined with self-talk compared to other conditions. It, therefore, seems advantageous for skilled tennis players to use MI and motivational self-talk before performing the first service balls.
The Relationship Between Illusory Heaviness Sensation and the Motion Speed of Visual Feedback in Gesture-Based Touchless Inputs
Authors: Kawabe Takahiro , Ujitoko Yusuke , Yokosaka Takumi
Published: May 2022

Interaction systems with gesture-based touchless inputs are becoming more common. Nevertheless, perceptual properties of the visual feedback used in the system have not been well documented. We investigated whether the speed of motion shown in visual feedback used in gesture-based touchless inputs could be a cue for the heaviness sensation of an object even when other incidental cues, such as changes in object size and spatial consistencies in direction between gestures and feedback, were eliminated from the stimuli. Participants were asked to make a gesture to grasp and raise/lower disks shown on a horizontal display. The disk’s diameter changed in accordance with the vertical position of the participant’s hand. The results showed that the rate of change in diameter determined the heaviness sensation. When the disks were replaced with concentric gratings having sinusoidal radial intensity and thus the cue of size change was eliminated from the stimuli, the heaviness sensation was dependent on the speed of phase shift (that is, motion) in the grating. It was also found that spatial consistency between the direction of gestures and phase shift was not a critical condition for the heaviness sensation. Finally, the speed of motion served as a critical determinant of the heaviness sensation even when another visual feature (i.e., frame rate) was modulated in a single session, which indicates that the effect of the speed of motion on the heaviness sensation was unlikely due to demanded characteristics. The results indicate that the heaviness sensation for visual feedback of gesture-based touchless inputs is based purely on the speed of the visual feedback motion.
From Offline to Online: Understanding Chinese Single Mothers’ Uncertainty Management in Interpersonal and Online Contexts
Authors: Kuang Kai , Zhao Xiaoman , Basnyat Iccha , He Tianping
Published: May 2022

Divorced and unwed single motherhood is heavily stigmatized in Chinese cultural context, preventing Chinese single mothers from actively seeking the information and support needed and negatively impacting their wellbeing. Drawing on the theory of motivated information management (TMIM), this study tested how perceived stigma and cultural norms influenced Chinese single mothers’ search for information and social support from families, friends as well as from online communities. Using two-wave data collected from 226 single mothers, findings support the utility of the TMIM in explaining information management and support seeking behaviors and contribute to situating the TMIM process within larger socio-cultural contexts. Practical implications regarding how to facilitate more effective uncertainty management and enhance Chinese single mothers’ wellbeing in interpersonal vs. online contexts are discussed.
Performance Differences in Male Youth Basketball Players According to Selection Status and Playing Position: An Evaluation of the Basketball Learning and Performance Assessment Instrument
Authors: Rösch David , Ströbele Martin G. , Leyhr Daniel , Ibáñez Sergio J. , Höner Oliver
Published: May 2022

The Basketball Learning and Performance Assessment Instrument (BALPAI) has been initially developed and evaluated to assess the performance of students or youth basketball players on the entry level. As it is currently the only observational instrument that allows an overall assessment of players’ in-game performance, it might represent a valuable tool for talent identification and development purposes. To investigate this potential field of application, this study aimed to evaluate the BALPAI regarding reliability and diagnostic validity when assessing youth basketball players within a competitive setting. The study sample comprised N = 54 male youth players (Mage = 14.36 ± 0.33 years) of five regional selection teams (Point Guards, PG: n = 19; Shooting Guards and Small Forwards, SG/SF: n = 21; and Power Forwards and Centers, PF/C: n = 14) that competed at the annual U15 national selection tournament of the German Basketball Federation (n = 24 selected; n = 30 non-selected). A total of 1997 ball-bound actions from five games were evaluated with BALPAI. The inter-rater reliability was assessed for technical execution, decision making, and final efficacy. The diagnostic validity of the instrument was examined via mean group comparisons of the players’ offensive game involvement and performance regarding both selection-dependent and position-dependent differences. The inter-rater reliability was confirmed for all performance-related components (κadj ≥ 0.51) while diagnostic validity was established only for specific the BALPAI variables. The selection-dependent analysis demonstrated higher offensive game involvement of selected players in all categories (p < 0.05, 0.27 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.40) as well as better performance in shooting and receiving (p < 0.05, 0.23 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.24). Within the positional groups, the strongest effects were demonstrated among PG (p < 0.05, 0.46 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.60). The position-dependent analysis revealed that PG are more involved in total ball-bound actions (p < 0.05; 0.34 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.53), passing (p < 0.001; 0.55 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.67), and dribbling (p < 0.05, 0.45 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.69) compared to players in other positions. Further differences between players according to selection status and playing position were not detected. The results of this evaluation indicate that the instrument, in its current form, is not yet applicable in competitive youth basketball. The findings highlight the importance of optimizing BALPAI for reliable and valid performance assessments in this context. Future studies should investigate the application of stricter and position-specific criteria to use the observational tool for talent identification and development purposes.
Breast Cancer Survivors’ Lived Experience of Adjuvant Hormone Therapy: A Thematic Analysis of Medication Side Effects and Their Impact on Adherence
Authors: Ibrar Maryam , Peddie Nicola , Agnew Sommer , Diserholt Amanda , Fleming Leanne
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Side effects from Hormone Therapy (HT) impact medication adherence in breast cancer survivors. Understanding the most distressing HT side effects and their impacts may inform the development and implementation of interventions to alleviate these side effects and maximise HT adherence. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of adjuvant HT and understand the impact of HT side effects on adherence in a sample of breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Twenty-five female breast cancer survivors who were currently taking adjuvant HT participated in the study. One-to-one, online, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore (i) specific side effects from HT and (ii) the impact of these side effects on HT adherence. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis.

Results

The most commonly reported side effects were sleep disturbance, hot flashes, anxiety, and joint pain. Data exploring the impacts of these side effects on HT adherence were thematically synthesised into four analytical themes: “A bitter pill to swallow,” “Seeking relief,” “Taking control,” and “The only way out is through.” These themes encompass 14 sub-themes that encapsulate participants’ daily struggle with HT side effects and the coping strategies developed to manage these.

Conclusion

Adverse side effects from HT, such as sleep disturbance, hot flashes, pain and anxiety, impair quality of life and increase the likelihood of participants’ becoming non-adherent to HT medication. In order to maximise HT adherence and reduce breast cancer mortality, HT side effects should be closely monitored to identify individuals who would benefit from targetted intervention strategies aimed at alleviating these side effects.
Enacting Metaphors in Systemic Collaborative Therapy
Authors: Rucińska Zuzanna , Fondelli Thomas
Published: May 2022

What makes metaphors good therapeutic tools? In this paper, we provide an answer to this question by analyzing how metaphors work in systemic collaborative therapeutic practices. We look at the recent embodied, enactive and ecological proposals to metaphors, and provide our own, dialogical-enactive account, whereby metaphors are tools for enacting change in therapeutic dialogs. We highlight the role of enacting metaphors in therapy, which is concerned with how one uses the metaphors in shared process of communication. Our answer is that metaphors serve as good tools for connecting to action words, through which the client’s embodiment and agency can be explored. To illustrate our view, we analyze two examples of enacting metaphors in therapeutic engagements with adolescents. Our enactive proposal to metaphors is different from others as it does not rely on engaging in explicit performances but stays within a linguistic dialog. We take metaphoric engagement as an act of participatory sense-making, unfolding in the interaction. This insight stems from enactive ways of thinking about language as a process accomplished by embodied agents in interaction, and seeing talking also as a form of doing.
Effects of Psychological Capital and Person-Job Fit on Hospitality Employees’ Work-Family Conflict, Family-Work Conflict and Job Performance: The Moderating Role of Marital Status
Authors: Yan Zhen , Bai Na , Mansor Zuraina Dato , Choo Wei Chong
Published: May 2022

Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory and congruence theory, this study aims to investigate the influence of psychological capital (PsyCap) and person-job fit (PJ fit) on work–family conflict (WFC), family–work conflict (FWC) and job performance (JP), especially the moderating effect of marital status on hypothesized relationships between two directions of conflicts in the work-family interface and JP. Utilizing a two-stage design, this study surveyed 312 flight attendants employed by two international airline companies in Malaysia and used the structural equation modeling technique to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings showed that PsyCap could significantly alleviate two directions of WFC simultaneously and promote employees’ JP. PJ fit was also identified to be an effective mitigator of WFC and FWC; however, a significant association between PJ fit and JP has not been found in this study. The findings further suggested that both WFC and FWC could mediate the association between PsyCap and JP. In addition, the fact that marital status resulted in disparity in the formation of JP was also evidenced. Airline companies should pay more attention to the positive impact of individual psychological determinants, such as PsyCap and PJ fit, which can effectively alleviate various issues in the work–family interface, thereby improving employees’ JP.
Severe Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms Among Ebola Virus Disease Survivors and Healthcare Workers in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Eastern DR Congo
Authors: Cénat Jude Mary , Rousseau Cécile , Bukaka Jacqueline , Dalexis Rose Darly , Guerrier Mireille
Published: May 2022

Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors and healthcare workers (HCWs) face stress, fear, and stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic that can induce severe symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We examined the prevalence and factors related to severe PTSD and anxiety symptoms, using a representative sample of survivors of the 2018–2020 EVD epidemic in DR Congo in comparison HCWs. Five hundred sixty-three participants (55.25% women, 309 survivors, 202 HCWs, and 52 HCWs and survivors) completed questionnaires assessing anxiety, PTSD, exposure to EVD and COVID-19, stigmatization related to EVD and COVID-19, interpersonal traumas, social support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 45.6 and 75.0% of survivors and HCWs reported severe symptoms of PTSD and anxiety. Significant difference was observed among the three groups for both PTSD (53.7% survivors, 37.1% HCWs, and 30.8% HCWs-survivors, χ2= 18.67, p < 0.0001) and anxiety (88.3% survivors, 56.9% HCWs, and 65.4% HCWs- survivors, χ2= 67.03, p < 0.0001). Comorbidity of severe PTSD and anxiety symptoms was 42.3% between the three groups. Results revealed that exposure to EVD (b = 0.53; p = 0.001; b = 0.12; p = 0.042), EVD-related stigmatization (b = 0.14; p = 0.018; b = 0.07; p = 0.006), COVID-19-related stigmatization (b = 0.22; p < 0.0001; b = 0.08; p = 0.0001) and social support (b = −0.30; p < 0.0001; b = −0.14; p < 0.0001) predicted severe PTSD and anxiety symptoms. The last models explained 63.8 and 56.4% of the variance of PTSD and anxiety. Symptoms of PTSD and anxiety are common among EVD survivors and HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Culturally-sensitive programs that address stigma are necessary to mitigate the cumulative effects of EVD and the COVID-19 pandemic on EVD survivors and HCWs.